Best networking devices
You need more than just a router when it comes to home networking, and there is actually a lot more you can do with a network than you might know.
For example, if you live in a neighborhood saturated with wireless signals, a dual-band router that supports both 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies would serve you well. Or if you want to do light document-sharing, a router with built-in support for network storage via an external hard drive would come in handy. Are you looking to extend your network via your home's electrical wiring? Routers with built-in power line technology or power line adapter kits are what you want.
You'll find all of them here. Of the many networking products I've reviewed, these are the best in their respective categories. This list is updated regularly as more devices are reviewed.
Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620L (by Novatel Wireless)
Business travelers will find the Verizon Jetpack MiFi 4620L an excellent companion thanks to its fast connection, nice set of features, and long-lasting battery. Its expensive and limited data plans, however, might steer casual users away.
Price: $49.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Asus RT-N66U Dark Knight Double 450Mbps N Router
Though not perfect, the Asus RT-N66U Dark Knight Double 450Mbps N Router would make an excellent network gateway for home and small-office environments.
Price: $169.99 - $228.65 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Clear Spot Voyager
Supercompact, affordable, and with fast performance, the Clear Spot Voyager would be a great mobile hot-spot device for those who live and travel within Clear's 4G coverage.
Price: $109.32 - $119.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Amped Wireless High Power Wireless-N 600mW Gigabit Router (R10000G)
The Amped Wireless High Power Wireless-N 600mW Gigabit Router R10000G would be a good choice for those who need exceptional Wi-Fi coverage.
Price: $127.79 - $181.17 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
D-Link DIR-827 Amplifi HD Media Router 2000
The D-Link DIR-827 is a very good true dual-band router that needs a firmware upgrade so it can live up to its potential.
Price: $137.82 - $160.00 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
D-Link DIR-645 Amplifi Whole Home Router 1000
The unique-looking and compact D-Link Amplifi Whole Home Router 1000 (DIR-645) makes a very good investment for homes that need a fast wired network and good Wi-Fi signal coverage.
Price: $79.99 - $95.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Cisco Linksys E4200 v2 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N900 router 
The Linksys E4200 v2 makes a great upgrade to the original version and an excellent investment for those who need a fast, feature-rich, advanced, yet easy-to-use router for the home or even a small business.
Price: $149.99 - $216.92 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Netgear WNDR3800 N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router - Premium Edition
The Netgear WNDR3800 N600 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router makes an excellent router for any home.
Price: $118.97 - $147.46 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
D-Link DHP-501AV PowerLine AV 500 Adapter Starter Kit
Attractive, affordable, and very fast, D-Link's PowerLine AV 500 Adapter Starter Kit DHP-501AV is one of the best available in its class.
Price: $107.89 - $120.59 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
D-Link DHP-540 PowerLine AV 500 4-Port Gigabit Switch
Compact, good-looking, affordable, and fast, D-Link's PowerLine AV 500 4-Port Gigabit Switch DHP-540 makes a great device that extends your network both via traditional cables and electrical wiring.
Price: $84.99 - $103.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Asus RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless-N Router
The Asus RT-N56U is arguably one of the best true dual-band 300Mbps home routers on the market.
Price: $116.74 - $146.44 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Cisco Linksys E3000
The Linksys E3000 is the first advanced router that's also easy to use for novices. It provides great wireless performance and has a good set of useful networking features. Its mediocre NAS performance and limited guest networking feature make it significantly less than perfect, however.
Price: $135.00 - $583.00 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Premium Edition)
The Netgear WNDR3700 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is a great dual-band router for networking enthusiasts who also want a quick and easy network storage solution.
Price: $93.99 - $129.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router DIR-685
The D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router DIR-685 is a very good single-band Wireless-N router; however, its extra features hardly justify the price.
Price: $62.50 - $239.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
The Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router is the first advanced router from Cisco that will make both novice and savvy users happy, thanks to its easy-to-use desktop application, comprehensive Web interface, great design, and stellar performance.
Price: $104.99 - $181.89 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Vizio XWR100 dual-band wireless router
The Vizio XWR100 Dual Band HD Wireless Internet Router is arguably one of the best sub-$100 wireless routers on the market, and it's a must-have for those with network-ready home entertainment devices from Vizio.
Price: $74.99 - $79.99 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Linksys E3200 High Performance Dual-Band N Router
The Linksys E3200 is an excellent high-performance Wireless-N router for both novice and experienced users.
Price: $79.99 - $132.00 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router
Supporting Wireless-N and HomePlug AV, the D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless N PowerLine Router is an ideal router for a home network that favors flexibility over performance. Its lack of support for Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band wireless, and the 500Mbps power-line standard, however, makes it less suitable for those who need to share or stream a large amount of data.
Price: $88.21 - $120.95 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
