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Wireless Routers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 22 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Small Net Builder.com
As of March 2012
Wireless Reviews
by Editors of SmallNetBuilder.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe reviews here are the most comprehensive we found, and comparisons are frequent and relevant. On the other hand, they're so technical that a basic knowledge of wireless router technology is insufficient for understanding much of the material. Instead of conventional ratings, SmallNetBuilder.com has customizable but complicated benchmark comparison charts. This site is useful if you already have a model in mind, but not so much for browsing reviews.
2. CNET
Nov. 23, 2011
Best 5 Wireless Routers
by Dong Ngo
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET tests wireless routers and rates the five listed here as excellent. Users can submit their opinions and ratings, which sometimes vary considerably from the conclusions reached by CNET editors. In another report dated Dec. 13, 2011, Ngo adds the Trendnet TEW-692GR to the list.
3. PCMag.com
Dec. 28, 2011
The 10 Best Wireless Routers
by Samara Lynn
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSamara Lynn presents her choices for the best routers of 2011, dividing the field between dual- and single-band models. The dual-band category winners are split between Linksys and Netgear brands. Most routers get a full review plus a summary of their features.
4. PCMag.com
As of March 2012
Routers
by Samara Lynn
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com evaluates many of the major wireless routers on the market, and tests are competent and up-to-date. Each router gets a full review and a rating, and the best are labeled Editors' Choice award winners. As in the top-10 list above, models from Cisco/Linksys and Netgear get the highest scores.
5. TopTenReviews.com
As of March 2012
2012 Best Wireless Router Comparisons and Reviews
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTen wireless-N routers are ranked on this chart. The Linksys E1200 takes first place, with perfect scores for features, security, ease of use, help and support, and overall rating. Each router gets its own write-up explaining the scores but isn't tested for performance.
6. TopTenReviews.com
As of March 2012
2012 Best Premium Wireless Router Comparisons and Reviews
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTen premium wireless-N routers are ranked in this companion review to the best routers round-up. The top three models all receive excellent scores for features, security, ease of use, help and support, and overall rating. Each gets its own write-up explaining the scores but isn't tested for performance.
7. MaximumPC.com
Oct. 27, 2010
Router Roundup: We Review 7 Top-Tier Routers
by Michael Brown
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMaximumPC.com compares top-of-the-line routers from seven brands -- Asus, Belkin, Buffalo, D-Link, Linksys, Trendnet and Netgear. The Netgear WNDR3700 keeps its crown as the best router, with "spectacular TCP throughput, a strong feature set and an even stronger price/performance ratio."
8. PC & Tech Authority (Australia)
June 11, 2010
Time for Faster Wireless? 12 Latest 802.11n Routers Reviewed
by Editors of PC & Tech Authority
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC & Tech Authority tests 12 wireless-N routers from various manufacturers, concentrating on flagship models. Editors of this Australian magazine include both single- and dual-band models, explain how they performance-test them in the lab and factor in results from a reader survey. The DrayTek Vigor 2110n wins, and the Buffalo Nfiniti WZR-HP-G300NH is named the best value. These routers beat out popular models from Netgear, Belkin, D-Link and Cisco/Linksys that are highly rated by our U.S. sources.
9. Government Computer News
June 3, 2010
Wireless-N Routers Ready for Prime Time
by Greg Crowe
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentGovernment Computer News magazine directly compares four wireless-N routers. Models from Buffalo, D-Link, Netgear and Edge-Core are analyzed using professional testing equipment in a lab and given letter grades for performance, ease of use, features and value. The Netgear ProSafe Wireless-N VPN Firewall wins the Reviewer's Choice award.
10. PC World (Australia)
As of March 2012
Networking, Wireless & VoIP
by Editors of PC World (Australia)
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World (Australia) reviews more than the typical number of wireless routers for a computer magazine -- two dozen in the past year alone, including several popular U.S. models. Test results are presented in longer in-house reviews, but this source sometimes prints very short review synopses from the U.S. version of PC World. Few reviews are comparative, but all products get a star rating and editors tag their favorites as Best Bets.
11. Laptop Magazine
As of March 2012
Wi-Fi Router Reviews
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLaptop Magazine tests 40 wireless routers -- 11 in the past 15 months -- of which five are actually mobile hotspots. Each one gets a rating and those with the highest scores are labeled as Editors' Choices. The magazine's best reviews are comparative and discuss setup, features and performance.
12. Macworld
As of March 2012
Browse Networking & Wireless Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMacworld reviews a few wireless routers, both Apple models and those from other manufacturers that work with Apple and Windows computers. The testing process is very good, and each product gets a rating of 1 to 5 mice.
13. Which? magazine
As of March 2012
Router Reviews
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe U.K.'s Which? magazine is similar to ConsumerReports.org. Editors test more than two dozen wireless routers for ease of use and performance in a typical home environment. Each model gets its own write-up. Both Best Buy picks are popular U.S. models.
14. Choice magazine
Aug. 13, 2010
Wireless Routers Review and Compare
by Steve Duncombe
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis Australian consumer publication tests 12 wireless-N routers to find the best combination of performance, features and ease of use. Several are popular U.S. models.
15. PCMag.com
June 22, 2011
Readers' Choice Awards 2011: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Network Routers
by Ben Gottesman
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThese are the most recent readers' choice awards for routers at PCMag.com. Apple AirPort models are the top pick, beating Cisco, Buffalo, Netgear, D-Link and more. Readers rate Apple routers the most reliable and best overall, and editors say they work with Macs, PCs and other Wi-Fi devices. Ratings are based on a June/July 2010 brand survey.
16. NewEgg.com
As of March 2012
Wireless Routers
by Contributors to Newegg.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNewegg.com is a retailer of tech products and is especially popular with computer builders. Several routers accumulate hundreds of ratings from Newegg.com customers, but the best-rated models are older wireless-G units that are easy to hack and customize. For example, the Linux-based Linksys WRT54GL earns a 5-egg average rating (out of 5) from more than 3,500 users and is a multiple winner in Newegg.com's monthly Customer Choice Awards.
17. Amazon.com
As of March 2012
Routers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOwners post reviews and ratings of their wireless routers here. As at Newegg.com, the older wireless-G models are popular. Users give the Apple AirPort Extreme high ratings among wireless-N routers.
18. The Wall Street Journal
Dec. 22, 2010
No Signal: Homes Often Baffle Wi-Fi From Routers
by Geoffrey A. Fowler
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentGeoffrey Fowler conducts "real-world torture tests" on four wireless routers to find one powerful enough to reach all the corners of his 100-year-old apartment building. The two models he recommends, however, have the potential to interfere with his neighbors' networks.
19. Information Week
June 5, 2010
802.11n Router Buyer's Guide
by Bill O'Brien
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBill O'Brien explains in plain English how and why to choose a wireless-N router, and recommends six models to consider at various price points. Each gets its own informative write-up. Although this site conducts performance tests on routers, O'Brien doesn't specifically mention testing in this article.
20. The New York Times
April 7, 2010
Hot Spot Shortcut, in the Weeds
by David Pogue
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDavid Pogue reviews the Valet, the router that Cisco wanted to make as easy to set up and use as the Flip video camera. He says "it may be the simplest-to-set up router on the market," but Cisco could have made it even easier.
21. The Wall Street Journal
March 30, 2010
Feeling at Home With a Router
by Katherine Boehret
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIt takes Katherine Boehret 10 minutes to set up the Cisco Valet, an experience that she calls "unusually pleasant" for a router. She does, however, run into a "rare Mac bug" that Cisco said would be solved within a week of the review's publication.
22. Expert Reviews
As of March 2012
Wireless Router Reviews
by Editors of Expert Reviews
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis chart shows at a glance how recently reviewed routers stack up at the U.K.'s Expert Reviews, but not all models are sold in the U.S. Reviews don't convey much information about the products, but they're reasonable as succinct summaries. Test results are barely divulged.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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