Both modems and routers are important to your home networking set up, but what's the difference? Your modem is an essential piece of equipment that connects your home to the internet your internet provider delivers. Meanwhile your router is the second essential piece of equipment that makes that internet connection wireless for all your devices to connect to. Without your modem, you can't use the internet you're paying your provider for at all and without your router, you're stuck chained to cords. Here's everything you need to know about modems and routers and the difference between them.

What Is A Modem?

Your modem is a box you've either purchased yourself or received from your internet provider that connects your home to the internet. You need your modem so it can translate signals received from your internet provider into information your internet enabled devices can use.

Choosing A Modem

Before making any buying decisions, ask your internet provider if a modem is included with internet service. Some internet providers like Charter Spectrum, HughesNet, and MetroNet include a modem within their monthly fee. It won't cost you anything to use their modem as long as you give it back at the end of service. However, it's more common for internet providers to charge a recurring equipment lease fee for you to use their modem. Comcast Xfinity, Frontier Communications, Verizon FiOS and other internet providers add modem lease fees onto your monthly bill from $7 a month to $15 a month. Plus you still have to give it back to your internet provider at the end of service.

If you find out your internet provider does indeed charge a monthly lease fee to use one of their modems and you decide to purchase your own modem, the upfront cost won't be cheap. Modems can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, but you own it and you can potentially save money over time by not having to pay those pesky lease fees every month. However, if your newly purchased modem breaks, you're out that cash and will have to purchase a new one. You also can't just pick up any modem off the shelf and expect it to work with the service you have. Modems are internet technology specific and your internet provider has a list of approved modems they have tested that are compatible with their service. For example DSL modems only work with DSL internet, cable modems with cable internet and fiber optic modems with fiber internet. There's no way around that or around the approved modems list by your internet provider. If it's not an approved modem, your internet provider cannot reasonably expect nor guarantee for their service to work as advertised with your alternative equipment.

What Is A Router?

Your router is a box that sends the internet connection it receives from your modem to all your internet enabled devices in your network wirelessly. Routers create a local area network within your house that allows you to connect all of your internet enabled devices with Wi-Fi cards to its network without being tied up in cables. All modern internet enabled devices including laptops, tablets, smart TVs, gaming systems do have internal Wi-Fi cards, but keep in mind if you have a very old desktop it's possible it does not have one installed. Also some serious gamers actually prefer maintaining that ethernet connection between their gaming system and their modem for maximum speeds and the lowest latency their internet connection can send and receive.

Choosing A Router

Choosing a router can be overwhelming with all the options you have. From hundreds of brands, models and price points; unless you know exactly what you need no wonder shopping for a router can be so stressful. Here's how you can narrow down your search by what's important to your family:

● How much can your family afford to spend? Wireless routers vary wildly in price from $50 to $300 and even more. While shopping, your budget may be the deciding factor between what router you choose and what one you really like, but can't afford. Coming up with a budget will narrow down your options and could save you time too.

● Choose Wi-Fi 5 or 6: choosing a newer wireless protocol will ensure you're making the most of your dollar. New routers can deliver you the faster speeds you pay for, cover your home better and have more up to date security features.

● Consider the extra features too: Although your router's main function is to make your internet connection wireless, many come with really handy extra features that are worth spending a few extra bucks for. Extra features vary from router to router, but you can expect to find features like  parental controls, guest Wi-Fi, beamforming, qualify of service settings, a mobile app and more.

Standalone Modems & Routers Vs Modem Router Combos

When it comes to modems and routers,  you have many options available to choose from. You can either purchase or lease your modem and router separately or you can get what they call a modem router combination device. We recommend purchasing or leasing both devices separately every time and here's why:

● Modem technology moves much slower than router technology. You can use your modem for years until it breaks as long as you stick with an internet service with the same technology. Whereas with routers, you may decide to upgrade for a myriad of reasons that are more than just faulty equipment. Router technology moves fast and upgrading your router can provide your family with many benefits like better network coverage, better security and better features.

● You might switch internet providers in the future. Whether you switch because you're moving or because you're unhappy with the service you've been receiving; your old modem might not be compatible with your new internet service. Your router doesn't have the same limitations, it will work as long as it powers on no matter who your internet provider is. If you buy a modem router combo today, you may be forced to buy another one a couple years from now. Meaning you'll spend more money than you needed to if you just purchased them separately from the start.

● Modems, routers and modem router combos don't last forever. You can expect them to break sooner or later with age and use. If you purchase your equipment separately, you'll pay less to replace one device versus the cost of a whole new modem router combination.