Routers are getting more and more sophisticated by the day, resulting in the amount of devices a single one can handle being quite high. Wireless routers can accommodate up to 250 devices at once. Multiple access points can be added to a router which boasts that number up even higher. However, there is one problem: bandwidth.
Your Router can Handle 250 Devices, But it really should only handle 45
All the devices that are connected to a router use the bandwidth from the router and each time they take some of that bandwidth it slows the connection. A home’s router has a set limit on bandwidth usually at 300 Mbps. The router pulls information indiscriminately so each device will get some of that Mbps, but whichever device needs more Mbps (say you’re streaming a movie) will be given more by the router.
Routers in homes have much less networking power than one at a business where multiple access points will be added. But, even additional access points can overheat while more devices are added.
Wireless routers can support up to 250 devices, but with each added device the bandwidth goes down. Even a small number of devices can greatly reduce the power of a router. To stream a video you need about 3 Mbps, but to stream on most services that offer 4k, you’ll need between 25 to 40 Mbps.
Any device that can connect to the internet can connect to a router. This includes phones, gaming consoles, computers, tablets, and even some appliances. With this in mind, about 45 devices could connect to a home router and not much slow down would occur. Each would get about 7 Mbps. Depending on what these 45 devices are doing will also affect internet speed.
Make sure your router can handle multiple devices
Now that you know how many devices a router can handle, you should buy a good one. Routers can be expensive and since they are like any other device today, they can store sensitive information on them. When you have to change the device, make sure that the old one is destroyed properly, usually through a secure data destruction method.
Once you have taken care of your old device, it is now time to choose which new router to buy. Looking through the pages of reviews can be time-consuming so we’ve compiled the 6 best routers for multiple devices with the help of mybestwirelessrouters.
NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream
This may be the sleekest looking router of them all. The traditional four antennae which stick out from the sides have been tucked into protective “wings” to give it the appearance of a bird of prey.
The Nighthawk AX8 has 4 times the network capability than its previous versions, making it optimal for multiple devices. The router has speeds of 6 Gbps and has backward compatibility with older devices.
TP-Link AC1500
From the minds at TP-Link, the Archer C1500 is a smart wifi router in that it has many built-in features, designed to accommodate a four-person home. Guest wifi can be established, parental controls can be programmed, and it has 4k and HD streaming.
While its speeds only reach 1.5 Gbps, it has a very competitive price and the necessary bandwidth for a standard home.
Linksys EA9200 AC3200
One of Linksys’ latest models, the AC3200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router is designed for the multiple-device household in mind. Although it is tri-banded it has six built-in antennae, allowing for up to six streams of data at once.
An innovative feature included in the router is its ability to prioritize high bandwidth applications and route lower bandwidth activities to its 2.4 GHz bands (as opposed to the 5 GHz bands).
ASUS AC3100 Dual Band WiFi Gaming Router
As the name suggests, this router is geared for those with game consoles in the house. The router offers connection speeds tailored for gaming and 4×4 antenna give it a large WiFi range.
Outside of the gaming scene, the Dual Band has multiple devices in mind. It has 8 ethernet ports, link aggregation, and the newest MU-MIMO technology which allows for multiple devices to use the same connection speed at once.
D-Link AC5300 MU-MIMO Ultra Wi-Fi Router
D-Link’s newest router is a beast of a machine sporting 8 antennas and speeds close to 5300 Mbps. Smart connect has been built in, allowing for devices to be automatically paired with the antenna that best fits that device’s bandwidth needs. This device is a workhorse and was created with the modern, multi-device/multi-streaming home in mind.
While the drawback to this router is its price-tag, there are few connection speeds offered by routers that match it.
Google Nest WiFi Router
Maybe the most advertised of all the routers listed, the Google Nest WiFi router pairs well with other Google products and its voice-activated commands allow for easy use. While the other routers listed above may have more speed, the Google Nest is quite easy to use and can update frequently to keep your network safe.
A unique feature in the Google Nest is that it projects a network connection throughout the home so that multiple devices are covered at once and no one room has a faster or slower network speed.
Anyone of these routers would be a leg up on the routers of the past, one’s built without multiple devices in mind. Securely dispose of your old router, read through the list again, and get yourself a router for the modern age.
