Modem vs. Router: How Do They Differ?

What's the difference between a modem and router?

The difference between a modem and a router is that a modem connects to

the internet, and a router connects devices to Wi-Fi. We reviewed both to
take away the confusion about how they work and to help you choose which
device you'll need for your internet needs.

Modem

 Decodes the signal from an ISP.

 Connects directly to the internet.
 Doesn't set up a local network.
 Is not responsible for Wi-Fi.
Router

 Establishes a local network.

 Creates and manages Wi-Fi.
 Splits an internet connection to several devices.
 Does not decode the signal from an ISP.
 Requires a modem to connect to the internet.

It's easy to get the two devices mixed up if your internet service provider
(ISP) rents both to you as part of an internet package. Knowing the
difference between a modem and a router and how each work can help you
be a better consumer. You'll save money by purchasing equipment, rather
than paying a monthly fee to an ISP.

Modem Pros and Cons

Advantages

 Connects to an ISP.
 Compatible specifically with the ISP.
 Converts the signal from the ISP to a universal one that a computer can
use.
Disadvantages

 Can't create a local network.

 Doesn't run Wi-Fi.
 Doesn't connect multiple devices to the internet.

A modem connects the source of your internet from your ISP and your home
network, whether you use a cable provider such as Comcast, fiber optics
from FIOS, satellite such as Direct TV, or a DSL or dial-up phone
connection. The modem connects to the router—or directly to a computer—
using an Ethernet cable. Modems are different for each type of service; they
are not interchangeable.

ISPs rent modems to subscribers for a monthly fee. However, cable

modems are available for sale at relatively low prices. Monthly rental rates
are around $10 extra per month. If you plan to keep the same service for a
year or more, buying a cable modem that costs about $100 quickly pays for
itself. FIOS-compatible modems are hard to come by, so in that case, it's
worthwhile to rent one from Verizon. Some ISPs lease both modems and
routers.

Router Pros and Cons

Advantages

 Creates a local area network (LAN).

 Splits an internet connection to several devices.
 Hosts Wi-Fi.
 Runs a firewall.
 Connects to a VPN.
Disadvantages

 Can't connect directly to the internet.

 Doesn't decode the signal from an ISP.
A router connects to a modem and creates a private network in a home,
office, or business such as a coffee shop. When you connect a device to Wi-
Fi, it connects to a local router.

Routers connect smart devices, including smartphones, smart speakers

such as Amazon Echo, and smart home products such as light bulbs and
security systems. Wireless routers also stream content to laptops and
mobile devices through Netflix, Hulu, and similar services, without using
cables.

Some ISPs offer routers for rental. To get the latest technology, it's worth
buying one. Buying a wireless router means you can choose the model
that's best suited for your home or office or has advanced features for
gaming and other activities if you need them.

In some scenarios, one wireless router isn't sufficient to cover an entire

home or office due to a vast space or one with a complicated layout,
multiple floors, or impenetrable walls. To avoid dead zones, purchase range
extenders that connect to the router and expand its reach. However, that
usually means less bandwidth in areas near the extender, which translates
into slower browsing and download speeds. That's when investing in a mesh
network might make sense.

A Wi-Fi mesh network consists of one primary router and several satellites,
or nodes, that relay the wireless signal from one to the next, like a chain.
Rather than extenders that communicate only with the router, mesh network
nodes communicate with each other, and there's no loss of bandwidth. The
signal is as powerful as if you were next to the primary router. There's no
limit to how many nodes you can set up, and you can manage it using a
smartphone.

Whether you need a range extender or a mesh network depends on the size
of the space and how much bandwidth is required.

Do You Need a Modem and a Router?

You need a modem and a router to set up a home network. If you're

connecting a single computer to the internet with a wire, you can use only a
modem. There's no case where you can use just a router. You'll always
need a modem to decode the signal from your ISP.
When you want to speed up your network, the router is usually what you
want to focus on. It has bandwidth limits, and it distributes the signal to all
your devices. Your router creates and manages your Wi-Fi.

What Is a Wi-Fi Modem?

The modem usually doesn't cause a slow connection. Generally, you'll get
one from your ISP, and they'll give you one suitable for your subscription. If
you plug in your computer directly to your modem and run a speed test, you
can test whether you're getting your advertised internet speed. If not,
contact your ISP. There may be a connection issue, or your modem may be
outdated. In this case, they may swap it out for a newer model.

What Does a Modem Look Like?

Modems typically look like small black, skinny, square boxes. Frequently,
they have between two and four antennae but not every modem includes an
external antenna. The images at the top of this article give you a good idea
of what a modem looks like but every manufacturer uses a different style
and shape.

Modems will also include between two and four ethernet ports, one or two
USB ports, and range between six and nine inches wide to six to eleven
inches long and about two to three inches high.

 Modems come in all shapes and sizes.

Modem and Router Combo Devices

There are also modems with integrated routers  that perform both functions.
These modems can be rented from your ISP or purchased directly. These
combo devices might include a VoIP function if you have a cable, internet,
and phone package.

Combination devices are not usually the best option. If one part breaks, the
whole thing is useless, and you can't upgrade one device at a time. Still, if
you don't need the latest and greatest tech, buying a combo modem and
router is convenient.

What Does a Modem Do?

Frequently Asked Questions

 Which is better: modem or router? If a comparison must be made,

the modem wins. A modem is always your main gateway to the
internet, whether it's a modem connected to the internet via a coax or
fiber optic cable, or a modem in your smartphone. A router's function
is to then distribute (or route) that internet connection to other wired or
wireless devices in your Local Area Network (LAN) . Essentially, you
can plug one device into your modem and have internet access, but
you can't connect a device to a router and have internet access—
unless the router is connected to a modem.
 When do I need a modem vs. a router? You need a modem to
access the internet. Then, you'll need a router to distribute that
internet access to your devices (computer, smartphone, smart TV,
etc.). Routers are also used to connect devices within your network;
for example, a router enables you to connect your printer to your PC.
An internet connection is not required to connect devices within your
network.

Modem vs. Router: What’s the

Difference?
Your modem is a box that connects your home network to the wider
Internet. A router is a box that lets all of your wired and wireless
devices use that Internet connection at once and also allows them to
talk to one another without having to do so over the Internet. Often,
your Internet service provider will give you one box that serves as both
modem and router, but they’re still different technologies; not all
modems include routers and not all routers have modems. You need
both, integrated or not, in order to provide an Internet connection for
all the devices in your home.
We recommend using a separate modem and router, if you can. Since
modem technology changes slowly, you can usually use a modem for
years, until it breaks, but you might need to replace a router because
you want better coverage, because you’ve added more devices to your
network and your old router isn’t keeping up, or because you want to
take advantage of the latest improvements in Wi-Fi technology. You
can often save money on your monthly Internet bill if you buy your
own modem and router instead of using the ones your ISP provides,
though this is usually true only if you have cable Internet, not DSL or
fiber, and the situation is more complicated if you get phone service
from your ISP as well.
Modems

Photo: Michael Hession

A modem modulates and demodulates electrical signals sent through

phone lines, coaxial cables, or other types of wiring; in other words, it
transforms digital information from your computer into analog signals
that can transmit over wires, and it can translate incoming analog
signals back into digital data that your computer can understand. Most
stand-alone modems have just two ports: one that connects to the
outside world, and an Ethernet jack that connects to a computer or a
router.
If you use cable Internet service, your ISP probably gave you a modem
when the company set up your service. But it didn’t do this out of the
goodness of its heart—if you look at your bill, you’ll most likely
discover that you’re paying an extra monthly fee (typically around
$10) for the privilege.
That’s one reason why we recommend that cable Internet users buy
their own modems.1 Good ones such as the Motorola MB7621 or
the Netgear CM500 cost between $60 and $80; the modem will pay
for itself after a few months and last for years, even if you change cable
providers.
If you use DSL or fiber Internet (like Verizon’s Fios service), your
choices are more limited. Your ISP probably provides you a modem or
a modem/router combo, and may not allow you to bring your own
modem even if you can find one to buy in the first place. In many cases
you can turn off the router features of a combination modem/router
and use it as a stand-alone modem so you can add your own router,
but the process for doing so (and whether that’s supported at all)
differs depending on your service provider and the type of Internet
connection you have.
Routers

Photo: Sarah Kobos

Your router’s primary responsibility is to route data between devices in your home, and between
those devices and the wider Internet. The system of interconnected devices plus the router itself
is what we’re collectively referring to when we talk about a home network. Your modem
connects to one port on the router—usually (but not always) labeled “Wide Area Network,” or
“WAN”—and all of your devices connect to the other ports, or wirelessly over the Wi-Fi
standard.
We recommend two kinds of wireless routers depending on the size of
your home, how many devices you connect to your network, and
where the router is in your home. Most one- or two-bedroom
apartments with a couple dozen devices can be covered by a stand-
alone Wi-Fi router. Good ones like the TP-Link Archer A7 are
available for around $60, but great ones like the TP-Link Archer
AX50 cost closer to $150. These models function best if you can place
them near the center of your home and give all of your devices the best
wireless connection possible; even one or two devices with a weak
connection can reduce performance for all the other wireless devices
on the network. If you have a larger home, if you have lots of smart
devices in addition to your computers and phones and streaming
boxes, or if your router has to sit far away from the center of your
home, a Wi-Fi mesh-networking kit is a better fit. Good ones start
around $250, and great ones like the Asus ZenWiFi AC typically cost
somewhere between $300 and $400. These kits usually come in two
or three pieces, with one piece that functions like a stand-alone router
and one or more pieces that act as satellites. Place each satellite in
between your router and an area of your home with a poor Wi-Fi
signal, and it will act as a go-between, increasing the range and
improving the quality of your entire wireless network.

Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Unlike traditional Wi-Fi extenders, which don't coordinate with your

router, these mesh Wi-Fi systems were developed to work together;
they make sure that each of your devices is connected to the router or
satellite that provides it the best, strongest signal. You can add more
satellites to the network later if you’re still unhappy with the coverage
in certain parts of your home or if you move to a bigger place.
If you want to know more about the way your router does its job,
this summary of common networking terminology is a good place to
start.
Troubleshooting and maintaining your router

Routers are complicated pieces of technology, and we can’t tell you

everything you’d need to know to fix every networking problem you
might run into. But these common troubleshooting and maintenance
tips should help you keep your network running as smoothly and
securely as possible.

 Make sure to position it well: A stand-alone router should sit as

close to the center of your home as possible and out in the open, but
all routers and satellites should have as few obstructions around
them as possible (especially metal ones). Try not to stick them inside
a desk, behind your computer monitor, or way back in a corner.
 Update the firmware: New firmware updates can improve your
router’s performance, add new features, and (most important) fix
security problems. Many recent routers will install firmware updates
automatically, but others won’t, so consult your router’s manual for
instructions on how to check for updates and install them. If your
router hasn’t received a firmware update in more than a year or two,
it may be time to consider a replacement.
 Change the default passwords: This means both the WPA2 or
WPA3 passkey you use to connect new devices to the router and the
administrative password you use to change settings and install
firmware updates. The default passwords for each are usually
printed on a label on the bottom of the router, and changing both
reduces the risk of someone hopping on your network and using
your Internet or changing the settings without your permission.
 Reboot your router and modem: If your router keeps dropping
connections or can’t access the Internet at all, turn it off or unplug it,
wait 10 seconds, and then turn it back on (do the same with your
modem, if you have a separate one). It’s totally normal to need to do
this every once in a while, but if you’re doing it every day, your
router or modem may need to be repaired or replaced.
Footnotes

1. One possible exception is if you have a cable bundle that also

includes landline phone service. “Telephony” or eMTA modems cost
more than regular modems and are less widely compatible, and your
ISP likely won’t allow you to bring your own anyway.
Jump back.

The Difference
Between a Modem and
a Router
Modem vs router, what’s the difference? The main difference between a
modem and a router is that a modem connects you to the Internet and a
router distributes the Internet connection to your devices. A router does
not connect you to the Internet by itself. It’s important to know the
difference between a modem and a router when setting up your Internet
and home network. This will help you properly set up but also can help with
troubleshooting. So, how does a modem and a router work together? We
will explain the differences to remove the confusion between these two
devices.
Modem
A cable modem is a hardware device that uses a coax cable to connect your
computer devices with your Internet service provider (ISP). A cable modem
connects to the Internet.
There are a few different types of modems: analog modems (dial-up), digital
subscriber line (DSL) or cable modems.   Typically, your Internet Service
Provider (ISP) rent modems to their subscribers, that can come with some added
benefits.  The option to buy or purchase your own modem can save you from
paying monthly rental fees (sometimes up to $150 per year* depending on your
current rental fees).  Your modem will give you a reliable, wired Internet
connection.  If you only have one device that needs to connect to the Internet,
like a PC or laptop, you can get away with just having a modem. But if you have
multiple devices, or want to use your devices wirelessly (WiFi), then you will need
a router, too.
LEARN MORE

Router
A cable modem router (sometimes called a gateway) connects to the Internet
and distributes the internet connection to multiple devices (like a router does).
It comes down to your preference for your home network setup. A combo cable
modem router can serve you well. However, if you want more freedom to adjust
things on your home network, like security settings, you might want to have a
separate cable modem and router. To have even more freedom, you
can purchase your own cable modem, router, or cable modem router instead of
renting them for a monthly fee. This can save you money over time, however,
 renting from your ISP can come with access to technicians and troubleshooting
as well.
LEARN MORE
Modem vs Router
While these devices do different things, they can physically look similar and act
similarly. For example, both devices:
 Have indicator lights
 Have Ethernet ports on the back
 Transmit data from one source to another destination (i.e. ISP to the modem to
the router)
These similarities can make it easy to get modems and routers confused if you
are not familiar with them. Here are a few things to look for so that you can tell
your modem and router apart:
Modem features:
 Has fewer Ethernet ports than a router
 Has a public IP address
 Use a wide area network (WAN)
Router features:
 Has a private IP address
 Distribute on a local area network (LAN)
How to Choose Between a Cable Modem & Cable Modem Router
It comes down to your preference for your home network setup. A combo cable
modem router can serve you well. However, if you want more freedom to adjust
things on your home network, like security settings, you might want to have a
separate cable modem and router. To have even more freedom, you
can purchase your own cable modem, router, or cable modem router instead of
renting them for a monthly fee. This can save you money over time, however,
renting from your ISP can come with access to technicians and troubleshooting
as well.
Why You Want a Modem
If you want Internet in your home or office, you need a modem. A modem takes
analog Internet signals from your Internet service provider (ISP) and turns them
into digital Internet signals. These digital signals are what a router translates and
distributes to your devices.
There are a few types of modems. Usually, you will get your modem from your
ISP unless you buy your own, like the CODA Cable Modem which uses DOCSIS
3.1 technology for faster speeds.
If you only have one device that needs to connect to the Internet, like a PC or
laptop, you can get away with just having a modem. But if you have multiple
devices, then you need a router, too.
Why You Want a Router
A router is a networking device. It takes the Internet connection from your
modem and sends it to your wireless devices. A router also allows all of these
devices to connect at the same time.
There are different types of routers, but the most popular are wired or wireless.
Regardless of if your router is hard-wired or wireless, it still needs to physically
connect to your modem with a cable. Again, if two separate devices connected
via cable isn’t what you want, a modem/router combo might be a better solution
for you.

Modem vs. router: What's the

difference?
If home networking isn't your strong suit and you're trying to wrap
your head around the basics, we're here to help. Let's start with how
the Wi-Fi works.

There's no need to be intimidated by home networking hardware.

CNET

Our home internet connections have never been as important as they are now, with
millions of us continuing to work, learn and socialize from home. All of that depends on
the hardware running our home networks -- typically a modem and a router, or a
gateway device that combines the two -- but for a lot of us, that hardware is hard to
understand and best left to technicians and tech-savvy friends and family to set up on
our behalf.

There's no shame in that, but it's still well worth understanding how the Wi-Fi works. A
good start is to build a sense of familiarity with what those different devices are doing,
and how they work together to get you online. From there, you'll have a much easier
time fixing problems as they arise, and you'll have a better sense of when and how to
best upgrade your network, too. What's more, plenty of home internet providers will let
you skip an equipment rental fee if you use your own modem or router, so buying your
own hardware could save you money over the long run, too.
Let's get right to it, starting with the likely starting point for your home's internet
connection:

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Your modem connects your home network to the outside world

The internet is also known as the world-wide web because that's basically what it is -- a
massive web of computers and servers that can pass information back and forth in
mere milliseconds. Smartphones and other cellular devices can connect to that web
with a wireless connection to the nearest cell tower, but non-cellular devices like smart
home gadgets, gaming consoles and your computer need another way to access the
web and get online.

This Arris Surfboard is a good recent example of a modem -- its job is to encode your internet
traffic and send it out into the web, then decode the signals you receive in response.
Arris

That's where your home's modem comes in. Short for modulator-demodulator, your
modem's job is to act as the translator for your home network. It takes whatever data
you want to send out into the internet -- a Google search, a request to refresh your
Twitter feed, an email, you name it -- and it modulates that data into an encoded
electronic signal that can travel through the web. When that signal reaches its
destination, the receiving modem will demodulate and decode it back into readable
data, and then send a response. 

Here's a practical example: When you're at home shopping on Amazon and you click
"Add to cart," your modem sends that request to Amazon's servers. Then, Amazon
responds by sending the confirmation that your bulk order of red gummy bears is,
indeed, in your cart. All of that happens within a fraction of a second, and you see it play
out on your screen because your modem is connecting you with Amazon through the
web. Thanks, modem!

In the early days of the internet, a modem was all most people used to get online. You'd
plug your modem into your home phone line for a dial-up connection with your internet
service provider, and then you'd wire the modem to your computer to connect that
computer to the web. Wired connections to the modem like that are great for a
connection that's as fast and reliable as your ISP allows, but they aren't practical if you
want to be able to connect from anywhere in your house, or if you want to use things
like wireless smart home gadgets. For that, you'll need a way for those devices to
connect to your modem without wires at all. 

Gee, if only there was a device for that, some way to "route" all of those wireless signals
to the right place...

This Asus router offers wireless access to your modem's connection with the web (hence the
antennas).
Chris Monroe/CNET

Your router connects your devices to your modem without wires

Yep, that's what your router is for. Instead of wiring each of your devices to your
modem, you just wire a router to it. From there, that router broadcasts a Wi-Fi network.
Any Wi-Fi device in range of that network can use whatever password you've set to
connect wirelessly to the router, and through it, to the modem and the web. That's also
why it's important to set a strong password for your network -- without one, anyone
within range will be able to use your connection and potentially interfere with other
devices.

There's a wide range of Wi-Fi routers available for use in people's homes, and a wide
range of strengths and weaknesses between them. If you live in a small home and don't
use the internet too heavily, then a basic, stand-alone router might be all you need. If
your home is larger, then you might want to upgrade to a mesh router that uses multiple
devices throughout your house to relay a stronger, more reliable Wi-Fi signal from room
to room. If you're a hardcore gamer, then you might want to invest in a feature-rich
gaming router to help optimize your connection with whatever server you're playing on,
and to keep latency as low as possible as you're lining up headshots.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-FI 6E: Here's the difference in three
minutes
02:57
Large pla y-pause toggle

00:0002:57

You should also know that all routers aren't created equal. Just as cellular connections
got faster and faster from 3G to 4G to 5G, Wi-Fi has improved, too, with new-and-
improved versions of the standard released every five to ten years. The latest
generation, called Wi-Fi 6, promises top speeds to other Wi-Fi 6 devices that are about
30% faster than Wi-Fi 5, plus better performance on networks where lots of devices are
trying to connect at once. 

Wireless connections typically aren't as fast or dependable as wired connections, so the

wireless connection between your devices and your router is likely the weakest point in
the chain that connects your home to the web. That's why it makes sense to invest in a
capable router with strong performance over Wi-Fi -- and it's why we're constantly
testing the latest routers to bring you the best upgrade recommendations.

This T-Mobile gateway acts as both a 5G modem and a wireless router.

Rick Broida/CNET

Gateways combine a modem and router into one

A wireless home network needs a connection to the web (the modem) and wireless
access to that connection for your devices (the router). That doesn't mean that you need
two separate devices, though. Shop around, and you'll see all-in-one devices that
combine the two into a single piece of hardware, often called a gateway. They're simply
modems with their own, built-in routers.

A wide number of internet providers will rent out devices like this when setting up your
connection, including AT&T, Xfinity and Optimum. Gateways are also common
with cellular internet plans, where your incoming internet signal arrives over the air
instead of by ground-laid wire like with fiber, cable or DSL. You need a special radio to
accept cellular signals like those, so the provider will often provide an all-in-one gateway
with that radio built right in. 

In most cases, you can turn off the gateway's wireless network -- the router part -- and
use a router of your own if you so choose. Just connect that router to the gateway with
an Ethernet cable, just like you would with a regular modem. Be sure to turn that
gateway's wireless network off in the device settings -- otherwise, you'll have two
networks in your home that could interfere with each other or cause confusion.
 Enlarge Image
The speed ratings listed on router packaging will give you an approximate sense of the combined
speed of each band -- but you can only connect to one band at a time, so those ratings are often
misleading.
Ry Crist/CNET

How can I tell if a modem or router is fast enough?

Modem and router speed is typically described in terms of the amount of data the
device can transfer each second, typically in megabits. The more megabits of data a
modem or router can handle in a given second, the faster that modem or router is. Look
for those top transfer rates listed in Mbps, or megabits-per-second. If it's a really fast
piece of hardware, then you might see the speed listed in gigabits-per-second, or Gbps.
1Gbps equals 1,000Mbps.

Mbps is the same unit internet service providers use to describe the speed of their
respective plans, so it's a good idea to make sure that your modem and router are fast
enough to make the most out of your connection. For instance, in my home, I have a
fiber connection that allows for downloads and uploads up to 300Mbps. A modem and
router that supported top speeds of up to 800Mbps would likely be more than enough
for my needs, but if I had a faster gigabit plan from my provider (1Gbps, or 1,000Mbps),
then I'd definitely be looking to upgrade.

With routers, you can get a rough sense of the speed capabilities by looking at the
speed rating, typically featured prominently on the box. Those speed ratings consist of
two letters followed by a number, like AX1500. The letters tell you which generation of
Wi-Fi the router supports ("AX" means Wi-Fi 6, for instance, while "AC" indicates Wi-Fi
5). The number tells you the approximate combined speeds of each of the router's
bands (usually 2.4 and 5GHz, as well as a second 5GHz band if it's a tri-band router --
or a 6GHz band if the router supports Wi-Fi 6E). Just know that those speed ratings are
typically pretty misleading, because you can only connect to one band at a time.
Checking the fine print as you shop to see the top speed of each individual band will
give you a better sense of each router's true capabilities.

One last note: If you're thinking about buying your own modem, make sure that your
provider allows you to do that (AT&T, for instance, does not), and make sure to get one
that your provider supports. Different modes of internet require different kinds of
modems, so you'll want to be sure and get one that'll actually work with your connection.
The help section of your ISP's website is the best place to find guidance here -- look for
a list of supported modems before you pull the trigger on a purchase.

Modem vs. router: What's the

difference?
If home networking isn't your strong suit and you're trying to wrap
your head around the basics, we're here to help. Let's start with how
the Wi-Fi works.

There's no need to be intimidated by home networking hardware.

CNET

Our home internet connections have never been as important as they are now, with
millions of us continuing to work, learn and socialize from home. All of that depends on
the hardware running our home networks -- typically a modem and a router, or a
gateway device that combines the two -- but for a lot of us, that hardware is hard to
understand and best left to technicians and tech-savvy friends and family to set up on
our behalf.

There's no shame in that, but it's still well worth understanding how the Wi-Fi works. A
good start is to build a sense of familiarity with what those different devices are doing,
and how they work together to get you online. From there, you'll have a much easier
time fixing problems as they arise, and you'll have a better sense of when and how to
best upgrade your network, too. What's more, plenty of home internet providers will let
you skip an equipment rental fee if you use your own modem or router, so buying your
own hardware could save you money over the long run, too.

Let's get right to it, starting with the likely starting point for your home's internet
connection:

CNET HOME
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Your modem connects your home network to the outside world

The internet is also known as the world-wide web because that's basically what it is -- a
massive web of computers and servers that can pass information back and forth in
mere milliseconds. Smartphones and other cellular devices can connect to that web
with a wireless connection to the nearest cell tower, but non-cellular devices like smart
home gadgets, gaming consoles and your computer need another way to access the
web and get online.

This Arris Surfboard is a good recent example of a modem -- its job is to encode your internet
traffic and send it out into the web, then decode the signals you receive in response.
Arris

That's where your home's modem comes in. Short for modulator-demodulator, your
modem's job is to act as the translator for your home network. It takes whatever data
you want to send out into the internet -- a Google search, a request to refresh your
Twitter feed, an email, you name it -- and it modulates that data into an encoded
electronic signal that can travel through the web. When that signal reaches its
destination, the receiving modem will demodulate and decode it back into readable
data, and then send a response. 
Here's a practical example: When you're at home shopping on Amazon and you click
"Add to cart," your modem sends that request to Amazon's servers. Then, Amazon
responds by sending the confirmation that your bulk order of red gummy bears is,
indeed, in your cart. All of that happens within a fraction of a second, and you see it play
out on your screen because your modem is connecting you with Amazon through the
web. Thanks, modem!

In the early days of the internet, a modem was all most people used to get online. You'd
plug your modem into your home phone line for a dial-up connection with your internet
service provider, and then you'd wire the modem to your computer to connect that
computer to the web. Wired connections to the modem like that are great for a
connection that's as fast and reliable as your ISP allows, but they aren't practical if you
want to be able to connect from anywhere in your house, or if you want to use things
like wireless smart home gadgets. For that, you'll need a way for those devices to
connect to your modem without wires at all. 

Gee, if only there was a device for that, some way to "route" all of those wireless signals
to the right place...

This Asus router offers wireless access to your modem's connection with the web (hence the
antennas).
Chris Monroe/CNET

Your router connects your devices to your modem without wires

Yep, that's what your router is for. Instead of wiring each of your devices to your
modem, you just wire a router to it. From there, that router broadcasts a Wi-Fi network.
Any Wi-Fi device in range of that network can use whatever password you've set to
connect wirelessly to the router, and through it, to the modem and the web. That's also
why it's important to set a strong password for your network -- without one, anyone
within range will be able to use your connection and potentially interfere with other
devices.

There's a wide range of Wi-Fi routers available for use in people's homes, and a wide
range of strengths and weaknesses between them. If you live in a small home and don't
use the internet too heavily, then a basic, stand-alone router might be all you need. If
your home is larger, then you might want to upgrade to a mesh router that uses multiple
devices throughout your house to relay a stronger, more reliable Wi-Fi signal from room
to room. If you're a hardcore gamer, then you might want to invest in a feature-rich
gaming router to help optimize your connection with whatever server you're playing on,
and to keep latency as low as possible as you're lining up headshots.

Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-FI 6E: Here's the difference in three

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You should also know that all routers aren't created equal. Just as cellular connections
got faster and faster from 3G to 4G to 5G, Wi-Fi has improved, too, with new-and-
improved versions of the standard released every five to ten years. The latest
generation, called Wi-Fi 6, promises top speeds to other Wi-Fi 6 devices that are about
30% faster than Wi-Fi 5, plus better performance on networks where lots of devices are
trying to connect at once. 

Wireless connections typically aren't as fast or dependable as wired connections, so the

wireless connection between your devices and your router is likely the weakest point in
the chain that connects your home to the web. That's why it makes sense to invest in a
capable router with strong performance over Wi-Fi -- and it's why we're constantly
testing the latest routers to bring you the best upgrade recommendations.

This T-Mobile gateway acts as both a 5G modem and a wireless router.

Rick Broida/CNET

Gateways combine a modem and router into one

A wireless home network needs a connection to the web (the modem) and wireless
access to that connection for your devices (the router). That doesn't mean that you need
two separate devices, though. Shop around, and you'll see all-in-one devices that
combine the two into a single piece of hardware, often called a gateway. They're simply
modems with their own, built-in routers.

A wide number of internet providers will rent out devices like this when setting up your
connection, including AT&T, Xfinity and Optimum. Gateways are also common
with cellular internet plans, where your incoming internet signal arrives over the air
instead of by ground-laid wire like with fiber, cable or DSL. You need a special radio to
accept cellular signals like those, so the provider will often provide an all-in-one gateway
with that radio built right in. 

In most cases, you can turn off the gateway's wireless network -- the router part -- and
use a router of your own if you so choose. Just connect that router to the gateway with
an Ethernet cable, just like you would with a regular modem. Be sure to turn that
gateway's wireless network off in the device settings -- otherwise, you'll have two
networks in your home that could interfere with each other or cause confusion.
 Enlarge Image
The speed ratings listed on router packaging will give you an approximate sense of the combined
speed of each band -- but you can only connect to one band at a time, so those ratings are often
misleading.
Ry Crist/CNET

How can I tell if a modem or router is fast enough?

Modem and router speed is typically described in terms of the amount of data the
device can transfer each second, typically in megabits. The more megabits of data a
modem or router can handle in a given second, the faster that modem or router is. Look
for those top transfer rates listed in Mbps, or megabits-per-second. If it's a really fast
piece of hardware, then you might see the speed listed in gigabits-per-second, or Gbps.
1Gbps equals 1,000Mbps.

Mbps is the same unit internet service providers use to describe the speed of their
respective plans, so it's a good idea to make sure that your modem and router are fast
enough to make the most out of your connection. For instance, in my home, I have a
fiber connection that allows for downloads and uploads up to 300Mbps. A modem and
router that supported top speeds of up to 800Mbps would likely be more than enough
for my needs, but if I had a faster gigabit plan from my provider (1Gbps, or 1,000Mbps),
then I'd definitely be looking to upgrade.

With routers, you can get a rough sense of the speed capabilities by looking at the
speed rating, typically featured prominently on the box. Those speed ratings consist of
two letters followed by a number, like AX1500. The letters tell you which generation of
Wi-Fi the router supports ("AX" means Wi-Fi 6, for instance, while "AC" indicates Wi-Fi
5). The number tells you the approximate combined speeds of each of the router's
bands (usually 2.4 and 5GHz, as well as a second 5GHz band if it's a tri-band router --
or a 6GHz band if the router supports Wi-Fi 6E). Just know that those speed ratings are
typically pretty misleading, because you can only connect to one band at a time.
Checking the fine print as you shop to see the top speed of each individual band will
give you a better sense of each router's true capabilities.

One last note: If you're thinking about buying your own modem, make sure that your
provider allows you to do that (AT&T, for instance, does not), and make sure to get one
that your provider supports. Different modes of internet require different kinds of
modems, so you'll want to be sure and get one that'll actually work with your connection.
The help section of your ISP's website is the best place to find guidance here -- look for
a list of supported modems before you pull the trigger on a purchase.