Cisco Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router

Pros: Range, speed, it works, features.

Cons: High price, but it works!

Summary: Well, we needed a wireless router for a second location and the E4200 is our third router in three days as the other two, first the Linksys E2000 and then the Netgear WNDR3700V2, just would not give the distance or signal strength. All three were to be used in a ranch style single family residence with no second floor and no basement. Further, only two computers would be hooked-up, a hardwired computer and a laptop. The intended use of all three is for basic internet use, email, downloading, and movie streaming of Hulu and Netflix. The distance is through the house and outside to the back porch for the wireless connection through two bedrooms, a kitchen, and to the porch where I spend most of my time on the laptop. I would guess the distance between the laptop and the router is around 40-60 feet.

The first router we purchased was the Linksys E2000 because we did not need anything fancy and we did not want to spend the kind of money we did for another location which we use a Linksys 610. We do not need to hook up a printer for wireless use or use a router with a USB connection, so The Linksys E1000 at around $50.00 was our first choice, but the E2000 was only $10.00 more on sale so we went with that. The setup of the E2000 from the hardwired computer was very simple and I was very excited and had high expectations, until I went to the porch and saw only one bar out of five for signal strength. At this Poor connection, the laptop would either connect, or it would not; and if it did connect, the signal would drop and the connection would be lost. Rebooted router and moved router around a little for best results, but no change. Therefore, we did some research on the hardwired computer for "The best wireless router" and instantly noticed the Netgear WNDR3700 as the "Best" and off we went to "do it right this time" and we exchanged the Linksys E2000 for the Netgear WNDR3700V2.

The Netgear WNDR3700V2 was easy to setup on the hardwired and I was again excited to go to the laptop and finally be able to surf the internet and watch movies, but a quick glance at the signal strength and I was again disappointed as the 2.4ghz was only at 2 of 5 bars of signal strength and the 5ghz was only at 1 of 5 bars of signal strength. Rebooted router and moved router around a little for best results, but no change. Our laptop would connect at 2.4ghz, but only at a severely decreased speed which was VERY noticeable and severely lagging. The laptop would not connect at the 5ghz connection at all. Ok, now we are upset and very tired of this.

More internet searching revealed the same problems with the Netgear WNDR3700 that we were experiencing, which forced us to wonder why the WNDR3700 could even be considered a "Best wireless router" if it can not even be used at a distance of 40-60 feet? Now there are only two routers left, both from Cisco-Linksys, the E3000 and the NEW E4200. Professional reviews online show the E4200 is vastly superior to both the E3000 and the WNDR3700, so we went with this router even though it is WAY past what we wanted to spend, but the WNDR3700 was also WAY past what we wanted to spend.

The setup of the E4200 was the same as the E2000 we returned and is just super easy. After setup on the hardwired, I now walked cautiously to the laptop as I have already been disappointed twice. I sat down at the laptop, looked at the signal strength and was floored at the signal strength of 4 of 5 bars of signal strength! Internet searching, downloading, email, and movie watching is no different between the hardwired and the wireless.

In summary, we love everything about the E4200 except the price. Actually, we didn't like the price of the WNDR3700V2 either. However, without the E4200, we would not even have a connection so maybe I should not complain? I will say $130.00 to $180.00 for a router is stupid priced and I do not like it one bit. I wish the E2000 worked because it was only $60.00 on sale. The WNDR3700V2 was $129.99 and the E4200 was $179.99. In the end, we spent WAY more money than we wanted too for a distance of only 40-60 feet and the E4200 is the ONLY router to accomplish this seemingly simple task.