MIMO technology Routers

The Bottom Line: The Linksys WRT160N Wireless-N broadband router has consistent performance, good range, a helpful software application, and a good set of networking features. Its lack of Gigabit and USB support are the only major knocks against it.

Specs: Wireless router, 8 in x 6.3 in x 1.3 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, full-duplex, External, 2.4 GHz, 9.9 oz

The Bottom Line: The Linksys WRT160N Wireless-N broadband router has consistent performance, good range, a helpful software application, and a good set of networking features. Its lack of Gigabit and USB support are the only major knocks against it.

Specs: Wireless router, 8 in x 6.3 in x 1.3 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, External, 2.4 GHz, 13.4 oz

The Bottom Line: The D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router DIR-685 is a very good single-band Wireless-N router; however, its extra features hardly justify the price.

Specs: Wireless router, 4.4 in x 5.8 in x 1.2 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, External, 2.4 GHz, 8 oz

The Bottom Line: The Linksys Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WRT320N forces you to pick either the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz band for your wireless network. Given that, it's not an ideal choice for an environment with both types of wireless clients. The router offers good wireless performance and features a high-speed wired network that caps at 1,000Mbps.

Specs: Wireless router, 8 in x 6.3 in x 1.3 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, External, 10.6 oz

The Bottom Line: The Linksys WRT400N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router is a good option for your wireless network, thanks to its support of both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands, its helpful software application, and a good set of networking features. The router's unimpressive 5Ghz throughput speed and lack of Gigabit and USB support are the only major knocks against it.

Specs: Wireless router, 8.1 in x 6.3 in x 1.4 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, HTTPS, External, 16.2 oz

The Bottom Line: The Belkin N+ Wireless Router is a great performer with excellent range and throughput speed. If its bulky design and lack of 5GHz frequency support don't put you off, the router is worth every penny of its $100 or so price tag.

Specs: Wireless router, Wired, Wireless, 300 Mbps, Ethernet, HTTP, External, 2.4 GHz

The Bottom Line: The TP-Link TL-WR941ND Wireless N router is a simple wireless N router with a friendly price. If all you require is a basic network and you have a mix of 802.11N and b/g clients, it does the job for cheap.

Specs: Wireless router, 7.9 in x 5.5 in x 1.1 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, External

The Bottom Line: The WRT610N can satisfy both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless clients with its solid performance, great design, ease of use, and its ability to work as a network storage device when coupled with an external hard drive.

Specs: Wireless router, 8.9 in x 7.1 in x 1.4 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, HTTPS, External, 15.9 oz

The Bottom Line: Aside from its potentially worrisome heat output, the Linksys WRT310N Wireless-N Gigabit Router is a networking dynamo with chart-topping performance and a sleek (maybe too sleek) design.

Specs: Wireless router, 8 in x 6.3 in x 1.3 in, Wired, Wireless, Ethernet, HTTP, full-duplex, External, 2.4 GHz, 12 oz

The Bottom Line: We like the Asus WL-500W for its wealth of unique features and its strong signal at long range, but its short-range throughput is substandard and there's no Gigabit Ethernet support. This is a good choice only for advanced users who will take advantage of some of router's USB features and aren't afraid to wade into those waters without help.

Specs: Wireless router, Wired, Wireless, 300 Mbps, Ethernet, HTTP, External, 2.4 GHz