Cheap vs expensive routers

What makes expensive routers worth paying for?

For example this refurbished DIR-860L is only $40. It's got some decent specs. 1.2 Gbps throughput, gigabit ethernet, and a USB 3 port.

On the other hand this top end ASUS RT-AC3200 costs $280. In terms of major specs, it's got 3.2 Gbps of throughput (but not for a single device), gigabit ethernet, and a USB 2 and USB 3 port. So for seven times the price you get 2.7x the bandwidth and an extra USB port.

Is that really worth paying 7x for? Even the more comparable midrange options typically cost $100-200, which is 3x-5x. Why is there such a huge spread in router prices. What makes the high end worth so much more money?

FWIW, my current router is a refurbished Linksys I got for $30. I put DD-WRT on it and it's worked flawlessly since. I'm starting want a 5Ghz option though as more devices support it.

 

superparamagnetic, in my opinion there's no point in buying expensive consumer routers, it's gimmick.

 

I don't see a reason to pay close to $300 for a router either. That said I would not buy D-Link of all companies- they have famously terrible firmwares and they don't bother providing updates. I'd go with TP-Link - they do the exact opposite.

 

+1 for TP-Link, using their $20 routers for years.

 

Thanks for the TP-Link suggestion.

One reason DIR-860L is attractive is cause of planned DD-WRT support. It's still less than half the cost of a comparable TP-Link router.

 

Well u can get very good router for bargain .. u need to search ebay ..