You can get a $70 router or a $600 router, depending on your needs and preferences. While usually missing, hard to find, or limited in gateways. Things like Quality of Service, parental controls, MU-MIMO, and beamforming are standard on even lower-end routers. Routers, inversely, offer an almost overwhelming set of features, which is constantly increasing as the industry evolves. Like the above, gateways are created to be simple to set up and use. Which ultimately leads to some premium performance devices that are way above any gateway’s capabilities. On the other hand, router manufacturers are in a constant battle of achieving greater speeds and longer distances. These devices are generally created for convenience, and manufacturers aren’t overly concerned about top performance. We can go even further than the physical limitations of the modem-router combo. Usually in the form of slower transfer speeds and reduced signal strength. But as a general guideline, cramming two devices into one will mean there will be some sacrifices. The performance will, of course, vary depending on quality, brand, and model. What’s the Difference?īesides space, there are other things to consider when choosing between the two options. The obvious advantage here is that you will have one device instead of two, leading to an easier installation and saving some shelf space. And just like the name suggests, it’s a single device that combines the functionality of both a modem and a router. What Is a Gateway?Ī modem-router combo is commonly known as a gateway. You’ll need a router to make these connections happen. Some might even be wireless-only, like cell phones or tablets. Aunt Susan probably won’t be too happy if that were the case.Īnd even if you are the only one in your house, you probably have more than one device.

But they can also be wired to each device using ethernet cables.Īs we mentioned above, you don’t necessarily need a router to connect to the Internet, but you will be limited to a single device if using only a modem. Routers can be wireless so that you can connect via Wi-Fi. It assigns IP addresses to all devices connected to it, and it’s responsible for routing (as the name suggests) traffic to the intended device.

If you want to learn more about modems, check out this article, where we go much deeper into how they work.Ī network with separate devices What Is a Router?Ī router is the reason why you can read this article while Aunt Susan watches her cooking YouTube videos in the living room at the same time. However, they usually only have a single ethernet port and no Wi-Fi. You could actually get by and use the Internet with just a modem. This process is what makes our connection to the Internet possible. Modem stands for modulator- demodulator, and it’s responsible for transforming analog signals from your Internet service provider (ISP) into digital signals your computer can understand. Let’s break down the pros and cons of both options so you can find what fits you best. But figuring them out is not always easy.īut don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out just that. When you invest in networking equipment, you will want to go with the options that provide the most benefits for you. I am a network engineer, and while I do have a preference, my answer can change depending on who is asking the question. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and it’s not always black and white. Like many things in life, the answer will mostly depend on your situation.

Modem vs router high ping