Top Wireless Routers

D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Wireless Gigabit Router (802.11g/n, 802.3u, WEP, WPA, WPA2)

1883 Reviews

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	Price: $92.99
	Price: $79.00
	Price: $109.00
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Pros: Lightning speed in various modes tested. Gigabit LAN ports. Up-to-date security.
Cons: Among the most expensive routers around.

As one of the next generation of Draft N routers, the D-Link Xtreme N DIR-655 is one of the fastest 802.11n routers on the market. However that speed is mitigated by the fact that the final specs of the DIR-655 can't be guaranteed, so if you're looking for hard numbers, you may want to wait a while. Beyond that little quibble, however, you'll find a wireless router that boasts a 2.4GHz bandwidth, five security options (WPA-PSK, WEP, SPI and NAT firewalls and Mac address filtering), 4G LAN ports, VPS passthrough and DHCP support. All of that will cost you, though. The DIR-655 is one of the most expensive routers out there. But, as stated, you do get a fast machine. In one test, the DIR-655 put out an average of 112.56Mbps, some 40-50 points faster than most other 802.11n routers (at a 10-foot max with a compatible Draft 802.11n wireless adapter). With multiple input/output technology, as well as antennas for receiving and sending, the DIR-655 makes multimedia reception a snap. In addition, its integrated Intelligent QoS capability can allow you to place a priority on gaming, streaming or voice data over basic Web browsing (by analyzing wireless and wired router traffic and splitting it into multiple streams). With the DIR-655, you can share data with other computers, gaming consoles or media players. With all of that data flying around, security would seem to be a must and the DIR-655 delivers, letting you create a secured network utilizing the latest Draft 802.11n technology. The DIR-655 comes with a one-year warranty, 24-7 dial-in tech support and email support.

Cisco Valet Plus M20 Wireless N Router (4 x 10/100/1000Base-TX Network, 1 x Network WAN - IEEE 802.11n draft - 54Mbps)

467 Reviews

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	Price: $95.99
	Price: $49.99
	Price: $109.99
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Pros: Easy to setup and works out of the box, Fast transmission, Secured network
Cons: Hard to perform advanced adjustments

With the Cisco Valet Plus M20, connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi has definitely become easier, faster, and most importantly, safer. It provides 802.11N (draft) wireless internet connectivity without the hassle of lengthy and confusing configuration. The simple setup process of the router makes it a plug-and-play device that is perfect for non-techie users. Just connect and turn on the unit, hook up the included USB key to the device you wish to add to the network then the router does the rest. It even works with devices like printers. For advanced users, manual configuration is possible but relatively difficult, as its software runs solely on the automatic configuration setting and prevents any kind of advanced adjustments. This wireless router has four high-speed RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-TX Network LAN ports located at the back of the unit, plus the Wi-Fi antenna. It transmits at a blazing 300MB/s with excellent range due to the 802.11N standard it uses, but it is also perfectly compatible with devices complying with the 11G or even the old 11B standard. Finally, the Valet provides a secured network that uses the WPA2 encryption system to prevent unwanted entry into the network. The bundled security suite allows parents to limit the time spent by their children on the web and even control site access. It even designates a guest hotspot for safe Internet sharing for up to seven guests, with options to boot them off at will. With all those features, it comes as a wonder that on top of that, it sports a nicely-designed unit. It also works on Windows and Mac, and to some extent, Linux.

Netgear RangeMax WNR1000 Wireless Router (1 x 10/100Base-TX WAN, 4 x 10/100Base-TX LAN - IEEE 802.11n draft - 150Mbps)

242 Reviews

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	Price: $39.36
	Price: $42.99
	Price: $44.99
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Pros: Easy to set up, Reliable, Fast, Guest Networking feature
Cons: May require power cycling, No USB port

With an advertised speed of up to 150Mbps, the Netgear RangeMax WNR1000 may not be perfect for streaming and downloading movies and music but it is a great basic router for web browsing, chatting and sending emails or for simply sharing your Internet connection with multiple PCs, notebooks and smartphones. The guest networking feature provides security and easy Internet access for your friends or guests while the NETGEAR Genie enables easy monitoring and repair of your home networks. It even protects connected devices against inappropriate Internet content and applications, courtesy of the Live Parental Controls. In terms of set-up, the N150 is a breeze to install. The Smart Wizard CD with support for multi-languages will walk you through the whole set-up and you can experience a reliable yet secured connection through Push 'N' Connect. The router is integrated with a Wi-Fi on/off button and a power button to conserve energy. It also utilizes an Energy Star-compliant power adapter and packed in 80% recycled materials, making it more eco-friendly. The design is simple and sleek and the size of the unit allows it to fit any desktop configuration. The Netgear RangeMax WNR1000 or often referred to as the N150, is compatible with both 802.11n and 802.11g. It is also backed by a generous lifetime warranty which makes it a wise choice. The absence of a USB port may be disappointing for some, considering that there are other routers in the same price range that boast the ability to share network storage devices and printers. On the other hand, it is dependable most of the time, especially when compared to other models that tend to drop the connection frequently. It gives you the reliability of a wired connection and it has a great range. The router may require power cycling from time to time, though.

Netgear N900 Dual Band Wireless Router (802.11a/b/g/n, WPA/WPA2)

153 Reviews

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	Price: $179.99
	Price: $179.99
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Pros: Superior speed and range, Great visual design, USB ports for easy connection to other devices
Cons: Expensive, Some firmware issues

If ever there was an award for the best wireless connectivity option in the market, the Netgear N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WNDR4500 would be a strong competitor, if not the king of the heap. Delivering ultimate wireless performance both in speed and range, the N900 has almost everything you would want in a wireless router - and even has a little extra on the side. Designed with a unique vertical form factor, the Netgear N900 has a clear plastic base that also makes up one side of the unit. Although rare, this design doesn't affect the stability of the unit, as it keeps steady even with cables attached to the back. What's more, it adds to the overall stylishness of the N900, which has a predominantly black color scheme. The N900 isn't all for show though, as its powerful broadcast range shows. While it doesn't have external antennas, it drives excellent, consistent output on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels at the same time, reaching up to a combined 900 Mbps on the A, B, G and N networks. That means more power and bandwidth even if you have a lot of devices logging onto the network at the same time. What's more, you can even configure up to two separate SSIDs per channel, allowing you to create a separate guest network for friends wishing to access the Internet. The wired Ethernet ports are no slouch either; these gigabit-rate ports deliver uninterrupted, full-speed connections perfect for bandwidth-heavy usage like DLNA streaming. The N900 also has two USB ports for easy setup of networked printers and storage. Netgear's N900 wireless router also has a solid suite of features that increases its overall ease of use. Aside from the painless, disk-free installation, its Netgear Genie provides an easy way to review the overall state of the router and its activities. Switches on the router give more control over how your router works. For example, you can power down the router, or set it to operate in either wired, wireless, or mixed mode. The Netgear N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WNDR4500 is a solid and recommended choice for wireless equipment, but like all things of quality, it doesn't come cheap. The good thing is, you get your money's worth with this router. We need to note though, that while the hardware may be excellent, the firmware that this device ships with does have a few glitches and may need patching to resolve those issues. Fortunately, Netgear does release product firmware updates on a regular basis, making the maintenance of this router an easy task to do.

Cisco Linksys E3200 Dual Band Wireless Router (802.11a/b/g/n, WEP/WPA/WPA2)

143 Reviews

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	Price: $107.91
	Price: $119.99
	Price: $109.99
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Pros: Easy to set-up, Dual-band, Great wired and wireless performance, Nice-looking
Cons: Data transfer speed via USB shared storage is slower than expected, Pricey

Wired and wireless connections both have their share of advantages over each other, but if you want to experience the best of both worlds, the Cisco Linksys E3200 might just be your ticket to faster, simpler and more secure connections. It lets you connect to your computers, Internet-ready TVs, Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles and other mobile devices at full speed, all the while being armed with WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall for keeping your network private and free from intruders. You can even download Cisco's Connect Express mobile app for free if you are an Android, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch owner. This Dual-band N Wireless Router commands a higher price point than standard routers but in turn, it delivers effortless performance without sacrificing speed. It features an improved MIMO antenna array and 802.11n wireless technology for wider range and ultimate freedom. Speed is rated at up to 300 + 300 Mbps. Four Gigabit Ethernet ports enable you to hook up multiple computers while a USB port for your thumb drive or other USB-enabled devices allows you to keep your data moving. Slow data transfer speed when using USB shared storage can be expected, though. In addition to the router's great speed and reliability, the E3200 also offers a style upgrade. It is designed with a slim and sleek black body tinged with dark blue, rather than a plain, blocky unit. By utilizing the provided Cisco Connect software, you can quickly install the Cisco Linksys E3200, customize your settings and add other devices on both Windows and Mac systems. A guest network can easily be created for your guests. Plus, with the inclusion of Parental Controls, parents can monitor and control their children's Internet usage. This can be a really helpful feature if you want your child to learn how to balance school and play.

Netgear WNDR37AV Wireless Router - IEEE 802.11n draft (ISM Band - UNII Band - 6.75 MBps Wireless Speed - 4 x Network Port - 1 x Broadband Port - USB)

69 Reviews

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	Price: $99.00
	Price: $119.99
	Price: $99.00
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Pros: Dual-band router with second band dedicated to media streaming, Has USB port for content stored on removable media, Enterprise-level security
Cons: Some devices may not support a 5.0 band connection, 37AV is a firmware update instead of a physical release

The appeal of a wireless network lies in its flexibility, both in installation and use. After all, who would want to spend hours setting up a wired network when you could already be spending that time going online? And that's assuming that your device has a physical Ethernet port on it, which handheld devices obviously won't have. Now, consider a wireless router like the Netgear WNDR37AV Wireless Router for Video and Gaming. This dual-band, 802.11N device provides not just stable, secure and fast Internet connection sharing over long distances, it can also, through a USB port, double as a media and gaming server without the need for a computer if you have other devices like televisions or media players compatible with the DLNA standard. Optimized for HD content, the WNDR37AV wireless router has a separate network dedicated to stream video data without creating interference in other users, even if they are doing bandwidth-intensive activities like P2P downloading. This router provides a maximum output of 350 Mbps over wireless; for users who user wired connections, they can expect gigabit transmission speeds courtesy of the four RJ-45 ports on the WNDR37AV, not to mention a more secure line. With regards to security, the Netgear WNDR37AV Wireless Router boasts of enterprise-level security features that will make users feel more secure. It has WPA and WPA 2 encryption, a firewall, and support for multiple SSIDs that allow you to create another network for guests if you are not too keen on letting other people access your home network. Parents will feel safer knowing that with the WNDR37AV's Live Parental Controls, the kids won't end up surfing sites with questionable content. As mentioned, this router has strong DLNA support, meaning you can stream content stored on media like external hard drives or flash drives directly to your audiovisual equipment. Best of all, it's completely plug and play once the unit is hooked up to a modem, so there's no need for additional configuration. If you plan on getting the Netgear WNDR37AV Wireless Router for your local network, first make sure that your device offers support for dual-band wireless to make use of the 5.0Ghz band. If this is the case, you may experience a decrease in speed, as you will be latching on to the 2.4Ghz band. Also, some users have noticed that this router comes in a package marked correctly but the hardware inside is a 3700, another model entirely. This is because the 37AV release is a firmware update rather than a new release. Otherwise, the WNDR37AV is a robust unit that has great performance going for it.