If you are looking at installing a wierless router in your home, and if you do not have much technical expertise, there are several things that you need to know before you head out to the store to purchase your router.

First, you need to determine the range that your router will need to cover.  Do you live in a small one-bedroom apartment?  Do you live in a 2 story home and want access upstairs, in the basement, and out on the patio? You will need to very different routers for these two situations. For small apartments, a Wireless-G router will provide a big enough range for your computing needs.  If you live in a bigger home, you will want to get a Wireless-N router.

The next thing to consider in selecting a router is how you will be using the Internet.  Will you just be surfing, reading blogs or news sites, and sending e-mail to family members?  If so, a Wireless-G router will be sufficient.  However, if you or a child enjoys online gaming, you will definitely want a Wireless-N router.  You will also want this type of router for viewing HD videos or TV shows online.  Wireless-N routers are more expensive but they are certainly worth their weight in gold if your online needs are heavy.

You will want to make sure that your router has a firewall pre-installed.  That way, you get the safety of a firewall without any of the headaches of setting it up.  Some routers provide wireless and several ports for wired connections. This type of router provides the greatest flexibility so you might want to strongly consider this kind.