Zyxel X-550NH

Zyxel X-550NH wireless router

The $120 Zyxel X-550NH is a purported step up from the Zyxel X-550N with the added high-end external antennas. Unfortunately, where we could only recommend the X-550N with some reservations, we can't recommend the X-550NH as a wireless router at all. Apart from its long range, the router had terrible wireless data throughput speeds and signal stability that was much worse than the X-550N. As a wired router, however, it offers VPN support and a Gigabit Ethernet connection, making it at least somewhat usable. For the same amount of money or even much less, we can recommend many other wireless routers that offer much better wireless performance, stability, and more features. These include the DLink DIR-655, and the Linksys WRT320N . Design and ease of use Like the X-550N, the X-550NH Wireless Router's design is that of a typical wireless router, with three antennas and network ports on the back, and an array of LED indicator lights on the front. It's about 15 percent larger than a normal-size router of the same design, such as the Trendnet TEW-639GR or the D-Link DIR-655. The larger size suggests that the router works best when put on a surface, but nonetheless, it's also wall-mountable.