In the Market for a New Router? Here Are the Features You Don’t Need
Image: Pixabay

In the Market for a New Router? Here Are the Features You Don’t Need

Extra features that most North Carolina consumers don’t use can drive up the price

August 1, 2025

Shopping for a new router can feel overwhelming. Manufacturers flood product pages with buzzwords, beamforming, tri-band, MU-MIMO, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, multi-gig ports—driving prices sky high. But many of these features benefit only a small subset of users. For most North Carolina households and small businesses, a reliable dual-band or entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router with solid security and good coverage is all you need. Below, we explain which advanced options you can safely skip, and which capabilities deliver real value.

Beamforming (Implicit vs. Explicit)

Beamforming focuses wireless signals toward client devices. Explicit beamforming (802.11ac/ax) works only with modern Wi-Fi 5/6 clients; implicit beamforming tries to improve every link but yields modest gains. Unless you own multiple Wi-Fi 6E devices and need optimal 6 GHz coverage, simple router placement and mesh nodes often improve dead spots more cost-effectively.

Tri-Band vs. Dedicated Backhaul Mesh

“Tri-band” (one 2.4 GHz + two 5 GHz radios) sounds premium, but in real home environments, the extra 5 GHz radio often carries little additional traffic. Instead of a single tri-band router, consider a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with a dedicated wireless backhaul or Ethernet backhaul support, this delivers seamless coverage and throughput across 2,000–3,000 sq ft at lower cost.

MU-MIMO and OFDMA Overkill

MU-MIMO (multi-user MIMO) and OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access) let routers handle multiple streams simultaneously. Basic 2×2 MIMO and OFDMA in Wi-Fi 6 suffice for households with a handful of streaming devices. Skip routers advertising 8×8 MU-MIMO or ultra-wide OFDMA on 160 MHz channels unless you manage dozens of concurrent 4K streams.

Cutting-Edge Wi-Fi Standards (6E and 7)

  • Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax in 6 GHz): Offers lower latency and less interference, but you need Wi-Fi 6E client devices (new laptops or phones) and compatible spectrum in your area.
  • Wi-Fi 7 (Draft, 802.11be): Promises multi-link operation (MLO), 320 MHz channels and 4K QAM. Consumer gear won’t ship widely until 2026; skipping Wi-Fi 7 today won’t impact performance with current devices.

Multi-Gig Ethernet Ports and Link Aggregation

Routers with 2.5 GbE or 10 GbE WAN/LAN ports enable ultra-fast wired connections if your ISP plan exceeds 1 Gbps. For most North Carolina homes using 200–800 Mbps fiber or cable, a single 1 GbE port meets needs. Link aggregation (bonding two or more ports) benefits network-attached storage (NAS) servers or offices requiring >1 Gbps LAN speeds, but is unnecessary for typical gaming or 4K streaming.

High-Core CPUs and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)

Quad-core 2 GHz CPUs and DPI engines handle VPN encryption, intrusion detection and traffic shaping with enterprise-grade speed, but consume more power and increase price. A dual-core or entry-level quad-core router at 1 GHz handles family streaming, video calls and basic VPN use without hiccups.

Features Worth Paying For

  • WPA3 Security: Mandatory support for the latest encryption standard to protect against brute-force attacks and open-network sniffing.
  • Automatic Firmware Updates: Ensures critical security patches without manual checks.
  • Guest Network Isolation: Keeps visitors off your main LAN and smart home devices locked down.
  • Built-in Parental Controls: Schedule internet access and filter content easily via mobile app.
  • Mesh-Ready Design: Expandable systems with plug-and-play nodes for seamless roaming.

North Carolina Resources

  • N.C. Broadband Office: Coverage maps, available ISPs and equipment guidelines at ncbroadband.gov.
  • Local Electronics Retailers: Best Buy and Micro Center host free Wi-Fi setup clinics; ask about feature necessity.
  • Public Libraries: Tech Help sessions on home networking, find your local branch schedule online.
  • Community Colleges: Wake Tech and Central Carolina offer non-credit networking courses each semester.

Conclusion

Avoid paying for gimmicky specs you won’t use. For most North Carolina homes, a solid Wi-Fi 6 dual-band router with WPA3, gigabit ports, auto-updates and mesh expansion covers streaming, gaming and remote work. Skip flashy extras, beamforming, tri-band, multi-gig ports and next-gen standards—until your devices and ISP plans warrant them. With smart priorities, you’ll get reliable performance and save money today.