Ask Engadget: What's the best wireless router?

Ah, another Thursday, which means you've got questions, and, um, some other yous have answers. This week Edward G. has a deceptively simple query we think deserves a good, swift answering:

In this day and age where a lot of us are going wireless, it's hard to choose a good wireless router. I hope Engadget can help us all determine what's hot and what's not in terms of wireless connectivity?

One thing it seems like few (if no) companies are able to do right is a freaking wireless router. It's 2006, you know? Speed and range are improving daily, but who do you think's got the most feature-rich, solid and solidly performing device out there?

[Tim @ Jan 26th 2006 4:24PM]

I would still have to say the Linksys WRT54G/WRT54GS. It is a great, solid 802.11G router, and can run custom firmwares which make the possiblilites with it endless.

[Javi0084 @ Jan 26th 2006 4:25PM]

D-Link

[thatappleguy @ Jan 26th 2006 4:26PM]

I don't think you can just ask for the best product, you have to ask yourself what YOU want the product to do. I swear by my Apple AirPort Express, it lives in my laptop bag, and has bailed me, and coworkers, out more than I can remember. I like it so much, I bought another just for the house. Take it for what you will, but my $0.02 they are.

[Dominic Cordisco @ Jan 26th 2006 4:26PM]

The Apple Airport.

Just kidding.

[Warren @ Jan 26th 2006 4:27PM]

I think D-Link makes the best, but i have had 3!!! of the DI-624 (the expencive one? if there is like a super speed or something...)... the DI-524 IS AFUL!!! dont get the 524, the Netgear WRG 614 (or 624) is Ok, it laggs, but it supports DMZ better than the 524, that doesnt support DMZ at all.

[lesley @ Sep 21st 2007 4:28AM]

i have the d link DI 624 and i have trouble all the time staying connected to it, the laptop never seems to stay connected to it, and more often than not connects to others on the street

[warrenpeace� @ Jan 26th 2006 4:28PM]

Linksys WRT54G, as pictured above. I bought the one with SpeedBoost, which doesn't help my apple gear get any faster. Still, they've got a great web interface and the router is hackable. Survives being pulled off a shelf once in a while. Wish they'd sell a hanging bracket for it in stores. Last time I checked to see if there was one, it was only available in quantities of 25 or some crap like that.

[Dan (thoughtfix) @ Jan 26th 2006 4:29PM]

Another vote for the WRT54G.
Solid. Hackable. Linksys. Attractive.

[Petrie @ Jan 26th 2006 4:29PM]

Right now I would suggest the Linksys WRT56GL. Since its firmware is GPL, you can get one of several, free alternative firmwares that give you an incredible control over your router. OpenWRT, HyperWRT and DD-wrt are some of the most popular right now.

(The WRT54GL is essntially a re-branded WRT54G. In the latest hardware revision, Linksys has altered the platform of the WRT54G so that it no longer supports the GPL'd firmware. The GL is a previous hardware revision and still supports the open firmware.)

[Stevo @ Jan 26th 2006 4:30PM]

Well definetely not Netgear. Their consumer line is freaking horrible.. and 90 Days of customer service sux. We're about ready to ditch ours because it just won't stay connected reliably. Please help me find a better one!

[James @ Apr 10th 2008 2:19PM]

Mine just fried itself...is this normal? Or is there something else I am missing?

[Steve @ Jan 26th 2006 4:30PM]

The latest WRT54G cannot be upgraded (unless you are talking about the specially marked Linux version which I have yet to see anywhere).

I just want a router that doesn't need to be rebooted every week. I gave up on 3 routers from different makers which couldn't stay alive for more than a couple days. Plus things like WDS / signal repeating should not be hidden away and made incompatible with different products (even within the same brand).

[B @ Jan 26th 2006 4:31PM]

WRT54G. Nuff said.

[Josh L @ Jan 26th 2006 4:31PM]

I absolutely love my D-Link DGL4300 (gaming router). It has good range, a ton of features, and has crashed about once in the past 6 months.

[Gelu Chelu @ Aug 31st 2007 7:48AM]

DGL-4300 is a Panzer.
It's one year now since I have it and I can't complain one thing.

[aloverock @ Jan 26th 2006 4:32PM]

ROFL....dlink...wtf are you on?

[j005u @ Jan 26th 2006 4:33PM]

I'd have to say Dlink is pretty solid. Nice features and very cost effective.

Not dissing linksys or anything.

[FLUIDJ @ Jan 26th 2006 4:34PM]

I'm still using an old Microsoft MN-700 802.11g Wireless router/hub and the MN-740 USB Adaptor. Going strong and lovin it.....

[Mark Farina, Jr. @ Jan 26th 2006 4:34PM]

I can tell you what the worst router is...WRV54G. From the second I bought this "powerhouse" I've been having problems.

[Scott @ Jan 26th 2006 4:35PM]

As long as I can get a signal, I'm happy. All the wireless routers I've had Linksys & Netgear did just that. The 802.11g routers work plenty times faster than my DSL (wich ain't slow), so I'm good. If only I had the time to geek out and install Linux on it, but I don't.

[Doug @ Jan 26th 2006 4:35PM]

Long time reader, first time poster...

I've owned a small tech support business for three years and the only brand of wireless router that I've NEVER had any trouble with whatsoever is Belkin. You plug them in, and they work right away. Plus, they're always among the least expensive routers.

I think Linksys sucks. I've rarely had a smooth installation of any of their networking products. Not their routers, not their wireless cards, not nothing, no how, no way. My personal rule for buying computer stuff is: green is good, blue is bad. Linksys, Dell, Intel, etc. = blue logos. Averatec, AMD, Gateway, etc. = green logos. I've never had a problem with the green logo'd brands.

Just my $.02

[george @ Apr 12th 2008 4:39PM]

Quote: "Long time reader, first time poster...

I've owned a small tech support business for three years and the only brand of wireless router that I've NEVER had any trouble with whatsoever is Belkin. You plug them in, and they work right away. Plus, they're always among the least expensive routers.

I think Linksys sucks. I've rarely had a smooth installation of any of their networking products. Not their routers, not their wireless cards, not nothing, no how, no way. My personal rule for buying computer stuff is: green is good, blue is bad. Linksys, Dell, Intel, etc. = blue logos. Averatec, AMD, Gateway, etc. = green logos. I've never had a problem with the green logo'd brands.

Just my $.02"

Wow, there you have it guys, buy green logo'd companies products.

Seriously... the first Belkin I installed for a customer had difficulty allowing most websites from working with AOL. Turned out to be some bug in the firmware, and after manually adjusting specific settings, including trial and error MTU sizes, it finally allowed internet access...

Linksys? Had my WRT54G v2.2 since it was the version for sale, no problem. Running Tomato, has not been rebooted in nearly 6 months! Considering the amount of P2P that occurs on my network here at home, that's an amazing acheivement... especially over the day or two stock firmware will achieve with P2P active for any length of time...

[Shawn @ Jan 26th 2006 4:36PM]

My experiences with the WRT54G/WRT54GS make me vote a definite no on that one...it has about half the features I need (and I shouldn've have to run unsupported firmware on the thing to get more out of it).

The SMC Barricade g has fantastic range and a wealth of features, but its internal routing blows chunks (basically I can get anywhere I want with a strong, secure connection, but I can't reliably see anything else on the network).

Apple's Airport Extreme has the best feature set and flexibility, but the range falls about 40 feet short of useful (and don't even try connecting with a couple walls in the way). Not to mention they only decided to give it one outgoing ethernet port?!

I don't think anyone has made a decent one yet, but I keep looking...

[Bronish @ Jan 26th 2006 4:37PM]

Can we make one of the requirements that it has to work seamlessly (no crazy settings adjustments) with DS and Macs. I'm in the market for a wireless router and looking for suggestions. Is AirPort Extreme worth the price tag?

[Glancing Aft @ Jan 26th 2006 4:37PM]

I can think of nothing but good with my Apple Airport Extreme. In the past I had nothing but bad luck with an older Linksys Router...

[Dominic Yates @ Jan 26th 2006 4:38PM]

I have an Apple Airport Extreme and Airport Express... for ease of use out of the box they are 2nd to none... Both have WIFI USB Printing, Plus linking them together to extend the range of your network is a nice feature... With the Airport Express you can also stream audio from any app on your computer (mac only) or if you're on a PC then it's iTunes only for now... I have my Extreme outputting the signal from my ISP and the Express hooked up to my HIFI and PS2 for online gaming!!!

[Eddy Alvarez @ Jan 26th 2006 4:39PM]

wrt54g blows chunks. i've always been a huge fan but i have dsl and it doesnt work at all with is. throttles down my 3mbps connection to ~150kbps. messing w/ the mtsu size makes it slightly better but version 5 of this router sucks. version 4 or the the new version of for called with an "L" in the model name is phenomenal.. but wrt54g v5 is horrendous

[Max @ Jan 26th 2006 4:41PM]

I'll actually second the dlink. In my experience all my dlink products have been bulletproof, while I've had nothing but headaches from the Linksys stuff.

[Lon B @ Jan 26th 2006 4:42PM]

Netgear Wireless Routers are the best. Simple, easy http admin. Built in firewall, dyndns support, port mapping, solid dhcp, etc. They work well, are inexpensive, and just about everyone I know is now using them (and happy for it). There are flavors for 802.11b, 802.11g, DSL support and more.

http://www.netgear.com/products/consumer/prod_router_wireless_hm.php

p.s IMPO, linksys equipment is cheap and unreliable.

[Raza Matin @ Jan 26th 2006 4:42PM]

DI-784 by D-Link 802.11/a/b/g

[a ham sandwich @ Jan 26th 2006 4:43PM]

another vote for the wrt54g

[Keirmeister @ Jan 26th 2006 4:43PM]

The Linksys WRT54G is obviously the most popular.

But it sucks.

The interface and use was perfect! Wonderful!

One small flaw: Linksys routers DIE like crazy!

I've personally owned two Linksys routers, including the WRT54G. Both died in less than a year. My work uses Linksys routers exclusively. It's amazing how many dead ones are lying around.

Another MFG I'll never use: SMC. Don't even get me started with them!

So what's my vote? I'd have to go with D-Link routers. Their interface is not as slick as Linksys', but I still have two that are chugging away with no problems whatsoever.

[tbdean @ Jan 26th 2006 4:44PM]

SMC

easy to setup, easy to repeat. I've got three over three floors and 3500 sq feet. I've got Excellent signal in every corner of my house on both my Dell and my wife's iBook.

What's really nice is a single device, for about $80, will act as a AP, Bridge, or repeater.

[Preston Wily @ Jan 26th 2006 4:44PM]

I love my Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router. I have had it for 3 months now and it has never crashed or needed a reboot - I wish I could say the same about the stupid Moto SurfBoard modem on the other side of it...

[WhackJob @ Jan 26th 2006 4:44PM]

I hate when people make comments and they dont know what they are talking about!
The Best router made to date that really works was made by Parkervision.
Not made anymore.

Whack

[HP @ Jan 26th 2006 4:46PM]

I would disagree with Javi0084 that D-Link is better. Actually I have been using both brands for a long time and could conclude that Linksys is much more reliable.

[nightemaster @ Jan 26th 2006 4:46PM]

I believe that the WRT54G is the best for hacking the firmware. I personally love it for that, although it doesn't feel as reliable as other routers. It may just be the hacked firmware, but the entire router feels like a hackjob. I haven't use any other routers besides my westell versalink. The versalink that came with my verizon dsl doesn't crash but has very little features, and virturally no support, even when the firmware is so-so.

[Thell @ Jan 26th 2006 4:47PM]

the dlink wl-500g deluxe runs *WRT.. got one and I'm pleased! Only practical diff between the wl-500gd and a linksys is that the wl-500gd has two usb-ports..

[chris @ Jan 26th 2006 4:47PM]

I have to say Linksys WRT54G

[D @ Jan 26th 2006 4:52PM]

Another vote for Linksys WRT54G/54GS. Ive had an Airport Extreme and it was great, but for a 4th of the price you get a Linksys WRT that does just as much with better range. The only downside to no AE is no usb port, but I wouldn't use it anyawys.

I just ditched my Netgear Router(I strayed from linksys for a bit) after only a month because the friggin thing required rebooting at least once every two days or so.

For the price and feature-set, you cannot beat Linksys. They have really good support too.

Ive tried most of the majors: D-Link is eh. NetGear looks nice but sucks balls. Linksys all the way. (PS. I only use macs and still love that little linksys box)

[Jort @ Jan 26th 2006 4:52PM]

Asus WL500G.
active development of firmware by community, USB and parallel port on board. etc.

[Richard @ Jan 26th 2006 4:52PM]

I would actually say:

SMC!

I was in Singapore on holiday (I live in the UK) and was looking for a cheap wireless ADSL router. I get a G network and all the DDNS/NAT etc. functionality in something twice as slim as all the Linksys line, and it hasn't failed once. In my opinion, it is perfect, unless you really want to hack it (btw, what for? What else can it do that it can't already?), but even then I think you could write your own firmware if you knew how.

Nobody I know has ever heard of SMC, but my point is, I think there is very little difference between these routers.

I am far more interested in the core technologies they are running; MIMO and 802.11n sound fun...

[Ian Gibson @ Jan 26th 2006 4:53PM]

wrt54g - the best and greatest on the market, i liked it so much i bought 2 :P

[Triple Tapper @ Jan 26th 2006 4:54PM]

If you haven't tried out a D-link recently, don't knock it! They have an amazing router called the DGL-4300 or Gaming Router. The firmware is solid and features are insane. That would be my pick for the best wireless router.

[bermuDa @ Jan 26th 2006 4:54PM]

I like SMC to an extent, but I run all linksys routers at home. Although lately I've been having problems with my connection and networking continually getting dropped, which is really frustrating.

[daaper @ Jan 26th 2006 4:54PM]

another vote for dlink...i've owned the same one for almost 3 years now and it has always performed solidly -even with my college roommate's mac. everyone i know who buys a linksys eventually switches to dlink: inexepensive, reliable, and simple to setup.

[lesley @ Sep 21st 2007 4:35AM]

can you help me with mine then
before i buy another, cos im tempted to go to belkin

[Baxter Maduj @ Jan 26th 2006 4:54PM]

Engadget (Peter Rojas) had a post exactly like this in October... I'm sure everything that was posted still stands as that was like, 3 months ago. 106 comments:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/20/ask-engadget-best-home-wifi-router/

[mb @ Jan 26th 2006 4:55PM]

BSD + HostAP

[LoganT @ Jan 26th 2006 4:56PM]

Belkin F5D8230-4