I'm looking for suggestions on the best wireless router for my home.

I have a HTPC (hard wired), a wireless Roku, a wireless WDTV Live, 2 macbooks, a 1TB NAS, WD Network drive, and a Desktop upstairs hardwired using a powerline adapter.

I'm looking for something easy to use/set up, yet provides reliable up-time and range. I'm currently rocking an old-school WRT-54G. While this still works great and is dead reliable, I've been wondering if I can get more speed and range from a newer router. Thinking something dual band would really help me out here as I stream content to multiple devices at the same time quite commonly.

What do you suggest TWW? So far I've been looking at:

http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/asus-rt-n66u-dark/4505-3319_7-35110985.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/netgear-r6300-wifi-router/4505-3319_7-35315201.html

7/26/2012 1:46:51 PM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+Linksys+-+Smart+Wi-Fi+N900+Router+w/+Gigabit+and+USB/4960819.p?id=1218583706974&skuId=4960819&ref=30&loc=KW-0836&s_kwcid=TC|8064|linksys%20ea4500||S|p|17567808919


i just got this and it feels like i have a new computer compared to my old belkin n+

7/26/2012 2:21:49 PM

I got an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (refurb). I'm not an Apple fanboy, but I got so mad at having to constantly cycle power on my old router that I went with the router that met my needs and had the best reviews for not having to reset it.

We run a Windows laptop, an older macbook, an iPad, 2 iPhones, an Xbox, and a BluRay player on ours. I've had it for almost 2 years and have never had to reset it. Range is great, easy to setup, has a USB port for sharing a printer or an external hard drive, and guest network options. It's pricey, but has been worth every penny IMO. There are tons of options out there, good luck!!

7/26/2012 2:30:41 PM

yeah we have a HTPC, older MBP, 3 windows laptops, 2 iphones, 2 android tablets and a power hungry workstation with dual graphics cards and the works.

7/26/2012 2:33:44 PM

I, too, am in the market for a router that does not require resetting all the time.

7/26/2012 2:42:12 PM

i use this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+-+N750+Dual+Band+Wireless-N%2B+Gigabit+Router+with+USB+Port/2089103.p?id=1218308701041&skuId=2089103

had it about a year now, works pretty good.

I think this is its newer, "big brother"

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+-+N900+Dual+Band+Wireless-N+Router+with+5-Port+Gigabit+Ethernet+Switch/3219043.p?id=1218386647149&skuId=3219043

been using netgear routers for the last 2-3 years and have been pretty satisfied. used d-link before that and was slightly less satisfied.

7/26/2012 3:16:44 PM

Forgot, I also have an iPad 1 and iPad 3 that we regularly stream netflix on.

7/26/2012 4:14:00 PM

Buffalo N600 on tech.woot today.

11/14/2012 9:45:12 AM

I picked up a older refurbed Netgear N300 v2 wireless router for $20 from tiger direct, but I actually use a Ubiquiti Unifi long range wireless-N access point that covers around 600ft radius and its super nice with its management software. I actually have the netgear wifi turned off.

11/14/2012 6:10:13 PM

http://bensbargains.net/deal/apple-airport-extreme-wireless-n-router-5th-gen-139-at-ebay-281343/

11/14/2012 6:51:47 PM

Honestly, if you are happy with your current router, why change it out? Just augment your current network with an access point for your wifi needs.

UniFi AP 802.11n MIMO 300 Mbps $69
http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=UAP

UniFi AP Long Range 802.11n MIMO 300 Mbps $89
http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=UAP-LR

If you need more range for outdoor, then get an AP with a separated powered antenna; but if you can't cover your house with 1 simple AP... then you are living in a very large house or your internal walls are made of brick or lined with copper mesh.

The cool thing about UniFi is that you can easily tack on multiple AP's to the network flawlessly for more coverage or better device/network handling if you need more than 50-100 devices connected to the net at once... Shit, just go get the three pack of UniFi AP's for $200 and cover all your basis; gives you way more coverage and ability for wifi needs than you can throw a stick at.

For home use... even for streaming HD video... Any modern wireless N router from a good brand will work still unless you plan on streaming raw bluray vids to five devices at once... even then, I'd be more worried about how good the hardware of the host PC to allow access to the files without hiccups before I'd worry about running into bandwidth issues over the air. HD video from netflix only requires around 2mbps or so... And most 1080p H.264 mpeg4 encoded files tend to be around 4-10mbps (well maybe more, depends on how it was encoded).

11/14/2012 8:07:34 PM

I got the Asus RT N66u about a month ago and it's been awesome so far. I'd highly recommend it.

11/15/2012 11:23:23 AM

For the record, I purchased a new router months ago and love it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+-+N900+Dual+Band+Wireless-N+Router+with+5-Port+Gigabit+Ethernet+Switch/3219043.p?id=1218386647149&skuId=3219043

11/15/2012 2:17:46 PM

^^ this

11/16/2012 6:05:19 PM

I also picked up an Asus RT N66u at the same time I use it at the office. Couldnt be happier with it, really.

11/16/2012 6:44:36 PM

I too have an Asus RT-66U. I got it a few months ago to replace my older Linksys WRT-54GS that was flashed with Tomato. I noticed a nice bump in overall consistent speed and more importantly less bottleneck issues.

11/18/2012 7:30:40 AM

does the asus work well with the xbox? my current router, as of a few months ago, decided it didnt want to work well with the xbox and my latency is awful. i've looked into all sorts of port forwarding and i cant seem to fix it.

11/18/2012 1:52:12 PM

I played some Halo last night on Live and had no issues with the Asus

11/18/2012 2:35:03 PM

Yes, the UPnP on the Asus 56U/66U works really well with the xbox

11/18/2012 4:47:17 PM

yep no problems wireless, even if the wife is streaming netflix or hulu on her laptop. NAT has been always open in Call of Duty games and no lag from my end.

11/19/2012 9:37:23 AM

http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_itemdetail.aspx?itemid=59187223&rid=91&origin=pla&gclid=CKvE--jLwrUCFQZV4AodJi4A0A

I am currently running an all in one linksys, much like the one in the above link. I am having to restart it a lot, the internet is really slow through it and the range won't reach my bedroom that is on the third floor (device on first floor almost directly underneath the bedroom). I have had this thing for probably 6 years. Is there something that I can do to make it better or do these things age out and need to be replaced at some point?

TWC internet. Same speed/package I have always had and just recently have been experiencing problems, so that's why I think it is the device.

2/19/2013 9:38:43 AM

firmware up to date?

if so, if it's dd-wrt or tomato compatible, you could try that.


could also be a failing device. at 6 years old, i probably wouldn't waste my time and just replace it, but i'm both lazy and use any excuse to upgrade gadgets.

2/19/2013 1:24:49 PM

what would be a good replacement? It worked great for so long I almost want to buy another one, but I also want to buy the latest and greatest. Is there a more modern model that does the same thing?

(obligatory - GOOGLE IT) I would rather take you guys' advice.

2/19/2013 1:59:26 PM

I have the Netgear WNDR4500 and love it except for one issue, which seemingly is quite common according to the internet: If the router loses power, you have to flash a fresh copy of the firmware/bios to get the damn thing to work again. Absolutely infuriating. Other than that, it's quite nice.

2/19/2013 6:04:45 PM

If I had to buy a new router today, it would be the ASUS RT-AC66U.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320115

I own the Asus RT-56U and it's the best damn router I've ever owned. When I bought it, it was highest end router they owned.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320062

2/19/2013 9:00:41 PM

If I had to buy a new router today, I would spend less money.

2/19/2013 10:11:48 PM

the TP-LINK TL-WDR3600 is $39 after coupon code EMCXVWL24 and $15 MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704144

N600 dual band (2.4/5GHz)
gigabit
2 USB ports

and best of all, it supports DD-WRT and OpenWRT...mine will be here tomorrow and i'm stoked to throw on OpenWRT since it supports LuCI and CoDel

2/20/2013 8:54:19 AM

^^^ couldn't agree more

I'm currently using the Asus RT-N66U and could not be happier.

2/20/2013 11:23:27 AM

^^ can't argue with tp-link value. I have 2 setup as WAPs for my parents and they never call me about wifi anymore.

I have an original model belkin N+, which had shittacular firmware but I got a build of dd-wrt working on it and i really like it. was able to kill all the blinky blue lights, guest and prod ssid work well now and I can finally implement QoS and traffic shaping between the 2 ssid's. 2x2 mimo dual band with usb and gigE backend switch

2/20/2013 12:46:55 PM

i have the 15 mbps package through time warner so i don't need any incredible router.

Everyone here and everything online seems to be suggesting to stay away from the all in one modem/router combos and I'm not sure why. Mine has worked great for quite a while. Any input on this?

2/20/2013 1:48:42 PM

^^ yeah, i'm doing it (primarily) for decent QoS and to be able to set up a guest network

the reviews on the unit are actually pretty good...and the bad reviews are mostly from several months ago when there was a crappy firmware that the units shipped with (it has since been updated)...even then, seems to me that DD-WRT/OpenWRT are better options for stability and features, so that was important to me

^ less versatile, maybe? seems like a cable modem is pretty standard, but there's a wide range of wireless routers in regard to features and quality...i assume that, until you get into a different price bracket, you're probably stuck with a wireless router that is very basic (which for some people is just fine, obviously)

2/20/2013 1:55:31 PM

well I figured out it isn't my hardware.

I plugged in a friend's hardware last night and internet was still terrible. download 1.2 mbps on a 15 mbps plan. Thanks Time Warner you fucking assholes.

2/21/2013 8:18:24 AM

Just ordered an Asus - RT-ac66U. It is probably overkill for what I need, but I like the fact that it has 2 USB ports and it is supposed to have really good range.

http://www.amazon.com/RT-AC66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-AC1750-Gigabit-Router/dp/B008ABOJKS

[Edited on June 3, 2013 at 11:20 AM. Reason : .]

6/3/2013 11:19:33 AM

^^

was someone streaming netflix? I found in the last ~ 2 weeks i've watched my download speed drop from 18Mbs to .5-1.5Mbs with 25-40% packet lose when my wife starts netflix.

6/3/2013 11:41:15 AM

^^ good range doesnt mean much since it's half-duplex. the power of your end points isn't increasing. it might have extra good signal processing, but doubtful, the chipsets tend to be the same

6/3/2013 11:51:05 AM

i got the medialink one that is #1 in amazon reviews and its great. haven't reset it once in 4 months.

6/4/2013 2:04:22 AM

^^ You are right, I just tested it, it just has a little more extra range than the WRT 54G I had before this.

6/4/2013 7:48:51 AM

My 10 year old Linksys WRT54G is making a buzzing noise and getting hot. A quick google search online yielded lots of results saying that this is what it does before it dies... parts coming loose and vibrating, etc...

I'm in the market for a new router. First thing I noticed was the pricier "Dual-Band" routers.. I researched and found out these are routers that broadcast at 2.4ghz AND 5ghz....
Some devices support 5ghz which allows them to have their own wifi with no interference from the other 2.4ghz devices.

Questions:
If I set it up to default settings, do devices automatically pick either the 2.4ghz or 5ghz?

Or do I specifically have to assign a device to either network?

My fear is that I buy a dual-band router, thinking that some devices are using the 5ghz, but all of them are actually on the 2.4ghz and I wasted my money b/c I didn't set it up correctly.

7/14/2013 9:24:22 AM

http://www.microcenter.com/product/400747/TL-WDR3500_N600_Wireless_N_Dual_Band_Router?gclid=CK2i2L2Rr7gCFcJj7AodGmgAMA

7/14/2013 9:55:30 AM

^^Just make sure it's *simultaneous* dual-band, like my Ubee DW3611 modem/router combo can use 2.4GHz or 5GHz but not both.

7/14/2013 12:14:19 PM

^^ that one is not gig ports just to let you know.

7/14/2013 12:52:28 PM

I guess what I'm wondering is will my devices automatically use 5ghz if they are capable?

And the ones that aren't will automatically use the 2.4ghz?
If I get the simultaneous

[Edited on July 14, 2013 at 1:24 PM. Reason : ya]

7/14/2013 1:23:54 PM

whoops, meant the 3600 http://www.microcenter.com/product/396398/N600_Wireless_Dual_Band_Gigabit_Router

7/14/2013 2:02:07 PM

You can only add the 5 GHz network if you want it to only connect there.

your router will have two ssids. For example wifi2ghz, wifi5ghz. You can set it so both have the same password, but each is connected as its own network. If you want your tablet to use 5 only, configure your tablet as such. Same with 2 only.

If you add both to a device, it depends on the operating system, which it will chose first. The os will make a determination which network is best. I don't know specifics on what preference a given os will make.

7/14/2013 5:54:20 PM

also, realize you'll get less range out of the 5ghz frequency than you will out of the 2.4ghz freq

7/14/2013 8:34:56 PM

Yep... I tried to force devices onto 5ghz, and gave up after a while. I get bad signal upstairs from the 5 GHz band.

Also... I don't know what kind of place you live in... Any reason why you feel like you need to force the 5ghz?

7/14/2013 9:46:06 PM

ASUS RT-AC66U is the best

7/14/2013 10:18:02 PM

I'm also considering a new router. Just have an old wrt54g2. Still on RR std (15mbps) but will switching to a dual band N router be much faster? All of my equipment can support wireless N (apple tv, iPhones, ipad, pc, Xbox one or a ps4). Just wondering what to expect going from G to N?

7/14/2013 10:29:49 PM

best wireless router is anything with simultaneous dual-band that you can slap DD-WRT Mega on and still have a few megs of space left for JFFS

7/14/2013 11:19:31 PM

guitarguy, just make sure that you set up for wireless n only on the router and your devices (that you listed) should be able to support n. If one device is on g, then then entire network is down to g as well.

7/15/2013 3:26:55 AM