I currently have a NETGEAR Wireless G router WGR614v9 The Mrs. seems to think is dying a slow death. We have 3 SMART TV's, 2 Tablets, 2 Smart phones. What can ....... should I buy that wont BREAK the bank yet do a good job, if such a thing exists. I know there are many computer people here ...... I am not one of them so I look to my SigForum friends for help so HELP! Many thanks in advance, John

I have recently purchased two Netgear AC1200 routers (one for home, one for my office). Around $80, and work very well.

- Brian

I do not have any experience with TP-Link but do know a few people that have used them and were very happy with them. The Archer C7 or C9 dual band routers should have plenty of wireless capacity for the devices you listed and come in at $90 and $130 respectively.

Linksys used to be significantly ahead of netgear. That is until Netgear bought them. I still think they're a little better.

Stay away from D-link. TP-Link is good for a small, dumb ethernet switch but I wouldn't use their wireless stuff.

The AC1200 is a good way to go. Around a hundo if memory serves, and pretty solid.

A slight step up would be the AC1750. Around $130, but a significant step up in capability especially as it relates to multiple devices being connected simultaneously.

The thing to remember is don't get too caught up in the 'data transfer rate'. That's the physical rate between you and the router itself. Your internet line upstream of the router will be your limiting factor. The reason the AC1750 performs better has to do with its radios and in particular the MU-MIMO technology it runs.

quote:

Originally posted by grinder:
I do not have any experience with TP-Link but do know a few people that have used them and were very happy with them.

I had TP-Link in the hangar office; it died. Dead.

I have always had good results with Apple refurbished products. No-hassle setup, long service life, decent prices, and the refurbs from Apple are as good as, or better than, new retail in all respects, including the warranty.

Unless Linksys has been sold again,they are owned by Belkin.

I have not had good luck with Belkin products.

I would go with Netgear, TP-link or Assus in that order.

I would look over their lines and go with the price point that matches your needs.

I just jumped from ATTUverse to Spectrum internet (formerly Time Warner). So decided to use their modem with my own router(wifi) setup. I went with the Linksys WRT3200. The thing has been rock steady and an easy setup. The user interface is pretty nice and usable as well. It is the higher end, but would not have problem with Linksys lower tier models.

Just look around and check out the reviews of each model. Amazon reviews seem to be OK since they usually represent the average skilled user. Reviews on tech forums would get you more into the guts of the system and can get to techy sometimes.

I've had a D-Link Extreme-N Router performed well but died after 2 years, although it was in a relatively small wiring/cable/routing box in house that may have let it get warmer than ideal. Not hot mind you, but not room temp either.

Replaced with a Netgear Smart WiFi Router 3 years ago and it has been great.

Word to the wise, that I believe I picked up from folks here. If the router isn't out in open air try to find a way for it to be, or get some air too it to prolong life. In my case we've just left the plastic panel door unlatched and ajar, seems to keep things noticeably cooler inside. Of course in my case I've got the router, an 8-port switch, a DirecTV router and power for all.

Don't judge - you should have seen the shitshow in this box when we moved in. And seriously, how much harder to install a box just 25% larger when you've got every cable type known to man pulled to it from a dozen locations in the home??

I hereby retract my endorsement of Tp-link. I'm more of an asus wireless or home spun router kind of user so I don't venture to the low end often.

I went with the AC 1200. Based on it's reviews and the long life I got out of our current NETGEAR I didn't think I could go wrong. Returning is always an option. Guys and Gals, thanks for the help it is much appreciated. John

If you have any technical savvy, you might look into upgrading your router with DD-WRT, a freeware, Linux-based OS, known over the 'Net as the software that "turns a $60 router into a $600 router."

I did that several years ago with a LinkSys WRT54GL and it made such a difference! DD-WRT supports a plethora of routers, so check them out and see if you are able to upgrade yours, if you want to.

I have both the TP-Link C9 ($119) and an Asus AC68P ($159)(different locations). While both are good, the C9 is white so it may go better with your decor (if that is important to you or the Mrs) as hiding in a closet in the basemant will not give good WiFi coverage in your living space. Both are relatively easy to setup and really trouble free and FAST. Like them both.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link...Router/dp/B00PDLRHFW

https://www.amazon.com/Wireles...-AC68P/dp/B00PZX26NQ

Since "school is in session" let me ask a question?

Are you having a problem with the "router" or is your concern "wireless"?

It's a bad habit of us IT guys to actually zero in on the issue before throwing out conclusions and recommendations.

What troubleshooting steps have lead you to the router? 20+ years IT here, most sidejobs I see the problem is the service coming in and not the customer equipment unless it took a power hit/not properly protected by a UPS

His wife said there is a problem. Troubleshooting done. Something has to be "fixed".

Had good luck with Linksys in the past but my next purchase will likely be Apple Airport. Net gear and Belkin both were trash in my experience.

I also think it's prudent to figure out what's actually bothering you before making gear recommendations, as others have suggested. I will say this though, if you're still using a G band router you probably want to move to a more current standard. AC is the newest standard, followed by N, then G and then B. The way a router works in nutshell is that you have X devices on your network and they have to share the available bands/frequencies that they operate on. Modern routers have gone the way of having multiple standards to support (AC/N/G/B) as well as multiple frequencies, 2.4 and 5.0 GHz, for the newer bands AC and N. So basically you router is broadcasting at different spectrums and can support several speeds/class of service standards.

Why is this important you ask...well because the devices on your network will determine the load and the speed (i.e. performance). So if you have a bunch of older hardware running on G, and say 3 smart TVs that are N/AC compatible. In a single band router you'll operate at the lowest common denominator. So everything will run on G. In a dual band, you could support G and N devices running independent (like having their own network). In a tri-band router you can support an even broader range of devices without compromising performance.

This becomes important as your legacy devices will eventually slow down your router. So, if you have devices that only occasionally need to be connected, it may be worth turning them off when not in use. Another thought would be to replace the older devices. Or another alternative would be to replace the router with one that has the ability to support a broader range of standards without having a performance impact. What you MAY be experiencing is when both G/B modes are working the performance of the network is lower. You may very well also have newer networked devices that aren't able to fully take advantage of their network connection.

Anyhow, just something to think about.

Personally, I'm done with consumer WiFi routers. About a year ago, I placed my Netgear router in a storage closet, turned off its WiFi signal, and installed a Ubiquiti Pro AC wired access point on the ceiling in the center of our single story 2,700 square foot home. The difference in speed and range this WAP provides over consumer level routers is simply amazing. I now have five bars of service anywhere in the house, and no less than four bars outside in the yard.

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur:
Had good luck with Linksys in the past but my next purchase will likely be Apple Airport. Net gear and Belkin both were trash in my experience.

Linking LUCK to brands is not exactly what I would call a valid technical endorsement.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Personally, I'm done with consumer WiFi routers. About a year ago, I placed my Netgear router in a storage closet, turned off its WiFi signal, and installed a Ubiquiti Pro AC wired access point on the ceiling in the center of our single story 2,700 square foot home. The difference in speed and range this WAP provides over consumer level routers is simply amazing. I now have five bars of service anywhere in the house, and no less than four bars outside in the yard.

Not knocking Ubiquiti (love the stuff) but relocating your AP probably did as much for performance as upgrading the AP. Well done.