Modem router vs. wireless router: What type of router are you looking for?

Access to the internet is very important for every home and business, which means you need to have either a modem or wireless router. The modem router vs. wireless router comparison will help you understand that these are two devices that make up your broadband experience, but not many people understand how they fit together.

While modems and routers are very common in our homes and offices, many people don’t know the differences or the functions of each one. I was one of those people a few years back, I thought they were one and the same thing. I later came to know the two devices may look very similar and their terminologies often interchanged, but each serves a different purpose. I was searching for a router for my home office and a friend advised me to get a modem and I had no idea what that was till I did some research. The difference between the two is that a modem connects to the internet while the router connects your devices to wifi. This review will help remove any confusion you have about how both gadgets work and make it easier for you to choose the right device for your internet needs.

What are the differences between modem routers and wireless router?

Modem router vs. wireless router. How do they differ?

Installation

The process of setting up and installing both the modem router and the wireless router is different and this could be a factor when you’re decidingthe best choice for you. Modems use Ethernet cables to provide connections form your router to your computer which means you will have many cables running from different rooms. However, when it comes to wireless routers, you only need a wireless network card or WLAN with a central access point where all your devices can easily connect to the wireless network without any interference.

Security

Modem routers provide a safer connection that wireless routers because wireless signals can be interrupted since it travels. However, wireless signals don’t travel that far and they’re just as secure as modem signals. The security you should be concerned about is your network and specifically your firewall. To ensure you have the best security for your network, you’ll need to ensure that you have properly configured your firewall to ensure that all your connections are secure and your family members know how to be safe when online. Nowadays, it’s very easy for your wireless network to be hacked than when you’re using a modem or for malware and viruses to be installed on your devices.

Performance

When looking at the performance between the modem router and the wireless router, modem routers provide better performance with faster speeds whereas the wireless router can provide theoretical bandwidth speed which is slower. This is because modem routers have a consistent direct connection to the router, but for the wireless router, connectivity will defer depending on the distance of your devices from the router so connectivity will drop as your devices get further from the router.

Connectivity

A modem router uses LAN Ethernet ports to access the ISP and connect to the internet with the help of cables running from your router to your computer then the router to the Ethernet port. This allows the sharing of the connection with any device from a central computer. When it comes to wireless routers, they use a wifi connection to communicate between the router and the ISP, then use this wireless frequency to connect to your wireless devices that are logged into the network. Multiple users can access the network with the help of a password just like you would when accessing the modem router network.

Modem router vs. wireless router – A comparison review

Modem router

A modem is a short name for a ‘modulator-demodulator’ that serves as a bridge between your local network and the internet to help translate the data or information from your internet service provider to your connected devices or computer. The way a modem attaches to the network you’re using will depend on the type of connection you have, for example, if you’re using dial-up, your modem will connect to the wall or DSL internet service, but if it’s a cable it will connect to your cable box or the available coaxial cable. It can also plug into your telephone, fiber, or satellite to provide you with an Ethernet cable output that you can plug into your router to get an internet connection.

The modem translates the data that is sent to it so that the information is displayed on your computer that is store digitally, but the information sent through your cable lines and phone are analog waves. Your modem takes these analog waves and changes them to digital then sends them to your computer. This means that you can use your modem to connect you to the internet if you want to check your emails, watch videos, go to Facebook, upload videos, or anything else that you want to do online.

There are different types of modems that you can use depending on the internet connection you have.

Dial-up: This is the most traditional form of internet connection that uses a phone line to connect to your ISP. Such a modem is very slow and if you only have one phone line, you won’t be able to get access to the internet while at the same time talking on the phone.

Cable: This type of modem uses coaxial cables where one end is attached to the back of your modem and the other end to your cable box or wall. Cable internet is said to provide high-speed internet.

DSL: This kind of modem can either connect to an external modem with a different plug-in or your PC that already has an internal modem that you can dial in using your phone line. However, this is different from the dial-up type of modem because this one you can still connect to the internet even while talking on the phone.

How does it work?

Modems have LEDs at the front to help you see what’s going on. There is a light that shows you if the unit is receiving power, another if the modem is receiving data from your internet provider, while the other shows the modem is sending data successfully. If the sending or receiving lights are blinking, it means your ISP has problems. Another light shows you wired devices are connected to the internet. Modems can use coaxial cable connection ad also broadband through a DSL that is accessed through telephone lines instead of coaxial cables. However, DSL is slower than a broadband with cable which is very useful in the rural areas where there are telephone lines but no infrastructure to support internet service or cable-based TV. It doesn’t matter if the router is designed for cable-based broadband or DSL, there are 4 Ethernet ports that you can use to connect to your wired devices like your laptop, printers, gaming consoles, etc.

Pros

• Simpler and easier to setup
• Requires less space with fewer messy cables
• Compatible specifically with the ISP
• Connects directly to your ISP

Cons

• Doesn’t connect multiple devices to the internet
• Can’t use it to create a local network

Wireless router

A router is an electronic device you get from your ISP that allows you to connect the devices in your home to the internet. It connects to the broadband line in your home then sends data from the internet cable to your wifi connected devices. Having the right kind of router in your home will allow you to enjoy faster internet service, avoid wifi dead spots, and protect your family from cyber threats. Using a wireless router is becoming the standard way of connecting your home to the internet as wired routers are becoming outdated and are only being used if you want to use the Ethernet cable to connect to the internet. Most wireless routers have at least 4 Ethernet ports so you can connect your computer, TV, and other devices to the internet.

How do routers work?

A typical home has different devices that you can connect to the internet like your PC, printers, smart TV, smartphones, tablets, etc. The router will direct all the incoming and outgoing traffic on that network in a very fast and efficient way through the 4 Ethernet ports, the air, and also the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Once you plug your cable line or phone to your router, data is then sent through the connected router which is then converted into radio signals that are then picked up by your wifi capable devices like your smartphones, laptops, and game consoles. Apart from accessing the internet on your computer or smartphone, you can also use the router to other wifi capable devices to stream and download digital TV with the help of streaming devices like Apple TV.

When you first connect to your router, you will need to enter your password that your ISP will provide and you will find at the bottom of your router. It is a combination of both uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers which can be difficult to remember, but also hard for someone to guess. This helps to protect your network and prevents other people from using it illegally. Some routers have removable cards that have your login details written on them which makes it easier when typing in your password and other details. Your devices will then be automatically connected to wireless broadband when in range so you don’t need to enter your password again unless you’re connecting a new device.

Routers come in different sizes and some have 2 or more antennas depending on the router model that helps to increase the range, but the speed of connectivity will depend on how close your router is and what you’re using for connection. Most routers use the standard 802.11ac mode that allows 3×3 streams on the 5 GHz band with speeds of 433 Mbps each, while the 2.4 GHz band uses the 3×3 streams on the 802.11n mode with each having speeds of 200 Mbps. The 2.4 GHz band has 12 channels while the 5 GHz band has more than 20 channels, so if you’re having connectivity issues, changing the channels in your routers web-based interface can help.

Pros

• Using dynamic routing techniques, it can reduce the network traffic by creating broadcast and collision domains.
• Can work with both WAN and LAN
• Using network address translation (NAT), your router can use a single public IP address and some UDP ports to share the connection
• Can deliver packets of data in an organized way which helps to reduce the data load
• Routers are a convenient platform for other network services

Cons

• Are more expensive than modems
• Can’t connect directly to the internet
• Doesn’t decode the signal from the ISP

Conclusion

Both modem routers and wireless routers are excellent for providing you with good internet connectivity, but the one you choose will all depend on what you’re doing with it. If you’re looking for a simple home connection with different devices to connect to the network, a wireless connection will serve you well for you. However, if you have a business and you need a reliable connection, a modem router would be perfect for you. You need to remember that this all depends on the connection and speed that you’re looking for.

Verdict: so, which is a better modem router or wireless router?

Wireless routersare better than modems because they’re changing and improving with the latest technology and updated firmware like MU-MIMO which allows your router to connect to a variety of devices simultaneously decreasing connection time and increasing the network’s speed. You can also control and manage your network and some features like parental controls, guest network, user time limits, and more.

FAQ

Do you need a router if you have a modem?

The modem connects you to the internet through the ISP, but without a modem, your router can only connect you to the LAN. A modem will provide a connection for just a single device.

Will a better router increase internet speed?

If you have 802.11b or 802.11g router, a new router with 802.11ac wifi standard will help increase your wifi speed and give you longer connectivity.