Wireless technologies continue to evolve, with the newest and fastest standard being wireless N. If you're thinking about upgrading your home network, the Linksys Wireless-N Broadband Router will serve well as your network's hub.

The 802.11n standard offers throughput speeds of up to 100Mbps, and even higher if you've got network devices on both ends that support the standard, so it's faster than a traditional wired Ethernet network. Its a good choice for streaming video, playing games and other activities that eat up a lot of bandwidth.

The Wireless-N Broadband Router is backward compatible with 802.11 b and g standards, so you can use it with your existing equipment, although at slower speeds. In addition, the Router is a Draft N device, which means you should be able to get the same wireless N speeds with network devices from other manufacturers.

The N standard also offers greater range than previous versions, so the Wireless-N Broadband Router is a good option if you are looking to create a home network across a large space. The Router features a four-port Ethernet hub for connecting local wired devices as well. This home network device includes several security tools, such as a built-in firewall and 256-bit encryption in a variety of formats.

Setting up the Wireless-N Broadband Router is made somewhat easier with the color-coded ports on the rear of the housing, as well as the detailed instructions in the user's manual. It still isn't a walk in the park, however. You can use a web-based interface or an installation wizard to set up your network, including connecting a broadband modem and wired and wireless devices. The Wireless-N Broadband Router even has adjustable antennas, so you can position it vertically or horizontally.

Linksys offers a lengthy 3-year warranty on the Wireless-N Broadband Router, so you're covered if something goes wrong. The Router carries an MSRP of $150, which is a bit steep for a wireless router, but we were able to find it for $20 less from some vendors. If you're looking to step up to the current fastest standard in wireless networking, the Linksys Wireless-N Broadband Router is a robust home network device around which to build your new network.


Pros:  Supports 802.11n with faster speed and longer range
Cons:  Set-up process can take some time

Warranty
3 years