Linksys WRT150N Wireless-N Home Router

The Linksys WRT150N Wireless-N Home Router goes against the grain of new routers providing faster throughput, and for good reason. Linksys designed this router for those home users who want improved range over standard 802.11g routers, but don't want to pony up the cash for one of the new Draft N routers, either because of sticker shock, or because they simply don't need the speed and bandwidth that 11N products provide. The 11N spec addresses the needs of bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-definition video streaming, VoIP, and smooth online gaming--especially simultaneously. If you have no intention of using any of these features but still need your wireless network to cover more ground, the high price of the Draft N routers can be hard to swallow. The WRT150N covers this niche: it provides less speed than the Draft N routers (but still more than enough for normal Web browsing), increased range over 11G products, and a lower price point--around $99. The advantage of this router over so-called Super G or pre-N products that use MIMO is that the WRT150N is based on the draft 11N spec, so it should interoperate seamlessly with products from other vendors. (The pre-N/Super G products are all based on vendors' proprietary implementations of MIMO and aren't guaranteed to play together nicely.) We like that Linksys is addressing the segment of customers who aren't power users but who still want to benefit from the newer technology.

The WRT150N router looks like a standard router. Its black-and-blue body is the same size as the WRT300N, but it provides only two standard antennae, which are mounted on the rear. Also on the back edge are the standard ports: one WAN port, four LAN ports, a power jack, and a pinhole reset button. The front edge of the router houses labeled indicator lights that correspond to the jacks on the rear. A top-mounted button is labeled reserved, and Linksys is mum about its plans for the button.

Setting up the WRT150N router is simple, and Linksys makes the process transparent. When you first open the box, you're faced with an envelope containing the installation CD. The included instructions direct first-timers to insert the CD into their PCs for the setup wizard. The wizard walks you through all the steps, starting with disconnecting your PC from your modem. Old hands can simply connect all the cables and navigate to the router's default IP address (192.168.1.1) to configure a network. If you need a refresher, Linksys includes a handy reference to manually installing the router.

Once you've installed the router, you can configure your wireless network using the router's Web-based configuration tool. The WRT150N includes all the latest security features you'd expect to see, including 128-bit encryption; WEP, WPA-PSK, and WPA-PSK2; SPI and NAT firewalls; and VPN pass-through. You can set up access rules by date and time or by MAC address, and you can filter Web sites by keywords or IP addresses.

The Linksys WRT150N's strength is in long-range throughput, though its maximum throughput (at 10 feet) and mixed mode performance are more than serviceable for Web browsing. (We tested it with the Linksys WPC300N PC card, as the WRT150N doesn't have a dedicated companion card.) At 10 feet, it scored 53.93Mbps, ahead of all of the standard 802.11g routers but well behind the first round of draft N routers. (The theoretical average throughput for 11N is 200Mbps--though none of the draft N routers we've tested have come close--and the theoretical average throughput for 11G is around 25Mbps.) In mixed mode, it scored 45.7Mbps, nearly as fast as the more expensive WRT300N router. In a mixed-mode (N/G/B) environment, you should still see the performance we report here if you're using the router with an 11N client; you'll see speeds more in line with standard G scores if you're using an 11G client.) But at 200 feet, it scored 20.3Mbps--again, behind most of the draft N pack, but well ahead of the standard G routers. In fact, back when we reviewed the standard G routers several years ago, we didn't even report throughput numbers at 200 feet; we just noted if the signal made it that far--some didn't. So if you're looking for improved range and don't need the kind of throughput that the 11N spec provides (for bandwidth-intensive applications), the Linksys WRT150N is a good candidate.

CNET Labs maximum throughput tests (at 10 feet)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Throughput in Mbps measured at 10 feet

Trendnet N-Draft router TEW-631BRP

83.3 

Netgear WNR834B RangeMax Next router

72.7 

Linksys WRT300N draft N router

71.5 

D-Link N 650 router

68.1 

Linksys WRT150N Wireless-N Home Router

53.93 

*The Belkin N1 and the Buffalo Nfiniti routers don't allow for single-mode operation, so they have no scores in this test.

CNET Labs long-range tests
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Throughput in Mbps measured at 200 feet

Trendnet N-Draft router TEW-631BRP

54.1 

D-Link N 650 router

41.04 

Buffalo Airstation Nfiniti router*

38.18 

Belkin N1 router*

33.8 

Netgear WNR834B RangeMax Next router

32 

Linksys WRT150N Wireless-N Home Router

20.3 

Linksys WRT300N draft N router

17 

*The Belkin N1 and the Buffalo Nfiniti routers were tested in mixed mode at 200 feet.

Linksys backs the WRT150N with a one-year warranty, which is disappointing, since it backs the WRT300N with a generous three-year warranty. Toll-free phone support is available 24-7, as is online chat with a support rep. Linksys' Web site includes downloadable software and drivers and an FAQ section.