Best Reviewed
Wireless Routers
- Best wireless router for Mac Apple AirPort Extreme *Est. $170
- Advanced wireless router for Windows Netgear N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router WNDR3700 *Est. $100
- Best-value wireless router Cisco Valet *Est. $25
- Tried-and-true (and hackable) wireless-G router Linksys WRT54GL *Est. $60
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Netgear N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router WNDR3700
Advanced wireless router for Windows
- Easy to set up
- Fast at short range
- Simultaneous dual-band
- Mixed reviews at long range (5 GHz)
- Slow network storage
- No USB printer sharing
The Netgear N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router WNDR3700 is a simultaneous dual-band, wireless-N unit that most reviewers find easy to set up. It allows the use of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands at the same time, and includes four Gigabit LAN ports for other devices, parental controls, the ability to set up guest networks on both bands and a USB port with which you can plug in an external hard drive for wireless sharing. The router also has a traffic meter, which is especially useful if you don't have unlimited Internet access even though it doesn't let you limit the amount of downloading a specific user can do.
The WNDR3700 proves fast, especially at close range, although some testers say throughput speeds on the faster 5 GHz band drop dramatically as they move away from the router. Others say speeds drop mysteriously after a few weeks of use. However, the unit crawls as a network-attached storage (NAS) device; experts say it takes so long to read and write files to an attached USB hard drive that this feature is best for only occasional or basic use.
Unlike our other Best Reviewed top-of-the-line wireless router, the Apple AirPort Extreme (*Est. $170), the WNDR3700's USB port can't attach to a printer for wireless sharing. Reviewers say the Apple router is the most reliable you can buy, with faster external hard-drive performance and a longer signal reach than the WNDR3700. However, computer enthusiasts may prefer tinkering with the Netgear router's more complex settings, and PC users may appreciate its more Windows-centric settings.
In recent reviews, the Netgear WNDR3700 makes many expert lists of top-10 wireless routers. TopTenReviews.com gives it a silver medal, and it wins an Editor's Choice award at PCMag.com as one of the fastest routers that writer evaluates. Several review sources directly compare the WNDR3700 to multiple rivals; we found the best tests at MaximumPC.com, PC & Tech Authority, SmallNetBuilder.com and CNET. InformationWeek.com and TopTenReviews.com do test routers, but they recommend the Netgear unit based on features alone. Hundreds of owners review this router at Amazon.com and Newegg.com; some develop problems after weeks of use that don't show up in shorter expert tests.
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Our Sources
The editors of TopTenReviews.com award Netgear's WNDR3700 second place in their review of the top-10 premium wireless routers. They praise its excellent bandwidth and management as well as its security features, which include parental controls. Its ease of setup and guest networking abilities are also highlighted.
Review: Netgear N600 WNDR3700, Editors of TopTenReviews.com, Not dated
Receiving 4 out of 5 mice, the Netgear WNDR3700 router is called "business ready" and a "joy to use." Although Jon Jacobi is impressed with the unit's speed and reliability, he says this comes only after a difficult setup and configuration process. Once the WNDR3700 is running, he says "there's no better performing" router for home and small business use. This review also appears in PC World.
Review: Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (WNDR3700), Jon L. Jacobi, May 28, 2011
Samara Lynn gives the Netgear WNDR3700 an Editor's Choice award, identifying it as one of the fastest routers she has ever tested. The unit's extensive feature set, ease of setup and high throughput combine to provide wireless networking power for both home and business use.
Review: Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (WNDR3700), Samara Lynn, March 6, 2011
Tim Higgins reviews version 2 of the Netgear WNDR3700 router, which increases flash memory to 16 MB and changes the antenna configuration for the 5 GHz band. He says the original WNDR3700 outperforms the new version in the 5 GHz band.
Review: Netgear WNDR3700v2 N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Reviewed, Tim Higgins, Jan. 20, 2011
5. MaximumPC.comDetails/Subscribe
The Netgear WNDR3700 beats all rivals -- including the D-Link DIR-855 and Cisco Linksys E3000 -- in this seven-router shootout. The WNDR3700 offers the best performance at almost every tested distance on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Michael Brown does find a few flaws like the lack of USB printer sharing, although you can plug a printer into one of the router's Ethernet ports and share it that way.
Review: Router Roundup: We Review 7 Top-Tier Routers, Michael Brown, Oct. 27, 2010
With high-end features including guest networks on both bands and "routing speed well above what most of us can use," the Netgear WNDR3700 is one of this site's most highly recommended routers. Detailed tests show how the unit surpasses two rivals, the Linksys WRT610N -- now the E3000 -- and D-Link DIR-825.
Review: Gentlemen, Start Your Buying: Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router Reviewed, Tim Higgins, Updated May 11, 2010
The Netgear WNDR3700 comes out on top in Geoffrey Fowler's "real-world torture tests" to find a wireless router that isn't "sluggish and flaky." The unit covers even the farthest reaches of his apartment, and its performance mode improves its reliability.
Review: No Signal: Homes Often Baffle Wi-Fi From Routers, Geoffrey A. Fowler, Dec. 22, 2010
8. PC & Tech Authority (Australia)
Editors test 12 of the latest wireless-N routers, including the Netgear WNDR3700. Despite its great feature set and "blazing" speed in the 5 GHz band close to the router, they find that performance drops dramatically as you move away from the unit, and it doesn't win an award in this test.
Review: Time for Faster Wireless? 12 Latest 802.11n Routers Reviewed, Editors of PC & Tech Authority, June 11, 2010
The Netgear WNDR3700 "truly is packed with features," which Bill O'Brien lists briefly along with details on five other routers he recommends. However, although this website does evaluate routers, O'Brien doesn't discuss any performance testing of this unit.
Review: 802.11n Router Buyer's Guide, Bill O'Brien, June 5 , 2010
10. CNET
The Netgear WNDR3700 earns a spot on CNET's list of the best wireless routers in 2009. After a full test, Dong Ngo says the router could be quicker, but its "decent" performance and robust features -- including a network-attached storage feature -- make it a great choice for "networking enthusiasts who also want a quick and easy network storage solution."
Review: Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Premium Edition), Dong Ngo, Sept. 23, 2009
11. NewEgg.com
With more than 775 reviews posted, the Netgear WNDR3700 earns an overall score of 4 eggs out of 5. Its reliability and stability are praised by long-term users and, in contrast to professional reviews, some owners find it easy to set up and configure.
Review: Netgear WNDR3700-100NAS Wireless Gigabit Router, Contributors to Newegg.com, As of March 2012
12. Amazon.com
The Netgear WNDR3700 gets an average 3.6 stars out of 5 from more than 825 users at Amazon.com. Although more than 400 owners give the router a perfect 5 stars, some others complain that it fails after weeks or months of use.
Review: Netgear N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router WNDR3700, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of March 2012
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