Even though the present-day technology has moved on to wireless routers, wired units are still around, and are commonly used for a number of reasons.
One may find them irreplaceable due to all the features they provide.
In case you, too, are looking for a wired router, this article will serve as the perfect guide for you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Wired Routers
Comparison Chart of the Best Wired Routers
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Our Top Pick
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Best Budget Option
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What is a Wired Router?
For those who find themselves unfamiliar with these devices, a wired router is one of the most basic forms of routers one can find. It is basically a networking device that functions to forward packets of data from one network to another. A router ensures that the data being sent or received follows the path. Since these are wired, they are appropriate for use in smaller setups, such as at home or maybe in a small office.
How Does a Wired Router Work?
The working of a wired router is pretty easy to understand with even just very basic knowledge. As we know by now, a wired router is designed to connect to your computer directly. It does so by a number of wired connections between the two devices. These units come with a port that enables them to connect with the modem, allowing them to communicate with the internet. They have another port that allows them to connect to a PC and distribute information.
What Makes These the Best of the Year?
You may be wondering what is so great about these units. The answer isn’t just one feature that all these products share. All the units listed in this article have been carefully picked, based on keen considerations of some key aspects. Here are all the qualities that make these units better than the rest.
Speed
Speed is the most important aspect that needs to be considered when looking at routers, especially wired ones. All the products we picked for this list provide users with incomparable speed, providing an enhanced experience.
Ease and Convenience
When it comes to wired routers, setting the unit up may be a significant consideration since a number of wires are involved. We have ensured that the units we pick provide great ease and convenience to the users in terms of setup.
Connection Ports
It is important for any wired router to provide a sufficient number of connection ports for the user. The products selected for this list provide just the right number of connection ports to ensure effective functioning.
Quick Take - Best Wired Routers
In a hurry? Below are the best wired routers:
Review of the Best Wired Routers
Now, moving on to the real deal, let’s check out the reviews of the best wired routers. These units, that we carefully picked from a sea of products, have been listed and reviewed below. This will allow you to choose the unit you like best and what features impress you most.
Best Overall:
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 4 (ER-4)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
All who have recently invested in this unit have found this to be an amazing device. They have a lot to say about it, but all are good things. Users are greatly impressed by its exceptional functioning and how well it performs under a number of conditions.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are a number of features that make this product worth being on this list, but what stands out most is the fast download speed. Users often seem to have a number of issues in this regard, but this particular unit has it all taken care of.
Who Will Use This Most
Since it comes with a requirement of some basic knowledge of the device and its know-how, this makes this unit perfect for a moderately experienced user. They will find complete control over the device and be able to truly appreciate the advanced features that it provides.
Bottom Line
The top product on the list really does speak for itself. It is one of the best wired routers that the market has to offer. It excels in all aspects, providing users with the best of all the features they would look for in a perfect router. There might not be another router that can beat this.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have recently invested in this unit find it to be one of the best. It provides them with about everything they need and very conveniently, not requiring a great deal of knowledge about the device itself. That is what really impresses the users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Of all the features this unit comes geared up with, the one we like most is the simple web interface. Usually, these devices are quite tricky to use and may give the user a tough time, but with this unit, it is the exact opposite. It is simple and easy, allowing easy operation.
Who Will Use This Most
Given its features and function, this unit is absolutely ideal for busy households where a wired router is really needed or in a small business. It would also be absolutely ideal for a home-based business, providing the necessary functioning.
Bottom Line
The unit may be second on the list, but it is as good as the first. It provides the ideal speed, perfect connectivity, and all the other features you could ask for. So, if for some reason, the top product didn’t cut it for you, this is a perfect choice.
Best for the Money:
Ubiquiti Edgerouter X SFP - Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
All who recently used this unit and reviewed it have found only positive things to say about it. It is true that it has managed to impress most of its users with its great functionality. What the users can’t believe is how affordable it is.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the many features we love about this router is the advanced settings access it gives to users. This extra control can allow users to use the router exactly the way they want to, without a great number of restrictions.
Who Will Use This Most
This is for all the people that want to invest in a new unit, but preferably one that doesn’t weigh too heavily on their pockets. This unit will provide such users with not only the ideal price range but also uncompromised functionality and features.
Bottom Line
Why spend even a little more when you can spend less and still get what you want? This unit is ideally designed to give you the best of both worlds. It gives you an ideal price range that you won’t find elsewhere, along with functioning that is just as good as the best.
Fastest Wired Router:
Ubiquiti EdgeMax EdgeRouter Lite ERLite-
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
After trying this unit, users have found their older units to be nowhere as good. Recent buyers have all commented on how well the device performs and what impresses users most is the speed it provides, which is incomparable to all others.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Users are pleased with the great speed they get with this unit, but what we like even better, which makes this unit stand out, is its configuration. This unit provides users the liberty of choosing between two configuration methods, depending upon whatever they like more.
Who Will Use This Most
Since the unit provides a long list of features for the users, it might as well be good for use for about everyone that needs a wired router. But it is particularly ideal for those that also require greater speed and have good knowledge about these units, too.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is, if you want a unit that functions the fastest, you can end your search here. This unit will prove to be a perfect choice. Its great speed is only one of its great features you can discover for yourself.
Best 4-Port Wired Router:
Fortinet | FortiGate 30E 24X7 Enterprise 3YR Bun
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to those that have recently bought this, this unit is one of the very few that actually impress the users. They report that it is exactly what they expect it to be and a lot more than that, too. It provides all the features they look forward to and even some they didn’t expect.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are a number of reasons this device stands out to us. Of all those, the one that really makes this unit worthy of being on this list is the web filtering it allows. It is a great feature that can serve to save your device from malware and viruses.
Who Will Use This Most
This four-port wired router provides users with a great security system. This makes it ideal for bigger businesses with higher security needs. It will provide them with the secure connection they need, along with all the other important features.
Bottom Line
Four-port wired routers are very commonly used, resulting in a large number of them being available in the market. But we doubt there is any that work as well as this unit. It not only provides you with the perfect connection but also ensures it is a secure one. What more can you ask for?
Best 8-Port Wired Router:
Ubiquiti Networks ER-8 Edgerouter 8 Port Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have some prior knowledge about wired routers and how to use them report it to be an excellent device that performs far better than a standard unit. But they also emphasize that it is a unit not meant for those that lack the basic knowledge about these devices.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit has a list of great features and picking out one would be tough. However, if we absolutely had to pick one, it would be the fact that it doesn’t come alone. It comes as a whole package, including all the components that would help one to get started with their unit.
Who Will Use This Most
This wired router isn’t a simple one. It comes with a number of settings and features that are meant for those with know-how. This makes it ideal for a bigger setup, like a larger business where such devices can be looked after by professionals, allowing users the best use of the device itself.
Bottom Line
An eight-port wired router is not very common to find. Out of all those that exist, this unit is definitely one of the best. It gives the user control over advanced settings and allows them to use it as they may, providing endless possibilities.
Best Wired Router for Small Business:
Peplink Balance 20 Dual-WAN Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Having invested in this unit recently, buyers report that the unit may have cost them slightly more, but it was definitely worth it. They were greatly pleased with all the features it came with and how well it performed, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit stands out to us for a number of reasons, but our favorite one has to be the built-in firewall. The firewall itself is a great feature that one may not find in every other unit. It is crucial in keeping your network and connection secure and safe from any sort of malware and cyber attacks
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is designed to provide all the features one would look for in a high-quality product, including the firewall for added security. This makes it perfect for a smaller business. A business can definitely afford the unit, as well as put all of its features to good use.
Bottom Line
If you are thinking of setting up a small business, or already have such a small setup, choosing this for your setup may be the best choice for you. It is guaranteed to provide you with all that you need, along with the security that you look for.
Best Wired Router for Home:
Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For those that take the word of previous buyers, the reviews of this unit say nothing but good things about it. Those who have invested in it have been greatly impressed by it and recommended it to others, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We can think of several reasonsthis unit deserves to be on this list, but one that tops the list is its silent and fanless operation. This may not seem like a great feature, but it can be appreciated only by those who have used noisy units that create a considerable amount of disturbance.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is not a very complex one, like a lot of others on this list. It does not require a great deal of knowledge for proper operation, but if someone knows their way around, it does offer some advanced features, too. This makes it ideal for all those looking for a unit to be used at home.
Bottom Line
All in all, what we can say about this product is that it will definitely not disappoint you. It is quite simple to use, but also has something for those that like to dive a little deeper. If it sounds too good to be true, then you definitely need to try for yourself.
Pros and Cons of Wired Routers
Wired routers are just like any other product in the market and comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For some, the pros outweigh the cons and for others, it’s vice versa. It entirely depends upon the use required by the user. So, in order to decide whether you really need a wired router, it is important to understand all the pros and cons of these units.
Pros
Below are the main pros of a wired router:
Safety and Security
Wireless options bring the biggest concerns for security and safety, especially when online. But with a wired network, such malware and hackers are offered greater resistance, which makes it a safer option. A wired router can be a safer alternative to a wireless one if security is an issue for you, too.
Speed
Wired routers are known to provide users with exceptional speed compared to the wireless counterparts. This is of great importance for those who require a fast, reliable internet connection, like gamers. If speed is what you are after, a wired router should be your choice.
Enhanced Connectivity
One of the greatest pros of using a wired router is that your connection is extremely reliable. With these units, you do not have to worry about other factors affecting the speed of performance of your router, while the same cannot be said about wireless units.
Cons
Below are the main cons of a wired router:
Limited Movement
When it comes to wired devices, the first and the biggest con anyone can think of is the restricted mobility. The wires limit you to a specific place and you are not as free as with a wireless unit.
Hassle of Cables
With wired routers come a huge number of cables. These not only have to be set up, but also have to be managed. Both of these can be tricky tasks, and create a greater hassle than one often expects.
Limited Connection Ports
The final drawback with this unit is that it restricts the number of connections. One cannot have as many connections on a wired router as one can on a wireless one.
Different Ways to Connect a Wired Router
Wired routers can be connected in a couple of ways and users may pick one that seems suitable. Each method has its own pros and cons and serves a different purpose for the users. Of these methods, there are two that are used most commonly.
Ethernet
If you talk about the most common way to connect a wired router, it is via Ethernet. Connecting your router with Ethernet allows you a number of speeds depending upon the cables. You will find yourself at liberty to pick one that suits best. The cables range in sizes, from just a couple of meters to over a hundred meters. While shorter cables are ideal for smaller setups, larger cables are useful in an office setup.
Powerlines
If you do not find the Ethernet a suitable connection, then you may choose powerlines. Instead of hardwiring with Ethernet, what you can do is use the electrical wiring that already exists in your setup. This method only requires powerline adaptors. Once you plug these units into the pre-existing wiring, you can connect them to your router and a socket. You still might need Ethernet cables, but you will not be required to lay out a complete series of wires.
Conclusion
A wired router is a very useful device to have around the home, but it may be tricky to pick one for new users. If you are sure a wired router is what you want, then all you need to do is give a close look at some of the best units and decide which one has all the features you need. And picking the best product will be as easy as that.
People Also Ask
In order to ensure you get the best experience out of your unit, it is important that you have no queries left regarding these routers. In order to help you out, here we have answered some questions users frequently ask regarding these devices.
How Do I Bridge a Wired Router?
Bridging routers allows you to add a wireless network and is a simple task. First of all, you need to connect one of the wired routers to your computer. This is done using the Ethernet cable. Once done, access the local area network address, as well as the router. After that, connect your second wired router to your computer using the Ethernet. Do not connect the two routers to each other.
Now, navigate to the wide area network part of the security screen and put in the IP address. Next, move to the LAN setup and make sure that you turn the DHCP off. Go back to your wireless configuration setup and select a different SSID than you did for the first unit. In the end, you can create a different password for the second unit under the security settings. Your routers are now bridged.
How Do I Use Wired Routers With VPN?
Using wired router with a VPN is a short process but one that can be tricky. First, download your router firmware and then connect your router and ensure that you configure your primary router to enable the VPN passthrough. Next, you need to flash your router. This is done differently for every unit and instructions can be found online. Now, connect your VPN, which should not be a problem anymore. Once done, you can get to using your VPN router.
How Do I Turn the Wired Router Into Wireless?
A wired router and a wireless router are two entirely different devices. A wired router only functions when all its cables and wires are plugged in. Converting it into a wireless router is not something that can be done at home. If you prefer using a wireless router, it is better to invest in one, rather than trying to convert your wired unit into a wireless one.