Linksys E1500

Linksys E1500 Wireless-N router with SpeedBoost

The Cisco Linksys E1500 shares its design with the top-of-the-line Linksys E4200. On the inside, however, it's a simple router designed for basic home networking. Advanced users might be vexed by the fact that the router's Cisco Connect software doesn't offer complete control of its features and will not work with the Web interface. The lack of an USB port and Gigabit Ethernet also means that it's not an ideal router for network storage and media streaming. At the retail price of just around $80 (expect street prices to be even lower), the E1500 would still be a good buy for many homes. For about the same price, we'd also recommend the Cisco Linksys E2000. For a more complete router that's similarly easy to use but at a slightly higher price, check out the Asus RT-N56U. Like the Linksys E4200, the Linksys E1500 router looks more like an expensive jewelry gift box than a router. With its flat shape and internal-antenna design, the router is even more compact than the already compact E4200. It's not wall-mountable, but it is a type of networking device that you are likely to show off in the open rather than hiding it underneath a desk or tucking it in a corner of the house.