(500 FP Reward) Which Router should I get?

[Quacker Jack]

Which one of the following router should I get? Any reasoning you can give?

1. Belkin N600 2011 Model - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Belkin+...1218309073148&skuId=2089307&st=n600&cp=1&lp=3
2. D-Link DIR-655 - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/D-Link+...068454881&skuId=8040121&st=DIR-655 &cp=1&lp=1
3. Netgear N300 (WNR3500L)
- http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR...3&skuId=9826302&st=N300 (WNR3500L) &cp=1&lp=1
4. LinkSys E2500 - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+L...218314734913&skuId=2210106&st=e2500&cp=1&lp=1

BONUS 500 FP REWARD INFO:
I will award 500 FP to the user who gives the most useful reasoning on which router I will get. Simple. Note the reasoning shouldn't be based on color, or looks.

 

[Patrick S.]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+-+N ... 0(WNR3500L)%20&cp=1&lp=1

I have tried most of the others you really should go with them.

 

[InFiNiTy™]

Are you $Hitting me?! Linksys by Cisco is the BEST because it's such a big company and reliable. The speeds are blazing fast and that's what my whole city uses for it's internet. It's just unbelievably fast. 😀

 

[Quacker Jack]

The only thing that worries me about the Cisco is the fact that it isn't on this list:
http://support.xbox.com/en-us/pages/xbo ... -live.aspx

That's also why "Netgear N600 (WNDR3400)" didn't make my list because it wasn't on that list.

Out of curiosity, do you think the router is capable of holding 4 computers, 3 ipods, 1 iPad, and 1 Xbox 360? My belkin (f5d8233-v1) isn't, and we got connection dropouts like 2 times a week. I'm also unable to communicate with certain friends some days of the week (random), but sometimes I can. So I need something.

 

[Patrick S.]

Mine can handle
3 PC's and a WII running Netflix on 2 of them with only 300KBPs .
1 pc is old and slow.

 

[InFiNiTy™]

The only thing that worries me about the Cisco is the fact that it isn't on this list:
http://support.xbox.com/en-us/pages/xbo ... -live.aspx

That's also why "Netgear N600 (WNDR3400)" didn't make my list because it wasn't on that list.

Out of curiosity, do you think the router is capable of holding 4 computers, 3 ipods, 1 iPad, and 1 Xbox 360? My belkin (f5d8233-v1) isn't, and we got connection dropouts like 2 times a week. I'm also unable to communicate with certain friends some days of the week (random), but sometimes I can. So I need something.

Don't worry. I have a Xbox 360 and I have a Linksys router. Works perfectly with no lag.

 

[Zuinag]

I'd get the Belkin. It's what I have and it works great.

 

[Mik.]

I'd get 4. LinkSys E2500. I wouldn't recommend D-Link though.

 

[Carson]

Hey,

All are pretty balanced routers on how many devices they can handle and on speed. Despite what everyone is saying, I would recommend D-Link. It provides a basic firewall, and does not give you the unusual, cheap "Internet filtering" that doesn't work as it claims. In my experience, D-Link also has a great local control panel (which if you didn't know, can be accessed on almost any router by going to http://192.168.1.1).

Regarding the "Supported xBox List", it is very rare that you will find a router not supported by Windows. The routers on that list have just gone through this strenuous and expensive process to get the "Windows Seal of Approval".

If you plan on holding many more devices and having them all run at once, I would actually look at a little bit higher end router on Newegg. Newegg has a nice community backend of people who leave comments on the products and leave nice reviews. If you're still convinced that you want to stick with those routers, I would still use the comparison feature on Newegg on those routers, and look at the reviews on them.

Hope this helped,
Carson

 

[Quacker Jack]

Thanks Carson, that really helped. Frankly, I can't afford anything higher then what I'm considering. And NewEgg is great.

I am however facing a newer problem - my dad doesn't want me to switch out the routers for my convince unless I'm 100% this will fix the problem completely. This might sound dumb, but is it possible to set up another network inside our pre-existing one, where two different routers are connected through 1 modem? Where one router would be my families and the other would be my personal one (Xbox, my comp, my iPod)?

BTW - I will reward the user as soon as I buy the router.

 

[Justin]

Belkin. Best tech stuff I've ever bought. Keep your $

 

[Hobbies230]

I have the Netgear N300, and it's a good router. I had a Linksys in the past (not that particular model, however), and I found that the Netgear was definitely a step up. The Linksys DID give me issues with Xbox Live, and I am almost 100% sure that it was because the router was simply incompatible because I tried literally EVERY solution I could find online, yet still had issues. Just to be clear, it still worked, but Xbox Live had limited access to the router, which meant sometimes it would take a bit longer to find and get into an online match. It seemed like it depended on which game I was playing...some games I had virtually no problems with, but a few took me forever to connect to a game. Again, I didn't have that same router that you listed, but thought I'd throw that in.

Anyway, I've had no problems with my Netgear, no complains about the speed or connectivity with either my laptop or PS3.

 

[iron hide]

Dude, get linksys. It is a Cisco product and believe me its way better than any other brand 😉

But again, it all comes down to your ISP and internet package. Any router can't go more than what you pay for Internet speed 😉

 

[merk51]

I have voted for netgear mainly because I have had many problems with the others over the past months then went to netgear and have had no problems since.

I know this isn't a detailed response to earn 500FP but when people are looking at buying something that didn't work for me I feel it is my duty to let them know that it didn't work.

NetGear definately my choice.

 

[Bituser-Sam]

I would personally chose the router which provides the best compatibility for DD-WRT. Once you install that you can't go wrong. Both my Dir-300 and WLG have DD-WRT on them. Incase you didn't know, DD WRT is custom firmware which unlocks all the hidden features which the manufacturer doesn't normally give you access to.

Belkin 2011 N600 - Not Compatible
D-Link DIR-655 - Not Compatible
Netgear N300 - Not Compatible
LinkSys E2500 - Not Compatible


I would go with a Linksys WRT54GL or more recent version as they are excellent routers. In the end its all up to you.

Have fun choosing.

Sam

 

[Carson]

I would personally chose the router which provides the best compatibility for DD-WRT. Once you install that you can't go wrong. Both my Dir-300 and WLG have DD-WRT on them. Incase you didn't know, DD WRT is custom firmware which unlocks all the hidden features which the manufacturer doesn't normally give you access to.

Belkin 2011 N600 - Not Compatible
D-Link DIR-655 - Not Compatible
Netgear N300 - Not Compatible
LinkSys E2500 - Not Compatible


I would go with a Linksys WRT54GL or more recent version as they are excellent routers. In the end its all up to you.

Have fun choosing.

Sam

I'm not extremely knowledgeable about the subject, but wouldn't that void your warranty?

 

[Grumpy]

Number 3 because typically netgear stuff is always the best.

 

[Bituser-Sam]

I would personally chose the router which provides the best compatibility for DD-WRT. Once you install that you can't go wrong. Both my Dir-300 and WLG have DD-WRT on them. Incase you didn't know, DD WRT is custom firmware which unlocks all the hidden features which the manufacturer doesn't normally give you access to.

Belkin 2011 N600 - Not Compatible
D-Link DIR-655 - Not Compatible
Netgear N300 - Not Compatible
LinkSys E2500 - Not Compatible


I would go with a Linksys WRT54GL or more recent version as they are excellent routers. In the end its all up to you.

Have fun choosing.

Sam

I'm not extremely knowledgeable about the subject, but wouldn't that void your warranty?

It is generally a very easy thing to do as long as you choose the right router. Yes I believe it does void the warranty, but that is why I bought a couple of old routers off Ebay and used them. They are fast and work fine for me. If you are uncomfortable doing it, then don't. I just think that if you want to unleash the full potential of your router you miles well do it.


More on DD WRT at Life Hacker:
Hack Attack: Turn your $60 router into a $600 router
Also check out Tomato:
Turn Your $60 Router into a User-Friendly Super-Router with Tomato

 

[MissTake]

Everyone who I speak to always recommend the Belkin, I have no idea why, it's just what I hear?

 

[Deleted member 1609]

Belkin is pretty good because you get a lifetime warranty. I would avoid Netgear (I have one, and it's not great) and D-Link (I had one years ago, and it was simply awful) for sure. Cisco/Linksys is decent.