See also: What Is a Wireless Router?
The second generation of wireless routers for broadband home networks employs 802.11g technology. 802.11g wireless routers supply more network bandwidth than their older 802.11b counterparts. That lets you add more computers to a network without bogging it down. You'll also notice faster file sharing and printing.
Consider cost, features, and brand when choosing your wireless broadband router. Individual preferences ultimately make this a personal decision.
D-Link DI-624 AirPlus Xtreme G
The D-Link DI-624 combines the features of a four-port network switch, DHCP server, and advanced firewall. Owners of this wireless router have commented on both the ease of installation and reliability. The DI-624 supports WEP and WPA security and signal range up to 328 feet (100 m).
D-Link boasts that their five hardware compression technologies give the DI-624 router a noticeable performance advantage over competitors' products. The DI-624 comes with a three-year limited warranty in the USA.
Netgear WGR614
The WGR614 router continues Netgear's tradition of attractive, powerful home networking products. Owners have remarked on the WGR614's great signal range, a key feature in homes with brick walls or similar obstructions. No device is perfect, though, and some have reported intermittent problems (presumably firmware related) that may require resetting the WGR614 router occasionally. Netgear offers a three-year warranty for the WGR614, and their customer support receives positive comments.
Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G
Some owners of this Linksys router have reported a clean installation, good performance and signal range, and helpful customer support. By contrast, some other WRT54G owners report serious problems or instabilities in these same areas. Because Linksys updates their router firmware often, it's important to keep the WRT54G firmware revision current to ensure maximum stability. Linksys sometimes holds a price advantage; strive to buy the WRT54G for less than competing models.
Apple M8799LL/A Airport Extreme Base Station
This 802.11g wireless router from Apple is called the "Extreme Base Station." Apple's wireless router / access point products are priced higher than the competition for comparable features. However, they do work with both Macintosh and Windows computers and are a logical purchase for those wanting to demonstrate Apple brand loyalty. Presumably Airport base stations also work best with Apple's 802.11g wireless network adapters. Apple provides a limited one-year warranty for their Base Stations.SMC SMC2804WBR Barricade
This SMC 802.11g wireless router competes well on features and overall quality. The SMC2804WBR supports Macintosh, Linux and Windows clients. It features two detachable antennas, a strong firewall, and good signal strength. SMC offers a lifetime warranty for this product. SMC may not be one of the more well-recognized brand names in this space, yet their products compete with others technically. For the right price, the SMC2804WBR is a worthwhile purchase.Belkin F5D7230-4
The F5D7230-4 supports Macintosh and Linux/Unix systems in addition to PCs. Belkin's Easy Install Wizard is designed to get F5D7230-4 owners wirelessly connected to the Internet in just a few minutes. Included with this product is a free six-month subscription to a Parental Control service that filters Web content. Belkin also provides their Lifetime Warranty for the F5D7230-4.Buffalo G54 AirStation
The Buffalo AirStation 802.11g wireless router is not as well known in the USA as competing brands. Some owners have reported that the setup interface on this product is difficult to use. Once installed, however, the G54 should provide good performance. Purchasing an external antenna separately may be necessary to improve range. Buffalo uses some of the same core technology found in comparable Linksys products. Buffalo may have an edge over some competitors in quality of customer service.Cheap Wireless Routers
If you are on a tight budget, the best wireless router may not be the newest or have the most features. Some routers that are discontinued or older models still offer solid functionality and performance. Follow the link to browse a selection of bargain routers in this category.D-Link DI-624M Super G with MIMO Wireless Router
D-Link created this variation of their popular DI-624 model to utilize the Multiple In, Multiple Out (MIMO) antenna technology similar to that used in 802.11n products. The DI-624M has since been discontinued. This product was intended to offer better wireless range coverage with the DI-624M router compared to standard 802.11g routers. Besides the basic support you expect from a home router, the DI-624M also includes additional parental control and network diagnostics functionality.Linksys WRT54GX Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX
SRX is a Linksys name for the range-extending MIMO technology also used in 802.11n. The WRT54GX adds these capabilities to the popular WRT54G router as an alternative to a full "draft N" compliant product. Linksys claims their implementation allows 802.11g Wi-Fi client connections to be maintained at up to 3 times the distance of standard 802.11g routers. Compare the WRT54GX to competing products in this category on price as well as performance.