Ask Engadget: Best wireless router with USB printing capabilities?
By Darren Murph 
posted March 12th 2009 10:22PM
posted March 12th 2009 10:22PM
If your low-rate router fails on you, you might as well select a replacement with more utility than the one you're burying, right? Axel sure thinks so: "My bargain-basement CompUSA-branded wireless router is finally starting to fail on me, prompting me to buy a new one. I want to get my huge color laser printer (a Konica Magicolor 2400w) off my desk and tucked away next to the router, so I want it to have wireless USB print hub functionality. Gigiabit Ethernet and Draft-N are also necessary here, as I am eventually going to be adding media clients around the house to stream to every TV. Thanks a lot!"
So, there you have it -- which wireless router will provide solid, relaiable USB printing while handling the heavy loads of high-def streaming? Think carefully, you wouldn't want to ruin this guy's life. Oh, and if you have a question of your own you'd like to see here, send it over to ask at engadget dawt com.
Agreed, DIR-655 is a great router. I have had mine for about a year and a half. The thing I like about it is the built in dynadns client, runs on the router and takes care of keeping things updated. Also one other thing the USB port does is adds the ability to run a 3G modem as well.
D-Link DIR-655 here
I see some comments like "Doesnt-link blah blah blah" I have owned PLENTY of routers, Netgear, Buffalo, Belkin, Linksys (Cisco), Microsoft ...... I am happiest with my D-Link. Have owned this router for a year now and have yet to power cycle it ONCE.
Shareport works great and i currently have my 500 gig hard drive shared through it. You may want to fact check this but i believe D-Link offers a 11 year warranty.
Ummm, I don't think the DIR-655 matches up against the Airport Extreme exactly. I have one, and have 3 different systems. The USB printer only works in Windows because it requires a software that only works on Windows. So if you also have a Mac and Linux system the printer won't work on those systems unless you go through the Windows system, but that means that the Windows systems has to be on whenever you want to print. With that said, I do have to give the DIR-655 much praise because honestly I couldn't find a good wi-fi to USB print server. Have tried a few, but they either don't support or have reliability issues under one OS or more. Hands down if USB printing is your main objective the Airport Extreme is your router. But if you don't want to spend that much and you only use Windows then the DIR-655 is probably what you want. It's under $100 and for a Windows only environment it's awesome. It has a lot of settings and control features. If you notice it acting funny, just turn off all those auto management features. I didn't find them very helpful, they're probably just marketing features that are hit or miss in everyday use. Besides the USB printing, everything works well in any OS with the DIR-655. I noticed that routers tend to be hit or miss. One model from a manufacturer could be awesome, but another model is totally crap. You're doing the right thing by asking ppl, but be aware that many ppl have only used a handful of routers under one environment and their experience may not relate to your situation.
Apple iPhone.
ive had problems with linksys and belkin routers.
i bought an airport extreme about a year ago, and it has been steady as a rock.
Just buy a new 3 in 1 printer,canon for 109$. Already includes wifi insane specs,,plus that magicolor seriously outdated. More importantly you'll be able to print wirelessly thru iPhone ,.revolutionary! Huh,now that is sick dude. Not to mention, once that chic sees u wifi printing thru your iPhone, guaranteed head. Thank me later bro.
Did you miss the part where his router died. It appears he already has a printer, probably a quality printer, at that. If he got that printer he'd still have to by a router making the Airport Extreme cheaper than getting a low quality 802.11n router.
Time Capsule
I use a time capsule to back up two computers and act as a printer server for 3 printers and file server for 2 500gig externals. Had to restart it one time in 4 months. I can't say that for my linksys or netgear routers!
The Airport Extreme is the best for that versatility and I too use it for Linux, Win 7 and Mac-not problems, tons of features and 99 percent uptime. Even have my ReadyNAS on it. It is the best-so quit whining about it being Apple-it is a fine product, period.
And besides the integrated print server that the Darren Murph needs, it now allows you to use the 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels independently so that your 802.11n devices aren't downgraded to 802.11g (or b) when a lesser device gets on the network. I assume this was a result of noticing that despite all Macs having 802.11n, using an iPhone or iPod Touch will only have 802.11g.
If you need 802.11n and print server?external drive, and 1000BASE-T then for the money it can't be beat.
There is a high end ASUS router that has 32mb memory and some usb ports... I would think this takes the cake on a home wireless router
airport extreme
As someone already mentioned, D-Link DIR-655 Draft-N router has a built in USB port that you can use to connect printers, hard drives, etc. SharePort unitility allows you to share the connected device (printer, hard drive, etc) between all of the computers on the network. Although not as polished as true network printers, SharePort software does the jon. I recently got DIR-655 at Costco for $75 which is a good deal and lower than on Newegg. D-link has newer models with the same functionality, but DIR-655 is good enough, especially if you can get them att his low price opint.
its the ASUS WL-500W.... the only thing is the ports are not gigabit.
I have to agree with everyone that's said Airport Extreme. I just exchanged my older model for the new dual-band (2.4GHZ and 5GHZ) and can say that this is honestly the best router I have ever used. I come from using Linksys almost religiously and replacing them almost yearly as they seemed to crap out REALLY quickly. My last Linksys would disconnect whatever client had extended periods of downloading files. Sucked.
The Airport Extreme doesn't have some of the advanced features that I've come to like about Linksys, like dynamic DNS, and I can't find a web-accessible administrative interface (you can use the Airport Utility to connect remotely if you install it on the remote machine) but it's a small price to pay for an extremely reliable and easy to use router... definitely worth the Apple Tax.
either apple's airport express or airport extreme will work fine. and if you want a networked hard drive go with time capsule
Linksys (now Cisco) has a great one.
WRT610N
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WRT610N
I love Cisco products. It's got gigabit and dual band N. I THINK the USB port could support printing, and it should be DDWRT compatible, which I LOVE. I run it on my WRT54G and I can do so much with it, including the dual-SSID that the airport extreme does. Don't get me wrong, the extreme is a great wifi device (I manage a MAC school as a network engineer and we use them all over), but DDWRT is a real advantage with all the options it has.
I personally love the WRT600N (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124262)
DDWRT compatible, USB, gigabit, and it does N. Yeah, it's on the pricey side, but it's one of the best in my opinion.
My vote: WRT610N or WRT600N. Cisco is amazing stuff, and DDWRT.
I've a linksys 610N. With the latest firmware update, it is a great router, but it doesn't support printer sharing.
I have the WRT610n and I also agree, definitely a great router that'll be even better when DD-WRT is fully supported (it's currently still just test builds), but doesn't have a printer server.
I have to agree with the consensus that the Apple Airport Extreme is the best for those needs.
D-Link DIR-655
Amazing QOS and amazing quality.
Nice one justin, thx for sharing :D it got gigabit
Apple AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule. Both are really nice and reliable routers.
The best I have seen so far is the Airport Extreme, I coulndt believe how easy it was to setup, even when sharing a printer for a network that has PCs and Apple computers
Downside: Last time, I checked it was pretty expensive...
Airport Extreme N - hands down - rock solid, good upgrades, great setup utility
D-Link Gamerlounge DIR-4500. 3+ computers online watching videos and another one playing online games with no lag or problems and USB/Draft-N support.
**DGL-4500 (correcting last post)
Apple Airport Extreme. Its the first router I've had that lasted and didn't require being restarted every now and then. I wish I could trade up to the new one. It would beat my 2 router setup right now.
It just works.
I used Linksys for the longest time, until I had strange performance errors with every single piece of Linksys hardware (wireless router randomly blocked websites and ports, wired router died 4 times, gigabit switch would seize up). I replaced with Netgear equipment, only to get different issues. We replaced everything with a single AirPort Extreme, and have had 0 problems. My neighbor is a Mac nerd, and has had every Airport since the very first one. Now he has 2 AirPort Extremes and 2 AirPort Expresses for one of the fastest and most reliable networks out there. You may hear bad things about other Apple products, but their networking division is rock-solid.
D-Link DIR-825 FTW. Dual band gigabit with tons of settings
the 825 is nice but the 5ghz range is super small. i can't get the 5ghz band very well in my room which is about 30 feet away from the router. it also only has 2 antennas. if you have lots of walls/need lots of range, go for the airport extreme. If you want to save 50-60$ and don't care about super ease of use, grab the DIR-825
APE. I run my network (including servers for clients plugged into a T1) with the APE. Much better than the similar priced linksys or dlink or what have you. Having a few macs around the house helps but I also have a Samsung CLP-600n on the network used and shared by 5 live computers all the time (macs and windows). I have no issues with transfers either. I have a media server with over 4TB of movies and they stream to 2 Vista MCEs and 1 Mac based MCE.
I say APE.
to sum it up until now,
D-LINK Dir-655 and Apple Airport Extreme are currently favorites
AirPort Extreme. I've got mine connected to:
1 desktop
2 wireless laptops
1 ps3 (connects others computers to TV through airport extreme)
1 printer
1 hard drive
Haven't had a problem yet, I decided to buy this product because I was tired of replacing routers every 6 months. If you are a windows user, it doesn't make any difference since all the software works the same way. For other windows computers on your network, just download apple's Bonjour and it discovers and sets everything up for you so you'd have to go through any of the annoying wizards.
I got to hand it to the D-Link 655. Hands down the best router/networking equipment I have owned over the years. And as a SysAdmin i demand the best for my own home.
If you connect a usb hub, then can you connect more than one external hard drive?
D-Link DGL-4500 gaming router ROCK SOLID if ya dont like/ or want CRapple
Sorry to put a spoiler on the Dlink DIR-655 but I've had one on my network for the last 20 months and it has already started to show signs of wear and tear. Currently i am using a Buffalo High power air-station for the wireless section of my network as the dlink doesn't cut it anymore. i have been consistently resetting it over the last 4 weeks. i finally decided to pull out this old buffalo router that i had and the wireless is way more solid from a 2-3 year old unit. i dont remember exactly when i bought it but it was in use for at least 2 years. My network gets quite a workout as i am constantly transferring large files and i have a slingbox that i use both at home and on the road. Sorry My vote goes against the DIR-655 for longevity ( I change my routers every 12 - 24 months ). Ill be trying the Airport extreme next. Look at it this way, at this rate ill have to be buying a new router every 2-3 years and based on what I've seen so far the APE will last at least 4 years. I'll try the APE this time around and save myself some time and money in the long run. One More thing, if Buffalo didn't have it's legal troubles, they would be my pick hands down as their wireless products are very robust, feature packed, powerful and reasonably priced. Anyone else had experience with them?
Airport Express. This router is significantly faster than the Draft n D-Link dir 615 it replaced. Apple products are expensive but this router performs flawlessly.
Question: I've read a lot of review on the D-Link 655 saying that the USB port doesn't support external HDD, and that the SharePoint sw is req'd for networking a printer. Can anyone shed some additional insight on this? I, too, am in need (well, i use "need" loosely :) ) of a new router that supports USB-connections and (preferably) Draft N and gigabit ethernet.
Thx
the newest firmware enables the usb port for usb device support over the network.
Yep!
http://support.dlink.com/products/view.asp?productid=DIR-655
Firmware 1.21 ¤ Added SecureSpot 2.0.
¤ Added SharePort features.
¤ Fixed email notification issue.
Please download the SharePort Utility and see the SharePort manual before use.
(Scroll down to see download links) 9/30/
SharePort Utility 0.94 ¤ SharePort Network USB Utility v0.94 9/30/2008
But (i think) it supports only one computer at this time.
Head to Head :
Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (draft 802.11n)
Expensive, No gigabit Ethernet, require Mac OS X v.10.4. +(for mac OS users), Only 3 LAN
#Performance : 58.84Mbps at 10 feet (maximum throughput) and 37.48Mbps at 200 feet (long-range throughput), *can achieve better performance when switch channel. In mixed mode at 10 feet (with 11g and 11b clients on the network), it scored 13.72Mbps. In the 5GHz band in N-only mode, the Extreme Base Station scored 77.17Mbps at 10 feet and 58.47Mbps at 200 feet
#Phone support is limited to 90 days
D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router
expensive(cheaper than Airport extreme); based on an unfinished spec : draft N (same as Airport Extreme)
#Performance: 10-foot maximum throughput, the average throughput was 112.56Mbps. This is a whopping 30 to 40 points higher than most draft 802.11n routers we've tested in the past. Mixed throughput (with an 11g client) clocked in at 77.42Mbps while throughput at long range (200 feet) was 33.33Mbps.
# Support: One-year warranty; 24-7 toll-free phone support; e-mail support form; FAQs; knowledge base; driver and software downloads
Source :
APE : http://reviews.cnet.com/wireless-access-points/apple-airport-extreme-base/4505-3265_7-32307438.html
DIR-655 : http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/d-link-dir-655/4505-3319_7-32145084.html
That is an old review. The Rev B Airport Extreme added gigabit Ethernet. As for the 5 GHz performace properly configured i get 200 - 300 Mbps.
How do I know if my Airport Extreme has Gigabit Ethernet?
just launch the AirPort Utlity. click on the device you want to check and it will say AirPort Utility found an airPort Extreme with 802.11n and just after that it will either say (Fast Ethernet) or (Gigabit Ethernet)
clarification: The number you see on your wireless connection status (ex:300Mbps) is the max Mbps; the original Airport Extreme were also maxed at 300 Mbps
Same for The Dir-655 : 300 Mbps max.
The numbers in my post above are maximum throughput test conducted with an Ixia Chariot console. try to transfer a 300Mb file with your best settings (802.11n @5Ghz, i presume), it'll certainly take more than one second and, i believe, even more than 5sec.
AFAIK the only new thing with APExtreme rev. is the gigabit ethernet, so the test results above on wireless connection are still valid.
Thankyou @ Vermifuge
I do indeed have Gigabit Ethernet.
Plus side: I have a fast connection to my NAS
Down side: Less reason to upgrade!
this turned into a apple fanboy thread. the airport extreme is good however its not the best choice. IMO the linksys wrt610n is the best option. and its two routers in one basically.
I wish Linksys would pick up where they left off with the early WRT54G/GL routers (v4 and previous). Make new routers with a fast processor and more memory, give it Wireless N, Gigabit ethernet, a USB port that can be used with a printer or storage and supports a usb hub to do both. While we're at it, put it in a case that's stylish yet functional, has better airflow, and lets me put my own antennas on it. Most importantly, make it so that the guys behind Tomato and DD-WRT can code some kickin rad Firmware to add features and tweak the living hell out of it until it becomes the best little goddamn router on the planet.
I have 9 Linksys WRT54G/GL's with Tomato (2 at home, 1 at work, 6 at a campground) and while they're pretty awesome, they need an upgrade. A newer router with the features above would keep me solidly attached to Linksys for a long time instead of shopping around to other brands. Knowing I was about to buy a Linksys product that was neutered so that modded firmware couldn't be put on it saddens me and sends me looking for alternatives.
Companies should start making hardware that's more open. Let the Tomato and DD-WRT people tear it apart and make something better. In the end even if most buyers are happy with the default Linksys firmware, word of mouth from the others is probably what sent them to buy Linksys in the first place.
I tell people to buy Linksys all the time. Mostly because my job is easier when people have a router I'm familiar with (Linksys by memory, Dlink thanks to the Emulator page on their site). Unfortunately I dislike their Tech Support. Fortunately, I hate Dlink support too. All of them in fact, for various reasons., which makes them even. That's why I tell people to "buy a well-known brand, like Linksys or Dlink" and if Linksys wants me to start saying their name only, they should consider my requested features up top. When someone calls because their router just went belly up and they want some suggestions for a replacement, would they rather I say "Dlink"?
P.S. Isn't it odd that Tech Support people for ISP's aren't being showered in gifts by these companies? We can direct people to whichever companies we want and those companies tend towards those that are easy to support and ones we personally like. I own a Dlink as well as the 2 Linksys routers at home. It only has a fraction of the features I wanted but I needed to prove a point; that my Linksys wasn't at fault for a wifi issue. I was victorious and kept the Dlink for the Wireless N.
So yes, I own 10 routers, but if a Linksys router came out with the features I want I would buy 8 of them. And yes I stopped to think about whether or not I would need to replace all 10.
I did not see the AVM Fritzbox mentioned. This one is expensive but I have never seen a route with more features