Best 5 wireless routers

(Updated November 23, 2011 3:24 AM PST)
Dong Ngo
Dong Ngo
Senior associate editor

It's true that dual-band (5Ghz and 2.4Ghz) wireless routers give you the most options by supporting virtually any wireless client/adapter on the market. However, single-band (2.4Ghz) routers will do just fine if you don't use them in an area saturated with Wi-Fi signals. And if you still have a Wireless-G (802.11g) router, it's definitely time to upgrade to a Wireless-N router or access point. Wireless-N routers are affordable and offer much better coverage as well as throughput speed, capable of streaming HD content.


As there are so many choices on the market, it's always hard to find the best one for your money. This is the list of the Top 5 wireless routers we've reviewed this year. They come with different feature sets and prices, but all of them share great performance and have earned high ratings from CNET reviewers. Pick one that fits your budget!

Netgear WNDR3800 N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router - Premium Edition

The Netgear WNDR3800 N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router makes an excellent router for any home.

Price: $129.00 - $149.19 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Netgear WNDR3800 N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router - Premium Edition

Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router is the first advanced router from Cisco that will make both novice and savvy users happy, thanks to its easy-to-use desktop application, comprehensive Web interface, great design, and stellar performance.

Price: $154.99 - $179.99 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band N Router

The Linksys E3200 is an excellent high-performance Wireless-N router for both novice and experienced users.

Price: $72.99 - $159.99 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band N Router

Asus RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless-N Router Editors' Choice - Asus RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless-N Router

The Asus RT-N56U is arguably one of the best true dual-band 300Mbps home routers on the market.

Price: $123.99 - $167.26 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Asus RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless-N Router

D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router

Supporting Wireless-N and HomePlug AV, the D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router is an ideal router for a home network that favors flexibility over performance. Its lack of support for Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band wireless, and the 500Mbps power-line standard, however, makes it less suitable for those who need to share or stream a large amount of data.

Price: $99.00 - $100.96 (check prices)

4 stars

Very good

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D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router