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The Router Recommendations Thread (Consumer)

Hey everyone,

Was wondering what the best router for under $100 or ideally under $75 for a simple home network with file/high quality video streaming from a NAS. I want to stay relatively cheap as 802.11ac networks seem like they will be popping up this summer and I think maybe next year after a bit of maturity and more product integration I might step up to it. Thanks!
 
My E3000 has reboot due to overheating for the last time! I'm soooo sick of it, so time for a new router. Here are the variables:

*Probably around 8 PCs and then maybe 5 more connected devices like phones/Xbox/tablets.
*My home is wired for gigabit so the line performance is more important than wireless, I have an 18 port gigabit switch that will be hanging off this.
*My family uses windows media center/netflix/hulu streamed to xboxs all day long.
*Some kind of detailed logging would be nice, like proxy type stuff where I can easily pin point information about which computer is going where, etc. This is gravy, but it'd be nice to not have to setup a proxy on my own.

So what's a good workhorse router? I probably shouldn't do this in order to punish Linksys for two bad router choices in a row that overheat, but the new app enabled ones at least seem like they're interesting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124459
 
OldPueblo said:
My E3000 has reboot due to overheating for the last time! I'm soooo sick of it, so time for a new router. Here are the variables:

*Probably around 8 PCs and then maybe 5 more connected devices like phones/Xbox/tablets.
*My home is wired for gigabit so the line performance is more important than wireless, I have an 18 port gigabit switch that will be hanging off this.
*My family uses windows media center/netflix/hulu streamed to xboxs all day long.
*Some kind of detailed logging would be nice, like proxy type stuff where I can easily pin point information about which computer is going where, etc. This is gravy, but it'd be nice to not have to setup a proxy on my own.

So what's a good workhorse router? I probably shouldn't do this in order to punish Linksys for two bad router choices in a row that overheat, but the new app enabled ones at least seem like they're interesting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124459
Click to expand...

Build one :) untangle OR Pfsense :) you won't regret it :)
 
OldPueblo said:
When my wife calls and says honey the Internet is down, telling her to unplug the router is a lot easier than having her tackle a PC though. :p
Click to expand...

I can't remember the last time I had to reboot a untangle / pfsence box, some of the users on here are running past 365 :)

Combo : older non used computer 2 network cards untangle/pfsence loaded configured ups for power outage and POOF :)

THEN turn your existing router you are going to replace into a WAP! then your set :)
 
dashpuppy said:
I can't remember the last time I had to reboot a untangle / pfsence box, some of the users on here are running past 365 :)

Combo : older non used computer 2 network cards untangle/pfsence loaded configured ups for power outage and POOF :)

THEN turn your existing router you are going to replace into a WAP! then your set :)
Click to expand...

FINE I'll give it a shot, thanks. :) Lord knows I have a graveyard of old PCs in my garage.
 
OldPueblo said:
FINE I'll give it a shot, thanks. :) Lord knows I have a graveyard of old PCs in my garage.
Click to expand...

Advice tho, try to get something the fastest :) newest :) and decent ram.

let us know what the options are and we can help you pick and piece together the best one :)
 
My pfSense Box is a VM with 2GB of RAM, 40GB of Cache and just 1 core of an Opteron. It's been running for 6 months without issue. Even had the power go out, but the server has a battery backup that last for about 90 minutes with all the network equipment and the server. (I have the other VM's power off if the power goes out)
 
Hey guys, I'm getting tired of my DIR-655 dropping internet connection and I'm considering purchasing a new router.

Here's what I've got:
4 computers wired gigabit within 15 feet of the router/switch (8 port gigabit switch)
1 computer wired gigabit in the kitchen (~60 feet away)
wired gigabit ports in 3 bedrooms upstairs for future use (no computers upstairs)
streaming to PS3, sometime switch over to HTPC

1 laptop wifi

I plan to add a home server with a gigabit connection to host x264 rips.
Currently I have the movies on the kitchen computer and stream from there to the PS3.

I looked at the Asus RT-N66U and it seems like overkill simply because I don't use wifi much and I don't think I need dual-band wireless. I would like to have a *nix router, but I don't have a spare computer for it and I'm setup for a router/switch in a recessed cabinet in the wall.

I would like a stable router capable of handling a decent workload with many computers and basic wireless. What do you suggest?
 
DIR-655 --> Wireless AP
Build a pfSense Box, it's worth it. Plus if you dont like pfSense you can install something else.
 
pfSense box cons (to me):
$250 purchase mobo/cpu/ram/case
huge learning curve. (takes more time to setup than plugging in the Asus router)
It doesn't fit in my recessed cabinet for the router
It requires more space!

Is it really worth it? Are you telling me there's no good routers?
I could use a non-wireless router if it's stable and capable of streaming 2+ x264 rips simultaneously and having a separate wireless AP device.

*edit* I actually have two spare intel gigabit NICs sitting on the shelf.
 
Last edited:
Worth and value are opinions, to me it is worth it. I have a big server at home and I just made an pfSense VM and called it good. If you want a router you can upgrade if you ever need it and some of the most advanced features out there, get it.

If you want simple and works, get the Asus, I have both. The Asus is my WAP.
 
I like that idea.
I'd planned on building a home server with 2x 3TB drives and 4x2TB drives with some backup functionality.

Unfortunately, I have no experience with servers or linux.
What software would you recommend for accomplishing both the home server task and VM for the pfsense?

Any links to guides would be most helpful.
 
Any routers available that will separate the wireless from the LAN?

I know a Cisco 871 will do this, but I want something a bit easier to use and setup then a Cisco. Cost is a factor, but I need reliability above all else speed comes second. The only time it would ever need to reboot is if the power fails or the battery backup hooked up to it dies.
 
pwrusr said:
Any routers available that will separate the wireless from the LAN?

I know a Cisco 871 will do this, but I want something a bit easier to use and setup then a Cisco. Cost is a factor, but I need reliability above all else speed comes second. The only time it would ever need to reboot is if the power fails or the battery backup hooked up to it dies.
Click to expand...

You mean like AP Isolation?
 
Decent cheap router for a tiny apartment?

Just have 1 desktop and 1 laptop.
 
pwrusr said:
Any routers available that will separate the wireless from the LAN?

I know a Cisco 871 will do this, but I want something a bit easier to use and setup then a Cisco. Cost is a factor, but I need reliability above all else speed comes second. The only time it would ever need to reboot is if the power fails or the battery backup hooked up to it dies.
Click to expand...

OldPueblo said:
You mean like AP Isolation?
Click to expand...

pwrusr said:
Yes, that's essentially what I'm looking for

Also needs to be able to setup opendns on the router itself.
Click to expand...

Anyone know of a good router with this kinda setup?
 
OldPueblo said:
Honestly AP isolation is pretty common I think. As for whether or not it reboots, I'm not sure anyone has any charts for reliability. But the ASUS RT-N56U has four eggs and 404 reviews, start reading I guess. :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320062

Not sure about the opendns.
Click to expand...
Thanks, looks pretty good. Though not quite what I'm looking for. From the review at small net builder it doesn't look like it will isolate the WLAN from the LAN.
 
pwrusr said:
Thanks, looks pretty good. Though not quite what I'm looking for. From the review at small net builder it doesn't look like it will isolate the WLAN from the LAN.
Click to expand...

This is from mine:

Pr1rf.jpg


However if you want to just isolate wireless but still have all wireless clients see each other and share, I don't honestly know of a standard router that has that option unless you get a high end one and do some vlans or whatever (I'm not that technical). AP isolation is basically every wireless client exists on its own network per se, just them and the Internet. Something you'd use at a hotel for example.
 
My parents' home router is getting old (WRT54GS). It is having some issues as of late. Our phones operate on the 2.4GHz range and I think we should move to 5GHz anyway. We have quite a few wireless devices; a few laptops, iPad, iPods, Roku, TiVo, and cell phone as well as a few wired computers. Streaming Netflix is not uncommon. I use OpenDNS and do some port forwarding so those would be very helpful features. I'd like to make a recommendation before he goes to Staples some day and buys a piece of crap.
 
OldPueblo said:
This is from mine:

http://i.imgur.com/Pr1rf.jpg

However if you want to just isolate wireless but still have all wireless clients see each other and share, I don't honestly know of a standard router that has that option unless you get a high end one and do some vlans or whatever (I'm not that technical). AP isolation is basically every wireless client exists on its own network per se, just them and the Internet. Something you'd use at a hotel for example.
Click to expand...
Nice! That leaves one thing... Does it work with OpenDNS?
 
TP-LINK TL-WDN4800, (based on Atheros chipset AR9380) if you want a plain PCIe card. Otherwise hunt down a Mini PCIe to PCIe adapter on eBay and get a AR9390 mini PCIe card or a Intel Wireless 6300 card.
Keep in mind that Atheros will most likely perform better but since they do not post drivers it might be a bit of a hassle to find a recent version although a few minutes of googling is all you need usually.
//Danne
 
I have a $200 BestBuy gift card and a recently deceased Buffalo wireless router. I'm debating between the WNDR4500 from Netgear or the RT-N66U from Asus. I don't think I can really go wrong with either, but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger. I don't have any history with either company's routers, though I have owned a few quality Asus motherboards.

Can anyone recommend one over the other? My desktop is wired, I have an LG bluray to stream Netflix, two smartphones and a laptop that is used sparingly.
 
GDstew4 said:
I have a $200 BestBuy gift card and a recently deceased Buffalo wireless router. I'm debating between the WNDR4500 from Netgear or the RT-N66U from Asus. I don't think I can really go wrong with either, but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger. I don't have any history with either company's routers, though I have owned a few quality Asus motherboards.

Can anyone recommend one over the other? My desktop is wired, I have an LG bluray to stream Netflix, two smartphones and a laptop that is used sparingly.
Click to expand...

Small net builder seems to like the RT-N66U...
As good as the RT-66U is, our wireless performance results once again show that no router is good in every mode that we test. But that said, the Dark Knight clearly outperformed both the NETGEAR WNDR4500 and Cisco Linksys E4200V2 in most of our two and three-stream tests. And it's the only router in recent memory able to reach to our worst-case/lowest-signal test location on the 5 GHz band, albeit with barely-usable throughput. Still, this is an accomplishment in itself.

If you're going to spend close to $200 for a wireless router, you should get a lot for your money. The Dark Knight seems to deliver wireless performance to justify its high price and has routing speed fast enough to handle any service a consumer is likely to have, even our friends in Europe and Asia.

But other aspects of the product are a work in progress. Documentation is poor and incomplete, with no mention of many of the product's key features like IPv6, USB Download Master, VPN server and 3G backup WAN support. And the non-functional DLNA server isn't bringing smiles to some buyer's faces. So if you decide to take the plunge, be prepared to wait for both firmware updates and better documentation to make the Dark Knight all that I'm sure ASUS wants it to be.
Click to expand...

Here's the reviews to each router:
Netgear:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31621-netgear-wndr4500-retest
Asus:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...al-band-wireless-n900-gigabit-router-reviewed
 
D-Link DIR-835 might a nice one too, bb.ca seems to have it in stock at least...
//Danne
 
Sigh. Looking to replace my dlink 655 router as I seem to have to reboot it weekly now.

Looking for a wifi router that will work well with the higher speed Fios coming to my area. (150/65).

Don't mind a long setup as long as performance and stability are very good. Max budget of $200

Don't really want to use the Fios modem as a router as they rarely allow custom QoS or port forwarding.
 
OldPueblo said:
Honestly AP isolation is pretty common I think. As for whether or not it reboots, I'm not sure anyone has any charts for reliability. But the ASUS RT-N56U has four eggs and 404 reviews, start reading I guess. :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320062

Not sure about the opendns.
Click to expand...

I've have all great things to say about the N56U. Only thing I could never get to work was FTP port access. I tried everything under the sun for over 20+ hours to get it to work and nothing.

Checked online and there are quite a few other people that had problems with FTP servers inside the N56U's network...

I haven't checked for an updated firmware in a few months, but I'll tell you this much. I haven't rebooted that router in months and it takes a great deal of bandwidth daily.
 
djgizmo said:
Sigh. Looking to replace my dlink 655 router as I seem to have to reboot it weekly now.

Looking for a wifi router that will work well with the higher speed Fios coming to my area. (150/65).

Don't mind a long setup as long as performance and stability are very good. Max budget of $200

Don't really want to use the Fios modem as a router as they rarely allow custom QoS or port forwarding.
Click to expand...

I don’t have one router specifically in mind but I can tell you this. If you have a high end connection and push a lot of data go with a nice high end router and don’t go cheap that 655 was going cheap. I have two Dlink routers that break up the load. I use a wired DGL-4100 as the main router and the once considered high end DIR-855 for wireless only. And IP handouts and traffic handled by the wired and wireless handled by the other. A little odd or extreme but I never have any network problems wired and wireless all work fast and all wired connections are gigabit including my switches. Helps that I had my house wired with cat 6 when it was built too. So just don’t go cheap if you want good performance.
 
Small out of nowhere recommendation:
Netgear WNR3500L v2

This thing has surprised me in stability and I have been able to install Tomato on it without any problems. Currently running as my IRC idle box and VPN server + I got it for 40€ :)

only 2 problems I know of is that very few online retailers advertise if they are selling version 1 or 2 and the range seems to be a little limited due to mediocre internal antennas.
 
I don't know if links to other tech forums are allowed; but if you are considering buying a new Linksys/Cisco router, I would recommend reading THIS first.
 
Replaced my WRTG54 with the Asus rt-n66u. It already came with the latest firmware and got everything setup to my preferences and it is running smooth. Is there any good reason to flash it to dd-wrt?
 
Looking to start up a local LAN party. Location I want to use is free and has free wifi. The wifi is a frac T1 and tests out 2-3mb up and 3+ mb down.

My idea is to use a wireless bridge device to grab the signal and then share it out as well as perform standard DHCP etc by plugging into a 10/100/1000 24 port switch. All machines would hard connect into the switch.

Any reccomendations on a router/bridge device that would do what I need it to? I have been told a high end router flashed to DD-WRT might work?

Any ideas?

I think this is a much simpler than requiring everyone to have their on WIFI card in their machine.....
 
Hi all, first post here, so, thanks for having me ^_^ I'm looking to setup a training network to coincide with CCNA and Computer Sc BSc courses I'll be starting shortly. Here's the rig I'll want setup by the new year.

HTTP LAMP Server
NAS w/ FreeNAS
Workstation for VMWare and web dev (this's already built)

I'll most likely be getting a Cisco SG300-20 to cater for expansion but I was wondering if anyone can recommend the Cisco RV180W?
 
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