Decent Router for use with Plusnet fibre broadband (FTTC)
Discussion
I'm after a decent but sensibly priced router to replace the janky thing supplied by Plusnet. It's Wi-Fi signal is pretty poor, and so until now I've been using my old BT Home Hub 6 instead.
However, as of this morning, that Home Hub has decided it no longer wants to play nicely with Plusnet, and it now obstinately refuses to connect to broadband, despite several factory resets and re-application of the Plusnet settings. So I'm back to using the ropey Plusnet router for now, which does at least connect without issue.
I'm not looking to spend £££loads on a router, but do want something with half-decent Wi-Fi range. The current router is an "all in one" type thing, i.e. it connects directly to the BT wall box via an RJ11 lead, no separate modem required. Would like to stick with this type of one-box device rather than have to buy and set up a separate modem.
Connecting to it via Wi-Fi are a Smart TV, Chromecast, PS4, PS3, and a variety of phones/tablets/laptops. Plus 4x wired LAN devices (CCTV, 4k Smart TV, NAS drive and networked AV receiver). Our broadband connection is 80Mbps, on a good day it tests at around 70Mbps.
So far I've looked at the TP-Link Archer VR400 (around £70), TP-Link Archer VR600 (around £82), ASUS DSL-AC55U (around £75), and D-Link AC1200 DSL-3788/E (around £83). Can anyone recommend/advise against any of these, and/or suggest anything better for around £80 or less?
Cheers!
However, as of this morning, that Home Hub has decided it no longer wants to play nicely with Plusnet, and it now obstinately refuses to connect to broadband, despite several factory resets and re-application of the Plusnet settings. So I'm back to using the ropey Plusnet router for now, which does at least connect without issue.
I'm not looking to spend £££loads on a router, but do want something with half-decent Wi-Fi range. The current router is an "all in one" type thing, i.e. it connects directly to the BT wall box via an RJ11 lead, no separate modem required. Would like to stick with this type of one-box device rather than have to buy and set up a separate modem.
Connecting to it via Wi-Fi are a Smart TV, Chromecast, PS4, PS3, and a variety of phones/tablets/laptops. Plus 4x wired LAN devices (CCTV, 4k Smart TV, NAS drive and networked AV receiver). Our broadband connection is 80Mbps, on a good day it tests at around 70Mbps.
So far I've looked at the TP-Link Archer VR400 (around £70), TP-Link Archer VR600 (around £82), ASUS DSL-AC55U (around £75), and D-Link AC1200 DSL-3788/E (around £83). Can anyone recommend/advise against any of these, and/or suggest anything better for around £80 or less?
Cheers!
I've just helped a friend install one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-DSL-AC68U-Dual-Band-... and he's very impressed. Gets high line speed, very good wifi - especially if you mount it high up. Covers his whole 5 bed house including the kids back bedroom with a laptop and xbox.
It's not the latest and greatest but does give consistent performance with iPads streaming netflix, xbox, smart tv on iPlayer etc and half the price of a Draytek.
The key to wifi is to get rid of as many old devices as possible as an old b/g/n device will bring the whole speed down on the 2.4 GHz channel. Use 5GHz where you can but only with newer ac or better devices. Ethernet to your TV and NAS if you have one.
It's not the latest and greatest but does give consistent performance with iPads streaming netflix, xbox, smart tv on iPlayer etc and half the price of a Draytek.
The key to wifi is to get rid of as many old devices as possible as an old b/g/n device will bring the whole speed down on the 2.4 GHz channel. Use 5GHz where you can but only with newer ac or better devices. Ethernet to your TV and NAS if you have one.
seveb said:
I've just helped a friend install one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-DSL-AC68U-Dual-Band-... and he's very impressed
That’s exactly what I’ve used with Plusnet DSL for the past few years. Rock solid and excellent management features. If I was buying now I’d probably look for a WiFi 6 model, as more kit is starting to feature that standardI'm using an Archer 2800 with my Plusnet Fibre: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Connections-UK-A...
To be honest it's adequate; I ran into a small issue with IOT devices and the fact it will only support up to 32 wireless devices simultaneously - that info wasn't easy to find, I was going in circles for some time wondering why some stuff kept disappearing or couldn't connect. I would've expected better for the money to be honest.
Other than that the wifi range is great although with hindsight I would now get a vertical form-factor rather than horizontal and the gloss black attracts dust in seconds...
Hmm. Not exactly a glowing review now I read it back...!
To be honest it's adequate; I ran into a small issue with IOT devices and the fact it will only support up to 32 wireless devices simultaneously - that info wasn't easy to find, I was going in circles for some time wondering why some stuff kept disappearing or couldn't connect. I would've expected better for the money to be honest.
Other than that the wifi range is great although with hindsight I would now get a vertical form-factor rather than horizontal and the gloss black attracts dust in seconds...
Hmm. Not exactly a glowing review now I read it back...!
Edited by Funk on Sunday 8th November 17:52
Cheers all.
The Asus mentioned here looks promising. Cheapest new one I can find is £140 which is a fair bit more than I want to spend, but I'll have a bid on a couple of the used ones listed on ebay, if I get a working one for £50 I'll be happy.
The Asus mentioned here looks promising. Cheapest new one I can find is £140 which is a fair bit more than I want to spend, but I'll have a bid on a couple of the used ones listed on ebay, if I get a working one for £50 I'll be happy.
mikef said:
seveb said:
I've just helped a friend install one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-DSL-AC68U-Dual-Band-... and he's very impressed
That’s exactly what I’ve used with Plusnet DSL for the past few years. Rock solid and excellent management features. If I was buying now I’d probably look for a WiFi 6 model, as more kit is starting to feature that standardJonny_ said:
The Asus mentioned here looks promising. Cheapest new one I can find is £140 which is a fair bit more than I want to spend, but I'll have a bid on a couple of the used ones listed on ebay, if I get a working one for £50 I'll be happy.
£95 new if you cut and paste in Amazon B00FB45SI4Somebody said:
Jonny_ said:
The Asus mentioned here looks promising. Cheapest new one I can find is £140 which is a fair bit more than I want to spend, but I'll have a bid on a couple of the used ones listed on ebay, if I get a working one for £50 I'll be happy.
£95 new if you cut and paste in Amazon B00FB45SI4Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff