Buying a new router advice?

[Ferra]

Need to get a new router since mine is kinda dying...It is an old Dlink N-Router, at least 5-6 years old.

I haven't been catching up with the tech stuffs these past few years, so I have no idea what to look out for.....Just read up on the (new to me) AC standard...lol

Is there a big difference between a $11 router (TP-Link TL-WR720N 150MBPS Wireless N Router 2PORTS - TL-WR720N) and those $200 router (ASUS RT-AC68U AC1900 DUAL-BAND Turboqam 5X Gigabit LAN 1x USB 3.01X USB 2.0 Aicloud Wireless Router - RT-AC68U

What exactly does those $200 router offer other cheaper routers don't...?

I want something that can last me at least a few years (the cost of the equipment is not really that much..it is annoying for me to have to reset all the networks and wireless printers when I get a new router tho)
At the same time, I don't do any media streaming or big file transfers, so for me maybe there is no difference between a $10 router and a $200 router..?
Afterall, the $10 router is probably better than my 6 years old router, and it had worked good enough for me all these years anyway...

[TOPEC]

can't go wrong with asus's routers, the N56, N66, AC66, AC68 for example r all very capable routers. if u like to have more control load up DD-WRT or tomato custom firmware to have more control. i think they all support one or the other

[jing]

Wireless range is a big thing IMO.. quite happy with the range on my AC68. Noticeable improvement compared to my old Linksys WRT54GL

[Traum]

Being the cheapa$$ that I am, I'm gonna go with the $12 router just to try it out first. If you find that it doesn't meet your needs for whatever reason, it is only just $12+tax.

From a typical consumer's point of view, the single biggest useful feature that the $200 Asus has over the $12 TP Link one is the 5 GHz frequency (on top of the 2.4 GHz band that both support). The 2.4 GHz band is prone to interference issues, from cordless phones to microwave ovens to other 2.4 GHz WiFi networks. So chances are, if you live in an apartment, it would be quite easy to get some WiFi interference from your neighbours. The 5 GHz band dramatically reduces this risk.

On the other hand, your wireless devices will also need to support the 5 GHz band. An old laptop that I have doesn't, so it can't take advantage of this feature at all. You will need to check to see whether your WiFi devices support this.

[twitchyzero]

cheapie is fine in your case.
The asus has a ridiculous community support so if you're into FTP/VPN/NAS etc that's where the flexibility comes in. It also has GigaE ports rather than 100Mbps on the cheapies (which is plenty for you) and the 5GHz N/AC which is only supported on newer clients like MacBook, Apple/Samsung products in the last two years etc