If you intend to buy your own separate router and modem, it may make sense to opt for a 2-in-1. ![]() These are meant to work for almost every customer the ISP serves, but it often means that neither the modem nor the router inside the box is especially good. Most of the time, when you encounter a 2-in-1 modem/router combo, it’s supplied by your ISP. While it’s handy to have the two devices in a single piece of hardware, this can be limiting. Splitter: What's the Difference? 2-in-1 Modem/Router DevicesĪ modem that also includes a built-in router sounds like a great idea, and sometimes it is, but not every time. You will need a router if you plan to connect wirelessly.Īlso read: Ethernet Switch vs. Don’t forget the extra security features of the router, either.Ī standalone modem does not broadcast the Internet connection wirelessly. Only one device at a time can connect to a modem, while if you plug a router into a modem, multiple devices can use that modem. To connect to the Internet, you only need a modem – technically, anyway. A router, on the other hand, will usually have one port to connect to a modem and then four or more for devices inside your home. How do you tell them apart? Most routers will also have antennas for wireless connections, while a standalone modem will never have antennas.Ī modem will also have fewer cable connections: one for your ISP connection and one for your computer or router. Now that we’ve looked at the technical differences between a modem and a router, let’s look at the practical differences.īoth devices look fairly similar: a device with blinking lights on the front and a few cables coming out the back. OpenWRT: Which Router Firmware Is the Best? Modem vs. ![]() Home routers these days will often include multiple security features, like a firewall to help keep devices on your network safe.Īlso read: DD-WRT vs. Mesh networks or mesh routers solve this problem by placing multiple devices that share the connection throughout your home, letting you always be in range of one. 802.11ac is the current popular format, but new wireless standards tend to come out every few years with better range or faster speeds.Ī wireless router has a limited range when it comes to connections, so if you live in a large home, you may have some areas that don't get a good connection. There are various wireless network standards like 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g. This is what lets you go online on your laptop, tablet, or other devices. If it's a wireless router, it will also let you set up a wireless network within your home. ![]() ![]() Most routers these days also let you set up wireless networks.Ī router will have an Ethernet port for your modem and multiple Ethernet ports for desktop computers or other devices that use a wired connection. These let you take the modem supplied by your ISP and connect it to computers and various other devices. We’ll look at what those are next.Īlso read: Wireless Mesh, Ethernet-Over-Power Line, Extender, Repeater – Which Do You Need? What Is a Router?Ī router sends Internet traffic to various devices in your home. Some modems, like those provided by some ISPs, also have built-in routers. These have a connection to your ISP and a connection for your devices to use to connect to the Internet. If you pay for your own Internet service, you probably already have a modem inside your home, usually supplied by your local internet service provider (ISP).
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