Budget friendly WiFi router recommendations.

[WestCoastWilson]

Hello,

I wanted to get a WiFi router, but I want to do it on a budget between $30 to $75, to use on my laptop computer to mainly use for online videos, movies (i.e. You Tube, Hulu), and steaming videos. Yet seeing the vast price range of WiFi routers, I don’t know which one I should get. Since I plan to use my laptop upstairs on the second floor (about 15 to 20 feet from where the router will be hooked-up), I had heard of some people having trouble getting a good WiFi connection from one floor to the second floor in their house . . . so I need a WiFi router that would be good for watching online videos AND would provide a good connection being on the second floor (about 15 to 20 feet from the router on the first floor). I saw two at Target that might work. See the links below, the second link shows a router that seems to be made for handling streaming video.

http://www.target.com/p/netgear-n15...14092267#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=wifi router

http://www.target.com/p/belkin-n450...lack-f9k1105/-/A-14042038#item-specifications

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Wilson

 

[mirlox]

Between those 2, I'd grab the second one:

When picking a WIFI router good for streaming & gaming, you will want to look after the Maximum Data Transfer Rate number. It tells you how much of the internet connection it can pass through; Imagine it like the exit of a Stadium, the biggest that number is, the more people can pass through during a given period of time. The second one has a limit of 300 Mbps and for your budget/needs, 300 is just fine.

The Second one has 4 antennas, the first one has only 1. The number of antennas does not directly increases the distance that the signal can reach but rather how strong it arrives. If you have a wall between the router and the laptop, a modem with more antennas will work better than one with only one antenna.

The second one has 4 LAN ports, the first one only has 1. The number LAN ports tells you how many devices you can add to the network THROUGH CABLES. Lets say that you want to link more than one computer through cables on the first floor of your house, you wouldn't be able to do so if you had the first router.

Edit: I'd suggest you getting the router the closest to the ceiling of the first floor, that would need some decent sized cables to connect the Modem to the router and router to the computer though.

Question: Do you plan in staying directly above the router?

 

[palbert]

Thought this might be of interest.

Wider Wi-Fi coverage

If your Wi-Fi coverage doesn’t go far enough, there are a few measures you can take to extend its range, said Kim Komando in USA Today. One place to start is to ponder the proper placement of your router. “High places” and anything “out in the open” work best, and you should always keep your router away from walls and obstructions. Some electric devices, such as microwaves and cordless phones, are prone to causing interference, so keep your Wi-Fi device far from other wireless gadgets. “Finally, if your Wi-Fi router is old,” it may be time to consider an upgrade. Swap out older 802.11b or 802.11g routers for the newer standards, known as 802.11n or 802.11ac. It will likely turn out to be a wise investment.

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/256608/bytes-whatrsquos-new-in-tech

 

[maxpowr9]

Your ISP should typically supply one. I know Verizon gives me one and upgrades it every two years free of charge.

 

[palbert]

Your ISP should typically supply one. I know Verizon gives me one and upgrades it every two years free of charge.

Got my router last year when went landline with Fairpoint. Not sure about the upgrade thing though; will have to check.

 

[mirlox]

Your ISP should typically supply one. I know Verizon gives me one and upgrades it every two years free of charge.

My ISP provides me with a Router & Modem that has WIFI but it's incredibly crappy so I went and bought a WIFI Router that was more powerful.

I know that in the USA, AT&T also only provides the Router & Modem and that its wifi is also incredibly crappy, my friend had to buy a WIFI Router so he and his housemate could use the WIFI.

 

[maxpowr9]

^Yeah, I have Fios and the wifi is pretty good. LAN line is still better which I use for gaming but I have little issues with wifi outside of the occasional reset.

 

[WestCoastWilson]

Thank you very much, Mirlox, Palbert, and Maxpowr9! I greatly appreciate your help and suggestions.

Mirlox, I send you a special thanks for taking the time to provide me with such a detailed reply. It certainly was very educational to read, as I had no idea some of the vast differences between a $30 WiFi router vs. a $75 one . . . yet I will not ask about the WiFi routers that I have seen that are between $100 to $150 , I can only image what those high price ones can do. LOL!!! In my case, I will go with your recommendation of the second router (if I can't get a free one from Time Warner Cable), yet I only need the WiFi on just one computer in my home. With the way my modem is set-up, it will not be easily possible to get the router directly below my bedroom, yet it will only be about 15 to 20 feet away (up and over on the next floor) where I will be using my laptop on the second floor.

Maxpowr9, I’ll check with Time Warner Cable (since I have cable internet) to see if they offer a free WiFi router, but I doubt it. Yet when I got my Time Warner Cable internet service a few years ago, I don’t recall them either mentioning or offering me a WiFi router.

Thanks a MILLION, guys!!!

Wilson

 

[Paws]

Elsewhere I read that the Netgear N150 is just a router without modem function.

 

[Tadaa]

I bought a Belkin probably about 5 years ago. Got it from Target for $30. Occasionally, I'll have to unplug it for a reset, but that's rare. I have been eyeing Netgear. Not sure when I'm going to take the plunge.

 

[maxpowr9]

^This is what I have in my home courtesy of Verizon...

https://www.actiontec.com/214.html

I will also note that location is paramount for wifi signal. Most ISPs will dump the router in the basement and with people's bedrooms on the second floor, they will generally get shit reception there.

 

[vulgar_newcomer]

^This is what I have in my home courtesy of Verizon...

https://www.actiontec.com/214.html

I will also note that location is paramount for wifi signal. Most ISPs will dump the router in the basement and with people's bedrooms on the second floor, they will generally get shit reception there.

Yeah, they may have given that router to you on a new contract but they are not updating or giving those routers out. They are selling them for $99 bucks. Its not unique to my Tampa Bay FIOS market checking the Verizon forums its system wide. There is of course good written about them but a lot of remarks/comments about the cheap proprietary routers. But as on all support forums there is always a lot of bitching.
I get ads on my TV when I turn it on trying to sell that thing everyday.

 

[WestCoastWilson]

Hello Guys,

I did want to take this opportunity to do a follow-up with you. I ended up getting getting the Belkin N450, after I read the other postings made by Paws, Tadaa, Maxpowr9, and Vulgar_newcomer after I read their comments after my March 4th posting. I figured that I might do better going out to buy my own router rather than to deal with Time Warner Cable.

I have had my Belkin N450 router for about 5 weeks now, and it works like a charm! It is super great! I have had no problems using it with the modem and router downstairs while I use my laptop upstairs. The online videos, movies/TV shows, and live streaming video work just great and I have no complaints.

Thanks again Guys, I could not have done this without your help. Your help is greatly appreciated and thanks so very, very much.

Wilson

 

[Diodorus]

My ISP , which is a land cell tower set up recommended Linksys..Has always worked well. We live out in the sticks and it is the only service around that is reasonable.