What routers have the best combination of performance, value, and a great GUI?

[terry4536]

I currently have a D-link 655 wireless/gigabit router that I've had for years. It does the job. But one thing about the router that I hate is the GUI. It is positively terrible. Trying to find a particular function in it is a major headache. And some functions (that I know this router has) to this day, I haven't found because I gave up trying to find them in that maze of a GUI.

I want a high performing gigabit router with an easy to use GUI. I want good wireless performance, but most of my needs are in the areas of home ethernet network and security. I want an excellent gigabit router with an excellent firewall.

The model that I have leaned towards for some time is the ASUS RT-N56U. It was new when I bought the last router, so that gives you an idea how long the D-Link 655 has been chugging along.

 

[johnicook]

According to me, You have to buy some Gaming related router because gaming router are good in GUI as well security. D-link also provide good router for gaming but exception is always there.

 

[Alabalcho]

@Terry - what is your budget? $100? $200?

 

[terry4536]

My budget is somewhere in the range of $75 to 150.

 

[venom0713]

I'm also in the same boat as you. I have the same router and I've had it for years. I also would like to know of a solid replacement for the d link 655. I do a lot of gaming and have a lot of devices that connect wirelessly.

 

[bill001g]

This is always the issue with advanced routers. The top of the line routers now have so many feature trying to outdo each other that they are becoming confusing for some people. This is like third party firmware it has many nice features but some are extremely complex mess of editing unix based file systems to implement. Still once you learn what file certain options are kept in it is much easier to edit the files than try to dig though 20 screens of gui.

Hard to say most the ones with very simple menus just eliminated the advanced features it is kinda hard to make something like VPN simple for someone who has no concept of VPN.

From a performance standpoint there likely is no better router for "gaming". Gaming requires a very clean and consistent data flow but does not actually use a lot of bandwidth. Many games are well under 500kbit/sec. Many are far less...people still play WOW on dialup modems.

So getting some router that can do 1300m or whatever does not make the game any better. The key issue is the wireless signal itself and no matter which router you pick you can not solve a games worst problem...your neighbors. There is really no way to fix the interference issue and that causes massive issues for games. Your only choice many times is not to use wireless for games.

I would avoid the "new and improved" trap. If your router is working correctly then I would do nothing. If you want a particular feature then look for a router with that feature. You many times must upgrade all your equipment to get some features. Things like 802.11ac require you to replace the router and the nic cards. It is like the guys you see that have 802.11g nic cards and think a new 802.11ac router will be so much faster only to find the 802.11ac router will just turn itself into a 802.11g router like their previous one. The vast majority of people buying 802.11ac have no clue. Only in their mind does it make their 6m internet faster, they are sheep who buy into "new and improved" marketing

Pretty much most the features that are on top of the line routers are not router features at all. They are doing things like allowing you to run torrent servers or load balance between multiple internet connections.

 

[terry4536]

My D-Link 655 is still working. So , it isn't an urgent situation.

I'm not a newbie by any measure , but I gave up on fine tuning the router after I got it working (I have more than twenty years of experience in computing.).

There has to be a better GUI than the 655's. I've read that Asus GUI is much organized (more of a pull down menu version). I am very happy with the stability of this D-Link 655. I don't believe I've had to reset it over a few times in the four or five years that I've owned it.

 

[Pooneil]

I have an older D-link router too and have always found the GUI to be clunky. Once you find the features you want. bookmark the pages and make descriptive titles for the bookmarks. When you need the page again, log into the router then click on the bookmark.

I also have two Asus routers that I use as an access point. They do have a great GUI. Functions are logically grouped and the graphics are helpful.

I keep the D-link as the router, rather than the newer Asus because the D-link is set up and working. Even if it is clunky, I can get to the pages I need to manage the network. Even with a good GUI there is always a learning curve.

 

[terry4536]

I can understand that. It has been so stable, I hate to mess with it until it begins to fail. But I don't want to be without a router when it does fail. It has been on constantly for four to five years.

 

[Pooneil]

I can understand that. It has been so stable, I hate to mess with it until it begins to fail. But I don't want to be without a router when it does fail. It has been on constantly for four to five years.

So has mine. But I can replace it right away by reconfiguring an access point back to router mode and going to the store for a new access point. It's your preference and your call.