Need new router, which to get?

[bbear]

I'm looking for help in picking a new router. Here are some basic criteria, mostly in priority order. Any suggestions?

- Stability; should be able to go 6-12 months without reboot with few dropped connections.
- QoS (need to prioritize VOIP over all else)
- ~15-20 wireless devices; 10 wired wit GbE
- Cannot run too hot (it will be located in a warm environment)
- Work well in an environment with lots of other WiFi signals
- GbE ports
- Guest SSID that can be isolated from Main SSID; and both work in both 2.4 and 5 bands with WPA2 security.

- Dual-band
- Variable power output in both bands

- Price ~$150; (up to $200 if significantly better)
- Would like to keep it installed for at least 5 years

Additional nice to haves:
- DD-WRT
- media streaming
- USB port


Not interested in:
- Cloud router


The ones that I come up with so fare are:
Netgear:

- R6200 Wifi 802.11ac dual band gigabit
- WNDR4500 N900 Wireless dual band gigabit router


- D-Link DIR857 HD media router 3000

[thiggins]

Those are reasonable picks. I would not bother with draft
AC routers at this time. Wait for the next generation.

No choice can guarantee stability. N900 routers with Gigabit tend to run hot in general. Put most devices on an external switch to keep heat load low.