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geoff geoff
 
January 04, 2009 10:09 PM

What is the best 802.11a/b/g router for under $150?

This is for use by a non-technophobic person.
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pazaq pazaq
 
 January 06, 2009 01:26 AM
I believe this is a really loaded question. Because you didn't define best. I mean does best mean the most features? Largest range? Most uptime? Easiest use?

I'm going to answer most features. And the answer would be any WRT model router that will run tomato firmware. There are a bunch of Linksys routers(And other brands) that can run this homespun version of firmware that unlocks lots of features and create some additional ones not originally conceived by the manufacturer.

There is also openwrt and dd-wrt firmwares each well greatly augment the abilities of these Linksys routers.

Most of these are stable. There are lists of supported hardware on each of these sites. You might try and pick something that can be found on all 3 and see which of them you like best.

Most of these routers only run $50 or so. But with these firmware updates have the abilities of $500 routers.
Source(s):
http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato
http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php
http://openwrt.org/

Asker's Rating:
• There were several very good answers, but this was a particularly strong response.


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geoff geoff
 
January 06, 2009 08:26 AM
I agree the original question is imprecise (although one of the most interesting answers -- about the Ruckus products -- was probably due to this imprecision).

In particular I'm looking for a router with the following features:

1. Dual simultaneous 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz operation
2. WPA2 support
3. Built-in 4-port (or more) 10/100 Mhz Ethernet switch (or hub)
4. Good wireless operation -- stability and low jitter (for VoIP) are more important than speed or range.
5. Built-in DHCP server
6. NAT
7. Reasonable build quality and operational stability

I'm looking on behalf of a relative who lives where the 2.4 GHz channels are oversubscribed (personally, I use a Cisco 1801-W, which has all these features but is > $150 and not amenable to administration by relatives).

I would consider one the Linksys WRT54G variants, but AFAICT none of these support 802.11a. I would also consider a Linksys WRT600N or WRT610N but there appear to be many reports of stability problems (dropped link states and firmware resets). Using DD-WRT might improve this but the target audience, the relative, will never scale _that_ learning curve.

Yeah, I probably should have put all this in the original question.

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jamesabels jamesabels
 
January 04, 2009 10:26 PM
This is a touchy subject, although there are some options.

The D-Link DIR-628 seems to be the best within that price point, although the reviews vary, like most routers it will come down to compatibility with your hardware and what your needs are. One thing I feel that I need to mention is that reviews claim that it has great Xbox 360 compatibility.

A runner up would be the NETGEAR WNDR3300, though the reviews on this router seem mixed.
Source(s):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127254

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122224


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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 10:41 AM
Thanks, the D-Link DIR-628 looks like a strong candidate.

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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 08:01 PM
Hmm, the DIR-628 doesn't support the simultaneous use of 802.11a and 802.11b/g. I didn't think to mention this as a requirement because I didn't know that non-simultaneous dual-band products existed. I guess I have to get the D-Link DIR-825 for that.

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cynthiag cynthiag
 
January 04, 2009 10:49 PM
The D-link-DIR-628 is listed on Tiger Direct for $79 and has one user review at 4 stars. Amazon users rate it at 4.0/5 although laptop magazine rates it as slow. For the money, it appears to be a good buy. The retrevo link below will give you more information on it.
Source(s):
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=...

http://www.retrevo.com/s/D-link-DIR-628-Wireless-Routers-review-manual/id/2...


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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 10:43 AM
Thanks, as I mentioned above to jamesabels, the D-Link DIR-628 looks like a strong candidate.

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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 08:02 PM
Hmm, the DIR-628 doesn't support the simultaneous use of 802.11a and 802.11b/g. I didn't think to mention this as a requirement because I didn't know that non-simultaneous dual-band products existed. I guess I have to get the D-Link DIR-825 for that.

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dumblonde dumblonde
 
January 04, 2009 11:05 PM
For under $150 you can get a great N router (N means better range and quality of signal and it is backwards compatible). I use the D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router and it's amazing. The range and speed are great. I have no cause for complaints.
I'd also like to point out that I live in a big house with concrete walls and it's pretty much the only router that works well in my house with pretty much no dead spots. It's a solid choice.
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=530

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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 10:25 AM
The DIR-655 doesn't seem to support 802.11a (or 5 MHz 802.11n, either). The main reason I'm looking for a router with 802.11a support is because the 2.4 MHz frequencies are oversubscribed here.

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darth cont... darth cont...
 
January 05, 2009 12:23 AM
I'd check out the Buffalo linked below. I have an older model of Buffalo which has served me extremely well for several years now.
Source(s):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000AOKTJ8/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&am...


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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 10:28 AM
The Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 (the product linked above) doesn't seem to support 802.11a (or 5 MHz 802.11n, either). The main reason I'm looking for a router with 802.11a support is because the 2.4 MHz frequencies are oversubscribed where I am.

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xds xds
 
January 05, 2009 12:25 AM
I think the stuff coming out of ruckus wireless right now is second to non.

Their new beamflex technology is very helpful when installing a network and using your router along with a public wireless network that might already be in your area.

Check them out at http://www.RuckusWireless.com
Source(s):
My Brain.
BeamFlex


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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 10:15 AM
Their MediaFlex routers seem really interesting, but AFAICT none do 802.11a (or 5 MHz 802.11n). The main reason I'm looking for a router with 802.11a is because the 2.4 MHz frequencies are oversubscribed here. It sounds like the BeamFlex technology might be able to compensate somewhat, but it's not clear whether it would be better than a device that uses the 5 MHz bands.

Thanks though for mentioning Ruckus; it looks like a company to watch.

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xds xds
 
January 05, 2009 04:54 PM
I would give em a holla.

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geoff geoff
 
January 05, 2009 07:47 PM
I've sent them an e-mail

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