Which wireless N router? O/T

[atanasoff]

.. o/t, not sure where to post this tho.

I want to buy a wifi router with N mode and would rather avoid headaches.

What it should do:

1. Work without flakiness.
2. Connect to whatever computer, phone, gadget etc uses wifi.
3. Basic firewall functionality.
4. Have a setting to operate at reduced power (the radio will be in a bedroom).
5. Connect to a printer, such as via usb.
6. Modest physical size, can be stuck on a wall.
7. Have 2 or so ethernet ports.
8. Not expensive; I don't need top end features and don't want an investment grade gadget.

Don't need:
High power or long range.
Highest throughput. Even the lower end of the N range should be enough. Slowness caused by a flaky signal, disconnects etc are not OK tho.
Gaming modes or other esoteric features.

-- thx!

[ajkula66]

What are you looking to spend?

[RealBlackStuff]

I have had excellent result with ASUS RT-Nxx routers, currently using an ASUS RT-N66U.
Earlier models can be obtained reasonably cheap.
Check e.g. Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

[ansible212]

Another vote for Asus. I have the RT-AC68U (OK, it's an AC router rather than N) and have been really pleased with it - regular firmware updates and third party firmware are major plus points IMO.

[atanasoff]

What are you looking to spend?

As much as necessary, not more. While I could spend $200, I suspect that 70% of that would be wasted. I will probably move several times before the thing dies of old age/obsolescence, and each move carries a risk of the thing getting broken, lost or discarded. I have a leftover b/g router, but also have one gadget that has issues connecting on g.
Goal is to spend enough to avoid wasting time headaching with a box that has hidden issues. If all the 802n on sale are returns/no warranty/no support, then I'll go for ac, though I don't need the speed.

As far as open box etc, while I don't care about the box or a scratch here and there I do care about wasting time chasing down some obscure issue, which may take longer than the shortened return window. Many returns are due to customer issues and not a product issue, but plenty are defects which the return/resell testing doesn't catch. I s'pose it depends on the how likely such an issue is, routers are simpler than PCs.

[ajkula66]

Well, a retail version of Asus still carries a full warranty unlike the open box one, check here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

I'd argue that it's probably the safest bet on the current market.

This is what I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833168096

With the latest firmware (stock one that it ships with is junk) works great for my needs. YMMV.

[nick0]

My vote is for the ASUS RT-N56U with the Russian firmware from code.google.com. In my experience, the signal is more stable with the N56U than the N66U, especially through multiple floors of a house, or when the 2.4Ghz band is congested from life in a densely populated apartment block. I suspect 802.11AC will mature in mid 2015, so believe in spending as little money as possible on a router in 2014... $80 for a router with a solid 300Mbps just about everywhere in a house/apartment link is what I'd call a good buy, especially since you'll probably be able to sell it for $30 next summer...meaning your WIFI network costs $5/month until then.

[RealBlackStuff]

The RT-N56U does not have any external antennas, that's why I skipped it.
I went from Asus WL-520gU to Asus RT-N66U (i.e. from wifi-G to wifi-N)
I bought mine new in June 2012, and immediately loaded Shibby's Tomato firmware on it (from Poland).
Never touched it since, and it has been working perfect from day 1.
I got both Asus models because of their great reputation and their printserver/USB-port options.

[atanasoff]

How about this thing?

Asus N150 #RT-N10P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... gnorebbr=1
$28 shipped

Should it be obsolete next year, that was $2.25/month, even if I don't get around to selling it.

Any hidden snags?

--------

Asus AC dual band
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... gnorebbr=1
This one sounds like 5x more gadget, but I question if I will actually use 4.9 out of that.

[ajkula66]

Any hidden snags?

That's a single band AND a single stream...which will absolutely, positively suck anywhere apart from Mohave desert...otherwise, you may as well stick with your current router...

Asus AC dual band
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... gnorebbr=1
This one sounds like 5x more gadget, but I question if I will actually use 4.9 out of that.

Unless you have an AC card in your laptops it will be pretty darn useless in the 5GHz range...with that said, it seems like a decent price...just seems way too cheap for an ASUS, so I'd be careful...

My $0.02 only...

[atanasoff]

It sounds like the options under $100 are compromised, except for that open-box item for around $75.
The current throwaway item, a combo dsl adaptor/wifi ap costs $0, so I'll keep it for now. If I run into a task it can't handle I'll use cables.

Are the ac routers still not fully cooked? If so, I can wait 6 months and look into it again.

tx all for the tech insights. I was entirely unaware of single vs multiple streams and router firmware.

[ajkula66]

Are the ac routers still not fully cooked? If so, I can wait 6 months and look into it again.

That's pretty much the approach that I maintain for now...