If youre putting together a DIY project that needs a network connection, like a NAS or a home media server, plugging into your main network is the end goal, but could cause some problems if youre still experimenting. DIY projects by their very nature can result in a lot of trial and error, and if youve got other members of your home using your home network, they might not think that restarting the router or needing to assign custom IPs to every new device is quite as interesting as you do. For the most part, you won't need another router for DIY projects, but if it involves networking, it's not a bad idea to do your testing on a separate router.

Without a doubt, coverage and speed are the two most important considerations when choosing a router, but it can be hard to find one with the right balance. While most routers strive for good coverage, some models excel more than others with clever antenna designs and modern technology support like OFDMA and beamforming. If youre willing to go with one of the best mesh systems, you have a lot more options, but if you just want a single router that can do it all, and maybe expand with a mesh later on, youll want something with a bit more power.

Resetting your router can be a quick way to solve some connectivity issues or to get a fresh start, but if your internet connection doesnt come back on, its very frustrating. Your router is part of a large collection of devices that directs data from your connected devices to the right server online and back again, so there are a lot of things that can prevent your connection from working. If youve reset your router, and it wont connect to the internet, there are some quick fixes you can try.