A modem connects your home network to the internet, and a router lets your devices talk to one another and use that internet connection. Most people need both.

What does modem vs. router actually mean? Find out inside PCMag's comprehensive tech and computer-related encyclopedia.

Sometimes, a modem and router are in one combined device, called a gateway. Which devices you'll receive will depend on your internet provider and your plan.

Thus, the router sends and receives networking traffic from the modem with one connection and routes all that data through its four Ethernet ports and through the air via the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Let’s say your plan with your ISP offers connections of up to 1 Gbps. You’ll want to make sure your modem and router can handle that. If they only advertise speeds of up to 500 Mbps, for ...

You need to set up both a router and a modem if you want Wi-Fi internet in your home, but there are major differences between the two devices. Despite using it every day, many people find the ...

Modems and routers can be stored in one device. Sometimes, you'll see one piece of hardware that houses both the modem and the router. If that's the case, the hardware is usually provided by your ISP.

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 ...

A good start is learning the difference between your modem and router. From there, you'll have a much easier time fixing problems as they arise, and you'll have a better sense of when and how to ...

Spend $180 for the modem and $250 for a mesh router system, and it will take almost 31 months to recoup your investment. In a few weeks, I’ll test and review Comcast’s Xfinity XFi Advanced ...