Modem vs Router – What is the Difference? Do I Need Both?

The right modem and router configuration for you depends on several factors, including the size and layout of your home, the number of devices on your network, and your budget. For instance, a modem-router combo may be all you need if you have a small home with only a few devices. If you have a larger home or many devices, you may need to invest in a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system.

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A Wi-Fi extender rebroadcasts the original signal from your router, enabling you to tap into an uninterrupted signal. A mesh Wi-Fi router system is multiple access points, or nodes, that communicate with each other. Each node broadcasts its own signal but is linked to the others via software. You tap into the signal from a particular node based on where it&#;s located.

Essentially, each node in the mesh is a router. A mesh setup is ideal if you have a large property with multiple dead spots where you need multiple devices to be able to seamlessly connect. If you only have one dead area &#; an outbuilding where your office is located, for example &#; a Wi-Fi extender should do the trick.

Equally important is to consider the types of internet connections you have and the speed of your internet service. If you have a high-speed fiber-optic connection, you may need a newer modem-router combo that can handle that type of connection. On the other hand, if you only have a slow DSL connection, and you don&#;t need to connect wirelessly, a standalone modem may be all you need.

Here&#;s the rundown of each type of modem and router so you can make a decision.

Singular modem

On one hand, a standalone modem is simple to set up and use. Typically, you&#;ll only need an Ethernet cable to connect to the modem and get internet, regardless of whether it&#;s dial-up, DSL or cable.

On the other hand, this simple set-up is a limitation, as you may not want to deal with an Ethernet cable, and you can only connect one device to the modem&#;s single Ethernet port. Worse yet, a modem doesn&#;t come with any built-in security and privacy features, and you may need to replace it if your ISP upgrades its equipment.

Separate modem and router

If you opt for a separate modem and router, you&#;ll get a more secure connection than a modem alone can offer. You&#;ll be able to connect a variety of devices, and if the router is wireless, you can do so without cables. The router should also offer more security features than a standalone modem would.

However, you&#;ll most likely pay more than you would for a standalone modem, the addition of a separate router will take up more space, and it could be more difficult to set up and use, especially if the modem and router are made by different companies.

Modem and router combo

Today&#;s advanced modem-router combos are the best of both worlds: they take up less space than a separate modem and router, can be less expensive, and offer more convenience, due to the fact that you only have to set up one device. What&#;s more, you can find combos capable of supporting the highest internet speeds. You&#;ll be able to connect multiple devices wirelessly &#; perfect for streamers, gamers, small businesses and anyone who enjoys updated, streamlined technology.

While technology has made it easier than ever to connect to the internet, there are still a few things you need to know before you can get online. For instance, it's essential to know viable solutions for network strain, as homes with many devices can often suffer from connection issues, especially those with multiple devices connecting to the internet simultaneously.

Another important consideration is security; with so many devices and people connecting to the internet, it's more important than ever to ensure your home network is secure. Other key considerations include internet speed and reliability, both of which are essential for a smooth online experience.

No matter what modem, router, or combination device you choose, it's necessary to understand the difference between the devices and how they work together. With that knowledge, you can make an informed decision about which type of modem or router is right for your home.

Connecting to the internet seems simple. You hop on your Wi-Fi, load up Facebook, and boom; you're connected! But when something goes wrong&#;or it's time to upgrade your equipment to something faster&#;you'll need to understand what all those little boxes with the blinking lights actually do.

Don't know the difference between a modem and a router? Unsure what an access point does compared to a switch? Here's a quick rundown of the basic networking gear that keeps your home connected.

A Modem Connects You to the Internet

Netgear CM600 modem (Credit: Netgear )

A modem is your gateway to the internet&#;a cable, fiber optic, or line comes through your neighborhood, to your house, and connects to your modem. The modem translates the digital 1s and 0s from your computer into analog information for the cable or wire to carry out to the world, and translates incoming analog signals in the same way.

This process is called modulation and demodulation, respectively, and it&#;s where the &#;mo-dem&#; gets its name. Typically, your internet service provider (ISP) will offer you a modem for a small monthly fee. Depending on which ISP you use, however, you may be able to buy your own modem and save some money.

A Router Connects Your Devices to the Modem

TP-Link Archer AX50 router (Credit: TP-Link)

Standalone modems aren't able to send data to multiple devices simultaneously. They usually only have one Ethernet port, and only produce one IP address, which identifies your location to the internet. A router connects to all your home's devices (and links them to each other)&#;through Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi&#;and then connects to the modem.

A router also gives each device its own internal IP address, which it uses to route traffic between them. If your modem's IP address is like the street address of a building, your router's internal IP addresses are like apartment numbers.

Your modem receives information from the internet, sends it to the router, and the router sends it to the computer that asked for it. (That way, your doesn't receive the cat videos you asked for on your laptop.)

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The network created by your router is known as a local area network, or LAN, and it connects you to a larger wide area network, or WAN. In most home cases, your WAN is, for all intents and purposes, "the internet."

An Access Point Adds Wireless Connectivity

Netgear AX wireless access point (Credit: Netgear )

Once upon a time, all computers connected to the internet through a jumble of wires. Today, though, we have the ability to connect all those devices to your home network over Wi-Fi. To do that, you need something to broadcast that wireless signal.

A wireless access point connects to your router, usually over Ethernet, and communicates with your Ethernet-less devices over wireless frequencies. Most home users have routers with wireless access points built in, but standalone access points are still common for businesses, since you can pair multiple access points together to extend your network over a large area.

More recently, mesh network kits have become common for larger homes with lots of dead spots, since they allow multiple units to blanket your house in Wi-Fi more effectively than range extenders. These can act as wireless access points if you already have a router, or they can take on the job of a router as well&#;though usually with fewer advanced features.

A Switch Connects Extra Computers to the Router

TP-Link TL-SG108 switch (Credit: TP-Link)

All routers come with built-in Ethernet ports, but depending on the size and class of router you buy, there may not be enough to plug in all your devices&#;especially in the age of smart home tech, which often require numerous, hard-wired base stations.

If you run out of Ethernet ports on your router, a switch can add more Ethernet ports to your network. You just plug your extra devices into the switch, plug the switch into your router, and they'll appear on your network. Note that you need a router in order to use a switch. A switch can't assign IP addresses or create a network like your router can&#;it merely acts as a traffic cop for the signals coming through.

In addition, don't confuse a switch with a hub, which looks almost identical but acts very differently. Instead of routing traffic between multiple devices, a hub merely takes an incoming signal and copies it to all devices on the hub. These are uncommon in modern home usage.

These Features Can Be Combined Into Single Units

(Credit: robuart/Shutterstock)

Not everyone has a separate modem, router, and access point in their home. These days, you'll find a lot of these features combined into one device. For example, as we mentioned above, most people use wireless routers, which combine a router with a wireless access point.

Many people even use modem router combo units, which contain a modem, router, and wireless access point all in one device. These can save space and eliminate some wires, but just like shampoo and conditioner, some people like to keep these devices separate, since it allows for more choices.

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