Networking

Modems

Modems are the devices with how you access the internet provided by your ISP. You can either hardwire your computer to your modem or you can access the internet wirelessly with the help of a router. These guides will provide you with all the info you need on modems.

How do they work? A modem transmits and receives data via a telephone line, cable or satellite. You can get Dial-up (which is mostly obsolete), Broadband and Fiber.

Routers

If a modem is your gateway to the internet world, then a router is your ticket to accessing the internet wirelessly. Confused about which router you need? Read on to know which router is good for you.

How do they work? As a modem can allow only 1 or a few devices to be hardwired to it, a router is the answer if you have multiple devices that need to be connected. It allows multiple devices to be connected to each other as well as to the internet wirelessly and offers a certain amount of protection. It also keeps a track of traffic incoming and outgoing from your devices in your network.

Modem-Router Combos

The money saver option, a modem router combo is a combination of both modems and routers so you have to deal with only one device. Find out here which options are good for your internet needs.

Why it’s Better To Buy Your Own Wireless Router or Modem

It is always best to rely on yourself. When you rent a modem or router, you end up getting a sub-standard device which will cost you at least $120 a year in rental fees alone. If you’re spending so much on a device you don’t own, it makes financial and practical sense to get your own device, which will be up-to-date and work out to be cost effective too!

​Ditch Your ISP's Rental Fees

The Best Wireless Router & Modem Router Combo For Comcast Xfinity

Comcast has its own set of rules and regulations and when it comes to routers, you want to make sure you have one that can handle the load, the speeds your ISP provides, while being the best for your budget. This guide will help you choose the best router for Comcast for you.

Best DSL Modem For CenturyLink

Trying to decipher what type of modem is confusing enough, but buying the best DSL modem for CenturyLink can get quite specific – which is why this guide can help you narrow down your choice to what you need for your home.

Best Wireless Router For Charter Spectrum Internet

You may be enjoying certain savings when you rent your devices from Charter Spectrum, but read on to find out how you’re getting shortchanged and how buying your own can leave your pocket heavier. Learn which router is best for what you need for your home.

Best Wireless Access Point (WAP) in 2018

Do you want to improve your Internet connection speed and get the signal to every corner of your office or house? Then you should check out wireless access points.

7 Best Router For 4K Streaming (2019)

Are you looking for a new router that will allow you to stream 4K movies and videos? We have you covered.

5 Best WiFi Routers For Apartment (2019)

If you're looking for a new wireless router for your apartment, you want to check out this guide.

Best Router For Frontier FiOS and DSL 2018

Eliminate rental fees, get better performance & security with your own router for Frontier FiOS.

What's The Best Router For Verizon Fios

Congratulations – you’ve subscribed to super fast internet speeds – but do you have the best router possible for Verizon Fios? Want to up your game so that you get the speeds you want without paying more than you need? This guide should help you figure out the best router for Verizon Fios that you need.

Best Gaming Router For PS4 in 2018

Do you want to move your gaming experience to another level? You should make sure that you get the speeds you need to win the game! And that's when a good gaming router for PS4 makes the difference.

Parental Control Router

Parental controls is something that is a must in today's world full of online threats and weird people. And having a router with advanced parental control settings can go a long way in protecting your children against online threats.

Best Modem For Cox Cable

Buying your own modem for Cox Cable instead of renting can save you big bucks, but also, getting your own modem can ensure that you have access to up-to-date technology and specific features that can give you an enhanced Internet experience. Read our guide to learn more.

Best DD-WRT Router 2018

Say goodbye to basic stock firmware and hello to enhanced features that allows you to modify built in default firmware. Get more access to your Home Network and find out which is the best DD-WRT Router you can buy in this guide.

Fiber Optic Modem Router Explained

Are you one of the lucky ones who got fiber installed in his neighborhood? How does the technology work and what kind of a fiber optic modem/router do you need?

Best Gaming Router For Xbox One

Did you buy Xbox One so you can play online with your buddies? Chances are you want to make sure you can beat them in whatever game you play! And having fast and reliable Internet connection can help you big time. Get a gaming router for Xbox One and kick your friends' ass!

Ethernet Cable For Gaming (Cat5 vs Cat6 vs Cat7)

When it comes to gaming every little detail can make a big difference. And if you're an online gamer, speed and stable Internet connection are the most important things for your game. So not only you need a gaming router but you should also make sure that you have the best Ethernet cable available to get the speeds you need to win the game.

Best Wired Router (No WiFi)

What is a wired router and who can benefit from using it? Wired router brings a lot of advantages compared to wireless router. From more stable connection to better security features small to medium businesses can definitely benefit a lot from owning a wired router. Our team tested 3 wired routers for 2 weeks and here's what we've found out!

Best Small Business Router

No matter what type of business you're running, chances are you need a fast Internet connection. Fast and reliable small business routers can deliver the speeds you need to run your business smoothly.

Dual WAN Router

Is Internet connection very important for you or your business? If you answer yes, you should get a dual WAN router.

Best Unmanaged & Managed & Smart Ethernet Switch

Should you go for an unmanaged, managed or smart managed ethernet switch? And how exactly does an Ethernet switch work?

Best Wireless Router For Large Home

Do you live in a large home and you have a lot of dead spots in your basement or upper floor? Getting a router that is specifically designed for large homes could solve your WiFi coverage issues.

Comcast Approved & Compatible Modems

Being one of the biggest players in the home internet service segment, it is quite probably that you, or someone you know is a subscriber to Comcast. But being the largest ISP doesn’t guarantee lower fees or better devices. This guide will open to your eyes to which are the best approved modems for Comcast.

Best Router For Time Warner Cable (TWC)

TWC offers awesome speeds, and you want to be sure your router can handle the lightning fast speeds. But not all routers given to you as part of your subscription plan can handle the load, and even though you pay rental fees – you may not be using the best router for TWC. This guide can help you choose the best router for your home.

Best Modem For Gaming

Staying on top of your game was never easier with this guide, which highlights the various factors that go into choosing the best modem for gaming. We’ve researched and reviewed the best modems for gaming so that you can read and choose your pick, without breaking your concentration form what’s really important – staying alive in the game.

Asus RT-AC66U vs RT-AC68U vs RT-AC68P vs RT-AC68W

Asus is a well known brand in the tech world so it's no surprise that the company also sells routers. But when it comes to their RT-AC series, things may become a bit confusing. Luckily, BlueGadgetTooth geeks tested all 4 models and here is what we have found out!

Best Long Range WiFi Antenna

Do you want to be connected to your home network even when you're busy grilling on your garden? Getting a long range WiFi antenna could solve your struggles!

Best MoCa Adapter

Why Use A Moca Adapter and Not Fully Hardwire Your Home.

Best ADSL2+ Modem Router

Are you looking for a fast and reliable ADSL2+ modem router combo? BlueGadgetTooth tested 5 beasts and here are our results and recommendations!

Best Tomato Router (Open Source Firmware)

Do you want to get your wireless connection to the next level? If you want to enhance your router's capabilities and get the full control over your Internet connection, Tomato router is a great solution for you.

Best OpenWRT Router

Do you want to get full control over your wireless router? OpenWRT firmware could be the solution you've been looking for. OpenWRT routers have a variety of advantages and can get your wireless speeds to a completely new level.

Best DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem

Whether your want to future proof your home or you want to make sure that you're getting speeds you're paying for, DOCSIS 3.1 modems are the new generation of cable modems that cannot miss in any high-tech house.

BlueGadgetTooth Tests, Reviews and Compares Routers and Modems For You

It can be tricky business reading through the hundreds of reviews, with each one giving conflicting points of view. How can you judge which is the best router or modem for your home?

This is why the BlueGadgetTooth team runs a fine tooth comb through popular and not so well known routers and modems, testing and comparing each one out so that all you have to do is read through our guides to make a well informed decision.

Netgear R6400 vs R6700 vs R7000

All three Netgear routers were up for reviewing and testing by the BlueGadgetTooth team because you, our readers, wanted to know which one was better. Which model is newer? Better? Any significant differences? Our findings are included in this guide so you can make a well informed decision in which one is better for your home.

Eero vs Google WiFi vs Orbi

Wireless mesh systems are ideal solution for people who live in a big house and want to make sure that their WiFi gets from the basement all the way up to the top floor. We tested and reviewed 3 popular wifi mesh systems.

Linksys Velop vs Google Wifi

Do you want to buy a new wireless mesh system but don't know which one you should get? Are you looking for a budget friendly option or for the best coverage and performance? We'll help you decide!

Linksys Velop vs Netgear Orbi

Do you live in a big house and you want to avoid dead spots? Wireless mesh routers are a great solution for large homes and deliver perfect coverage. Our team tested Linksys Velop vs Netgear Orbi and here are the results!

Eero vs Luma

Do you live in a home with large square footage? Do you have dead spots throughout your house? Wireless mesh networks such as Eero and Luma are designed for a place like yours and here's their comparison!

TP-Link Archer C7 vs. C8 vs. C9

TP-Link does have a good reputation when it comes to its routers, but many readers were confused between choosing from the C7, C8 and C9. We decided to run a series of tests to find out which router stood out and which one would be your best value for money. Read the guide to find out more.

Linksys WRT1900AC vs. WRT1900ACS

They look pretty similar, and were released within a year of each other – so which one is better? Can you still buy them? Both have open source firmware? Where can I know the differences between the two? Well, this is why we made this guide so you can know all you need to about the Linksys WRT1900AC vs. the WRT1900ACS.

AC1200 vs. AC1750 vs. AC1900

Knowing more about the differences between the AC1200, AC1750 and AC1900 will help you understand how to choose the right router for your internet needs. Reading this guide will keep you up-to-date on all you need to know so you can make a well informed decision when choosing the right router.

Arris SB6121 vs SB6141 vs SB6183 vs SB6190

What are your factors that go into consideration when choosing the best Arris router? When it comes to selecting one that is high performance, or one that is budget friendly, we’ve knocked down the highs and lows of each router in this guide so that you know exactly what you’re looking for in one shot. Brilliant, isn’t it?

All You Need To Know From Going Wireless, Setting Up Your Router to Choosing an ISP

Going wireless used to be a big deal, but now it common place everywhere you go. Making your home or office wireless will boost productivity, performance and results, not to mention that it makes your life easier.

Going wireless brings up its fair share of confusions and questions, but the BlueGadgetTooth team aims to simplify this process, so you can choose the best router for you, set up your router yourself, and even the nitty gritty details on how to choose the best ISP for you.

DD-WRT vs Tomato vs OpenWRT: Which is the best firmware for your router? Check out our latest case study!

WTFast Review: Do you want to enhance your gaming experience? We've reviewed WTFast for you.

AP Currently Not In Use (How To Fix It): Are you trying to connect to the Internet but AP currently not in use error keeps popping up? Here's how to fix it!

Beacon Interval on a Wireless Router & How To Set It Up: Are you wondering how your wireless router works? Do you want to optimize your signal strength and battery life? Beacon interval can do that.

DTIM Interval Optimal Setting: What is DTIM interval and how to set it up for optimal performance?

Channel Bandwidth On Router: 20 Mhz vs 40 Mhz vs 80 Mhz.

Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit Ethernet: What's the difference and which one is better?

VPN Passthrough On A Router: What is a VPN Passthrough on your router and how to work with it?

Wired vs Wireless Router: What is the difference between wired and wireless router and which one should you be using?

How To Set Up a Dual Wan Router: Have you just bought a dual wan router and wondering how to set it up?

How To Get A Strong WiFi in Every Room Of Your House: Do you want to get a strong WiFi signal in every corner of your house? Check out these simple tips.

Managed vs Unmanaged Switch: Are you wondering if you should get a managed or unmanaged switch? Here are the main differences between these two types.

How To Daisy Chain Routers: Here's a quick guide on how to daisy chain routers.

VPN Concentrator: What is a VPN Concentrator and how does it work?

10 Ways To Boost Your Home Wifi-Signal: Learn the tips and tricks in this article to optimising your home network and boosting your Wifi signal to avoid buffering, lags and dropped connections.

What is the Difference Between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wifi: Knowing the difference between the two bands will help you choose the best router for your home. Your home probably has multiple devices that run on both, and whether you need longer range or faster download speeds – this article will open your eyes on the differences.

What Affects Your Internet Speed Infographic: Don’t like reading through tons of text? Which is why we’ve created a reader friendly infographic which will tell you all you need to know about factors that can affect your internet speed.

Renting vs. Buying a Modem/ Router: You may think that renting is cheaper than buying and yes, it is cheaper if you look short term. But over the course of a year you could spend hundreds of dollars on an item that you don’t own – does that make sense? Read on to know more.

Netgear AC1750 Review: Good choice or bad release? This in depth review gives you the dirt and gold on the Netgear AC1750.

Modem vs. Router vs. Modem Router Combo: What are the perks of having separate devices or the pros and cons of owning a single unit that does the job? Confused? You won’t be after reading this informative article!

11 Ways To Save Money on Your Internet Bill: Who likes to pay bills? If there are ways to shave off a few dollars off our bills, we should apply them. Well, here we reveal our Tips and tricks to saving $$$ on your internet Bill.

Why You Should Buy Your Own Modem: Tired of getting sub-par internet performance and paying irritating rental fees on a monthly basis? Read this to get enlightened on why buying your own modem is the key to being a little happier.

Comcast vs. Time Warner vs. Cox: The big internet guns get reviewed and we went through the fine print to give you a well researched article on which one came up tops. Curious? Read on.

Wifi vs. Ethernet: Which Connection is Better and Why: The real question is which is better – wired or wireless. Here we go through all the factors that make each better so you can decide what works best for you.

Modems/ Routers For Enhanced Connectivity and Enhanced Configuration: If you’re not very technical when it comes to internet stuff, you may want to read this to know why a modem router combo is good for you.

Fiber vs. Cable vs. DSL – What You Need to Know: Now gigabit speeds have come to our doorstep – but cable is still very popular. This article helps open your eyes on the differences between the three, while also educating you on the topic.

What Factors Affect your Internet Speed: You may have noticed that your internet speed is not as great as it was – but here we tell you the factors that affect your speed as well as ways to fix it. After all, what’s the point in only learning about the problems?

Wireless B vs. G vs. N vs. AC. What is the difference? 802.11 is an internet standard and the alphabet suffix are not randomly given - It reveals how fast your internet speed can be – Read on to know more.

How to Set up Your Own Modem/ Router: Tired of waiting for tech support to finally get your internet up and running? Find out how to get your Modem/ Router working yourself.

New vs. Refurbished Modem/ Router: Want to save big bucks or are you particular about quality and build? Read this article to know the differences and pros/ cons about both.

Open WRT vs. DD-WRT: Best Firmware for your Router: Customizing your router’s firmware and tweaking it to fit your internet needs is the way to go – read this to know which is the better of the two.

What is the Difference Between a DSL and a Cable Modem: Not sure of what is what? Want to know more about it so you can decide what type of modem you need to buy? Read on.

Router Initial Setup FAQs: Setting up your own router? Read on to know what our readers have been curious or confused about so you can put your own concerns to rest.

Why Gamers Need a Fast Modem: Speed is the name of the game and gamers certainly need to access the fastest internet speeds possible – everything makes a difference in your gaming performance – read on to know why.

How Do I Choose the Best ISP: Once you subscribe to an ISP, you kinda are stuck for life – or at least are locked in for a while. This is why you should weigh all options carefully – this article will help you do just that.

Wireless Router vs. Wireless Access Point: What’s the Difference: This article will help you know the difference so you can either save money or enhance your Wifi performance.

Where to Place Your Wireless Router For the Best Possible Home Wifi: It all comes down to location, location, location. Find out which area in your home is perfect for getting the best Possible Wifi signal.

How to Set-Up a Router Without a Computer: Not a tech nerd like us, but want your router set up? Your laptop gave way just when you needed it most? Never fear, here we tell you ways to get your router set up – all without a laptop!

Best 5GHz Channel For Your Wireless Router: How to choose the best 5GHz channel for your router?

Tri-Band vs Dual-Band Router: What's the difference between tri band and dual band routers? And does it make sense to invest into a tri band router?

Why Is My Internet So Slow (Infographic) & How To Fix It: Is your Internet connection slow and you're looking for possible reasons and easy fix? Check out our monster post about Slow Internet & How to Fix It.

Why Is My Comcast Internet So Slow All Of A Sudden: Is your Comcast Xfinity Internet speed dropping all of a sudden? Here's what could be causing it and how to fix it.

TX Power Adjustment - Changing Router Transmit Power: Do you want to change you router's transmit power? Here's how to do it and what to be careful about.

MoCa vs Powerline Adapters: What's the difference and which one is better?