Computer Shopper - UK (2021-01)

48 JANUARY2021|COMPUTER SHOPPER|ISSUE395

01

Wirelessrouterseachuseanumber

ofWi-Fistandards,soyoushouldn’t

haveanytroubleconnectingyourcomputer

orphonewirelesslyifyougetan802.11nor

802.11ac router.Nearly all routers support

802.11n, so even acheap model should

provide decent performance.

Youcan expect atransfer speed of around

40Mbit/s at adistance of 10m from any

modern 802.11n router.The very latest

routers use the 802.11ac standard, which

provides tremendously fast transfer

speeds. Some devices still don’t support

the 802.11ac standard, so check the

specifications before you buy.

02

If you subscribe to an ADSL

broadband service,you should buy

Choosinga... Wirelessrouter

awireless router that has abuilt-in ADSL

modem. This will cost more than the

equivalent cable router,but it allows you

to connect your router directly to your

broadband connection without having to

use aseparatemodem.

03

Most 802.11n wireless routers use

the 2.4GHz frequency band. This has

good range but it can be prone to

interference if it’s positioned close to alot

of other 2.4GHz devices, such as other

routers and babymonitors. If you have

trouble getting aconsistent signal or you

want faster speeds forvideo streaming, for

example,it’s worth buying adual-band

router that can use both the 2.4GHz and

5GHz bands.

Alternatively,ahigh-gainantenna can

boost signals and improve ranges and

throughputs to the entire house.You can

also add ahigh-gain antenna to aPC’s

network adaptor.Ifwired network speeds

are apriority, you should look forarouter

with aGigabit Ethernet connection.

04

Many routers come with built-in USB

ports that let you connect aUSB drive

and use the router as anetwork storage

device.Ifyou want to share aUSB printer

over your network, look forawireless router

that has aUSB print server.

Finally,ifyou’re interested in making voice

calls over the internet, buy arouter with

built-in VoIP support (and phone sockets)

because this can save you money.

NETWORKS

BT Complete

Wi-Fi

★★★★★

£5 per month•www.bt.com

GOOGLE NestWiFi

★★★★★

£239•store.google.com

NETGEAR NighthawkAX8

★★★★★

£300•www.scan.co.uk

D-LINKDIR-1960

★★★★★

£104•www.amzn.to/2Tj1zf5

Thereare

better-featured

mesh systems available,but the CompleteWi-Fi is

decently quick on both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, and is well

worth it forBTPluscustomers in particular.

This mesh system

is alittle

different: its

satellites are also Google Assistant

speakers, adding some neat smart home

functionality throughout your house.

If you want to get

in early on Wi-Fi

6/802.11ax, this is a

good router to do it with. It’s no more

difficult to set up than an 802.11ac

model, but successfuly delivers the newer standard’s higher speeds.

The DIR-1960 is asimple

yet speedy router that can

optionally be turned intoa

mesh system (provided you buy the additional

satellites, of course). Either way, youcan also take

advantage of built-in Alexa and Google Assistant controls.

WI-FISTANDARD802.11ac•STATEDSPEED1,733Mbit/s(5GHz), 385Mbit/s (2.4GHz)•

USBPORTS (^1) • WALLMOUNTABLENo•WARRANTYUnder rental contract•
PARTCODEBT Complete Wi-Fi•FULLREVIEWMar2019
MODEMGigabitEthernet•WI-FISTANDARD802.11ac•STATEDSPEEDNotstated•USB
PORTSNone•WALLMOUNTABLENo•WARRANTYTwoyears RTB•PARTCODENest WiFi•
FULLREVIEWAug2020
MODEMGigabitEthernet•WI-FISTANDARD802.11ax•STATEDSPEED4,800Mbit/s(5GHz),
1,200Mbit/s (2.4GHz)•USBPORTS (^2) • WALLMOUNTABLEYes•WARRANTYTwoyears RTB•
DETAILSwww.netgear.com•PARTCODERAX80•FULLREVIEWJan2020
MODEMGigabitEthernet•WI-FISTANDARD802.11ac•STATEDSPEED1,300Mbit/s(5GHz),
600Mbit/s (2.4GHz)•USBPORTS1x USB2•WALLMOUNTABLEYes•WARRANTYTwoyears
RTB•DETAILSwwww.d-link.com•PARTCODEDIR-1960•FULLREVIEWNov2019
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lbl b h l
At nearly half the price of
some equivalent Wi-Fi 6
mesh systems, the TP-Link
Deco X60 is agreat option forthose who
want the latest wireless technology
without breaking the bank.
MODEMGigabitEthernet•WI-FISTANDARD802.11ax•STATEDSPEED2,404Mbit/s (5GHz),
574Mbit/s (2.4GHz)•USBPORTSNone•WALLMOUNTABLENo•WARRANTYTwoyears RTB•
PARTCODEDeco X60•FULLREVIEWSep 2020
NETGEAR OrbiOutdoorRBS50Y
★★★★★
£275•www.broadbandbuyer.com
This weatherproofWi-Fi extender
is aperfect addition to mesh
systems that can’t quitecover a
garden. It has similar internal specfications to the
brilliant Orbi RBK50, meaning high speeds and
reliable connections.
WI-FISTANDARD802.11ac•STATEDSPEED1x 866Mbit/s(5GHz)1x1,733Mbit/s (5GHz),
1x 400Mbit/s(2.4GHz)•USBPORTS (^0) • WALLMOUNTABLEYes•WARRANTYTwoyears RTB•
DETAILSwww.netgear.co.uk•PARTCODERBS50Y•FULLREVIEWJul2019
TP-LINK Deco X 60
★★★★★
£413•www.tp-link.com
n
a
onal
also take
wkAX8
ewer standard’s higherrssppeeeeddddss.
ax•STATEDSPEED4,800Mbit/s (5GHz),