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Gigabit router

By Marshall Thurlow | 2025-02-11
gigabit router

Do you need a gigabit (1 GB) router?

As the fibre internet rollout progresses across Australia, more households and businesses are upgrading their connections to gigabit internet. To better handle these faster connections, people are also turning to new networking equipment, including a gigabit router. 

What is a gigabit router, and do you really need one for your home or office? Read on for the breakdown.

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What is a gigabit router?

A gigabit router is, as the name suggests, a router that supports speeds of up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) on wired connections. Traditional routers with fast ethernet ports are limited to 100 Mbps, which can create a bottleneck if you have a high-speed internet plan and heavy demands on your broadband.

Most modern gigabit Wi-Fi routers have Wi-Fi router gigabit ethernet ports for wired devices as well as high-speed wireless connections. This means they support all your internet needs, including Enterprise Ethernet for your business.

Do I need a gigabit router?

It depends on your internet plan and how you use your network. Below are some factors to consider when deciding if you need a 1 Gb router.

Your internet speed

Internet plans of 500 Mbps or faster will benefit from a gigabit Wi-Fi router.

If you have an internet plan with speeds of 500 Mbps or higher, a gigabit router is essential to get the most out of your connection. A standard router with 100 Mbps Ethernet ports would limit your speed, creating a bottleneck.

However, if your internet plan is below 100 Mbps, a gigabit Wi-Fi router won’t make a significant difference in performance.

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How many connected devices you have

A gigabit router will reduce congestion caused by high numbers of devices.

With more smart devices in homes – including TVs, gaming consoles, smartphones, and IoT devices – network congestion can be a problem. A Wi-Fi router gigabit ethernet setup helps prevent slowdowns by providing faster and more efficient data transfer.

For smaller households without a smart home setup, a gigabit router probably isn’t essential right now.

Your internet usage

If you game, stream or transfer large files, a 1 Gb router can support this.

Online gaming and 4K/8K streaming require a stable, high-speed internet connection. A gigabit router can reduce lag and buffering by ensuring that high-bandwidth activities receive the necessary speed and priority.

If you transfer large files between devices on your network, a 1 Gb router can significantly improve speed. You’ll particularly see the benefits of this if you run a small business or have a home office.

Features to look for in a gigabit router

If you’ve decided that a gigabit router is right for you, here are some important features to consider:

Gigabit ethernet ports

Ensure the router has multiple Wi-Fi router gigabit ethernet ports to connect wired devices such as gaming consoles, smart TVs, and desktop computers.

Wi-Fi 6 or higher

Wi-Fi 6 offers faster speeds, improved efficiency, and better performance in congested networks. If you’re investing in a new gigabit Wi-Fi router, consider a model that supports Wi-Fi 6.

Read more about Wi-Fi 6 here >

Dual-band or tri-band connectivity

A dual-band or tri-band router can reduce interference and optimise performance by distributing traffic across multiple frequency bands. Most modern routers are at least dual band – this function allows you to switch between the frequency bands to avoid congestion.

Quality of Service setting

The Quality of Service (QoS) feature allows you to prioritise traffic to certain devices or apps. This helps stop a few bandwidth-hungry devices from slowing down your entire Wi-Fi network. 

For instance, you can set your computer as a priority to ensure smooth video calls without lag or interruptions. If someone else starts browsing the internet or streaming a 4K movie on the same Wi-Fi network, their connection will slow down before yours.

Security features

Look for routers with built-in security features such as firewalls, WPA3 encryption and parental controls to protect your network. All gigabit routers should have decent security features.

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Summary 

So, do I need a gigabit router? If you have a fast internet plan, multiple connected devices, or need better performance for gaming, streaming or file transfers, it’s worth considering a gigabit router. 

Even if your current plan doesn’t require one, investing in a 1 Gb router the next time you need an upgrade can help future-proof your network as internet speeds continue to rise.

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