Good Value Wireless Router?

[KarefulKactus15]

Okay guys,
Maybe some of these computer gurus can help me.  Through some troubleshooting, I think the WAN port on my router is dieing. (process of elimination using the ping -t command)   

So far I can usually unplug it, let it cool down, then power it back up and it works. (I get 8 % packet loss and 1MBS when its overheated vs 0% and 65 MBs when it works right.)  My current router is like 7 years old so its about time to replace.

With that said,  anyone got ideas for the best value? Or a website that honestly compares the best value router?  My internet is 65 MB  so I dont *think* I need an AC protocol router. I will probably replace mine soon since its overheating more and more and kinda getting frustrating.

[sol]

I have previously recommended this $20 version:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWYGJS

We've been running it at home since June, without any problems. 

[Rubic]

I have previously recommended this $20 version:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWYGJS

We've been running it at home since June, without any problems.

It's the same model I use at home.  Cheap.  Works.  If the electronics ever get fried, I'm only out 20 bucks. 
Recommended.

[redcedar]

The recommended model above has many of the qualities that I would recommend:

-great price
- one of the top 3-4 brands
- N speed is just fine, AC speed carries a premium price
- backwards compatible in case you are nursing along some older tech
- more than one wired port can save you $15-20 later should you need it
- WPA/WPA2 security with one touch WPS option

A few things to consider
- no wireless router has perfect signal strength that woks the same in all home layouts so find 2-3 alternatives that you may like in case this one doesn't work well with your home
- try to find reviews on any issues experienced with your specific modem
- same as above with a DOCSIS3.0 modem you may consider getting in the future if yours is not now at that level

[blub]

I have previously recommended this $20 version:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWYGJS

We've been running it at home since June, without any problems.

I came to this thread to recommend this router.

[johnny847]

I have previously recommended this $20 version:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWYGJS

We've been running it at home since June, without any problems.

I came to this thread to recommend this router.

Cons of this router, which don't matter to a lot of people:

It doesn't have Gigabit LAN ports (they're 100 MBps), if you actually need those. Quite a few people don't. If you're only connecting one device directly to the router via Ethernet, then there really isn't a point to getting Gigabit LAN ports.
The WAN port is also not Gigabit, but that's pointless unless your internet connection exceeds 100 Mbps.

It only operates in the 2.4 GHz band. If you have a lot of interference in the 2.4GHz band in your residence, then this may be of concern to you. You can figure this out with a mobile app, titled something along the lines of wifi analyzer. There you can see what wifi networks are being broadcast by your neighbors, and their signal strength (along with your current wifi network).

[vhalros]

Do you think it's vents might be clogged with dust, and that is causing it to overheat?

[sol]

Cons of this router, which don't matter to a lot of people:

It doesn't have Gigabit LAN ports (they're 100 MBps), if you actually need those. Quite a few people don't. If you're only connecting one device directly to the router via Ethernet, then there really isn't a point to getting Gigabit LAN ports.
The WAN port is also not Gigabit, but that's pointless unless your internet connection exceeds 100 Mbps.

I'm pretty sure that's not a concern for most people here.   The standard mustachian recommendation on internet service speed is far far short of 100 Mbps.  Like the standard advice is 3, and splurgers might pay for 10.   What could you possibly use 100 Mbps for?

By my calculations, watching two hi-def netflix streams at once uses as much data in an hour as this router can deliver in one minute.  We've had up to three concurrent video streams going at once, being a five person household, and have never had any hiccups.  I'm sure it's fast enough for mere mortals.

[johnny847]

Cons of this router, which don't matter to a lot of people:

It doesn't have Gigabit LAN ports (they're 100 MBps), if you actually need those. Quite a few people don't. If you're only connecting one device directly to the router via Ethernet, then there really isn't a point to getting Gigabit LAN ports.
The WAN port is also not Gigabit, but that's pointless unless your internet connection exceeds 100 Mbps.

I'm pretty sure that's not a concern for most people here.   The standard mustachian recommendation on internet service speed is far far short of 100 Mbps.  Like the standard advice is 3, and splurgers might pay for 10.   What could you possibly use 100 Mbps for?

By my calculations, watching two hi-def netflix streams at once uses as much data in an hour as this router can deliver in one minute.  We've had up to three concurrent video streams going at once, being a five person household, and have never had any hiccups.  I'm sure it's fast enough for mere mortals.

I specifically said it doesn't matter to a lot of people.

Exceeding 100 Mbps on your WAN port is pretty damn rare, I agree.

But exceeding 100 Mbps on your LAN ports? If you actually have two deivices connected to them, then that's easy. I have a second computer that I my backups to daily. Sometimes these backups get really big. In all, I have over 1 TB of data on that second computer. Being able to transfer at 125 MB/s is a boon for these type of situations.

[Jack]

For those who do need gigabit ethernet and/or 802.11ac, I recommend the TP-Link Archer C7.

[Astatine]

I'm posting to follow because our modem is starting to flake out on us.

[johnny847]

I'm posting to follow because our modem is starting to flake out on us.

A modem and a router are two separate things. A modem is what connects you to the Internet. A router enables multiple devices to connect to each other and the Internet.

Now there are modem/router combo units. I generally avoid these, as typically the software for the routing aspect sucks.

[Astatine]

I'm posting to follow because our modem is starting to flake out on us.

A modem and a router are two separate things. A modem is what connects you to the Internet. A router enables multiple devices to connect to each other and the Internet.

Now there are modem/router combo units. I generally avoid these, as typically the software for the routing aspect sucks.

Eh, the hints about overheating were what made me subscribe to the thread. It hadn't occurred to me that that could be a problem with our modem. Ours is a combined modem/router which is pretty common where I live, as far as I know.

[KarefulKactus15]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like an overwhelming majority vote for the 20$ router.   Ill try a firmware update but I really think my little guys on its way out.

[sleepyguy]

No issues with the Asus N12 router I've been using for past 2yrs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320168

You can usually get it on say for like $20-25.  Doesn't have the latest and greatest of everything (no AC, no gigabit ports, etc, etc) but it has been SUPER stable for me, and that's what counts imho.