Ask Engadget: Best wireless router?

We've covered this a couple times already on Ask Engadget, but it's always worth another go. Oh, and as usual, keep sending your queries to ask at engadget dawt com for answerin' by your peers. We were checking out media streamers a few week ago, and taking things a bit more basic with Brad who's looking for a new router:

"I have a Core Duo MacBook, and my mom has an iBook G4. We have a Belkin Pre-N Wireless router. The problem is that my internet is slow, which can't be fixed by my router, obviously, but also, there are points when my router just stops working, and I've tried getting it replaced, so I'm convinced it's the router. Any suggestions on alternatives that might play nicer with my Mac, in case that's my problem?"

Everybody gets a lemon now and then, which sounds like it could be Brad's problem, any recommendations?

[Droo @ Jul 5th 2007 9:49PM]

Those PRE-N routers are largely garbage. I work for a WISP and your experiences are on par with many others.

For 45 bucks, the Buffalo WHR-G125 or WHR-G54S is really a winner. It isn't an N unit, but for the price you can bask easily waiting for a finalized N product.

They work fine with my Macbook Pro too and if you're into hacking, DD-WRT runs on it.

[pirateFan @ Jul 5th 2007 11:44PM]

I second the Buffalo G54S. I have two of these (one as a primary router with a Buffalo Linkstation drive attached, the other setup as a bridge for the slingbox in the other room). I can stream ripped DVDs (thank you Handbrake) to my Mac Mini and watch tv on my Macbook simultaneously. Pretty good for G-level, and it's a quarter the price of an Airport.

Oh, and they're white, too.

[JWolf @ Jul 6th 2007 12:13AM]

I'll throw another vote in for the Buffalo WHR-G54S and the newer, faster WHR-G125. I have two of the former using the second in bridged mode to serve as my xbox 360 wireless adapter. For the price these are hands down the best bang for your buck. These things can handle anything I throw at them without so much as a hiccup. Throw dd-wrt on them and they are as good as any router for 4 times the price.

[patsy @ Jul 6th 2007 12:50AM]

Right now they can be had even cheaper at Best Buy at $35: http://tinyurl.com/22vnnp. If these new ones are as good as the previous model, it's about the best deal going.

[Brad @ Jul 6th 2007 2:37AM]

wow! thanks a lot, i FINALLY got my internet fixed, and it has been working fine up until last night, i get on engadget and what do i see but the question i had asked about a month ago!! perfect, i am currently deciding between the buffalo and the airport extreme. if anyone cares i'll keep you updated. (i know no-one does)

p.s. you guys rule!

[Walker @ Jul 6th 2007 11:27AM]

How that Buffalo works with PCs?

[Dan Sheadel @ Jul 6th 2007 2:43PM]

I have a Buffalo, works great with a PC, and Kubuntu as well, for those interested. It's a rock solid router, and it's remarkably small and easy to place. I think it's worth noting that it actually ships with an extended antenna, which is a godsend, compared to spending 20 bucks on one in addition to the router. And, as mentioned, they can be picked up for 25 bucks if you time it right.

Also it's worth the time to install X-WRT on this router, as it works flawless, and has more features than you can features than you can shake two sticks at.

[brassready @ Jul 5th 2007 9:55PM]

If going with a b certified router: linksys WRT54GL

Other then that, im at a loss.

[jaywarrietto @ Jul 5th 2007 10:53PM]

that router doesn't play nicely with my macbook. worked fine with my ibook but not the macbook. I went back to using a wired connection at home for it.

[ibelli @ Jul 6th 2007 3:31AM]

Linksys routers and MacBooks HATE eachother. If you have a MacBook, don't get a Linksys. I have a D-Link. It is the ONLY router I have ever had where I set it up and have had NO probems with since then.

[Chewie67 @ Jul 6th 2007 9:33AM]

"Linksys routers and MacBooks HATE eachother."

Not true for my MacBook Pro. It and my Linksys play very nicely together.

[Brian @ Jul 6th 2007 12:23PM]

Linksys routers? PASS. I've had nothing but trouble with linksys products, and tech support has been unhelpful. The first thing i said to tech support when i called them for help was "I've already reset the modem, reset the router, and reset the computer, multiple times, in every order you can imagine." The first thing he had me do was reset the modem. MULTIPLE TIMES. I eventually got an RMA from them, but i had the same problem i was having with the old router. Solution?

I bought a barebones kit from an online retailer (either tigerdirect or newegg, i dont remember) and set it up with shorewall. I had a couple of NICs laying around, so the whole thing came in under $300. If you want to add wireless, i imagine it would be much the same process, just be sure to chose your wireless cards carefully before purchasing to verify that they work with your choice of linux distro.

[jodosh @ Jul 6th 2007 1:29PM]

I run multiple flavors of linux, winXP and 2000, a MacBook, and a MacBook Pro thrown in there for good measure and I have had 0 problems with my linksys WRT54GL. just my 2 cents

[neggies @ Jul 5th 2007 9:55PM]

Macbook? well im going to have to say it up front:

Airport Extreme 802.11n...nuh duh.

Or just get a freaking Linksys WRT54G of some sort, they're rock solid.

--neg

[paloooz @ Jul 5th 2007 9:56PM]

Another vote for 802.11n Airport Extreme.

[Yale @ Jul 5th 2007 10:28PM]

Same.

[aaronlh @ Jul 5th 2007 10:57PM]

Same, love my Airport Extreme as do the two friends who bought them on my suggestion.

[Jeff @ Jul 5th 2007 10:58PM]

I've been through 6 Linksys routers (3 of which were warantee replacements, which involced over 13 hours on the phone...) a few netgear, 2 buffalo, and a actiontec.

Finally i settled on the Airport Extreme N, and couldn't be happier. It's a joke how bad all the other routers were (though the actiontec and netgears were okay) and either i have the worst luck in the world, or all those routers are total garbage.

My airport extreme n is rock solid, and i'll never touch another router from any other manufacturer.

[Chris McDowell @ Jul 5th 2007 11:05PM]

Havent tried the N but my G airport Extreme (and Express) are working great and I have had 0 problems in the past 3-4 years.

[Brandon @ Jul 5th 2007 11:41PM]

Another vote for Apple Airport Extreme-N

Great router.

[Air Phloo @ Jul 6th 2007 2:43AM]

Airport Extreme is great now. It was a little unstable when it first came out but a couple firmware updates and it is solid. I love the AirDisk feature.

[yirong @ Jul 6th 2007 3:21AM]

Me recommend Airport Extreme as well. I recently gave up my 3 year old D-link and replaced by the Airport Extreme, not only my speed bumped up from 6.5Mbps to 9.2Mbps, but also I can share my entry level Brother laser printer wirelessly in the house without a printer server! You definite get what you paid for. Highly recommended.

[ibelli @ Jul 6th 2007 3:31AM]

I said it in a previous post. Dont EVER get a Linksys router if you have MacBook or MacBook Pro. They HATE eachother. Don;t even think about solving problems with a firmware update. No call center in Bangalore can fix this, I assure you.

[J. Calhoun @ Jul 6th 2007 6:10PM]

Another vote for Airport Extreme.

[Mike DiVitto @ Jul 7th 2007 1:50AM]

Airport Extreme on a mainly Mac network is the way to go. Extremely simple. (no pun intended) I actually have two wireless networks running in my house. I've read that if you use anything other than N equipment with your N router (a,b or g) you will slow the speed of connection to your other N devices. I haven't tested this, but I kept my Linksys wireless g router for my PC laptop and I've had no problems. I've had my Linksys router for 4 years now and I've had no problems other than some glitches that were fixed with a firmware update when I first got it. Hope this helps.

[wraypa1 @ Jul 5th 2007 9:56PM]

What about one of those magical airports that apple like to overcharge for - most mac users i know would gladly pay thousands to make sure their computers match every other electrical item in their homes! however in all seriousness i doubt that ur macs are ur problem - i had a similar problem with a belkin router when the signal to noise ratio on my line was too high. Never figured out why dodgy net would cause the whole router to die - i just thought it would kill the net connection!

[Za @ Jul 5th 2007 10:28PM]

Mate, I would agree with the previous generations but the current Airport Extreme is DEFINITELY NOT overpriced. You are looking at an ~N router with NAS and print server. Now find me an N router, NAS box, and print server separately for the price of the Airport Extreme. You sir, are an ignorant fool.

[farfisa @ Jul 5th 2007 10:39PM]

You're totally out of line!!
..unless Airport Extreme comes in black!! ;)

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jul 5th 2007 10:41PM]

I have to echo what others have said: The latest AirPort Extreme is excellent when it comes to the NAS and print serving. It's not overpriced in the least.

[zargon @ Jul 5th 2007 10:58PM]

"Now find me an N router, NAS box, and print server separately for the price of the Airport Extreme. You sir, are an ignorant fool."

Try the Linksys WRT350N to name one, I am sure there are more, but the WRT350 is supported by DD-WRT. I much rather pay the ~$150 for the Linksys WRT350N and put DD-WRT on it and not be limited. You would be getting more functionality and features out of it.

[ibelli @ Jul 6th 2007 3:31AM]

Don't EVER get a Linksys with a Macbook anything. EVER. You will regret it. It will make you want to shoot youreself.

[RedBull Runner @ Jul 8th 2007 4:21AM]

Will you please stop spouting that bullshit.

I have had 2 linksys routers, and i have a macbook pro and they work perfectly with eachother.

No problems at all with either the original firmware, the updated one, or DD-WRT.
I think your problems may just lie in the fact that you are an ignorant fool that does not know how to set things up properly.

[Ryan @ Jul 5th 2007 10:01PM]

Just my .02,
I'm not to sure about the Belkin products much less the Pre-N Wireless. This is not to say that they are bad in any way, I just have more experience with other brands. I am currently testing a D-Link DIR-655 Wireless N router and so far, good results. The Wireless Draft N Rev 2 Spec just landed and some routers have updates available to bring your router up to speed.

WITH ANY Wireless Router first and foremost is a FIRMWARE UPGRADE. You want to make sure your issues are not something the manufacture has already posted an updated for. As always, its a good idea to follow the upgrade instructions and perform the update via a computer on a wired connection to the router. Check your manufactures website for the latest Firmware updates for your hardware. Be sure to have the information on the bottom of the hardware for identification purposes. (i.e. WRT54G v2 Firmware is NOT MEANT for the V6 and so on..)

You may also want to experiment with changing the channel that the router is broadcasting on in case a neighboring wireless network is interfering.

It may be surprising, but most of my Router troubleshooting revolves around out of date firmware on both the Router as well as drivers for the adapters of the Client computers.

[Gabe @ Jul 6th 2007 12:43PM]

I'm adding a second vote for the DIR-655.
Rock solid router. I have had mine for about 3 months, and I've installed 5 others at various locations I service. Excellent performance for every single location and I've never ever had to reset it.

[deleted @ Jul 9th 2007 6:10PM]

If it works for you great but I set up a DIR-655 because my friend didn't want a AirPort Extreme. After 1 month he was unplugging it every hour to get signal again. We sent it in for service (which they charged us for) and sent us a ref that wouldn't power on. Now they have had the second one for 3 months. No world on when we'll get it back.

[cj @ Sep 30th 2007 4:27PM]

I'm mainly an Apple guy and debated long and hard over the AEBS N and the D-link DIR-655. The D-link signal cuts out all the time and I've had to battle the reset feature twice since I couldn't get the signal to come back after 10 minutes of waiting. Now I'm thinking of taking it back to get a AEBS N. So far I'm not happy.

[chas @ Jul 5th 2007 10:02PM]

get one of the linksys WRT ones, and flash its firmware with dd-WRT. it works really well, and it super customizable down to whatever bandwidth you want to use. More info about it at www.dd-wrt.com

[David @ Jul 5th 2007 10:02PM]

Apple Airport Extreme 802.11n.
Best Router I've EVER owned.

I purchased the Airport Express when I was trying to set up wireless. This was after I purchased and returned: 2 linksys routers and 1 d-link router. After I pluged in the Express everything worked FLAWLESSLY. I recently purchased the Airport Extreme and it works even better! I will never buy another brand of wireless router. The other brands (at least the ones I tried) do not have the consistency that I needed. I even had my laptop right next to the Linksys and the tech support guy didn't know what the problem was. Apple's router has performed extremely well, and works well with Mac or Windows PCs.

-Baldwin

[buystuff @ Jul 5th 2007 10:03PM]

A lot of people are liking the D-link DIR-655 pre N router right now. I swore off D-link after I had 4 out of 5 OLDER D-link wireless products go belly up, but I saw the DIR-655 being suggested so many times, I gave them another chance. Havent had an issue since I bought it a month ago, and it works great.

Just to note %90 of the pre N stuff wont have the 5Ghz radio in them which the final ratified N's will. If your buying it for N I wouldent expect it to work fully with the final N specefication. Works great with G and B none the less.

[Kamokazi @ Jul 10th 2007 11:16AM]

Another vote for the DIR-655...spectacular router. It just got an update too. Here are some good router charts comparing bandwidth:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_chart/Itemid,189/
There are also a lot of reviews on that site. It's part of Tom's Hardware as an FYI...some people love or hate certain review sites...I just always check at least 2 or 3 and see if they came to roughly the same conclusions.

[I.E @ Jul 5th 2007 10:07PM]

Dlink DGL 4300. used to swear by linksys routers but they kept dying and stopping on me even after using third party firmware. my DGL 4300 has been handling all my crazy bitorrent traffic for over a year without a restart and it works nicely with my mac, windows and linux machines + Gigabit ports for my voip service and gaming consoles/rig.

[JBDragon @ Jul 5th 2007 11:24PM]

I also have a D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless Gaming router. I've used a wired Linksys and had problems with it freezing/hanging up all the time requiring to unplug it to reset it, to a wired Netgear which was better. I've setup a Wired Belkin for someone else but I though it was a cheap pile with few features. My current D-Link is Great. The Wired Gigabit network is nice, it has so many features you can setup. Best of all it's been 100% problem free which makes things a whole lot nicer when I'm away and Slinging and so am not home to reset them junk Linksys Routers. I used to think the Linksys where all that also, Not no more though. After using this D-Link, I expect a lot better now. The D-Link is not CHEAP, but it works Reliably and I don't mind paying extra for that.

[M@ @ Jul 6th 2007 1:02AM]

> 'gaming router'

You can get routers with liquid cooling and custom paint jobs?? j/k

[Bigsby @ Jul 6th 2007 1:22AM]

It's been the opposite for me. I have the exact same router, and it's been nothing but trouble. It would crash a lot when I had bittorent or p2p traffic going, as well as often when I was playing a game with Ventrillo and Xfire open, which really is not the kind of thing I want in a faming router. I may just have a lemon though, since I don't think I've ever seen an uptime of more than 24 hours.

[Boyo @ Jul 6th 2007 5:06AM]

I too Say the DLINK 4300 one monster router QoS Xbox ready and tons of admin options.

[Mike Strutton @ Jul 6th 2007 11:20AM]

I too have a Dlink DGL 4300 - Works great. I prioritize things like VoIP, and my wife's computer, over other machines that are merely downloading or game playing... There's nothing worse than your voice call being garbled while your kids are downloading large files. I also love the security options, remote access with IP and time of day filtering. My router been online for 2+ years and works great! (prior routers included multiple netgears, and linksys)

[kylejhunt @ Jul 5th 2007 10:09PM]

I have installed hundreds of routers in retail stores across the country, and my recommendation is ALWAYS a Netgear! They have been hands-down the best router (fewer issues, better reliability, better coverage, etc). It's a little on the expensive side, but the WPN824 is what I'm using now. I have stores that are 4,000 sf w/ TONS of brick and metal walls, and the signal is strong in nearly every corner! Currently around $80 at Newegg!
Good Luck!

[andy @ Jul 6th 2007 12:01AM]

Guess that's why hundreds of retail outlets have such crappy internet connections.

[kylejhunt @ Jul 6th 2007 2:37AM]

This isn't "public wifi", it is private use only (ie. management, vendors, etc). For example, in 3 years of installing wifi systems for a major retailer of men's clothing I have had 3 complaints. 2 were cause by power issues, and the other was an employee who somehow got the password. Other than that, nearly flawless performance by my army of Netgears!

[Mike @ Jul 5th 2007 10:11PM]

I have a Linksys WRT54G V4 (I think). I've had it for about 4 years, and it's been through 4 moves, and 2 different internet connections (cable/DSL). I have dd-wrt on it, and have transferred insane amount of data on it (my roomate has a 3TB server) over wired and wireless. It just keeps marching right on. I have had 0 problems with it.