In this tech enriched world, the idea of using any of the best-wired routers may sound somewhat old-fashioned. But when you can’t take chance with the security of your business document or can’t wait hours for downloading or transferring the important files during home use, relying on wireless routers can be expensive.
So, in this best-wired router reviews, we have come up with a detail discussion on what you need to consider while purchasing a wired router along with a list of best-wired gigabit router models to let you choose the best one matching your requirement.
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Our top pick in this best-wired router reviews is this reasonably priced wired router.
Apart from its aesthetical black design, the Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite ERLITE-3 Desktop Router serves incessantly without making any noise, thanks to its fanless structure.
Non-technical personalities may find it way bit tricky but if you manage to tweak it properly, flawless browsing is guaranteed.
This impressive unit also comprises 8 Ethernet (Edge router) or 6 Ethernet ports and 2 SFP ports (Edge router Pro). Besides, you can use it with dual WAN solutions.
And finally, with all these features together, it can easily outperform other pricey models available out there.
Best Wired Router Reviews
It’s not easy to pick the suitable one from the ocean of wired gigabit routers existing in the market. As a possible solution to this problem, we have scrutinized the features as well as the good and bad sides of 5 best-wired routers for gaming, home or small business uses. In this informative wired gigabit router reviews, you’ll also get buying tips along with the reasons to buy the right router.
If you want to know the differences between a router and a switch, you may need to read a bit further. Right now, we will start with the details of our review of the 5 best wired routers.
1.Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite ERLITE-3 Desktop Router (Black)
Coming with an enduring metal casing, the Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite ERLITE-3 Desktop Router has won a lot of users’ hearts. It provides super fast networking service, more precisely, 1 million packets per second for 64-byte packets. You can rely on this rock solid device for remaining connected on the network.
While this router is seen as a feature-oriented networking device, you can bring it home without breaking the bank. The operating system it comes with is also praiseworthy. The best functionality of this OS is how it aids you in getting the firewalls configured for ease of installation. Then the only thing you need to do is set up your fundamental network layouts from the wizards shown on the new option. And that’s it! Now you will be ready to experience an interruption-free fast network speeds.
This top-notch wired gigabit router, however, may seem complex to set up to the users who hardly entertain any knowledge of DNS, DHCP, routing protocols, VLANs and Graphical User Interface (GUI). Therefore, don’t let the negative reviews about difficult installation procedure let you down. If you’re little bit tech-savvy, you can’t go wrong with this fanless unit.
- Straightforward installation
- Simple to use
- Solid construction
- Uninterrupted network
- Having enough networking knowledge is a must to setup the router
Why Do We Recommend This Wired Router?
- Energy-efficient fanless operation – While you may find other wired gigabit models noisy but can’t risk with the life of the router as the noisemaker fan is saving it from possible danger, the solution can be the Ubiquiti Edgerouter. It’s a fanless small business wired router, that is not only energy efficient but reduces the overall financial cost with its passive cooling feature.
- Stable network provider – Granted, it isn’t a suitable buy for the newbies or someone who lacks insufficient network knowledge. But what you can’t deny with is how swiftly it gets connected. And being a network tweaker, you’ll appreciate its so many customising options and levels of details.
- Affordable – With so many characteristics, this kit is still available at an inexpensive price. Users with less idea about how network works, will find its Command Line Interface difficult to cope with, but educating yourself about the configurations as well as referring to the website, you can easily make this affordable kit work.
2. Linksys LRT214 Gigabit VPN Router
This is probably the best wired router for small business use.
The Linksys LRT214 Business Gigabit VPN Router comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports. This router is one of the best when it comes to providing VPN connectivity. This will help you connect your multiple offices. You can also use this VPN router to connect to your office from your home in a secure manner.
Another key advantage of this wired router from Linksys is that it comes with an integrated firewall. This will help you in protecting your network even further.
Talking of the ease of installation – it’s a simple plug and play. You can use the Web-based GUI to configure the router. You can also use the advanced features to customize the router further.
The router also provides support for IPV6, which is a more advanced protocol. This networking device has the usual LEDs such as power, connectivity indicators for the LAN, WAN and DMZ ports. The DMZ (De-militarized zone) is another awesome feature for a small business office.
- 2 year warranty
- Small size, so can be placed anywhere conveniently
- Security features that work for SMB
- LEDs on ports for easy monitoring
- Ease to use GUI for configuration
- Ease to use GUI for configuration
- Documentation to use the router is not the best
- Firmware can be buggy and might need restart regularly
Why Is This Wired Router a Recommend Purchase?
- Ideal to grow your business & network –For making your business successful, there’s no alternative available than choosing a wired router that helps run your business without crossing the limit of your set budget. And the Linksys 214LRT Gigabit router does the same while expanding your network.
- Front panel LED – As a tech-savvy, it’s natural for you to be desperate to know the current status of your wired gigabit router. You can some basic information from the LEDs.
- Simple to set – Best described as “plug and play’, this unit requires absolutely no configurations to set. Just connect it with your personal computer and fill the other ports linking them other systems. However, surprisingly enough, you will hardly notice any change in its performance.
3. Cisco Systems Gigabit Dual WAN VPN 14 Port Router (RV325K9NA)
Ready to be the backbone of your network, the Cisco Systems Gigabit Router possesses everything you may want to have in a home wired router. However, with the Dual Gigabit Ethernet WAN ports instilled in it, it won’t disappoint you as a small business wired router as well. In fact, its main area of working strength lies in load balancing so that your business experience no interruption due to the network problem.
To save your time and in an attempt to keep the employees attentive towards doing their respective tasks, it’s important that the large files are processed within the shortest possible time. Working from remote places is also possible will this kit, cheers to VPN feature! And while it will be working through VPN, be ready to witness top-notch, reliable and speedy service, especially the SSL and IP Security VPN aptitudes.
- High performing
- Supports working from remote areas
- Files sizes won’t matter while transferring
- Requires inputting all the info every time you use it
Three Top Features Of This Wired Router?
- Multi-purpose– Ensure an incredibly sophisticated routing experience with this Cisco wired gigabit router. No matter on which purpose you are intending to set it up, be it for your home use or business networking, the unit will live up the mark. Impressive LAN to WAN connection is possible within a short period of time. Very much straightforward and allows separate VLANs installation for various parts of the house without sacrificing the speed.
- Ideal to remain productive – Though it comes for a comparatively lower price, it can easily handle massive files, meaning that your or your workers working speed won’t slow down due to the delay of transferring the files anymore. So, you can safely install it on your office expecting the best outcome.
- VLAN technology compatibility – Another awe-striking feature of this solid kit includes its expanding capacity with VLAN technology. That is, this intuitive VLAN configuration can help you to deal with huge traffic. And in case, you find it complicated to make the VLAN technology work, the Cisco support will always be there to have your back.
4. Mikrotik hEX RB750Gr3 5-port Ethernet Gigabit Router
Coming with a lot of improvements, the Mikrotik hEX RB750Gr3 5-port Ethernet Gigabit Router is ready to serve phenomenally in placing where you’re thinking to add a wired gigabit router. While other models may seem difficult to get accommodate, you’ll love its compact size that requires very little room to come into play.
For users with a tight budget, this is an ideal option. But don’t let the fact of its being affordable fool you. It’ll accompany 256MB RAM along with strong dual-core 880MHz CPU. turn sout, it can handle almost all sorts of upgraded configurations which RouterOS operating system supports.
Upon a closer look, you’ll see a full size USB port (type A) in the unit. The required voltage for operating hEX RB750Gr3 ranges from 8 volt to 30 volt. In a word, if you consider yourself an expert in network systems and looking to add an effective wired router, this is undoubtedly the best bang for the buck.
- Plug and play kit
- Excellent speed
- Powerful and effective
- No document comes with it to ease the setting up process
Why Should You Buy This Wired Router?
- Easy to set up – perfect for home as well as small office use. You’ll require NAT for it though! Take little to no setup to get started. At best, we can describe it as a plug and play. First of all, connect the port #1 with the available internet, then you can use any of the port no. 2 to 5.
- Perfect for both domestic and commercial use – The hEX RB750Gr3 powered by Mikrotik is hands down a worthy wired gigabit router. It’s fame as a home wired router is already sky high, and you can’t ignore the capability of this diminutive device in serving you for biz purpose. Needless to say, none of these aims will fail with this high performing wired gigabit.
- RouterOS operating system – Having this vital router operating system installed inside, in terms of efficiency, the hEX RB750Gr3 simply outdoes any other models. In addition, being paired with other state of the art features, this kit could be the best bang for the buck.
5. TP-Link SafeStream TL-R600VPN Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router
Looking for a secured wired gigabit? Look no further than the TP-Link SafeStream TL-R600VPN Gigabit Broadband Desktop VPN Router. It contains DoS defense, IP-MAC Binding and SPI firewall that always remains awake keeping their eyes and ears open to guard your network from most of the recognizable internet attacks. Even more, the professional 4KV lightning protection secures your investment extending its lifespan.
As for the speedy connection, it comes with 4 Gigabit LAN ports along with 1 Gigabit WAN port that is sure to supply a quick connection. You will again find it versatile in assisting IPsec/PPTP VPN protocols. Besides, whereas other wired gigabit router acts backwards when it comes it holding up 20 IPsec and 16 PPTP VPN tunnels, it’s performance will simply be unquestionable.
Apart from encouraging Gigabit Ethernet connections for both WAN and LAN ports, this wired router also allows managing your works from far off places. Overall, it’s the ideal option to be chose when you’re after some small business wired router.
- Cost-effective
- Supports remote work
- Reliable VPN solutions
- Safety features helps fighting the most known attacks
- Connections drop every now and then
- Doesn’t do well with VOIP service
What Makes This The Perfect Wired Router?
- Defensive against external threats– While we use a wired gigabit, the most important thing we care about is our safety and where you’ll find the TL-R600VPN nearly unsurpassed. Featuring SPI Firewall function whereas it fight the external threats, to your surmise, it spontaneously identifies and then blocks Denial of service (DoS) attacks, for example, Ping of Death, TCP/UDP/ICMP Flooding and such.
- Prevents intruder and virus attack – When you’re more conscious about protecting your info from the outsiders, you should never think twice before installing this wired gigabit. Because owning the IP/MAC/Domain name filtering features, it by no means allows any sort of interruption by some virus or invader.
- Superfast – See your computer work speedily than you have ever seen like. Upon setting up, which is not that much complex a process for people with sufficient knowledge of networking, you can see it working faster. For example, while administrating applications namely FTP, RTSP, TFTP and H.323 which don’t fit the NAT setting, the TL-R600VPN activates ALG choices by only one-click.
What To Look For While Buying Wired Routers?
While choosing the best-wired gigabit router, consider the following matters to make your purchase worthy.
Speed: Depending on the number of users and data type, decide between average to high speed wired router models. The higher the speed, the more load it can tackle.
LAN ports: Usually wired routers are known for allowing a lot of connections. Mostly, routers run at 10/100 Mbps, but you can opt for 1000 Mbps Ethernet for swifter internet connections.
VPN: Accessing your network from outside requires virtual private network (VPN) facility. So, whenever you’re selecting a wired gigabit router, confirm first that it conforms to the protocol of your preferred VPN.
Security: Keeping your network safe is possible only when you bring the model that is strong enough to protect your system from the outer attackers. You can also check whether they allow some subscriptions later for neutralizing the latest attacks as well.
IPv6: In order to deduct the need for NAT (Network Address Translation), check both of your internet service provider and the new wired gigabit router support IPv6, so to permit them to gain its own IP address.
Wired Router Vs Wireless Router: Which One To Choose?
Installation
Wired and wireless both networks have variety in their connection setup or installation process. On wired networks, connections are simple than wireless ones. Your computer just needs to connect to the modem or router through a cable. Some network settings may be needed to identify the networks and that’s it. On the other hand, wireless networks take a little bit more work on connections settings. As it is digital signal-based networking technology, physical obstacles can cause transmission distraction. So, this issue should be bear in mind. Besides that, as it is identifiable from any wi-fi enabled device, proper security settings have to consider. Additional software or alteration of network settings maybe required for wireless networks.
Compatibility
Wired connections are suitable for almost all the devices having Ethernet or HomePNA compatibility. An actual Ethernet port is required for establishing a wired network connection. Ethernet is the most used wired connection for computers and if your computer doesn’t have that port; no worries, additional Ethernet adapter cards are easily available on the market. On the contrary, wireless networks don’t require any sort of ports to get connected. Devices that are wireless compatible with the signals from the router can get connected with it. But multiple users at a time can cause the data transferring speed of wireless connections significantly.
Security
Wired connections are visible to only those devices that are connected with the computer directly. But wireless connections are most of the time visible to every nearby device with wireless compatibility. As it is being broadcast in the public areas, wireless networks are riskier than wired networks. Though signal encryption provides some kind of security to wireless connections, but wired networks are definitely less vulnerable than wireless.
Finally, after a short discussion on both wireless and wired networks, it is quite clear that wired connections are more safe than wireless due to easy installation, less security threat and wider compatibility. So, it’s high time you choose the best-wired router and take advantage of speedy as well as a reliable network connection.