Wi-Fi Standard (Wi-Fi 5 vs 6 vs 6E vs 7)

This is the number one thing you want to check.
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): The workhorse. Great speeds, excellent for households or offices with many connected devices. It’s become the new standard.
• Wi-Fi 6E: Same as Wi-Fi 6 but with access to the new 6 GHz band = less congestion, better speed, and fewer “network drama” moments.
• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): The latest standard, promising even higher speeds, lower latency, and advanced features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO). While cutting-edge, compatible devices are still becoming more mainstream.

Frequency Bands (Dual-Band vs Tri-Band)

Routers can talk on different frequencies. “The more lanes on the highway, the less traffic”.
• Dual-Band: Supports two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band offers wider coverage but slower speeds and is more prone to interference. The 5 GHz band provides faster speeds but has a shorter range.

• Tri-Band: Adds a second 5 GHz band (or a 6 GHz band in Wi-Fi 6E routers), allowing for even better distribution of network traffic and higher overall speeds, especially with multiple connected devices.

• What to Consider: For most homes, a good dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router specs are sufficient. If you have many bandwidth-intensive devices or live in a crowded Wi-Fi environment, tri-band routers can significantly improve performance.

Maximum Theoretical Speed

This number, often displayed as part of the Wi-Fi standard name (e.g., AX in AX3000), represents the combined maximum theoretical speed across all frequency bands.
• Understanding the Numbers: AX3000 means a combined theoretical speed of 3000 Mbps (Megabits per second). This is a maximum theoretical value and you’ll rarely achieve these speeds in real-world usage.
• What to Consider: While you won’t hit these peak speeds, a higher number generally indicates  that capable router specs with better potential for handling multiple devices and demanding applications. Match this to your internet plan speed and the number of devices you use simultaneously.

Ethernet Ports (Gigabit Ethernet, 2.5 Gbps, 10 Gbps)

These wired ports allow you to connect devices directly to routers for the most stable and fastest possible speeds.
• Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps): The standard for most routers and sufficient for most internet plans and home networking needs.
• 2.5 Gbps or 10 Gbps: These faster ports are becoming more common on higher-end routers and are beneficial if you have a multi-gigabit internet plan or need high-speed wired connections for devices like Network Attached Storage (NAS) or gaming PCs.
• What to Consider: Ensure the router has enough Ethernet ports for your wired devices. If you have a very fast internet connection or specific high-bandwidth wired needs, consider routers with faster Ethernet ports.

RAM and Processor (The Router’s Brain)

While often overlooked, the router’s internal RAM and processor play a crucial role in its overall performance, especially when handling many connected devices and running advanced features.
• Impact: Routers with more RAM and a faster processor is generally better at managing network traffic, preventing slowdowns, and running features like Quality of Service (QoS) efficiently.
• What to Consider: Manufacturers don’t always prominently display these specs. However, reading reviews can give you insights into the router’s performance under load. Generally, higher-end router specs will have more powerful internals.