Router recommendation
Discussion
I have Vodafone 900Mb FTTP but the supplied router is absolute rubbish, the range is noticeably worse than others I've had from BT/Sky/Plusnet in the past. Is it worth dropping £300 on a WiFi7 router or is that overkill? The important stuff (computer, TV, consoles etc) are all wired in so this would be just for phones, tablets and various speakers dotted around the house.
You can do the re-use a existing router but really it needs to be cabled rather than as a wireless extender (if that’s even a option in its setting)
Really it depends on the home size, layout & construction materials.
It depends on where the low / dead zones are & where the main router is.
As you have cables can you relocate the router to a more central point.
Wifi 7 isn’t the game changer that many think, wifi 7 &6e use 6GHz waive length great for speed, poor for distance & penetration, this means you need more nodes to cover spaces.
However it doesn’t sound like speed is your driver.
Perhaps a wifi6 mesh system either replacing the existing router or configured as simple access points using the current router either way connected via ethernet would suit well without busting the budget.
But would need to know more around the questions above to say more.
I m going Wifi 7 as soon as I get my first Wifi 7 device.
From https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-Wi-fi-7-...
“ I upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 at the end of last year and it s made a huge difference when it comes to ensuring all of the devices on my home network have a strong connection and with my download speeds overall.”
“ During our real-world testing at Brian s 100-year-old home, he pushed the RT-BE96U to its limits and the speed test results speak for themselves. At close range (15 feet), Brian was able to get this Wi-Fi 7 router to reach a max speed of 1.94 Gbps. What impressed me even more though was the RT-BE96U s sustained performance. Even at 75 feet away, Brian still saw speeds of over 400 Mbps, which is fantastic. Likewise, the RT-BE96U also handled walls like a champ during Brian s penetration tests, maintaining a very impressive 1.8 Gbps download speed through a wall at a distance of 25 feet. “
These were done using a Oneplus 11 and Acer Swift Edge 16.
My Wifi 6 router is never going to achieve a 1.8 Gbps download speed on a 2 x 2 connection. Perhaps not a ‘gamechanger’ but definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
From https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-Wi-fi-7-...
“ I upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 at the end of last year and it s made a huge difference when it comes to ensuring all of the devices on my home network have a strong connection and with my download speeds overall.”
“ During our real-world testing at Brian s 100-year-old home, he pushed the RT-BE96U to its limits and the speed test results speak for themselves. At close range (15 feet), Brian was able to get this Wi-Fi 7 router to reach a max speed of 1.94 Gbps. What impressed me even more though was the RT-BE96U s sustained performance. Even at 75 feet away, Brian still saw speeds of over 400 Mbps, which is fantastic. Likewise, the RT-BE96U also handled walls like a champ during Brian s penetration tests, maintaining a very impressive 1.8 Gbps download speed through a wall at a distance of 25 feet. “
These were done using a Oneplus 11 and Acer Swift Edge 16.
My Wifi 6 router is never going to achieve a 1.8 Gbps download speed on a 2 x 2 connection. Perhaps not a ‘gamechanger’ but definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
Edited by wyson on Monday 15th September 17:31
ARH said:
Just get your old router, plug it in somewhere else in the house switch off the dhcp and use it as an ap. You will then have wifi at the other side of your house for free
Already done that for upstairs, I have 2 old repurposed routers but they're all WiFi5 along with the Vodafone one downstairs. Of course I could add more (nearer the garden for example where the signal is weak) but then I'd have more wires running around.Just wondering if any of the new fancy pants WiFi7 ones will give better coverage and speed.
Check what all your devices actually support before splashing out on wifi7.
Wifi 4 and 5, almost 100% likely. 6, a bit less, 6e, less again. 7, well maybe.
4 use 2.4ghz and has the best range, best wall piercing ability, but the worst speed.
5 and 6 use 5ghz, lower range, faster, or much faster speeds.
6e is the same as 6, but using 6ghz, lower range again, faster speeds.
7 uses 6ghz, but some naughty vendors also sell devices that are wifi7, but only use 5ghz.
Its hard to say how good any particular router will be in your house, depends on size, layout, construction, etc.
You should be able to get decent wifi6e router that also supports adding mesh nodes, either wired or wireless.
F.e https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Archer-GXE75-AXE5... (or maybe a less ugly one
)
This supports easy mesh, so if you find it doesnt reach the staff wing, then you can add on an extra node
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/86C0A788-7A31...
Wifi 4 and 5, almost 100% likely. 6, a bit less, 6e, less again. 7, well maybe.
4 use 2.4ghz and has the best range, best wall piercing ability, but the worst speed.
5 and 6 use 5ghz, lower range, faster, or much faster speeds.
6e is the same as 6, but using 6ghz, lower range again, faster speeds.
7 uses 6ghz, but some naughty vendors also sell devices that are wifi7, but only use 5ghz.
Its hard to say how good any particular router will be in your house, depends on size, layout, construction, etc.
You should be able to get decent wifi6e router that also supports adding mesh nodes, either wired or wireless.
F.e https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Archer-GXE75-AXE5... (or maybe a less ugly one
)This supports easy mesh, so if you find it doesnt reach the staff wing, then you can add on an extra node
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/86C0A788-7A31...
Edited by .:ian:. on Monday 15th September 20:02
He'd be mad to use a mesh based system when he has cables. He should simply hang an access point off some of those cables to ensure good coverage.
The system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
The system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
NorthDave said:
He'd be mad to use a mesh based system when he has cables. He should simply hang an access point off some of those cables to ensure good coverage.
The system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
Or as I mentioned earlier just hang your old router from one of those cables and save hundreds of £'s.The system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
NorthDave said:
He'd be mad to use a mesh based system when he has cables. He should simply hang an access point off some of those cables to ensure good coverage.
The system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
Nothing annoys the sThe system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
t out of you more than being next to an AP, while your laptop/phone/etc is still hanging on to another AP coz it can just about get a signal with naff-all bandwidth.A mesh network adds the intelligence required, to allow you to seamlessly roam, whilst the network works out which AP you need to be connected to. By all means, use the cables as a backhaul but without that layer of intelligence, you're just pissing in the wind and wasting £££.
M
If you've had routers in the past which worked fine, it just sounds like a crap router with poor aerials / transmission.
Unless you have the very latest devices Wifi7 won't make any difference. Even Wifi6 might not be as good old 2.4Ghz for getting around your house.
No brain option is to spend 40 quid and get a TP link with nice big aerials sticking out of it to plug straight into your existing one - job done.
Unless you have the very latest devices Wifi7 won't make any difference. Even Wifi6 might not be as good old 2.4Ghz for getting around your house.
No brain option is to spend 40 quid and get a TP link with nice big aerials sticking out of it to plug straight into your existing one - job done.
camel_landy said:
Nothing annoys the st out of you more than being next to an AP, while your laptop/phone/etc is still hanging on to another AP coz it can just about get a signal with naff-all bandwidth.
A mesh network adds the intelligence required, to allow you to seamlessly roam, whilst the network works out which AP you need to be connected to. By all means, use the cables as a backhaul but without that layer of intelligence, you're just pissing in the wind and wasting £££.
M
A mesh network uses a wireless backhaul. A managed WiFi system has the intelligence you mention. t out of you more than being next to an AP, while your laptop/phone/etc is still hanging on to another AP coz it can just about get a signal with naff-all bandwidth.A mesh network adds the intelligence required, to allow you to seamlessly roam, whilst the network works out which AP you need to be connected to. By all means, use the cables as a backhaul but without that layer of intelligence, you're just pissing in the wind and wasting £££.
M
eltax91 said:
I've got a Ubiquiti USG router and the PlusNet thingy operating in modem only mode in the garage.
Then 3 AP's dotted aorund the house connected via cables.
Works seemlessly
Similar; Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Fiber, 2 APs and a Beacon for fill in coverage. Currently connected to a cable modem, soon to go fiber. Upgraded from an Edgerouter lite. I'm very impressed with it.Then 3 AP's dotted aorund the house connected via cables.
Works seemlessly
But, by the time you include the switches and APs, that's over 800 quids worth of network. Nothing to some, but sticker shock is real.
Have they brought out a new USG? The old one won t handle 900.
Iirc there was going to be a replacement, the UGX but it kept getting delayed.
I have 900 fibre and a similar use case. Unifi UDM SE used for gateway, then going to assorted other switches and APs. It is excellent.
ETA: for those considering wifi7 APs, be aware that there’s a step up in power consumption: some need PoE+ and, in the case of unifi, at least one of the models contains a cooling fan.
Iirc there was going to be a replacement, the UGX but it kept getting delayed.
I have 900 fibre and a similar use case. Unifi UDM SE used for gateway, then going to assorted other switches and APs. It is excellent.
ETA: for those considering wifi7 APs, be aware that there’s a step up in power consumption: some need PoE+ and, in the case of unifi, at least one of the models contains a cooling fan.
Edited by LooneyTunes on Thursday 18th September 05:59
camel_landy said:
NorthDave said:
He'd be mad to use a mesh based system when he has cables. He should simply hang an access point off some of those cables to ensure good coverage.
The system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
Nothing annoys the sThe system can be as simple (TP Link Deo or similar) or as complicated (Unifi, Cisco etc) as he likes.
He would be crazy not to use the cables as the backbone of whatever system he chooses though.
t out of you more than being next to an AP, while your laptop/phone/etc is still hanging on to another AP coz it can just about get a signal with naff-all bandwidth.A mesh network adds the intelligence required, to allow you to seamlessly roam, whilst the network works out which AP you need to be connected to. By all means, use the cables as a backhaul but without that layer of intelligence, you're just pissing in the wind and wasting £££.
M
APs (and mesh units) can assist by broadcasting signal quality data, but its the client that does the leg work.
I use both mesh and APs (big multi building home layout) and have zero handover issues - all the mesh adds (and it's a key feature for me) is wireless network extension without cables in the old part of the buidling where cable runs are impractical - and the speed of the wifi netwoek is maintained over hops.
Mesh isn't the be all and end all, its a good solution for where cable access is limited (wired backhaul is lovely but can be achieved just as easily with APs - just you don't end up with a single interface for management unless you go down the line of more professional kit like Ubiquity).
The reality for most uses is also that they don't care about wireless link speed when "roaming" as its normally their phone thats using it. Very few people wander roudn at home on their laptop, video conferncing, whilst strollign from the toilet to the garden shed.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Thursday 18th September 08:24
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff