Which router? Netgear WNDR4500 vs Asus RT-N66U vs Linksys EA4500 vs E4200V2

[alfa147x]

I know these specs don't really mean all too much when it comes to choosing a router. Out of these routers which would you choose?

Download Excel file link

The most important thing is for the router to handle 25 - 30 devices on the network via HP 1810-24G and a few via wireless (15 - 20 laptops, phones, etc).

Which one should I go with?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would confer with the other experts here, but 15-20 wireless devices might well be too much for ANY one access point/router.

I think that that most commercial systems, use a network of APs, hooked to a controller that handles the roaming, etc.

I think that the performance with that many devices will be poor, and cause disconnects, etc.

 

[alfa147x]

Hmm. I could bring the number down to 10 wireless devices. A few times a year would it hit 15 - 20 wireless devices and most of those devices will be phones or devices of that nature. Is that still pushing the limit of a router?

 

[JackMDS]

For a Router per-se the Asus.

Money wise - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-router_stcVVproductId133604734VVviewprod.htm

In case of Wireless, there is No Magic BEST Wireless Router.

Depending on the environment and users habits, many times more than one Wireless Access Point is needed., and at times very "beefy" Internet connection or two of them.

 

[alfa147x]

For a Router per-se the Asus.

Money wise - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-router_stcVVproductId133604734VVviewprod.htm

In case of Wireless, there is No Magic BEST Wireless Router.

Depending on the environment and users habits, many times more than one Wireless Access Point is needed., and at times very "beefy" Internet connection or two of them.

Thanks. Looking at this table:

The E4200 has much lower specs than the rest of the routers but it also has about half the cost. Will the lack of memory, cpu speed affect the wireless through put for 5 laptops?

Or would it be beneficial to go with a wired router + multiple (2 or 3) access points?

 

[Brainonska511]

For a Router per-se the Asus.

Money wise - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Ro...-router_stcVVproductId133604734VVviewprod.htm

In case of Wireless, there is No Magic BEST Wireless Router.

Depending on the environment and users habits, many times more than one Wireless Access Point is needed., and at times very "beefy" Internet connection or two of them.

I picked up a refurb Linksys E4200v1 a few weeks ago. It's been pretty solid so far supporting 10+ devices. I kept my old Asus G-router as a WAP and 4-port switch so I could keep the Linksys as an N-only device. Doesn't lock up the internet connection either when transferring files wireless (my Asus router would do that)

 

[MessyMitch]

Wow I'm considering the same devices did you decide on one yet?

 

[alfa147x]

Wow I'm considering the same devices did you decide on one yet?

Nope. I'll report back with what I decide to go with.

 

[MessyMitch]

Don't know if it will help decide but the Netgear WNDR4500 is on sale @newegg for $155 after you enter promo code EMCNENB45.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833122435

Decisions :hmm:

 

[NutZInTheHead]

Hi everyone,
I have been reading Anandtech for years now without actually joining. Now I'm here finally.

Anyways, This is the same situation I'm in right now. And these are the exact modems I have been researching. I have done a lot of reading and am very interested in the ASUS RT-N66U.

Seems to me that some specs for the ASUS router are wrong. I have seen reviews and on the main ASUS site it says that it has 6 antennas (3 for 2.4GHz and 3 for 5.0GHz). This is pretty much the same for all the other routers in that table.
Also it has 2x USB 2.0 ports.

I'm really thinking of getting the ASUS router soon. Unless someone changes my mind.

 

[ericloewe]

Seems to me that some specs for the ASUS router are wrong. I have seen reviews and on the main ASUS site it says that it has 6 antennas (3 for 2.4GHz and 3 for 5.0GHz). This is pretty much the same for all the other routers in that table.
Also it has 2x USB 2.0 ports.

I'm really thinking of getting the ASUS router soon. Unless someone changes my mind.

I got mine yesterday, after a relatively long wait (out of stock everywhere). The RT-N66U has three external antennas, which are shared by the 2.4GHz/5GHz radios.

I haven't tried connecting a lot of devices to it at once (could try it with ~15 devices next weekend, if anyone is really interested), and am (and will be) using it as a dedicated access point, since I have a dedicated router.

Early impressions are extremely positive - range is the best I have seen (A lot better than the E4200 v2 and a bit better than the D-Link DIR-855) and speeds are impressive (no very good measurements yet, but ~90 Mb/s is doable 7m and two walls away, on a 2011 MacBook Air).

 

[NutZInTheHead]

thanks ericloewe,

lol my eyes must be in my butt. of course the RT-N66U has 3 antennas(). sorry about that.

cool so you have it now. nice. I will get this once the store I want to get it at brings stock.

cheers.

 

[nlpearman]

Anyone here pull the trigger? I'm deciding between the same routers as well.

 

[brotj7]

Beware the Linksys:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2255638

They have now backtracked and offered the previous firmware. I understand the health of the local network would help them determine which side of the demarc a problem lies on, but in no way shape of form should anybody be able to override my preferences and choices. If I say no updates...it means NO!!!

 

[ericloewe]

Anyone here pull the trigger? I'm deciding between the same routers as well.

Yeah, Asus RT-N66U, or you might want to try the RT-AC66U, if you want 802.11ac.

I also have the Linksys E4200 v.2. Seriously disappointing for such a hyped router. Range is normal at best, configuration (if you want it as an AP only) is hell. You might also want to avoid it out of principle, thanks to their "cloud firmware" or whatever you want to call it, even though the E4200 v.2 wasn't affected.

 

[JackMDS]

The affected Linksys Routers are the EA line.

When you read many of the remarks about choosing Wireless Routers, it looks like the choice is made according to the same logic that One chooses whether they ""Adore"" Kim Kardashian, or Paris Hilton, or Lindsay Lohan, and Not according to Technological reasoning.

 

[nlpearman]

Is it too early to bother with an 802.11ac router just yet? How long until devices are ac-compatible?

 

[JackMDS]

Is it too early to bother with an 802.11ac router just yet?

Yes it too early.

How long until devices are ac-compatible?

It hard to know it took more than a year with the pre-N.

 

[kevnich2]

I would go with the asus. They make a good quality router and you have multiple firmware options. The stock is linux based so it's good as it is but I chose to go with tomato as it's more flexible and configurable for my needs.