|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wireless Routers Reviews
Updated December 2007
The best reviews of wireless routers are in computer magazines and on specialty websites devoted to networking. Among magazines, InformationWeek and CRN publish roundup reviews that directly compare a number of current routers. Performance and use are impressively evaluated. Long-standing computer technology website Ars Technica conducts the same type of tests in a very recent wireless-router roundup. SmallNetBuilder probably has the most reviews, and they are certainly the most comprehensive, but they are only suitable for those who already have a high level of understanding of networking technology. The wireless router reviews by Wi-FiPlanet.com and X-bit Labs are also most useful for the technically savvy. Mainstream computer magazines such as PC Magazine generally have pretty good, easier-to-understand reviews, but the quality of their coverage depends on how up-to-date they are. Consumer Reports ranks three wireless routers in its June issue. The article says to buy one of the three leading brands, but the ratings chart does not provide enough information nor are enough wireless routers tested for this to be a useful review. Buying considerations for wireless routers are controversial and evolving. The context for reviews has changed dramatically in each of the past three years. From reading hundreds of reviews, we determined that a single test is inconclusive. Instead, in the best reviews, wireless routers are tested in several locations, including the type of home environment typical of most users' situations. Reviews say that the best routers may not be the best value for you. If you
use the Internet for online gaming, multimedia applications, frequent downloading
of large files or peer-to-peer file sharing, you will benefit from fast speeds
of a Draft 2.0 802.11n router. Similarly, if any of the computers in your network
are far from where your router will be located, you will benefit from a late-model
802.11g router, some of which are capable of broadcasting over more than 120
feet. However, if neither of those considerations apply, an older 802.11g wireless
router could serve your needs just as well. Although it will be slower, an
801.11g router uses a well established standard, which means getting it to
work might be easier (plus most are relatively inexpensive). Wireless router standards are established by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), which is a professional association,
not government. The latest official standard, now several years old, is called "802.11g" (also
known as "Wireless-G"). The future standard for wireless networking is called "802.11n." Engineers
have been slow to agree upon and establish the standards, and resolution has
been repeatedly postponed. The latest estimate for completion is spring of
2009, and you probably don't want to wait that long to set up your network
(although you might want to wait if you are upgrading an existing network). Eager chip and router manufacturers have already produced three generations
of products containing parts of what each manufacturer hopes will be included
in the 802.11n standard. Some of those technologies improve performance; others
do not. In our previous update, we found that reviewers unanimously agreed
that the second generation of 802.11n wireless routers (commonly called "Draft-N")
were rushed to market, had significant backward- and forward-compatibility
issues and failed to deliver the promised improved performance.
That mess was partially resolved this spring when the 802.11 Working Group approved Draft 2.0 of the 802.11n specifications. Most of the wireless routers you can buy today are based on Draft 2.0, and most of the remaining models are older 802.11g routers. Reviewers have mixed reaction to the Draft 2.0 routers. The overwhelming consensus is that these products are faster and can transmit to greater distances than any previous wireless routers. In testing, the better Draft 2.0 routers worked and played well with most 802.11g and much older 802.11b equipment in reviewer tests. The bad news is that the hyped radical speed improvements are still a future reality, and the Draft 2.0 routers do not conform to an official standard. In a Computerworld article, David Haskin informs, "Vendors are not making promises, but they are saying it is their hope that the Draft 2.0 products will be firmware upgradeable to the final, ratified standard when it is eventually approved." Interoperability is still a major concern of many reviewers. The compatibility of Draft 2.0 routers with future equipment is an unknown. The cautions expressed in reviews of Draft-N routers still have some validity. Writing for Wi-FiPlanet.com, Gerry Blackwell says, "You…run a risk that the equipment you buy will never comply with the final 802.11n standard and will never interoperate with other 11n equipment." At this point, Draft 2.0 is able to overcome the objections of a large minority of reviewers, including PC Magazine's Robert Lipschutz, who writes, "The undeniable benefits are worth taking advantage of now." Eric Bangeman of ArsTechnica.com cites the disadvantages but adds, "The increased range and more modest bandwidth increases make 802.11n a good bet if you're ready to upgrade." Buffalo Technology is currently embroiled in a patent infringement lawsuit. The company has at least temporarily suspended sales of wireless routers in the United States. Details are available on Buffalo's website (see Best Research). We found many favorable reviews of Buffalo routers -- including recent ones -- but because those routers are not available for sale at the time of this update, they are not covered in this report. ... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
Most reviewers who test it concur that the D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router is the best bet right now. It has three antennas and QoS technology for gaming and streaming media, in addition to generally fast speeds. In performance testing, it is a clear champion. The TRENDnet TEW-631BRP 300Mbps Wireless N-draft Router is a less-expensive alternative that's receiving favorable reviews. Reviews rank the Apple AirPort Extreme as either one of the best or one of the worst wireless routers. Performance data is conflicting. The expensive Linksys WRT600N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link produces exemplary test results. It's a sophisticated product with extra connectivity options. That suits it for large family networks or small businesses more than typical consumers. The Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster can't match the best 801.11n routers for speed, but is less expensive and may be more compatible with established networks. Advertisement
>> Do you know of a review that we've missed? Click here.
>>  Email
>> 
Yahoo!
Digg
Google
Reddit
del.icio.us
(What's this?)
Wireless Routers Reviews |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2008. ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
