LinkSys by Cisco WRT160N

PRICE $99 (usual price: $139), with free designer egg mouse

Performance seekers on a budget should check out the affordable WRT160N router, which features a 4-port full-duplex 10/100 switch and high-speed Wireless-N (draft 802.11n) that lets both your Ethernet-wired and wireless devices share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection.

The Wireless-N access point built into this router overlays signals of multiple radios to increase the range and reduce "dead shots" in the wireless coverage area, resulting in more stable and farther connections than Wireless-G and Wireless-B - both of which are also supported for older devices.

To help protect your data, the WRT160N can encode all wireless transmissions with 256-bit encryption. A firewall protects your PCs against intruders, and supports VPN pass-through as well.

If all of this information sounds overwhelming, fret not - configuration is a snap with the router's browser-based control panel.