Wireless Routers

Bill O'Brien evaluates five dual-band wireless routers from Apple, Netgear, D-Link, Linksys and a little-known company called SMC. Emphasis is placed on how fast 5-Ghz transmissions are sent from each… router in real conditions, as opposed to theoretical maximums. While no clear rankings are evident, O'Brien prefers Apple's Airport Extreme, closely followed by the SMC Barricade N Pro. Charts outlining features and test results are provided on separate pages.

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For this superb (but older) roundup, CRN tests four routers, including the top-rated Trendnet TEW-631BRP, for business use. The test measurement process and results are excellently described, and the… conclusion is decisive. One product is recommended because it is the fastest and has the lowest price. An alternative is suggested for customers who need Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and the niche for each product is conveyed. CRN is oriented to resellers, but these reviews are almost completely relevant for consumers as well.

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The Australian PC Authority conducts a group test of seven wireless routers from seven different manufacturers. Jim Martin is in the camp that advocates buying a second-generation 802.11n router.… Performance, price and features such as Gigabit Ethernet switches and wireless security are factored into the ratings. The Labs Winner has the best combination of virtues, while the top performer is deemed too expensive. We found no significant flaws with this roundup, but Australian pricing and warranties that differ from those in the U.S. are a limitation.

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PC Authority evaluates 10 wireless routers geared toward small office networks, with features such as Ethernet switches to connect multiple computers. No overall winner is selected, and comparison charts… are lacking. That said, routers are all rated, and the Linksys WRT610N and D-Link DIR-855 routers share the highest rating of five out of six stars. Not all models are available in North America, and prices are in Australian dollars.

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GCN directly compares four wireless-N routers in this roundup review. The introduction explains the state of the technology in reasonable simple language, yet the review is confusing in places. The Belkin… N1 Vision is rated as a GCN Lab Reviewer's Choice, but overall and subcategory ratings for all wireless routers seem too high. The highlight of the review is a line graph that shows the speed of each router at 10-foot intervals up to 170 feet.

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For this unusual roundup review, British technology website Bit-tech.net tests four wireless routers for online gaming. Three have a feature that will give priority to gaming over other simultaneous network… tasks. Each router earns an overall rating and subcategory ratings for ease of use, performance and value. Testing is well described and not entirely limited to gaming. The reviews don't have the depth found in the best reviews elsewhere, but objectivity and balance are great. One router emerges as the best for gaming, and the niches for each are satisfactorily presented.

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Computerworld is an IT magazine, but the products reviewed in this somewhat-dated roundup are in consumer price ranges, and a couple of the routers are marketed to consumers. Both business and consumer… activities, such as streaming media, are evaluated. Interoperability is the major business consideration covered in this review. Testing is solid, and a best product is named. However, Bill O'Brien seems to conclude that routers with preliminary 802.11n technology aren't yet viable.

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X-bit Labs is generally one of the best review sources for computer products. Testing and objectivity appear to be flawless. However, X-bit has three limitations: The website is largely staffed by… Russian-born engineers whose use of English can be hard to understand; reviews are very technical; and X-bit Labs doesn't rate products. With wireless routers, those weaknesses are exaggerated. Platon Scheblykin makes good comparisons, but they are all indirect. We couldn't identify what he thinks are the best products. Still, he reviews enough routers that this site is absolutely worth checking once your choices are narrowed.

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Wi-Fi Planet provides some good reviews of wireless products and technologies. In one review, Craig Ellison explains the difference between performance in a real-world environment (his home) and a test lab.… The site is also a fine source for news and tutorials. However, Wi-Fi Planet falls short of excellence as a review source for three reasons: Not enough routers are reviewed, products aren't rated, and the reviews are too technical for readers who aren't already well-versed in the technology.

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Computer Shopper (U.K.), along with sister magazines PC Pro and Computer Buyer, regularly review wireless routers, but not all models are sold in the U.S. The ratings can be generous in other categories but… seem more appropriate for wireless routers. Comparisons are general, but the ratings make distinctions. Reviews average about 250 words, not enough to convey much information about the products, but they are reasonable as succinct summaries. Reviews can be technical. Test results are barely divulged.

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Newegg.com is a retailer of computer products. The site is especially popular with computer builders. More than 20 wireless routers have been reviewed by Newegg customers. The older Linux-based Linksys… WRT54GL earns a 5-star average rating from more than 2,000 users and is a 22-time winner (as of our last visit) in Newegg's monthly Customer Choice Awards. Many products receive mixed reviews and just average ratings.

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CNET regularly reviews wireless routers, but the focus on design and features instead of performance is extreme. For example, Felisa Yang says, "While the N1 Vision can't be beat for user-friendliness, it… was soundly trounced in our speed tests by 11n routers from other manufacturers," yet the Belkin N1 Vision remains one of the highest-rated routers since it was reviewed two years ago. Belkin's N+ Router is also top-rated. Reviews are enhanced with easy-to-understand benchmark comparisons. Testing details are not provided. Users can submit their opinions and ratings, which sometimes vary considerably from the conclusions reached by CNET's staffers.

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