Recommend a router for sub $125

[thestrangebrew1]

SIL asked me to find a wireless router. She's using whatever Comcast rented to her and is fed up with it. Her budget is $125. I don't know too much about routers. I've got a linksys e3200 or something that I bought like 3 years ago and haven't looked back. Her uses are pretty basic, Netflix, console gaming (I think her hubby plays Madden online), and basic internet stuff. She lives in a pretty small house, about 1400 sq. ft. and also has like 3 smartphones and a few tablets that will be using the wifi. Recommendations?

 

[maddogchen]

TP-LINK Archer C7 Dual Band Wireless Router is around that price range.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...50-wireless-dual-band-gigabit-router-reviewed

 

[Imp]

I'll be getting a router soon... It's going to be a TP-Link, either the WDR3600 or Archer C8.

I really like the look of D-link cylinders and still want one but their history with security issues has me concerned. TP-Links also seem to have way more reviews on Amazon.com -- only talking about quantity, not how positive, though they are fairly positive.

 

[Belegost]

Second vote for the Archer C7, had mine for a while now, great reliable router.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Ok thanks! I'll look into it!

 

[smitbret]

Archer C7 user here. I doubt you can find a better value out there. The more expensive routers will do a few things that it won't but a normal user won't notice. Most issues that people had came with the v1. TP-Link is now on v3 with the C7 and those issues are way off in the distance now.

Update on the C7:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/32498-tp-link-archer-c7-v2-reviewed
I don't know what they were doing when they kept losing the connection to the 2.4GHz network at 60dB. Mine has no problem staying connected up to about 80-82dB.

If you don't need AC, then their WDR3600 is great, too.

I've never used the C8 or C9.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

SIL asked me to find a wireless router. She's using whatever Comcast rented to her and is fed up with it. Her budget is $125. I don't know too much about routers. I've got a linksys e3200 or something that I bought like 3 years ago and haven't looked back. Her uses are pretty basic, Netflix, console gaming (I think her hubby plays Madden online), and basic internet stuff. She lives in a pretty small house, about 1400 sq. ft. and also has like 3 smartphones and a few tablets that will be using the wifi. Recommendations?

Does she need just a router, or a cable modem as well? Comcast usually rents you the cable modem, and sometimes (but not always) they have built in routers too.

If you need both devices, I'd recommend a Motorola Surfboard SB-1621 and an ASUS RT-N66U. If you buy them refurbished/used, you should be able to get both for around $130.

 

[rchunter]

I really like my Asus rt-n16 running shibby tomato. But then I have really slow internet (under 10Mbit) and mostly wired connections throughout my house and property. It's a great router though. I pretty much never have to reset it.

 

[GeorgeW]

You can get the Asus RT-N66U for under 125 dollars.
It support both 2.4 and 5GHz, is dd-wrt compatible, the coverage is great, I have 2 laptops, 1 TV, 3 phones and also a PS4 and the signal is stable.
As for speed performance the Asus N66U is one of the fastest routers for its price (better than the C7)

 

[GrumpyMan]

My Asus N66U lasted a year before the WAN port stopped working, go figure...

 

[Ichinisan]

My Asus N66U lasted a year before the WAN port stopped working, go figure...

That can happen to any router. Fried in a power surge...