What is the best wireless router?

[Delirium]

What is the best wireless router on the market right now for under $200?

I'm looking for 4 wired ports on it as well.

Thanks in advance!

[Ruler2]

We got one that came with our upgrade to AT&T Uverse (FiO)  that works pretty good, I can get a decent signal on the other end of my house.
If I can get to it, I'll tell you what brand/model it is.

[OOZ662]

I'm still using a WRT54GL, but if you're looking to transfer files around between networked computers, you'll want one with gigabit capacity I'd figure.

[BaldEagl]

I use a Linksys wireless router with 4 wired ports.  It's been running flawlessly for years.  I've got 2 computers and a network printer wired to it and my laptop is wireless at the other end of the house.

The only thing is my laptop is a bit on the slow side because I have a lot of brick interior walls that really mess with the signal.  I've also got a wireless transmitter hooked up to my computer and a wirelss reciever hooked up to my stereo at the other end of the house and have the same signal problems for the same reason.

[Delirium]

Range if the biggest factor right now, I can buy a booster antenna but I'd rather just buy a really good router with a strong signal to begin with.

[OOZ662]

Range if the biggest factor right now, I can buy a booster antenna but I'd rather just buy a really router with a strong signal to begin with.

The WRT54GL (note the L on the end for having Linux-based firmware) using 3rd party firmware can have its signal strength turned up in the configuration menu. If you provide it with cooling (such as replacing the holes in the top with a fan), you can even "overclock" its signal strength. Or so I've read.

[katanaso]

Range if the biggest factor right now, I can buy a booster antenna but I'd rather just buy a really good router with a strong signal to begin with.

Del, it's easy enough to buy any number of DD-WRT compatible routers (or Tomato compatible) and boost the signal strength.  They're well under $200 too.

You could also buy two or three and setup Access Points in your house, which is what I did.  That way, there's always a strong signal for a wireless device.


mir

[68Wooley]

I'm no Apple fanboi, but I recently bought an Apple Airport Extreme after looking for a new dual-band wireless router. Simple set-up, strong signal and - most importantly - its the first router I've ever owned that every device in our house (and there are many) has connected to with WPA2 enabled without something complaining.

Its a bit expensive and only has three gigabit ports on the back, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

I've used Dlink and Belkin products in the past. Dlink has been a mixed bag, Belkin generally suck.

[Spikes]

I'm no Apple fanboi, but I recently bought an Apple Airport Extreme after looking for a new dual-band wireless router. Simple set-up, strong signal and - most importantly - its the first router I've ever owned that every device in our house (and there are many) has connected to with WPA2 enabled without something complaining.

Its a bit expensive and only has three gigabit ports on the back, but I'd recommend it to anyone.

I've used Dlink and Belkin products in the past. Dlink has been a mixed bag, Belkin generally suck.

Yup. Bought a Belkin router to replace my netgear one...didn't work right, brought it back and am dealing with my netgear one again. My laptop still complains about the netgear, but I've learned to live with it.

[Kermit de frog]

Yup. Bought a Belkin router to replace my netgear one...didn't work right, brought it back and am dealing with my netgear one again. My laptop still complains about the netgear, but I've learned to live with it.

I had a netgear, but it required a power reset once a week, at least.  Plus it made a high pitch sound which drove me nutz!  I replaced it with a cheap Linksys WRT54GS2, and installed the DD-wrt firmware.  Works great!  I have had to manually reset it once in past 3 months, as with the aftermarket DD-WRT firmware, I have it auto-reset once a week.  I used to get intermittent signal near kitchen, but now I have "excellent" signal strength everywhere.

[Spikes]

I had a netgear, but it required a power reset once a week, at least.  Plus it made a high pitch sound which drove me nutz!  I replaced it with a cheap Linksys WRT54GS2, and installed the DD-wrt firmware.  Works great!  I have had to manually reset it once in past 3 months, as with the aftermarket DD-WRT firmware, I have it auto-reset once a week.  I used to get intermittent signal near kitchen, but now I have "excellent" signal strength everywhere.

I am listening to said high pitched sound now.

I just drown it out with music.

I had a lot of probs where I had to reset it twice a day at times, but I haven't had to do that since I started using it again.  Just have those retarded problems with my laptop. Is why I disco on TS sometimes.

[Kermit de frog]

I am listening to said high pitched sound now.

I just drown it out with music.

I had a lot of probs where I had to reset it twice a day at times, but I haven't had to do that since I started using it again.  Just have those retarded problems with my laptop. Is why I disco on TS sometimes.

Sounds exactly like my netgear in the days before I replaced it.    It also would lock up when my A/C turned on, and only if 2 or more PC's were connected to it with a cable.  Replacing the power supply and putting it on a different electrical circuit didn't solve the problem.  Eventually it locked up without the help of the a/c turning on.  (lock ups would mean it would be unresponsive and with all the lights lit)

[Bino]

I've had a 3Com 3CRWER200 "OfficeConnect" running flawlessly for a little over two years.  Good signal strength even out on the deck at the rear of the house.  No issues at all.

[Ruler2]

Sounds exactly like my netgear in the days before I replaced it.    It also would lock up when my A/C turned on, and only if 2 or more PC's were connected to it with a cable.  Replacing the power supply and putting it on a different electrical circuit didn't solve the problem.  Eventually it locked up without the help of the a/c turning on.  (lock ups would mean it would be unresponsive and with all the lights lit)

Maybe it has a nightlight mode for people afraid of the dark? 

[TequilaChaser]

currently using a NetGear WGR614   , the best Routers I ever used were D-Link routers..... although each manufacturer has "very good" routers and then they have the bunch of POS routers that are flakey......

the NetGear  Wireless G router, I mentioned above, has not failed in over 3 years........ and has both Wireless and the 4 Wired Lan Ports as well.....

what's great is, with this router, I have our printers/scanners/fax etc.... on the Router instead of on individual computers.... every PC connected has access to each Printer or Fax etc.......

Del, best advice, is to read alot of "reviews" on any Routers you are considering......... to see what the actual consumer has experienced..... ( with that being said, a lot of the reviews can be from people who are not "educated" enough to set anything up without the use of a CD install disc for hardware...... )

hope this helps