Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-04-20. Price and availability subject to change.
Bottom line: The Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router is a specs-and-price decision rather than a crowd-consensus one in the networking category, priced around $24.99. Check the specification table above against one or two close alternatives — on price and spec fit, not on star ratings.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Advanced wireless security with 128 bit WEP encryption, MAC, or IP address filtering
- ✓ Backed by Linksys's warranty and support channels
- ✓ Ships via Amazon with Prime eligibility and the standard returns policy
Cons
- ✗ Confirm socket / form-factor / power-rating compatibility against your build before ordering
- ✗ Price, stock, and Prime eligibility update from Amazon and may have changed since this page was last verified
The Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router is the blue-and-black box that defined home networking for a generation, and it still earns 4.1 out of 5 stars from 1,595 reviewers. It combines three devices in one chassis: an Internet-sharing router, a 4-port Ethernet switch, and an 802.11g wireless access point. Wireless G moves data at up to 54 Mbps, roughly five times the throughput of 802.11b, and because both standards share the 2.4 GHz band the WRT54G still talks to older 11 Mbps Wireless-B clients without extra hardware. Security and control come from 128-bit WEP encryption plus MAC and IP…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to our editorial and benchmark analysis across the networking category. Linksys's networking lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for networking of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the Amazon listing before purchase. Prices, stock, and Prime eligibility update directly from Amazon's catalog and may have moved since this page was last verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the Linksys WRT54G wireless connection?
Wireless data rates reach up to 54 Mbps on 802.11g, roughly five times faster than the 11 Mbps of 802.11b. Real-world throughput is lower and varies with distance and interference.
Will the WRT54G work with my older 802.11b devices?
Yes. Wireless G and Wireless B share the same 2.4 GHz radio band, so the WRT54G interoperates with 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps alongside newer G clients.
What wireless security does the WRT54G support?
The listed security features are 128-bit WEP encryption plus MAC address and IP address filtering. WEP is outdated by modern standards, so treat this as a legacy or isolated-network router.
How many wired devices can I plug into it?
The built-in switch has 4 Ethernet ports for wired clients, and the router shares a single Internet connection across those wired machines and your wireless clients simultaneously.
Is the WRT54G hard to set up?
No software install is required. It runs a browser-based configuration utility and operates as a DHCP server, so it can hand out IP addresses to your devices automatically once connected.
Key Features
- Advanced wireless security with 128 bit WEP encryption, MAC, or IP address filtering
- Interoperates with 802.11b clients at 11 Mbps
- Wireless data rates up to 54 Mbps 5 times faster than 802.11b
- All in one Internet sharing router, 4 port switch, and Wireless G (802.11g) access point
- Shares a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet wired and Wireless G clients
- All in one Internet sharing router, 4 port switch, and Wireless G (802.11g) access point
Full Specifications
| Brand | Linksys |
|---|---|
| Color | One Color |
| Weight | 802.11g |
| Coverage | Wireless B (802.11b) and Wireless G (802.11g) standards |
| Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
| Model Name | WRT54G |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Antenna Type | Internal |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Model Number | WRT54G |
| Compatibility | Switch, Mac |
| Built-In Media | 4 port switch, Wireless G (802.11g) access point, Antennas, Power adapter |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Controller Type | Switch |
| Mfr Part Number | WRT54G |
| Number of Ports | 4 |
| Special Feature | Access Point Mode, WPS |
| Antenna Location | Security |
| Wi-Fi Generation | 802.11g |
Ready to buy?
Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router is available on Amazon with Prime shipping and the full Amazon returns policy. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
View Current Price on Amazon →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-04-20. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Networking
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best AM4 CPU for 1080p Gaming in 2026: 5 Value Picks
- xAI Open-Sources Grok-Build: Running Agentic Coding on Your Own GPU
- Samsung Winds Down Chip Output Before Strike — Brace for SSD Prices
- Best Controller for Fighting Games on PC in 2026
- Best SATA SSD for a Retro Windows XP or 98 Build (2026)
- Period-Correct Storage for a Windows XP Gaming Rig: SSD, CompactFlash, or IDE?
- Codex Now Drives Windows PCs: The Local-Agent Rig You Can Build Instead
- Best Game Controller for PC in 2026: 5 Picks Tested Against Real Use
- Best Budget SSD for PS5 and Steam Download Cache in 2026
- BOSGAME VTA-439: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 Mini PC for Linux
- Best Gaming Mouse Pads for FPS and MOBA in 2026
- How to Image and Preserve Vintage IDE and CompactFlash Drives in 2026
- Intel Arc B580 vs RTX 3060 12GB for Local LLMs in 2026
- Windows 98 SE on >512MB RAM: The vcache Fix Explained (2026)
- Best Plug-and-Play Retro Game Console in 2026
- Ryzen AI Max 395 Mini PC: Specs, Performance & Buying Guide
- Best Webcam for Streaming and Video Calls Under $200 (2026)
- Self-Host Immich on a Raspberry Pi 4 8GB: 2026 Setup + Perf
- Handheld Gaming PCs Ranked: 2025's Best, Compared
- KOORUI 27" 4K vs Samsung Odyssey 4K for Console + PC Gaming
- Best 4K Monitor Under $300 for RTX 3060 12GB Gaming in 2026
- Self-Host Jellyfin on a Ryzen 5 5600G Mini Build in 2026: Measured Power and Transcoding
- Build a Pi Zero 2 W Retro Mini-TV: Full Parts List and Setup
- CUDA 13.3 Landed: What Local LLM Operators Need to Know for RTX 3060 / 4090 Rigs
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090