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Best Wireless Access Points (WAPs) for Home and Business
Resource Description
Nowadays, we all need the Internet, whether it’s for education, work, entertainment, Wi-Fi should work flawlessly.
If you are in search of a top-quality wireless access point, this article is definitely for you!
Terms
A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a special device that allows other Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network.
The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name of your wireless network (aka Network ID). You can see a list of SSIDs when you open a list of Wi-Fi networks. Typically, your SSID can be found on the sticker on the bottom or side of your router.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a special technology that allows Ethernet cables to supply power to network devices over the existing data connection. You can also see the term PoE+, its power sourcing equipment (PSE) can provide almost twice as much power over a single Ethernet cable.
There are various devices that utilize PoE. The main areas are:
- VoIP phones
- IP cameras
- WAPs and RFID readers
Wi-Fi Standards
In a nutshell, wireless standards (a set of services and protocols) determine how a Wi-Fi network as well as other data transmission networks act.
Since the end of the 1990s, there have been various Wi-Fi standards available to use. As time goes by, new technologies emerge and old technologies change and develop.
Nowadays, the most common set of wireless standards is considered to be the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN (WLAN) & Mesh.
To make it easier for users to identify state-of-the-art devices that offer the latest Wi-Fi experience, there are generation names that correlate with the technology supported.
Wireless Access Point vs Router. Difference
If you are wondering whether you need a wireless access point or a router, we will help you with this decision!
A router deciphers where data packets should go. It is a network element. It connects various devices and provides Internet access to them.
A wireless access point adds Wi-Fi capability to the existing wired network.
Many home routers have a built-in WAP. For small apartments, such router is a great option. However, if you have a large house, you may discover that the Wi-Fi signal from your router is not as strong as you want and it doesn’t reach every room, which can be disappointing. In this case, a standalone WAP is definitely worth having.
Wireless access points are also widely used in large enterprises. It is possible to pair multiple access points together and this way, you can extend your network over a large area. These devices can cope with multiple simultaneous connections, which is especially useful in offices, your employees can go from one cabinet to another without any problems with the Internet connection. If you purchase a reliable WAP, you can rest assured that everything works properly and you can focus on the task, not on many different wires and connection problems.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Using a WAP
Like everything under the sun, using a wireless access point has its pros and cons.
| + | – |
|---|---|
| you don’t need cables - forget about a tangle of wires, enjoy wireless connectivity | low security - if we talk about WAPs, you use radio waves for transmission and other people may sniff traffic |
| accessibility - people will have access to the Internet within the house or organization. With a WAP, you get a broader range of transmission than with a regular wireless router | the bandwidth may be decreased if more connections/devices are added |
| flexible networking - organizations often require many various wireless devices. An access point offers a variety of modes to choose from (a wireless router has fewer modes, which results in low flexibility) | poor stability - it may be slower than when using wired networks |
| multi-AP interconnection - a company can easily design the wireless program flexibly according to its needs | price - the setup of a wireless AP is a bit more expensive than the one of a wired access point. It is especially true for large companies where they need many WAPs. Additional costs may be spent to secure your wireless network. Take that into consideration |
Top WAPs for Home and Business
It is not a walk in the park when you are in the process of looking for a reliable wireless access point, there are so many models on the market, they all differ in price, features, and, of course, quality. We have a solution for you - keep reading to learn about 5 interesting variants for you!
EnGenius Technologies ENS620EXT
In case you want your wireless access point to be outside, you need to choose a weatherproof model that can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, rain, etc. In this case, you can get the ENS620EXT Wi-Fi 5 Dual-Band Outdoor WAP by EnGenius. With this device, it is easy to handle crowded outdoor client environments. It uses 2x2 MU-MIMO & Beamforming technology so you can enjoy excellent performance & reliability. The ENS620EXT is used in an array of residential/commercial applications: resorts, campus quads, outdoor shopping centers, the list goes on.
BENEFITS:
- Quad-Core CPU, 717 MHz “Turbo Engine”
- Dual-Radio 11ac Wave 2 Speeds to 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
- IP55-Rated Weatherproof Housing to withstand harsh weather conditions
- Four Detachable 5 dBi High-Gain 360° SMA-Type Antennas
Zyxel NWA110AX
This Wi-Fi 6 access point is an excellent variant for businesses that are in search of the most economical upgrade path to 11ax. The unit takes advantage of the full range of Wi-Fi 6 technologies including uplink OFDMA as well as MU-MIMO.
The NWA110AX boasts an impressive quad-core processor to provide consistently smooth delivery to wireless clients. The device is built with premium power amplifiers & 4G/5G interface filters to deliver superior quality of service so it is one of the best options.
With this wireless access point, you can enjoy an easy upgrade path if you want to experience everything that Wi-Fi 6 has to offer without the need to upgrade existing PoE+ switches.
BENEFITS:
- 2nd Generation Wi-Fi 6 (Qualcomm 802.11ax 2.0) chipset
- Wireless speed: 2.4GHz: 575Mbps, 5GHz: 1200Mbps
- Ethernet port: 1 x 10/100/1000M LAN
EnGenius EAP1300
Turbocharge wireless performance with the EAP1300 Network Access Point! The device features powerful onboard quad-core processors + new 11ac technology to enhance speed & performance, resulting in greater user device capacity as well as connection reliability. This network AP delivers next-generation, business-class Wi-Fi, which is affordable at the same time. It is ideal for small/mid-size businesses.
Find a perfect solution for you, whether you need a wireless access point for home, or you decided to purchase an AP for business use! At Prime Buy, you can definitely get a product you can count on!
When planning on buying a WAP, consider only the best brands. It is easy, when you shop with Prime Buy! On our website, you can find an array of products by top manufacturers.