The Best Router?

[nitrorocks]

Hi all. I have no idea on Router choices, or anything tech savvy. So what is the best router? I want a good connection for GT5

 

[Infinital-NG]

Everyone will have a different opinion on this. So your not going to get a definite answer.

I'm an IT manager and for our small business sites, I usually either go with Linksys Routers or Netgear Business Class.

For home use I'd recommend a Linksys or Netgear. That's not saying the next poster will say Linksys sucks get a D-Link. Some Internet providers ship you a Cable/DSL Modem with a router included so you might not need an aftermarket router. Mainly just DSL providers.

Two Examples.

D-Link-DIR-825-Xtreme-N $99.99

Linksys-By-Cisco-E2500-Dual-Band $79.99


In my experience (6 years in IT) the only one I generally do not buy, when I'm in a pinch and have to resort to buying one quickly, are Belkin brands.

For the best connection for your PS3, you'd want to be wired to the router.

 

[David]

I'd go with the Linksys/Cisco stuff. All of my Linksys stuff still works after years of use and have always provided a strong/reliable connection, whereas I've seen numerous Dlink, netgear and belkin routers fail on my friends and family.

 

[Danoff]

It's all crap... all of it. I'm convinced that there are no good brands and that none of the routers are worth a damned. I just went through the process of installing third-party (dd-wrt) firmware on my cisco/linksys E3000 because the stock firmware (latest available) brought the router to its knees only 1 month after the warranty expired.

That being said, with third party firmware, the router is currently running strong.

 

[Bram Turismo]

D-link and Netgear both are horrible routers. The general consensus is; Anything with an Atheros ethernet adaptor = a big no-no. Laptop wouldn't connect to the internet through the ethernet cable last year and 2 out of 3 routers I bought failed to create a proper Wifi signal because, oh yes, they didn't properly receive the internet through the ethernet hub in my room. Turns out my laptop and both the routers used the same manufacturer of network adaptors for ethernet cables: Atheros.

Stay. away. from. Atheros.

 

[Negrumir]

I just went to newegg, and searched for the highest rated router. It was a Linksys WRT54 GL.

It's been excellent for quite a few years now. I've had occasional problems, a couple of times it blanked out the settings and sometimes I need to reset it for it to connect properly. I think both of those issues might have something to due with outside influence though. (wires, jostling, etc.)

I highly recommend it for home use.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

It's all crap... all of it. I'm convinced that there are no good brands and that none of the routers are worth a damned.

I get the same feeling. Basically you just look for the crap that's not at the bottom of the pile. Probably would have to look at business class routers to get something good, and then it's massively expensive and has too many features.

I just went to newegg, and searched for the highest rated router. It was a Linksys WRT54 GL.

That's because you can put custom firmware on it. Pretty much the same router for several years and it doesn't support wireless-N. It used to be around the $50 point. You can get it for $59 on Amazon.

 

[Sach]

I've had two Netgear routers with no problems whatsoever.

 

[acascianelli]

I'm still using a Linksys WRT54G and have no intentions to upgrade.

 

[BobK]

One router I definitely would not buy is Belkin. A few years back I'd bought a wireless Belkin router and four wireless Belkin network cards. I could only get one card to work reliably with the router. Belkin tech support was of no use in resolving the problem. Those were the last Belkin products I bought, or will ever buy, with the exception of a USB cable or something like that, where there was no alternative.

 

[TB]

Linksys WRT54 GL.

I'd very happily suggest this router, despite its age. It is a great piece of kit, especially with third-party firmware. 👍

 

[Infinital-NG]

I think it would be safe to assume that if the OP is asking for router advice he's not going to buy the old linksys model to update firmware. He/she is probably a novice at this stuff and just wants something simple and easy to setup.

Yeah its a great router, had one at home for at least four or five years, have about 5 as loaner routers for business clients at my work.

 

[Mike Rotch]

I made a rookie mistake last year and got a Belkin.

Then this year I made a rookie mistake again and got a Netgear. I'm back to the Belkin now.

I think Danoff summed it up. It's basically all crap, just some crap it less crap then other crap.

 

[G.T]

I'm still using a Linksys WRT54G and have no intentions to upgrade.

Same here. Have been using one since 2004, for online gaming on PC, 360 and PS3. Had a few hiccups with it at first with several devices connected to it but firmware updates ironed them all out.

I have tried a newer router not long ago - a wireless N Netgear provided by my internet provider, and it was absolutely balls... the Linksys is only wireless G and it had a much stronger signal than the N mode did on the Netgear. So I went back to the trusty Linksys and still use it.

 

[F1GTR]

After many router headaches with Netgear, I just stumped up the cash for a Apple Airport Extreme and an Airport Express for whenever I want to extend the network. No issues whatsoever, plus being able to configure them through my iPhone is great. I've had the Extreme for about 2 years now, not a single issue with it.