Best Wireless Router Brand

This is a debate that is long in the running and no one I've talked to so far can give significant reason that one brand is better than the other.
Basically I'd like everyone's opinion on which company makes the best wireless router.
So here are the contenders:
Linksys
D-Link
Netgear

Also, if you know of a better brand feel free to list the brand and a particular model that you would recommend.

The second part of this thread is to find the most recommended model.
I'm looking for a wifi router that will:
A) work with my IP (AT&T)
B) be reliable
C) be able to deliver good signal strength no matter where in the house I access it from.
D) not break the bank purchasing it (less than $100USD if possible)

Thanks in advance and let the debate begin.

Fry

 

I've had the best luck with Netgear. I had no complaints with my WNDR3300 but once I switched to the D-link DIR-655 I absolutely hated it. Then I went to the DGL-4500 which was better than the 655 but still not as good as the WNDR3300. Then recently, I bought a WNDR3700 and again, million times better than the DIR-655.

Haven't had any experience with Linksys though.

 

I have had relatively good luck with Netgear. They can occasionally be frustrating but they last a long time.

Belkin are generally good to use as a pillow, if you like headaches, which is what they are. I do carry a very small one in my bag for travel though, but it's not on long, it's compact and it was cheap.

D-link used to be good, but seem to have really just annoyed me lately. I have seen several routers fail before their time, not have the range they should, or just be a royal pain in backside. The worst, was the DIR-655, which I finally freed rid myself of tonight. I'm free!!!!! No really, I cheered when I walked out of the store with my Linksys.

Linksys is my preferred brand, but is often a bit more expensive.
I just installed a WRT610N tonight.



If you are looking for a great, well priced router, look for a Linksys WRT54GL (no S, 2 or anything else, just an L). Then put DD-WRT or Tomato firmware on it. It will last you for years with no issues. They are real troopers. Unfortunately G and 10/100 only. If you need N, look into some of the newer Asus Models, they seem pretty good and may be the next workhorses (also can use alternate firmware). The Asus N's are a bit on each side of $100, the WRT54GL can be found for half that if you look.

Otherwise, find a Linksys WRT160, WRT310 or WRT320. All of which are N, some are gigabit (maybe all?), and about $100 or less retail or on sale. All of which can use aftermarket firmware as well.



Another thing with Linksys Vs. Netgear and D-Link.
Ping times and lag.
My Linksys just responds faster. Compared to my 655, the difference was visibly noticeable.

 

i will go with my Belkin

 

TP-Link (now what the h*ll is that?? LOL)

it's taiwan product but very reliable and comes with cheap price also
I'm using the N-router one and with intel 5300 combo I never experience drop or disconnected.. most of the times it's steady at 300Mbps as the router max.

 

I'm going to upgrade my Wireless Router and my Wireless Access Point. Which model of TP-Link are you using now?

 

my wireless-N router is TP-Link WR941ND
Awww c'mon, you could have just ym me LOL

 

Yes:
My vote was for Linksys- solid routers with good performance. Vast majority based on Broadcom hardware and they certainly know how to make most of it.
Third party firmwares like DD-WRT that can be loaded on some/most of these is an additional advantage (although this goes for all Broadcom based routers) Linksys default firmwares are good on their own though and get updated often enough.

No:
D-Link and all other brands that tend to sell different hardware under the same name and then support only the newest hardware version (which is usually not the one reviewed on the net as reviews are written when new hardware hits the market) D-Link went from horrible to pretty good but it's still nothing special and you never know what comes next (and based on what leslieann written nothing good)

Good Hardware:
Asus- also Broadcom based, DD-WRT supported but with good ideas implemented in default firmware (FTP server, bittorrent client etc)
Some have really great hardware (RT-N16 with 480MHz CPU, 128MB RAM and 32MB flash). Still Asus default firmware is not on the same level of reliability as Linksys' and it's not updated often enough to win my vote.

Buffalo- similar to Asus although hardware may not be as good but default firmwares are better. Also Broadcom based.

Good Price:
TP-Link. I very surprised it was even mentioned here. They have good support firmware-wise, decent hardware and are well priced.

All above considered the best one overall in my opinion is Linksys and that's how I voted but all above are good (except for the "no" section ) and choice has to be made based on price and specific needs and knowledge of the user and his requirements.

 

TP-Link seems to be making strides on becoming a big player. Give them a year or two and the big guys will need to watch out.


Another thing with Linksys Vs. Netgear and D-Link.
Ping times and lag.

Linksys just responds faster. Compared to my 655, the difference was visibly noticeable.

 

from my experience with neighbor routers............

the best signal comes from linksys!!!!even its G not N.......but it never drop like others.

 

Hmm I'm starting to think I should have gone with a Linksys WRT610N instead of the WNDR3700 I just bought. What are the major differences between these 2?

 

Both routers are similar in terms of hardware- Gigabit Ethernet, USB host (no print server), both 64MB RAM and 8MB flash.
Both have pretty powerful CPUs, however Linksys has Broadcom 4718 (thus is supported by DD-WRT) while Netgear has Realtek (no 3rd party firmware)
Both were tested by CHIP magazine with Linksys showing better average speed (118mb/s compared to 80mb/s with Netgear) and better results against wireless NICs (Broadcom and Ralink chips), same with Atheros but again Linksys has been far superior paired with Intel wireless n (115mb/s compared to 53mb/s with Netgear). Wireless range (coverage) was a little better with Linksys, but that's marginal.

EDIT: Than again smallnetbuilder has tested both these routers and Netgear's total wireless throughput was impressive, however Linksys WRT610N they tested has been hardware version 1 that was inferior to current version 2.

 

Yep, both are considered excellent routers.

The WRT610N is a bit more polished and been around a little longer. The Netgear is new on the block and people are still finding the quirks and problems. Which a few have been found as to be expected, none are perfect. In fact, I have heard of more than one getting upset with their 610's and switching to the 3700, and one guy went back and forth several times with each.

I wouldn't talk down anyone who buys a 3700. I almost did myself. If it works well for you and you are not having problems, then you have the right router and there is no need to change.

I went with the 610 because of firmware options, it being Linksys and the fact that it has been around a little longer. Not because I think it's a superior product.

There is one area the Netgear wins though, and that is heat, the 610 runs VERY hot.

 

Yeah I honestly have no complaints. Upgrading from the DIR655 to the WNDR3700 was the best choice ever. The DIR655 wouldn't even give me 2 bars 20 feet away! Now I have great range and speed.

 

best routers = the ones you can flash with DD-WRT.

/thread.

 

not if you don't fully use the DD-WRT added value

 

I had a WRT54Gv8 router that was essnetially dead. I played around with different Linksys firmware and it wouldn't do anything. Period. I flashed it with DDWRT and it works great. I was about ready to throw it out.

Just for fun, I switched back to the Linskys firmware and same thing - WAN port wouldn't work.

 

haha, maybe linksys played around so you'll need to buy a new linksys

 

I have to say linksys. I have like a 6 year old Linksys WRT54G Version 3 and i have KNOCK ON WOOD never had issues with it. It always stays connected, I get service of around 100Ft form the router, its pretty fast. If i ever have problems with it, i will not even look at other brands, a Linksys WRT120N it will be.
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT120N
But the WRT54G keeps on working for me, i see no reason to upgrade at this point in time..

Oh yeah, i DO NOT use DD-WRT. Not worth it for me.

 

OK, so the general consensus is that LinkSys is the way to go.
So I guess now I need to know which model to go with.
Here's what I want to do:
- have the router at one one end of the house and be able to access it anywhere. This roughly translates to a ~150-200ft range
- be able to have both WiFi and wired access.
- find a model in the ~$100 or less range

Also could somebody school me in Firmware and how to use it.

Thanks in advance

Fry

 

anybody?....

 

I've used 4 routers in my life. 2 were linksys, 2 were d-link.

The D-link were always the result of the linksys ones sucking and me buying a new one =p

I've always had problems with linksys routers, they drop my connection...wired or wireless. The D-link's always worked flawlessly.

Many people will disagree with me, just noting my experiences.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

People seem to love this router (if you're going linksys). Get tomato firmware or DD-WRT and you should be good to go...I had the GS model and it was nothing but trouble. I currently run a D-link DIR-655 and love it.

 

I see. Well I guess it's back to the drawing boards then.

 

I'd wait. There are 450mbps routers on the way (at least one has been shown on CES) and these are probably going to be wireless n compatible (not draft n)
There is no reason to buy old technology when new is around the corner, so I'd wait till there are more of them 450s and then compare them.

 

you wouldn't happen to know an ETA on the arrival would you?

 

No, I'm afraid not.

 

If you want N, Linksys WRT320.
Look around you can find it for that price.

If you want G, go with the older WRT54GL (no s, 2 or anything else, just L)
Put Tomato or DD-WRT on it and watch it collect dust as it does it's thing.

 

I have found in many cases DD-WRT to not only help stability, but fix manufacturing problems.

Plus, it's always nice to have the option if you don't like the factory firmware.

 

Agreed. And I can give a good example. Default Linksys firmware on at least some routers used to track lost connections for predefined default time- unfortunately it was 3600s meaning one hour.
Now what happens when you use P2P and there are lots of connections that appear and vanish, what if the swarm is huge etc?
Router could stop responding or become sluggish.
In DD-WRT you have an option to set this time-out manually.

 

so what are wireless-N routers that can be swapped with DD-WRT ?
I've only seen WRT54G/WRT54GL, but those are wireless-Gs

 

There are qiute a few. Too many to post them actually.
http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database

 

yeah nvm, I've just went to dd-wrt and found some thx.

 

Best brand I ever had by far was Buffalo, shame they had some legal stuff hurt there company and there name is not well known. I have gone through 2 linksys and 2 d-link routers all of them with permanent failures and had the same buffalo for 3 years without any issues and better performance/options (also it ran WWDRT if I wanted)

It was dirt cheap when I got it too! but said legal actions made there products go up in price.

Im forced to use a Actiontech right now because thats what my ISP gives us and that same router feeds our TV service so I cant change it out.

 

the netgear uses an AR7161 Wireless Network Processor and 2.4GHz/5GHz AR9220 and 2.4GHz AR9223 radios.
and a realtek gigabit switch

 

Buffalo is not bad, too bad they are difficult to find. Same with Asus.

Many Buffalo and Asus are the same hardware as Linksys, just often cheaper and a few options and firmware differences.

Linksys, like many others often cheats on the power supplies. In fact most N routers are under powered. N and gigabit is even more likely to be.

 

So to reiterate my previous question:
Could someone school me in Firmware or at least provide good link please.

 

Sure. But what do you need?
If you need an alternative firmware do to http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index
There are some special requirements for initial flashing of a router specific to each router so you need to keep it in mind.
Each firmware has several versions- different in size. More advanced require more flash memory and use more RAM (but only when enabled). Differences are explained on DD-WRT website.
If by firmware you meant default firmware, there is a site with all UIs of Linksys routers. You can see how it looks and what options/functions does certain router have before buying.
http://ui.linksys.com/files/
That's in general. Any specific questions?

 

basically I wanted to know what it is, what are the advantages of third party firmware and how do you flash a router.

 

Basically router is a computer running Linux (in most cases) Instead of HDD you have flash memory (hence to use more advanced firmware you need more flash to accommodate it) The same goes to RAM- when firmware offers more features it takes up more RAM. As for CPU- the stronger it gets the better it is with P2P, VoIP, online gaming and multiple connection in general.
So firmware is basically a Linux system running this machine. New versions not only have new functionality but also updated drivers (i.e. for WiFi) and bug fixes.
As for functionality- 3rd party firmware offers more options i.e. IP addresses can be assigned by MAC- meaning chosen computers will always have the same IP. Very helpful if you have shared folders but unavailable in official Linksys firmware and many others. You can also have more than one SSID running on one router (guest network or legacy B network for old devices and G for new ones) There are also many other options like TCP timeouts that I already mentioned, monitoring number of connections or even CPU overclocking to name just few.
You update just like any firmware- (in most cases) just log in to the router choose new firmware and hit update. Three things to remember about this procedure: RTM (some routers require you to use micro version of DD-WRT and only then update to desired one),don't do it over WiFi, do a hard reset after flashing (you will have to insert settings again but new OS and old settings don't always mix)

EDIT:
What is DD-WRT and features:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT?

 

Thanks, that clears up a lot of the confusion I was having.