The Best Fiber Optic Router for Gigabit Speeds

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Best Fiber Optic Routers Of 2021
Best Fiber Optic Routers Of 2021
 

With so many companies offering fast Internet connection in 2021, competition has gotten fierce. When looking for a fiber optic router or modem, researching each product is vital to give you the buyer’s edge over other consumers. Once you understand these routers’ various designs and functions, you’ll be able to get the best router to benefit you specefied settings. Before you decide to join in on the action, we’re here to give you all the details. Read on to learn more about the best fiber optic routers for optimizing your internet experience.

What is a Fiber Optic Router?

Many of you might have heard of Fiber Optic Routers, and you might be wondering what exactly it is and how does it help us get a faster internet connection? In simple words, it is a fiber optic cable that carries data and uses it as the medium for transmission. There are three types, and each is different based on its location.

Types of fiber optic internet connections:

1. FTTH or FTTP: “Fiber To The Home” or “Premises.”

The network is completely fiber optic, with fiber cables brought directly to the premises.

2. FTTC: “Fiber to the Curb.”

Unlike fiber to the premises, fiber to the curb brings the connection just right outside the home.

3. FTTN: “Fiber To The Node” or “Neighborhood.”

These connections use fiber optic cables to transmit data to a central hub near the area.

Unlike copper cables, which carry data in electrical signals, fiber optic carries the optical signal data. This means that it can transmit the data in any format, such as binary or high-bit channels.

The old internet connections where users needed cables to transmit data is no longer necessary as consumers can now use optic routers. Using this type of internet connection, you will instantly download any file or web page without waiting. This is one of the main differences between fiber optic and other types of connections, such as DSL and cable.

How Do Fiber Optic Routers Work?

What these cables do is carry thousands of signals and transfer them over long distances at lightning speed without altering their quality or amount. This optical signal transmission works much like radio waves over the air. However, these signals are not exactly like radio waves because they are much better, optical signals do not get weakened or compromised. This makes them the perfect candidate for various networking applications such as computer networking, enterprise intranet work, or wireless network applications.

Fiber Optic Routers have many functions, but this technology’s primary function is to transmit data in a single line. It uses light waves in an unprecedented way that can transmit data faster than conventional electrical wires.

To accommodate fiber-optic speeds, you’ll need fiber-ready routers (called “residential gateways”). So, if you do not want to be stuck with slow internet speed, it would be better for you to go for Fiber Optic Routers and enjoy the fast and smooth internet services. With this technology, you’ll get a faster internet connection you can access anywhere.

The 7 Best Fiber Optic Routers

In today’s age of computers, fiber optic internet connections are becoming increasingly common, especially in rural areas. The technology has improved vastly since the early days of dial-up internet services and is now widely available throughout the country, with new developments coming up all the time. Here are some of the best fiber optic routers on the market:

1. Google Nest Wi-Fi Router

Google Nest Wifi Mesh Router

Pros
  • Modern design.
  • Installs in minutes.
  • Voice technology with Google Assistant built-in.
Cons
  • Separate app required for advanced settings.
  • It has no USB ports.

 

The stylish, durable, cutting-edge mesh Google Nest Wi-Fi Wireless router is smartly tucked into a modern aluminum shell to create a smart home mesh network. It’s also surprisingly compact, weighing in at less than four pounds for desktop-style units and just two pounds for smaller “teardrop” design cards. Its 4,400 square feet of coverage prevents slow buffering wherever you want to connect from.

Each router comes with Ethernet ports, as well as a 15W power adapter. It can also live stream 4K videos super fast, even though it can simultaneously connect up to 200 devices. However, this is not the limit by any means, as other routers also achieve speeds of up to 500kbps/s.

By plugging in a Nest Thermostat into the Google Nest Wi-Fi system, users will also control the temperature with the home app. With the Nest app, you can set up your Wi-Fi easily, making it so much more possible to keep your home connected no matter what.

The Google mesh network offers a way to secure your Google devices (such as smartphones, tablets, etc.) without compromising your privacy. Users can prioritize the devices you need faster speed for and manage the time kids spend online with parental controls. This configuration is usually easy to do and only takes a few seconds, after which your Google devices are ready to go.

2. TP-Link AC1750 Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router

Tp Link Ac1750 Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router

Pros
  • It has 4 LAN ports.
  • Performs well at close range.
  • Installation is easy.

Cons
  • Not compatible with MU-MIMO.
  • Mediocre long-range and file transfer performance.

 

One of the best things about the router is that there are three external Wi-Fi antennas for long-range. It was also the 2017 and 2019 recipient of JD Power’s Customer Satisfaction Award for Wireless Routers. Unlike some budget routers under $100, the router supports both USB networking and Ethernet connections, which means easy access to your USB content via a media server.

With all the aforementioned features, you can expand your network without even having to spend more money on devices just to connect them. The router also has four LAN ports, which allows you to connect up to four computers all at once. These four ports are also useful if you want to connect a scanner or a voice recorder to your computer, as well as other devices that might require an Ethernet cable, such as your mobile phone or your PDA.

It comes with an excellent package, including a USB port, a gigabit Ethernet port, an AMP kit, a tri-band frequency modulator, an IR remote control, a wireless card, a switch, a wireless modem, wireless adapter, and other hardware components. This unique combination allows this router to support both WLAN and BPL networks. On top of that, it also comes with a user-friendly graphical interface, which makes it very easy to operate.

If you have the option of purchasing a router, setting up and managing your connection remotely is easy with the TP-Link tether app. With all the networking capabilities, the router makes it possible for you to connect up to twelve devices to your computer at once, making it an excellent choice for those who need a lot of bandwidth. If you are looking for an exceptional all-around wireless device, the archer from TP-Link has a lot to offer.

3. D-Link AC2600 WiFi Gigabit Router

D Link Ac2600 Wifi gigabit router

Pros
  • Installing is pretty easy.
  • Performance-oriented QoS engine.
  • Testing revealed reliable performance at close range.
Cons
  • Limited parental controls.
  • The 5GHz band has mediocre performance over long distances, while file transfer speeds are slow.
  • Doesn’t have built-in malware protection.

 

The D-Link Wi-Fi Router is a home-based internet appliance that offers many benefits to any establishment wishing to go wireless. The dual-core processor lets you connect your wired and wireless computers to the internet quickly.

Enjoy 4K/HD video and online gaming simultaneously with 4 x 4 data streams and four high-performance antennas. The router can connect more devices to your home network due to the 2600 Mbps wireless speed (800 Mbps at 2.4GHz & 1733 Mbps at 5.0GHz).

Wi-Fi Smart Beam helps you improve the Wi-Fi speed and range in your home by finding your connected devices. That way, you will never miss a signal even if you are in an area where there are no access points, and there are no wireless internet providers to interfere. It also features a USB port used to charge your router’s battery and transfer the latest firmware upgrades from the manufacturer.

When used as a WAN device, the D-Link Wi-Fi router can bridge the gap between your existing Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi devices. This ability makes the use of a Wi-Fi hotspot very simple as you would only need one outlet for both the Wi-Fi hotspot and the Ethernet port. It also allows broadcasting from multiple devices simultaneously and improves with a MIMO system.

4. NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6330)

Netgear Wifi Router (r6330)

Pros
  • Setting up is easy.
  • Intended for use with multiple devices.
  • Excellent security.
  • Strong parental controls.
Cons
  • Limited Configuration options
  • Medium speed with medium coverage.

 

The Netgear Wi-Fi router is useful for both home users and commercial offices. It has many advanced features that make life simple for the user. With AC1600 speeds (dual-band speed up to 300 Mbps and 1300 Mbps), you will receive coverage up to 1200 square feet.

These services ensure that a business or an individual can remain connected with their office equipment. It is easy to use as compared to other wireless devices, and this is because of the built-in WLAN optimization. It connects your smart home devices and enjoys reliable video streaming, surfing the web, and connecting to the internet.

It does not matter where you are; you can connect your game consoles and other devices to the 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet port. The advanced MIMO technology used and QoS on the second antenna and two amplified antennas enables wireless transmission of video and audio.

A few great things about Netgear’s routers are access to Wi-Fi for guests, DoS filtering, VPNs, and more based on WPA2 wireless security protocols. This router’s 1 x 2.0 USB port allows access to and sharing of USB hard drives wirelessly. The Netgear service offers free online time limits, website filters, and set up equipment internet access schedules, all for $4.99 a month, with the first month free.

5. TP-Link AC 1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router

Tp Link Ac1900 Smart Wifi Router

Pros
  • A high level of throughput in testing.
  • Easy-to-use touch-screen controls.
  • Setup and configuration are easy.
Cons
  • File transfer speeds are so-so.
  • Middling performance within the 24GHz range.

 

One of the most reliable brands in the market, the TP-LINK AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi router offers more than just security. It also offers parental control, guest Wi-Fi, access control, WPA3, and a VPN server. The best part is that it comes with a user-friendly interface, which is operable even by a child. This router is a perfect choice for office environments, cafés, homes, small businesses, etc.

The user-friendly configuration interface is one of the primary reasons for its high popularity. With three simultaneous data streams, MU-MIMO Gigabit Routers provide more efficient communication. Wi-Fi extender ex6100v2 can connect to up to 100 clients simultaneously. It is a complete solution for your office. Using SmartConnect, clients can use their available bandwidth, while Airtime Fairness allows them to stream without lag.

The Wave 2 Wireless Internet Router has a 600 Mbps speed on the (2.4GHz band) and a 1300 Mbps speed on the 5GHz band. If you compare this with the other similar brand from other brands, you would easily find the superiority of this up-link ac 1900 smart Wi-Fi router. Many other brands offer high-speed internet connectivity, but not all are as efficient. But the Beamforming technology provides high-speed wireless connections, resulting in boosted Wi-Fi coverage and long-range Wi-Fi. Its two-year warranty and the 24-hour technical support meet high standards in the industry as well.

6. NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router

Netgear Nighthawk X6s Smart Wi Fi Router

Pros
  • Installs easily.
  • Lots of options.
  • Achieved good rate from testing.
Cons
  • File-transfer performance is mediocre.

 

The Netgear Nighthawk X6S is a new router from Netgear that comes with four unique features: intelligent prioritization, the auto-discovery of available connections, automatic wireless configuration, and the ability to automatically prioritize the list of Internet resources used by each computer on a network. You can also automatically connect a computer, game console, streaming player, etc. In this case, it would use your existing wireless router as an example.

The Nighthawk can connect to the internet with WPA2 security protocols that support secure wireless communication. It also has the 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a radio signaling capability to notify other wireless devices when there is a new network.

You can instantly go online and start surfing without having to worry about security or compatibility issues. This device boasts a 1.8GHz dual-core processor and six broadband antennas. The built-in Antenna Driver simplifies configuration and prevents interference from unwanted wireless devices.

There are many routers on the market, but none is as user-friendly and easy to understand as the NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router. The LAN setup in this computer system is easy enough for a beginner to have no problem setting it up. It is possible to share a storage device and printer and designate cloud storage from any location using the Nighthawk X6S 1×2.0 and 1×3.0 USB ports.

This PC wireless router offers free networking with an automated updating process and a lag-free connection. Connect up to 55 devices simultaneously, allowing for streaming videos, web browsing, and gaming. Some new features include multi-user multi-point, beamforming, MU-MIMO, and Alexa voice control. You will also find that it is easy to follow the prompts for configuration and diagnostics purposes.

7. Tenda AC21 Smart Wi-Fi Router

Tenda Ac21 Smart Wi Fi Router

Pros
  • Compatible with up to 30 devices
  • Tenda app makes management super easy
  • Covers a wide area
Cons
  • Not long-term effective
  • Communication is lacking.

 

The Tenda AC21 Smart Wi-Fi router offers a fast and reliable connection with a strong signal. The device automatically detects the access point and assign the appropriate SSID. Next, it identifies the WLAN previously assigned and selects it. Finally, you can stream video, web browse, users can access IPTV, and Tenda can connect smart home devices to it easily.

It is a speedy dual-band Gigabit Wi-Fi router specially made for home. Equipped with two-gigabit ports to support up to 1000 Mbps download and upload speeds. Wireless speeds on this model reach 2033 Mbps over 802.11ac wave2 technology 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps, 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps. It is also equipped with powerful antenna technology, giving the best data transfer rate and network compatibility. AC21’s four external 6dBi antennas enable the two data streams at 5GHzas, and the AC21 has a stronger Wi-Fi signal at 5GHz.

The AC21’s webtop features include an automatic configuration utility and a wizard that helps you set up your network without any hassle. Setup and management are easy with the Tenda Wi-Fi APP. This router’s most exciting feature is its support for multiple frequencies, which gives it an edge over other types of routers. The router utilizes 4X4 MU-MIMO technology of the 5GHz band, providing higher Wi-Fi speeds and a wider Wi-Fi range than regular routers using 3X3 MU-MIMO technology.

FAQ

What’s the Difference Between Modem vs. Router?

There isn’t much difference as both serve their respective purposes. You want to look at the features and benefits when comparing these two. Remember, a modem is just a simple cable that you plug into a wall outlet and connect devices to the internet. A router is a bit more complex as it has to manage networks, configure connections, and even handles firewalls.

The router is a bit faster than the modem. If you use many high priority downloads on your PC, like games and videos, the router will deliver these downloads much faster.

The modem is the access point that connects your computer to the Internet. It also does some internal switches and communication with the ISP. When you purchase a modem, you don’t get the router (which connects your modem to your ISP). The router has its own internal switches, and it does have a faster speed. If you need a router, tech enthusiasts recommend going for one that is compatible with the speed your modem naturally works at.

Gamers prefer a router over a modem in certain cases because a router can handle bigger bandwidth demands than a modem can. If you are planning to connect two computers that are miles apart, then a modem will probably be a good choice as it can handle the extra traffic. However, if you plan to connect a laptop from one network to another, then a router is a better option as it can handle larger bandwidth loads. The main issue with routers is that they usually cost quite a bit more than modems.

Another important factor that most people tend to forget (and which many IT technicians find out to be very important) is that these devices also differ in speed. Routers have different speeds depending on their intended use and how many people are using them. For instance, if you’re going to be downloading many large files from your computer, you’ll want a faster connection than you would with a simple cable modem.

What Are The Main Advantages Of Having Fiber-optic Internet?

There are many key advantages to using this technology over the older style of internet connections: With so many advantages, it’s easy to see why 18.6 million American households choose fiber optics over other fast internet alternatives. The following section goes over the most important benefits.

1. Higher Speeds

A fiber-optic connection runs at 1 Gbps. With speeds that fast, you don’t need any of your 50 to 100 Mbps cables anymore.

2. Higher Quality TV

Televisions with Ultra High Definition, 4K resolution, provide a clearer image thanks to having four times the number of pixels. Because of this, your internet connection will consume much more bandwidth.

In contrast to cable Internet speeds of 100 Mbps or fewer, streaming 4K TV and movies using even a sub-optimal 500 Mbps connection is way better.

3. Equal Upload And Download Speed

The upload time disappears when you use fiber optic internet speed. Since fiber optics are reliable, service providers can focus equally on uploads and downloads without overworking the system. It is simpler to share files and work remotely when you have fiber optic cable internet at home.

4. Better Gameplay Experience

When gaming, there are always little glitches in cable or DSL connections. A fiber optic internet provider ensures smooth and consistent data transmission.

5. Improved Reliability

More users can share more data at higher speeds consistently with fiber optics connections. Compared to cable internet, fiber optic internet doesn’t require energized lines, so it’s less vulnerable to outages. As long as the fiber optic cable remains intact, it continues to deliver and transfer data even when the power is out.

6. Multi-device Connectivity

You can easily connect to fiber optic internet from multiple tablets, laptops, and phones at once. Fiber optic internet is less likely to suffer from signal dropouts, and it has ten times more bandwidth than regular internet. Fiber optics can withstand the load of several people streaming their music and videos simultaneously.

7. Much More Secure

As a result of its way of transmitting information, fiber-optic communication offers a higher level of security. This method makes data travel at near light speed and prevents malicious hackers and shady individuals from intercepting the signals.

Why Fiber Optic Routers Are Essential For Gaming

One of the key components of any game’s success that companies arrived at with the development of new gaming technologies – the Internet and the development of broadband Internet connections.

Today, broadband Internet is becoming a standard feature of many homes, and playing online games is as simple as going to a website. When most of the world now has access to high-speed broadband internet, there are still plenty of people who don’t have it, which is where fiber optics come in.

Many people enjoy playing online games because they allow gamers to play at a high frame rate and with high resolution, virtually immune to interruption or cheating. Fiber optic gaming offers the advantage of avoiding disconnections due to poor Internet connections.

When you connect to the internet using a dial-up modem, you will experience lag time, which is when your game slows down considerably because the internet is taking longer to get from one point to another. This means that the game will constantly be trying to connect to the server, which will cause the game to slow down. What you need to do is get a fiber optic modem. With this, you will experience the true gaming benefits of playing online without interference.

A fiber optic internet connection is the only way to get a truly fast internet connection. The best gaming experience requires anywhere from three to six Mbps, while download speeds require 50 Mbps. With fiber optics, you can achieve speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps (1Gbps).

It’s essential to get a fiber optic router for gaming since it will give you a clear and crisp image. The Internet isn’t as reliable when it comes to older kinds of connections, and gamers need a minimum of 25 Mbps for competitive gaming. With a fiber optic router, you will be getting a much faster connection, which will make all of your gaming efforts much more enjoyable and stress-free. You can also stay connected and play for long hours without interruptions.

Is A Special Router Needed For Fiber Optic Connection?

Your Internet connection works via something known as a copper wire, which transmits information from a computer to a receiver in the form of a voice signal. This is different from traditional telecommunications systems since the data used to send voice signals doesn’t go through any fragile glass or fragile wire.

This means that if you want high-speed Internet access, you will have to use a fiber-optic modem. A fiber optic modem is also sometimes called a fiber channel. It has a design meant to use with a broadband Internet connection. This allows it to convert voice signals sent by telephone into data transmitted over a physical fiber-optic line. This technology developed initially for defense applications now integrates into residential broadband connections for many reasons.

The most expensive, fastest, and most reliable high-speed Internet service providers use routers exclusively for this purpose. You should know about the various types of routers that exist and their benefits and drawbacks. Then you can easily make an informed decision as to whether or not you need to use a specified router for your fiber optics. The one feature routers must have to operate fiber optic connections successfully is access to high-speed Internet.

Recap: Top 7 Fiber Optic Router Options 2020

  1. Google Nest Wi-Fi Router
  2. TP-Link AC1750 Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router
  3. D-Link AC2600 WiFi Gigabit Router
  4. NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6330)
  5. TP-Link AC 1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router
  6. NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart Wi-Fi Router
  7. Tenda AC21 Smart Wi-Fi Router
4/5 - (1 vote)
Ivan is a freelance copywriter with deep interest in gaming, game design, and technology. During his free time, Ivan spends his time playing with his daughter and taking a casual stroll in the park.

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