Those really shouldn't be called "Routers." They don't route crap. They don't run any routing protocols, you can't put static or default routes... Why are they called a Router? A simple NAT device would be a better name, but still not an "accurate" definition. Regular Network Address Translation (NAT) uses a pool of external IP addresses to randomly use for internal clients. I don't think the Linksys or SMC does that. It lets you have one external IP address. This is another type of NAT called "NAT overload" or aka Port Address Translation (PAT).

Maybe I'm just too picky on how things are marketed. Anyway, here are my suggestions:

For ease of use on a small home network, use an SMC or Linksys "router".

For high performance on a small to medium sized network with lots of flexibility and security, go for a Cisco PIX 501 or 506. You could also consider a 806, 1605R, 2514, 2611, 2621 Router, these models each offer two fixed ethernet ports. You wouldn't get any advanced firewall features of the PIX, but the IOS firewall with access lists is alot better than a Linksys.

Any more requirements and you should look at the PIX 515, 520, and on up in combination with a regular cisco router. But who can afford this kinda stuff for home.