What is the best 802.11a/b/g router for under $150?
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M$6 Answers
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 $500 routers.
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M$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
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M$
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.
I've sent them an e-mail
I would give em a holla.
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.
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M$
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.
Thanks, the D-Link DIR-628 looks like a strong candidate.
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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M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Thanks, as I mentioned above to jamesabels, the D-Link DIR-628 looks like a strong candidate.
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.
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.