The router you choose defines how powerful your network is and how far it will reach.
Most routers, including mesh routers, can be used to host a FrogNet, so the choice of router is one we cannot make for you. What we can do, however, is define a few classes of routers and give you a general idea of their capabilities and cost.
The most important thing to look for in a router is the WiFi bandwidth it covers. Older routers that only operate in the 2.4 gigahertz band are slower but may serve greater distances than ones using the 5 gigahertz range. Ones using WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 are the latest generation and will provide excellent throughput, but they are more expensive than others.
Do not be fooled into thinking that routers supporting lots of cool features like Network Address Translation (NAT) and firewalls are going to do better as FrogNet routers than any other. We do not use those technologies.
Choose the router that best fits your requirements for speed, range, and cost. For most people, a short-to-medium range router will work. Choose mesh or not based on the area you need to cover.
Routers like thisGL.iNet GL-AXT1800 Portable Gigabit Travel Router, with WiFi 6 can cost $150 or more, but they provide excellent throughput in a small, very portable package.
Routers like the TP-Link Deco, the LinkSys Velop, and the NetGear Orbi can all be used with FrogNet. These routers can provide short-to-medium range coverage for a single network.
Please note that it is not required that you use these routers in a meshed configuration. It is possible to separate them, making each host to a separate FrogNet network. This is a cost-effective way to create a multi-network system.
These kinds of routers can be found online, at department stores, and at used computer or computer recycling stores.
Gaming routers can make awesome FrogNet routers, because they are often optimized for speed. This NetGear NightHawk is $100 in the WiFi 6 configuration, or $250 in the WiFi 6E.
These kinds of routers can be found online, at department stores, and at used computer or computer recycling stores.
These routers are intended to cover longer distances. They require something called Power Over Ethernet (PoE), which requires a higher quality cable between the router and the computer. These routers produce a very string signal.
These routers have something called an Omnidirectional Antenna, which means it works best if you place it high and point it at the next router.
A router like this WavLink AV1200 starts at about $125
As with the medium-to-long router, these are also Power over Ethernet, but this router can broadcast a signal up to 1 kilometer if placed properly.
These routers start at about $175.
