Linksys - WRT54GL

You can't even buy the WRT54G. I know because I still hoard a stack of WRT54G-L's in storage because I loved them so much I couldn't part ways with them. That being said get one of the Asus models in the $100 price range. They're perfectly capable and running Merlin firmware can do so much more.

You can't even buy the WRT54G. I know because I still hoard a stack of WRT54G-L's in storage because I loved them so much I couldn't part ways with them. That being said get one of the Asus models in the $100 price range. They're perfectly capable and running Merlin firmware can do so much more.

I had a Linksys WRT54GL, and I thought that router was awesome at the time. I've also had one of those Asus routers, and I thought it was pretty good. I had installed 3rd-party firmware on mine though; I had DD-WRT on the Linksys (though you might need the GL version for that rather than the G), and I ran Tomato on my Asus router. Currently, I have a Netgear Nighthawk R7800 router (which is capable of running DD-WRT), which is currently [$90 on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192911RA). But that model is at least 5 years old now, and I imagine there are probably better routers available (though not sure how affordable they are).

Excellent that you followed up. We're smarter now. We should not dismiss the possibility Spectrum missed something but we'll proceed on the basis that Spectrum is correct. We'll just bear the possibility in mind in case something doesn't make sense going forward. With everything as is and your teenager not gaming and nothing else of substance using the Internet, run a [speed test](https://www.speedtest.net/) over WiFi and write down the numbers. Connect your computer to the WiFi router with an Ethernet cable and run another speed test. Connect your computer directly to the cable modem with an Ethernet cable and run a third test. This should take about five minutes total, maybe ten if you have to crawl around on the floor. I recommend having your son participate. Life skills development is part of parenting. Then you can take him out into the driveway and show him how to change a tire. Make sure he knows how to cook. You're trying to [grow a human being](https://stevenbarnes-87684.medium.com/heinleins-rules-of-humanity-f2cc32974e02). I digress. If the problem is the router that will be grossly apparent from the speed tests. If the problem continues with a wired connection to the cable modem then it's back to Spectrum. If the problem lies with the router, it may be a loose connection. Take the antennas off and screw them back on snugly. Test again. Look at the [troubleshooting guide for the Netgear](https://www.netgear.com/support/product/r6400v2/) router. If the router is the problem, you can do a Google search for "best WiFi router." There is a good CNET article that is the first return for me. I'm averse to security vulnerabilities so I'd avoid TP-Link entirely. I have had good experience with Netgear (I currently have a Netgear Nighthawk M6 hotspot I'm very happy with) and with Cisco Linksys (the discontinued Linksys WRT-54GL is my favorite router ever). I have some Asus gear that just works. As context, part of my business is communications which includes networking. I don't sell hardware. I make recommendations that my customers buy and I coach them through configuration or install them myself. There are other decent brands but without doing a deep dive into reviews (the technical landscape keeps changing), if I was in a hurry and speed tests point to the router I'd make my life easier by narrowing down to Netgear, Linksys, and Asus. CNET and PC Magazine are good sources of comparative reviews. I would not spend the money on a gaming router. I think the performance claims are mostly marketing.

Worst idea ever. Been linksys for years nothing but problems. I have run servers in the past and networking is major hobby.

Still has a valid niche for the 100 of us trying to keep our old Nintendo DS systems online. As well as the Wii crowd who won't just buy a compatible LAN dongle.

Talk your shit, but the WRT54G will always be the king.

I have a box full of them in the basement. I was going to try a WiFi mesh project, but it was more trouble than it was worth. Lol.

Same. Refuse to part with the former goat

Edit: to clarify. I posted what I've used in the past, not what I want to use next. The first two were recycled. I added an image of what I've used over the years (Linksys WRT54G, Westell 7501, Asus AC-1900). I feel like the 3 primary routers I've used have been great and reliable. I think I got lucky. I'm looking for a moderate upgrade, even though I don't really need it. My current Asus is pushing 10 years and I'd like to retire it and keep it as a backup. My wishlist: ~$75 (I can wait for a sale), super reliable and automatic, dependable, WiFi6 or 7 just to keep up, would work well with older WiFi tech. A mesh system is not required, but my parents have a 2story house so it might help. I've got the ability for wired back-haul. Honestly a single point would be fine for us i think I want this for my family, my parents, and my grandparents. None of us are power users. All 3 of us have the same AC-1900 router, which makes management super easy for me. In-fact, besides powering off and on occasionally, they've been very reliable for the non-tech-saavy. Just looking for something to continue that tradition. Last year, I bought an ASUS AX3000 WiFi 6 Router, but I returned it. I used it for ~3 weeks, but it was super unreliable compared to my current Asus AC-1900. I never figured out why. I thought it would be an upgrade, but it seemed slower and had tons of connection issues. I have some older tech that was the primary connection problem, but even newer ~4 year old tech was having trouble. Maybe i screwed up the configuration, but it was also more complicated than my current Asus. Hoping to avoid that again. Need something the other family members can handle without any input, like we currently have. Thank you!