Buying your networking equipment for the spectrum can be a dicey situation. Routers connect two or more packet-switched networks. It directs the traffic on the internet. There are numerous types of routers such as LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks). Spectrum is one service provider that provides routers at a fee. Let us see should you buy router for Spectrum.
You might question to buy a Spectrum router because it requires an initial investment in your wireless router. However, it saves your Spectrum router rental fee for the entire lifetime. Buying your router or modem for spectrum has various aspects when it boils down to the cost, maintenance and long-term use.
If you’re confused before buying the router for spectrum, read this informative article below.
Should I buy my router for spectrum?
There are numerous advantages to it. It can be listed as-
- Tech-up-gradation– It keeps you upgraded with technological advancement and newer features.
- Optimisation– It helps in optimum utilisation of time with its speedy processing and another quick response period.
- Reduces screen time– It significantly reduces your online screen time which makes you more efficient.
- Long-term use– It saves you cash by avoiding additional charges such as the Spectrum router rental fee, after the initial investment in the modem.
Which router should I buy for spectrum?
In today’s scenario, you have thousands of brand and model options to choose from. Before you choose your fit-in criteria, here are a few considerations to get you the best deal which puts your router rental fee back in your pockets.
- Budget– It is a prominent aspect of choosing the router. It can vary in price from $100 to $300 or even more.
- Compatibility– Even though the majority of routers are compatible with the ISP (Internet Service Provider), make sure you check your preferred router’s compatibility anyways.
- Internet Speed– You should check the internet speed provided by your router. Generally, routers offer a combination of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
- Wireless Protocol– While you search for the routers, you’ll see the number 802.11 plus a letter or combination of letters. It represents the wireless protocol or the W-Fi standard and the range of the router.
- Use of mesh Wi-Fi– Make sure to check the range or area coverability of the router.
Are there any optional/additional features of the routers?
Ever since the growing competition, we’ve been acing the technology game at a high pace. Router brands are launching their new features all the time. Such technological updates advance you on the online platform. Here are a few features, you might want to look at while choosing a router.
- Quality of Service– It lets you tell your router to prioritize the internet connection on your device over any other time at a particular period. For eg, if you have an important zoom call to attend and need to make sure you have a stable network but your partner is binging over Netflix; you can instruct your router to prioritize your laptop’s internet connection over the Smart TV.
- The Multi-Factor– There’s a feature called MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) which allows your router to get connected with multiple devices effectively, both wired and non-wired connections.
- Beamforming– It is a modern technique to direct a Wi-Fi signal to a particular device. It is an efficient way to target a strong connection.
What are the best spectrum internet modems and routers?
Despite the numerous options available in the market, we’ve listed down the best models.
- ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 Modem
- NETGEAR CM500 Modem
- TP-Link Archer A20 Router
- NETGEAR Orbi CBR750 Modem-Router
- ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 Router
- Linksys AC1750 Wi-Fi Router
- MOTOROLA MG7540 Wi-Fi Router
- ASUS CM-32 Wi-Fi Router
- ASUS AX6000 Router
Which is better: Spectrum router or modem?
A Spectrum router and a modem might sound similar since they have a few similarities but there are certain key differences as well. Let’s read out to know more.
- Cost– Modems are cheaper than routers.
- Speed– Modems provide a speed of up to 400 Mbps whereas routers provide a speed of up to 2,000 Mbps.
- Access– The modem does not provide access to the connected devices while the router grants access to the connected devices.
- Rent– Modem cannot be rented but a router could be rented from spectrum for a reasonable price.
- Connection– Modem, using Ethernet only, provides a wired internet connection. While on the other hand, routers offer Bluetooth and HDMI connectivity, besides using Ethernet.
Conclusion
You can buy a router for spectrum by analysing your internet usage, expenditure and budget. It would not only save your time and avoid hassles but also save you money by avoiding router rental fees. Perhaps, a spectrum router works the best at smaller installations like for residential or small business use. On the contrary, if you have an internet usage more than that of an average consumer like if you want to run your server with 100s of IP addresses, you might want to consider buying a router for spectrum.
