TrendNet TEW-633GR 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router

This TrendNet router closely resembles the SMC Barricade N ProMax Draft 11n Gigabit Broadband Router SMCWGBR14-N, right down to their user manuals and Web configuration interfaces. Both of these Wi-Fi routers are based on the same U-Media reference design; they're just clothed in different paint colors.

Despite their similarities, the TEW-633GR was a far better performer than the SMC Barricade, and it also has a far lower list price ($100 versus $120; both prices as of April 20, 2009). Even though it lacks the USB printer port found in the SMC model, it's a much better choice.

The TrendNet router's performance was similar to that of the D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router, whose chipset it shares, with very good throughput overall, especially at short range.

Like the SMC's chassis, the TrendNet's case can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or on a wall, so you have flexibility in positioning it for best reception.

Though the TrendNet is certainly a capable router, it lacks some useful extra features (such as a USB port and a guest access mode) that we looked for, and because of that it doesn't seem as good a value as some competing $100 models, such as the Belkin N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4 and the D-Link DIR-655.