Home & Small Business Networking Guide
"Router," "switch" and "access point" get used loosely and often interchangeably, which makes networking gear confusing to shop for. Here's what each piece actually does, and when you need one.
What a router actually does
A router connects your network to the internet and manages traffic between your devices and the outside world. The router your ISP supplies is often a basic, shared-cost unit — perfectly fine for light use, but it's common to outgrow it once you have more devices, want better Wi-Fi range, or need features like guest networks or better security. A dedicated router is a worthwhile upgrade if you've noticed slow or unreliable Wi-Fi, especially in a larger home or office.
Wi-Fi standards, in plain terms
Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and the newer Wi-Fi 6E/7) are simply generations — each newer one is faster and handles more connected devices more efficiently than the last. For most homes and small offices, Wi-Fi 6 is a sensible sweet spot today: a meaningful step up from older standards without paying for cutting-edge features most people won't notice. If your home is large or oddly shaped and a single router leaves dead spots, a mesh Wi-Fi system (multiple connected units spread through the space) solves that far better than one router alone ever will.
When you need a switch
A router typically only has a handful of physical (wired) network ports. If you need to wire up more devices than that — desktops, a NAS, printers, security cameras — a network switch expands the number of wired connections available. A simple unmanaged switch is enough for most home and small office setups; managed switches, with more configuration options, are really only necessary for larger or more complex business networks.
Networking gear and load shedding
Routers, switches and access points draw far less power than a desktop PC, which makes them a genuinely practical thing to keep running on a small UPS through a load shedding stage — keeping your internet connection alive even while a PC itself is powered down. It's one of the most cost-effective uses of a small UPS if staying connected matters to you.
Browse our full range of routers, Wi-Fi access points and switches.