By Ki Grinsing

Overview

Most users looking for a wireless router that can provide both high speed connection via cable or via wifi. In case of the connection via network cable, no doubt the speed is very solid and stable. As with the wifi connection, bandwidth or speed will gradually drop with increasing distance between the client with the wireless router, not to mention obstacles such as walls or other attenuation.

Added value features

Wi-Fi router with gigabit port is very essential for high speed files transfer, voice applications, multiplayer gaming and other hungry bandwidth applications. Various models of gigabit wireless routers available in the market place today, so selecting which one is the best for your need you should also consider other value added features including the simultaneous dual band, USB port functionality, high security features and other premium features other routers do not have.

Gigabit interface

A router with gigabit feature means all Ethernet interface are packed with gigabit technology both LAN and WAN ports. Besides the connection speed between the computers (with gigabit NIC adapter) and the router, wireless gigabit router also provides optimum speed to the modem only if your modem is also equipped with a gigabit port.

With gigabit WAN port you can optimally connect to the modem with gigabit port such as Surfboard SB6120 DOCSIS-3 cable modem for optimum data rate throughput.

USB port

The completeness that adds value to your wireless gigabit router is the completeness of USB port that can be used to connect storage or a printer that can be accessed over the network. It would be great if the router is equipped with two USB ports so no need to change the storage or printer if required for both storage and printer can be attached together and can be accessed over the network simultaneously.

DLNA compliant media server

Later all multimedia devices must support the DLNA standard so any DLNA-compliant devices will be connected to each other without any configuration hassle. Make sure your router supports DLNA media server. So any attached storage to the router can seamlessly be accessed by any other DLNA compliant devices including XBOX, Blu-Ray, HDTV and more.

Most popular best gigabit routers

Based on the popularity with high grade features, the three gigabit wireless routers below are the top routers, the best gigabit wireless routers to support your multimedia environment in streaming HD media, gaming, voice applications and other hungry bandwidth applications. On the end of the article, the comparison table for the three routers only lists the main features.

Apple Airport Extreme

The Apple airport extreme base station is one of very popular gigabit wifi routers you can consider for your home network. The popularity of this router makes the price is always above other routers in it’s class. Even the price of the second hand Apple extreme is still high compared with others.

Main features (Pros):

• N600 simultaneous dual band up to 600Mbps total bandwidth, high speed and solid connection
• Gigabit both LAN (3x) and WAN interfaces
• USB port for hosting the storage or printer. You can add a USB hub if you require hosting both storage and printer for sharing at the same time
• Built-in media server for easy streaming
• Guest network for network security segregation

Cons:

• Includes less gigabit (3x) LAN compared with other routers which typically include four LAN ports
• Single USB port

With the functionality of the USB, you can compare with Asus RT-N56 which includes two USB ports.

Click here for manufacturer’s description and spec details (Apple Extreme).

Asus RT-N56U Black Diamond

The RT-N56U Black Diamond is the superior router introduced by Asus. This is the best and the first dual band gigabit wireless router ever shipped into the market by Asus with superior features that makes it very popular among other high performance wireless gigabit routers.

Main features (Pros):

• N600 wireless technology with Ai Radar technology for better range and performance
• Powerful processor with 8Mb flash and 128Mb RAM
• Gigabit interfaces both LAN and WAN
• Two USB port with built-in DLNA media server

Cons:

• Doesn’t support guest network

For manufacturer’s description and spec details (Asus RT-N56U), click the link.

Netgear also introduces ultimate speed wireless gigabit router with two USB ports: the WNDR4500 N900 – high speed router double your bandwidth demand up to 900Mbps (both bands).

Linksys E4200 N750

The new generation of E series E4200 is the best gigabit wireless router introduced by Linksys Cisco – the maximum speed in Cisco products. Linksys design this high speed router to support the home entertainment environment in streaming HD media and gaming. The router receives positive reviews in many online stores including Amazon with averagely 4 stars customer ratings.

Main features (Pros):

• N750 technology – double bandwidth up to 750Mbps
• Gigabit Ethernet ports
• USB port with UPnP and built-in media server
• Guest network support

Cons:

• USB port can only be used for hosting storage

For more detail about the Linksys E4200 specifications click the link.

What if you compare with WNDR400 N750 router? The main differences between Linksys E4200 N750 Vs WNDR4000 N750 routers are DLNA certified (on Wndr4000) and flash memory (E4200 includes 8Mb flash and Wndr4000 includes 16Mb flash), both include 64Mb RAM.

As mentioned above, the table below shows main features comparison Apple Airport Extreme Vs Asus RT-N56U Vs Linksys E4200.

Comparison table

Today, the future of 5G Wifi technology is coming. Netgear is shipping by Jun 2012 a 5G Wifi router R6300. It is based on new 802.11ac technology – a 5G wifi delivering the wireless gigabit speed.