Tech

What's The Difference Between B, G And N Routers?

The biggest differences between these wireless standards are speed and range.

What's The Difference Between B, G And N Routers?
Newsy / Evan Thomas
SMS

Here's a question: What's the difference between B, G and N routers?

The biggest differences are speed and range. B, G and N refer to wireless standards, with B being the oldest and N being the newest.

B routers are the slowest, and they have the least range. And they aren't made anymore. So don't worry too much about seeing one in a store.

For most consumers, the choice will be between wireless G and N.

G routers send data faster and reach farther than B routers. As long as your internet service and all your devices support it, a G router could get you speeds up to 54 Mbps.

Jumping up to an N router usually costs more, but it will get you more speed and range. Plus, it'll get you a higher frequency.

G routers are stuck on 2.4 GHz, which means they're using the same frequency as many home appliances. N routers can use the 5 GHz band, so things like your microwave are less likely to interrupt the signal.

N routers are some of the fastest you'll encounter at an electronics store. They offer speeds up to 300 Mbps, again, as long as your internet and devices support it.

If you want more router tips, or to see past weeks' questions, visit the Ask Newsy topics page: newsy.com/topics/ask-newsy.

This video includes images from John Caserta / CC BY 3.0Sri Kadimisetty / CC BY 3.0 and iconoci / CC BY 3.0.