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Linksys WRT160NL Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price:~£95Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:270 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

Linksys WRT160NL Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

5.9

Overall score

Score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

90%

5.8

Technical score

10%

7.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 94% of routers
5.8

Technical score

Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

26%

4.7

Wireless

20%

5.5

Ports

18%

7.1

Networking

14%

8.3

Security

12%

4.4

Hardware

10%

4.6

Management

â–¼Worse than 95% of routers
7.1

User score

User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

5.6

Number of reviews

Based on 192 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 89% of routers
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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of router Linksys WRT160NL

Technical score
Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

26%

4.7

Wireless

20%

5.5

Ports

18%

7.1

Networking

14%

8.3

Security

12%

4.4

Hardware

10%

4.6

Management

5.8
User score
User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

5.6

Number of reviews

Based on 192 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.1
Popularity
Popularity
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Popularity:
Linksys WRT160NL has a popularity score of 5.6 points, which is lower than that of 58.8% of products in this category.
5.6
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

60%

5.9

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.1
Brand name
Linksys
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
This router supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 75.4% of routers and equal to 22.4% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
270 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
270 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 270 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 90.7% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.3% of routers and the same as 35.1% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP
â–² Better than 41% of models
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 40.9% of routers and equal to 17.7% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
DoS protection
yes
â–² Better than 13% of models
This router includes DoS protection. 12.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
URL filter
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router supports URL filtering. 3.4% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
no
IPv6 support
no
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
This router does not support IPv6. 88.7% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
Dynamic routing
yes
â–² Better than 48% of models
This router supports dynamic routing. 47.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
Inter-VLAN routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
no
VLAN tagging
no
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 62% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
N. of LAN ports
4
â–² Better than 24% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.7% of routers and the same as 69.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
This router offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 73.2% of routers and on par with 26.4% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
N. of USB ports
1
â–² Better than 39% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 39.5% of routers and the same as 39.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Category Benchmark
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI
Management interface
Web UI
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
This router uses Web UI for management, which is less advanced than 72.2% of routers and equal to 27.3% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
This router supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
no
Traffic monitoring
no
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
This router does not include traffic monitoring. 82.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
no
Guest Wi-Fi network
no
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
This router does not offer a guest Wi‑Fi network. 91.7% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
Captive portal
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not offer captive portal features. 23.5% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
1x 0.4 GHz
CPU clock speed
1x 0.4 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
This router runs at 1x0.4 GHz, which is slower than 83.3% of routers and on par with 1.2% of routers.
RAM capacity
32 MB
RAM capacity
32 MB
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 32 MB of RAM, which is less than 83.5% of routers and the same as 12% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 72.7% of routers and the same as 20.6% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
Hardware acceleration
no
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 68.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
2
N. of external antennas
2
â–² Better than 45% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 45.1% of routers and the same as 13.1% of routers.
Show more

Linksys WRT160NL vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 5.1 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    3 W
    â–² Better than 88% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (3 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    3 W vs 8.1 W
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 41% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Removable antennas
    Removable antennas
    yes
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.4% of routers have removable antennas.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 41% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 5.1 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    3 W
    â–² Better than 88% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (3 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    3 W vs 8.1 W
  • Removable antennas
    Removable antennas
    yes
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.4% of routers have removable antennas.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Slower LAN ports
    LAN port speeds
    100 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Wi-Fi bands
    2.4 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • No IPv6 support
    IPv6 support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
    This router does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 88.5% of routers support IPv6.
  • No VPN server support
    VPN server support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 66.3% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • 9.8% worse value for money
    Linksys WRT160NL has worse value for money than the average router (7.12 vs 7.8).
    7.12 vs 7.82
  • 12.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Linksys WRT160NL
    the average router
    Linksys WRT160NL has a lower user score than the average router (7.14 vs 8.000).
    7.14 vs 8
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Wi-Fi bands
    2.4 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • 81.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    270 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (270 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    270 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Narrower channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    This router has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No band steering
    Band steering
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 51.8% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Beamforming
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 56.7% of routers support beamforming.
  • No VPN server support
    VPN server support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 66.3% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No network services filtering
    Network services filter
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    This router does not support network services filtering, while the average router does. 93.2% of routers support network services filtering.
  • No PPTP server
    PPTP server
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 62.4% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No IPv6 support
    IPv6 support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
    This router does not support IPv6, while the average router does. 88.5% of routers support IPv6.
  • Slower LAN ports
    LAN port speeds
    100 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Weaker management tools
    Management interface
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • No traffic monitoring
    Traffic monitoring
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    This router does not offer traffic monitoring, while the average router does. 81.9% of routers offer traffic monitoring.
  • No guest Wi-Fi network
    Guest Wi-Fi network
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    This router does not offer a guest Wi-Fi network, while the average router does. 91.4% of routers offer a guest Wi-Fi network.
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    SMB, FTP, media server
    â–² Better than 56% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    SMB, FTP, media server vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • 87.5% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    32 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    This router has less RAM than the average router (32 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    32 MB vs 256 MB
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    1 x 0.4 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.4 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    1x0.4 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.007812 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 6 older release date
    Release date
    2009
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router is an older model than the average router (2009 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    June 2009
    2009 vs 2015

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

S
smallnetbuilder.com
21/10/2009
Summary of the review
Linksys by Cisco WRT160NL Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link Retest
A
alphr.com
07/10/2009
Summary of the review
Cisco Linksys WRT160NL review

Third-party reviews

Based on 192 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: October 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Linksys WRT160NL

  • Open-source friendly with support for Linux-based custom firmware like DD-WRT
  • Includes a Storage Link (USB port) for connecting external hard drives or flash drives
  • Features two external detachable antennas for better signal positioning
  • User-friendly web-based management interface with helpful setup software
  • Compact and sleek 'sleek-wing' design that remains low-profile
  • Good set of legacy networking features including QoS and SPI firewall protection

What we don't like about Linksys WRT160NL

  • Lacks Gigabit Ethernet ports, restricting wired speeds to 100Mbps
  • Limited to the 2.4GHz band only (no 5GHz support), which is prone to interference
  • Wireless throughput performance is significantly slower compared to newer 'N' generation rivals
  • Internal thermal design can lead to heat issues, with some users needing to flip it upside down
  • USB 2.0 port speeds are relatively slow for high-capacity file transfers
  • Lacks modern features like guest access or a built-in on-router display

Verdict

The Linksys WRT160NL is a Linux-based Wireless-N broadband router featuring a 2.4 GHz Atheros chipset with 32MB of RAM and 8MB of ROM. It provides wireless data transfer rates up to 270 Mbps (Draft 802.11n) and is equipped with four 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet ports, a USB 2.0 'Storage Link' port for NAS functionality, and two detachable external antennas. Its main pros include its open-source friendliness for custom firmware like DD-WRT, a built-in DLNA media server, and flexible antenna customization. However, it lacks Gigabit Ethernet ports, does not support the 5 GHz band, and has been noted for relatively slow file transfer speeds compared to newer standards.

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