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Wireless Routers Reviews
Updated June 2008
The best reviews of wireless routers are in computer magazines and on specialty websites devoted to networking. Among magazines, InformationWeek GCN, PC World, Australian PC World 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 types of tests in a very recent wireless-router roundup. SmallNetBuilder.com 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 2007 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 the 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 applies, 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). Reviewers do not
ordinarily test wireless routers with bandwidth simultaneously shared
by several computers. If that situation is common in your home, it could
also be a reason to buy a faster wireless router.
... 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-633GR has the same internal hardware and performs roughly equally in tests. The brand is lesser known in the U.S. than D-Link, but the company provides a longer warranty. 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 Belkin N1 Vision gets mixed reviews, and is very expensive. The expensive Linksys WRT600N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link produces exemplary test results, but it is more of a business product. The Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster can't match 801.11n routers for speed, but is less expensive and may be more compatible with established networks. Advertisement
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Wireless Routers Reviews |
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© 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.
