【Router Guide】Choosing the Right Wireless Router 2026-01-07 The primary function of a router is to connect various independent networks and find the best transmission route for data frames passing through it, quickly sending data to its destination. Depending on their functions, routers can be categorized into five types. Today, we will focus on one type: the wireless router, also known as a Wi-Fi router. Guide to Buying Routers What is Wi-Fi 6E? How to Choose a Router Setup Instructions Key Considerations for Choosing a Router 1. Connection Speed Your router should match your broadband speed. Generally, most homes or businesses in Hong Kong use broadband plans of either 1000mbps or 100mbps. Selecting a router that corresponds to your monthly plan is the fundamental first step. By 2025, fiber broadband has gradually become popular, reaching 2500M speeds. When purchasing a router in 2025, it's advisable to choose one with 2.5 Gbps or higher WAN/LAN ports and preferably Wi-Fi 7 models to fully utilize the potential of a 2500M connection. 2. Coverage Area Wi-Fi signal coverage is another challenging issue, especially in homes that predominantly use brick walls, as the density of these materials affects signal penetration. Mesh Wi-Fi has become a mainstream solution, utilizing multiple nodes to create a seamless network and eliminate dead zones. Wi-Fi 7 supports Multiple Link Operation (MLO), allowing simultaneous use of 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands for improved roaming stability and speed. 3. Wi-Fi Standards The main Wi-Fi standards currently available are Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi 5 has a maximum transmission speed of 6933Mb/s, while Wi-Fi 6 can reach up to 9607.8Mb/s. Wi-Fi 5 only supports the 5GHz band, whereas Wi-Fi 6 offers both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. As of 2025, the mainstream Wi-Fi standards are Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6, with Wi-Fi 7 having the following advantages: Higher Bandwidth: Supports 320MHz bandwidth, with a theoretical maximum data speed of 46Gbps. Higher Efficiency: Supports Multi-RU and 4K-QAM data density, four times better than Wi-Fi 6. Lower Latency: Better suited for online gaming, AR/VR, and 4K/8K streaming. 4. Security Features Since routers manage large volumes of data, the security of your router is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and data theft. While selecting a router, pay attention to encryption technology, firewalls, and parental controls. At a minimum, look for WPA2 or WPA3 security features, and additional firewall options or DoS attack protection for enhanced safety when using a wireless connection. 5. Number of Connected Devices With the rise of smart homes, many users may need to connect multiple devices simultaneously. Choosing a router that can support numerous connections is vital to avoid overloads that may cause frequent disconnections or unstable speeds. If multiple devices need wired connections, be sure to check the number of LAN ports available on the router. Recommended Routers TP-Link Archer GE230 BE3600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router This router uses Wi-Fi 7 technology and features a 2.5 GbE WAN port and one LAN port, along with three 1 GbE LAN ports. It comes with four adjustable antennas and offers speeds up to 2882 Mbps on the 5GHz band. It includes advanced security functions comparable to higher-end models and features a built-in gaming accelerator to reduce latency. TP-Link Archer BE700 Wi-Fi 7 BE15000 Tri-Band Router This router supports Wi-Fi 7 technology and comes with a 10 GbE WAN port, 2.5 GbE LAN, and three 1 GbE LAN ports. It features six optimally positioned antennas, with the 6 GHz band supporting 4T4R specifications at speeds up to 11528 Mbps, enhanced with WPA3 security and a SPI firewall. Asus RT-BE58U BE3600 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router The ASUS RT-BE58U offers ultra-fast dual-band Wi-Fi 7 speeds of up to 3600 Mbps and utilizes AI-enhanced Smart AiMesh technology to expand coverage. It provides continuous point-to-point network security protection and supports advanced networking technologies for a premium home networking experience. Netgear RS300 BE9300 Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router With speeds up to 9.3Gbps, this router is suitable for gaming, streaming, and video conferencing. It features high-performance antennas for coverage of up to 2,500 square feet and includes multiple Gigabit internet ports for fast wired connections, along with NETGEAR® Armor™ for automatic security protection.
