Need a wifi router with good range for friend

[VirtualLarry]

Friend has a TrendNet 652BRP 1.0 N router. It has worked well for a number of years, but someone has recently complained that they are getting less signal bars from it now.

It has two smallish antennas, I would guesstimate 2dbi. Not sure what the output power is.

Need something that is first and foremost, 24/7 reliable. Which, amazingly, this router has been, for the most part. Secondly, need good range, prefer N, although would consider AC, but I think most of the client devices are 2.4Ghz, and most AC routers have poor 2.4Ghz signal. (Seems like 2.4Ghz on an AC router is an afterthought?)

Thirdly, would prefer if it were inexpensive. Will consider refurb units.

I already own, WNR834Bv2 with DD-WRT, WNR2000v2 with DD-WRT, and E2500 with Tomato. If one of those would do, I would use it. But all three have internal antennas, and in my experience, they don't have the greatest range.

Edit: Here's a list of possible candidates that I've found thus far:
TP-LINK TL-WR841ND Wireless N300 Home Router, 300Mbps, IP QoS, WPS Button, 2 detachable antennas
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704051
$32.99

TP-LINK TL-WR841N Wireless N300 Home Router, 300Mbps, IP QoS, WPS Button
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tem=33-704-039
$29.99

TP-LINK TL-WR740N Wireless N150 Home Router, 150Mbps, IP QoS, WPS Button
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704037
$19.99

TRENDnet TEW-733GR N300 Wireless Gigabit Router IEEE 802.11b/g/n, IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156454
$49.99 - $15 promo code

ASUS RT-N10P Wireless N150 Router IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g/n
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320158
$29.99

Leaning towards the Asus (amazon review says it has coverage for a 4-story house), and the TP-link N300 with the detachable antennas (so I could upgrade it).

 

[Martin Wilson]

They aren't exactly the cheapest, but if you want external antennas (detachable as a bonus) and good coverage (on both bands), then you could go for one of the 2 popular Asus routers?

They both get very good reviews...

Asus RT-AC66U = www.bestwirelessroutersnow.com/asus-rt-ac66u-review/

Asus RT-N66U = www.bestwirelessroutersnow.com/asus-rt-n66u-review/

 

[Martin Wilson]

Ah, just seen your edited post. My routers are probably above the budget

On what you have posted, I would probably go for the Asus.... I rate most of their products pretty highly www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320158

 

[John Connor]

Not N, but I have owned a WRT54GL flashed with DD-WRT and I have added 15 dbi external antennas from eBay.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That's a possibility too, I have a WRT54GS (8MB flash) with DD-WRT "Mega" already on it. I forgot to mention that above, because I was planning to sell it. I might just use it. I don't think N speed is essential, really. Getting enough range to maintain access is.

Oh, except for the fact that my friend's cable connection is something on the order of 25Mbit down, so the router has to be able to handle that speed wired. I guess that's why I didn't think of using it.

 

[John Connor]

Well, I have 30Mbit down and the WRT54GL handles fine. It's the most popular router on Newegg.