Wireless routers: Wireless router buying guide ADSL modem or cable router?

ADSL or cable router?

Virgin Media bundles cable modems with its broadband services, for connection to a cable router

The key question when choosing which wi-fi router to buy is what type of broadband internet connection you have.

Cable routers

If you have a cable connection (Virgin Media) then you’ll need a broadband router (also known as a cable router).

You’ll already have a broadband modem supplied by your ISP, and the router simply connects to this using an Ethernet cable connection.

ADSL modem routers

If you have an ADSL connection (eg BT, TalkTalk, O2) then you need an ADSL modem router.

This combines the broadband modem and wireless router in one box. An ADSL modem router needs only one power supply, so only one spare power socket, and could save energy compared with a separate router and modem.

The ADSL modem router plugs directly into the phone socket. 

Read the Which? wireless router reviews to find the cable or ADSL router with the features and performance you need.