Wireless Router Reviews

Wireless routers with Internet connection sharing, networking and firewall features are an alternative to hard wired routers or networking software. Note: Wireless routers are actually wired routers with wireless access points built in so you can have wired and/or wireless at the same time. Another choice is a wireless router with a built-in DSL or cable modem, see our Broadband page for more information.

• Security -- Wireless routers are not as secure as hard wired. If you want wireless and security, read the security articles on this page and be prepared to spend some time setting up the security features of your wireless network.
• Testing -- We recommend that you test the firewall features of a router after installation with a service like the Security Space desktop audit.
• Firmware -- Router vendors offer updates for their firmware to add new features and to resolve problems found by their customers.
• Prices -- See our custom Wireless Price List on Amazon Listmania! The prices are always up to date.

Comparative Reviews

• Wireless Networking: Faster! Farther! Yardena Arar, PC World, June 27, 2005
• Linksys Sweeps All Three Categories [wireless routers], Oliver Kaven, PC Magazine, June 7, 2005
• ConsumerSearch.com's summary of 19 Wireless Router Reviews, April 2005
• Stretching Wi-Fi, Becky Waring, PC World, April 2005

• Reader Satisfaction Survey -- Home-Networking Routers, Cade Metz, PC Magazine, December 1, 2004

• Wireless Routers For Road Warriors, Craig Ellison, PC Magazine, September 13, 2004

• Wi-Fi Networking: Rated "G" for Everyone, Craig Ellison, PC Magazine, May 18, 2004 -- Editor's Choice is Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GS; other 802.11g & a/g routers reviewed are from Apple, Belkin, Buffalo, Dell, D-Link, Gateway, GigaFast, Hawking, IOGear, Linksys, Microsoft, Netgear, SMC, US Robotics, and ZyXEL.

Wireless Security (or lack thereof)

• WiTopia.net SecureMyWiFi [software], Joe Moran, Practically Networked, June 28, 2005
• "One-Touch" Wireless Security -- Buffalo Technology's AOSS vs. Linksys' Secure Easy Setup, Humphrey Cheung & Tim Higgins, Small Net Builder, June 22, 2005
• How To Crack WEP -- Part 3: Securing your WLAN, Humphrey Cheung, Small Net Builder, June 7, 2005
• LucidLink Wi-Fi Security Freeware
  • Free Wireless Software Provides Entry-Level Security, Jack Germain, TechNewsWorld, May 14, 2005
  • Wi-Fi Internet defense puts wall around home connection, Tom Henderson, Detroit News, April 10, 2005
• Complete Guide to Wi-Fi Security, Tony Bradley & Becky Waring, JiWire, January 27, 2005

• [Is] NAT Enough? Larry Seltzer, PC Magazine, September 21, 2004

• Keep hot-spot hackers at bay, Matt Lake, CNet, September 13, 2004

• Networking: Wi-Fi Security Still Spotty, Sean Captain, PC World, July 1, 2004

• Securing Your Wireless Network, Beginners Guides, Mike Dowler, PCstats, May 18, 2004

• Wireless Network Security 101, How to Build a Safe, Secure Network, Stan Miastkowski, PC World, March 24, 2004

Always On Wireless WiFlyer Reviews  -- Wireless for Dial-Up Users

• Wireless in Your Pocket, Tom Miles, PocketNow, May 2, 2005

• PC Magazine review, Craig Ellison, February 28, 2005

D-Link DI-624 AirPlus XtremeG Reviews

• Techzone review, John Chow, September 8, 2004

• Design Technica review, Jeff Fila, May 28, 2004

• PC Magazine review, Craig Ellison, February 3, 2004

• CNet review, Allen Fear, December 18, 2003 (updated 12-14-04)

Linksys WRT54gs Reviews

• PC Magazine review, Oliver Kaven, July 9, 2004

• CNet review, Xiao Ming Wu, June 9, 2004

• Tom's Networking review, Tim Higgins, April 19, 2004

Netgear WPN824 RangeMax Reviews

• DesignTechnica review, Brandon King, July 20, 2005

• Trusted Reviews review, Dave Mitchell, June 6, 2005

• PC Magazine review, Oliver Kaven, May 18, 2005

• CNet Netgear review, Xiao Ming Wu, April 18, 2005

• Tom's Networking review, Tim Higgins, April 8, 2005