Decent Signal Router for HFC nbn Connection ~ $150?

dubfonik on 19/04/2020 - 18:28

I recently got NBN connected at the house and was given an old router to use (thanks mum) - a TP-Link TD-W8960N. The router works but being a cheap model has trouble reaching upstairs devices, so I am looking for something else with a bit more power to get a stronger signal (sorry mum). I know the mesh ones seem to be the go but unfortunately they aren't within the budget at the moment.

I've spent a lot of time looking at lists, reviews, etc but it just confuses me the more I read. I don't need 4G or VOIP - I just want milk that tastes like real milk.

The priority is something that has a decent enough signal to show its face upstairs through closed doors.

And, being one to love a bargain, I'd like to get a decent deal on the unit. Any ideas?

Computing Broadband Modem Router nbn

Comments

  • CC123 on 19/04/2020 - 18:36
    +1

    Could always use a powerline wifi adapter

    • dubfonik on 19/04/2020 - 19:34

      I was considering this too, though I hear that there is a chance they may not work if there's two different circuits - do you know if that's the case?

      • cheesecactus on 19/04/2020 - 21:09
        +1

        Definitely the case. Powerline adapters didnt work amazingly well in the old houses ive lived in. The two adapters had to be on the same circuit, and having two on the same circuit wasnt particularly useful (as they were adjacent rooms usually).

        Really depends on the house.

        • lgacb08 on 19/04/2020 - 21:34

          old house probably only have 1 or 2 circuit. you can use powerline adapter and range extender together, but that's gonna be very cumbersome setup.

          My cheap advice is to start off gumtree first to see if any decent second hand router up there, plenty of them got listed at give away price. The asus one, telstra smart one are good starting point (but I doubt you'll get any popular one like the asus rt68u for free). Then if that doesn't work, money up and get a mesh system

    • dubfonik on 21/04/2020 - 14:28

      I ended up going this route. hopefully it's the right choice! I just got it (a 2-pack) from eBay for $140 delivered. I saw there was an M4 model which has gigabit ethernet but I guess in Australia that won't matter too much since our fastest NBN is 100mbit (at this stage), so the E4 model should be fine.

      • Twix on 21/04/2020 - 16:33

        TP-Link Deco supports mixing various models. Next month NBN are meant to be offering faster download speed on HFC. Maybe spend the extra $50-70 now to get the M4 or M5 with gigabit ethernet WAN and LAN.

        • dubfonik on 22/04/2020 - 10:59

          damn, too late - order has been placed. however, I wonder if I just get the 1 M4 and use that as the main node and use the E4 around the house. I assume that would work?

  • MagicMushroom on 19/04/2020 - 21:10
    +2

    Tenda Nova MW3 or MW6?

  • abctoz on 19/04/2020 - 21:46
    +1

    ~$30 dja0230 has decent wifi, it has AC3100 whatever that means, the signal is stronger than my old $50 adsl modem

    https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/fttn_registered_modem_router
    unlock voip:
    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9vxxl849

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join