BT Home Hub 3 ADSL Wi-Fi router

Balance of power

And it pops back with a satisfying click. Naturally, if you were to lose it, the details are on the base of the router, too. The Home Hub 3 works both with a regular line or the new faster BT Infinity connection, if you live in range of a connected exchange.

Those with more exacting requirements can use a browser to tap in to the Home Hub 3 by typing bthomehub.home and the password whilst on the same network. Basic options such as wireless security protocol can be changed with the Advanced settings allowing for Firewall settings and Port Forwarding and other features to be configured.

There are other details like a simple-to-use onscreen interface so you can use your computer browser to adjust the hub’s settings, so it switches to standby at the times you choose. BT claims this is anyway the most eco-friendly hub yet in terms of power draw. It has a fast-connect button so if your laptop has the latest features you simply touch a button on the router and one on your laptop and they’re linked.

And the Home Hub 3 is certainly smaller and cuter than previous models, though there’s no Wi-Fi phone any more, apparently because it wasn’t a hugely popular element. Like earlier versions, though, the Home Hub has great range, stretching easily between second room bedroom and ground-floor study in our tests and, of course, it uses 802.11n wireless. The USB port can be used to network printers and storage, with the latter appearing as network drive.

The usual suspects plus Infinity

Verdict

The latest Home Hub is an accomplished and good-looking machine that does all the things a router does: connects your wireless machines to the Internet across a good distance and with great reliability. Plus, it has the really excellent additional feature of being able to automatically change its wireless channel, if circumstances demand this. Switching the box off and on again may be the IT classic manœuvre but BT has found a way round this. Whatever will we do with all that extra time? ®

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