Review: Linksys WAG160N Draft N router

Previous Linksys routers weren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but this new model is something you’ll want to have out on display.

Designed to sit horizontally, two aerials are built into the casing.

This makes it look neater but it does mean you can’t replace them with bigger aerials, nor can you point them in a specific direction to improve coverage.

A collection of icons light up to indicate wireless, DSL and internet activity as well as attached Ethernet devices.

Instead of a Gigabit switch, Linksys has opted for a 10/100Mbits/sec version.

While this won’t slow down your wireless activity, it means it won’t be able to take advantage of the speed offered by Gigabit Lan devices wired directly to it.

Using the supplied software, installation is painless, we had it up and running in a matter of minutes.

The router’s interface could be better laid out; seven menu tabs sit at the top, with each one leading to a further selection of menus.

It creates a rather cluttered feel, and anyone without home networking experience will struggle to get to grips with it. There is, however, a fairly extensive help section for each topic.

An Access Restrictions section lets you dictate when the internet should be available – particularly useful if you’ve got children. You can also tailor internet access restrictions for each PC on your network.

Wireless performance was on a par with other Draft N routers we’ve tested, averaging around 30Mbits/sec. But, as usual, the performance levels you experience will depend on local wireless congestion, the thickness of walls in your home and other factors.

Linksys has done a great job with the design of this router – it’s just a shame the same amount of effort hasn’t been put into the interface.