New Modem/Router Recommendation (Budget < $150?)

Referrermoar bargains on 01/07/2017 - 22:06
Last edited 13/09/2017 - 22:18 by 1 other user

Hey guys,

Looking to get a new router, as mine seems to be on the blink. Still testing, and determining if it really is the router, or something else, but looking for suggestions in case.

Budget is ideally less than $150.
I don't currently have NBN but possibly moving to NBN coverage within 12 months, so need that capability.
I've been looking at the TP-Link Archer VR600 which looks like it ticks all the boxes, but is there something else I should consider in the price range?
ASUS seems to get a good rap, but not sure if they are that price range, and if not, are they $50 better? The AC68U is $198 at GearBest.

[Edit]: There's two of us using the wifi (for now), but only a small 2 bed unit. We will likely move to a 3 bed house, but still won't be massive. I game a little, and we stream from our NAS to the TV but our N600 router copes with this fine.
Current router has no signal strength issues inside the house, just decides the internet isn't gonna work…

Any thoughts?

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  Diji1 on 02/07/2017 - 00:58

  +2

  I own the Netgear R7000 which is hardware identical to the Asus AC68U. The AC68U looks a bit less bonkers than the R7000 which can only be a good thing. The R7000 looks like someone ran a steamroller over Darth Vaders head and then added lights and aerials.

  They're very nice devices but either is likely overkill for one person even if they're a heavy user on 100Mbit internet but that said better to have too much router powah than not enough. I have strong wifi signal over all of my property and then some.

  • 

    moar bargains on 02/07/2017 - 07:54

    Thanks for the info. I've added some more details to the question above.

    They're very nice devices but either is likely overkill for one person even if they're a heavy user on 100Mbit internet

    Yes, this is my issue. It's not me I've gotta convince, it's the Mrs ;) It's gotta make it past the "How much did you spend on that thing?" test…

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  OldCynic on 02/07/2017 - 10:03

  Decide (and tell us) whether you need the capability for a Voice Over IP phone connection.
  I bought a TP-Link TD-W8968 for less than $50 from Officeworks. 300Mbps and perfectly fine for internet access. However it does NOT have a VOIP phone connection port. With that modem/router if you want a handset you have to have a separate landline. Not a problem if you only use a mobile phone, but no good if you want a home-phone.

  You may find that when you take out a contract with an ISP for an NBN service that they will give you modem free if you sign up for a couple of years, but if you can't get NBN immediately you'll have to buy something.

  I suggest that before you buy a new router you borrow one from a pal and see if that works. Or take your router to a pal's house and see if it's still dead when connected there. Confirm the problem is with the router not with the connection to the street.

  • 

    moar bargains on 02/07/2017 - 19:49

    Good advice, thanks.
    VOIP is not a requirement. At present we have a landline (bundle deal with internet), but wouldn't mind getting rid of this and going mobile only. Probably won't happen until we move though. I've also considered going to VOIP, but would probably do that separately.

    I'm still attempting to diagnose and confirm the issue is with our router and not something else, but so far seems like it.

    After about 48 hrs of uptime, our internet (and LAN) will stop working. No connection to network drives or internet. We only use WiFi, but I've tested ethernet when it cuts out and no go as well. Phone still works when internet is out.
    Restarting the router fixes the issue (for another 48 hrs or so).