Which wireless router?

[donsy]

I'm looking to buy a wireless router in the $30-$60 range. Are there any that I should avoid? Any recommendations?

Xubuntu 12.04

[ahallubuntu]

I prefer routers that are compatible with the free (Linux-based) DD-WRT firmware. DD-WRT adds many features in a consumer router that you might find normally only on a professional piece of equipment. To see if a router you are about to purchase is compatible, check the router database at dd-wrt.com or google "modelname dd-wrt." There are other open firmwares like Tomato and OpenWRT as well.

Otherwise - do you need "dual band" (2.4GHZ + 5GHZ) or are you OK with the standard single 2.4GHZ router? For most people, 2.4GHZ is fine but sometimes if there is a lot of equipment (other routers, other radios) using 2.4GHZ around you, 5GHZ can be cleaner because there is less interference. But the wireless card in your computer must also be able to do 5GHZ - many do not. It's pointless to get a dual band router if your laptop or desktop wireless card can do only 2.4GHZ.

I've had good luck with Asus routers that are DD-WRT compatible like the RT-N13U B1 (single band) and the RT-N16 (single band but gigabit ethernet wired switch). I've also put DD-WRT on a couple of Linksys/Cisco E3000 (dual band, gigabit wired) refurbed routers I bought this year for various projects - they seem to work pretty well.

[Derek Karpinski]

+1 Asus RT-N16 with dd-wrt........great deal for the price.