Looking for a better router setup

LVeryHungaryCat on 20/06/2021 - 15:48

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a better router setup in a single story house, I have nbn hfc.

I'm running a whole bunch of smart home stuff on alexa and the kids watch vids and play games on their computers/phones

Plus there's a handful of wired computers, playstation, tv and poe cameras

Happy to run extra cables if required. System needs to be reliable and preferably fast. No wifi 6 devices atm and no plans to get them in the near future, but don't mind future proofing

Have been looking at ASUS RT-AX88U, Eero 6 Mesh or orbi ax4200 / ax6000, so not really any idea whats best for my situation, and happy to pay extra but not if its overkill.

What are your thoughts?

Internet

Comments

  • ty99234 on 20/06/2021 - 16:04

    My personal experience with Orbi is not great.

    Background, two-storey house, 1 Orbi RBK50, 1 Orbi RBS50, 2 RBS40. RBK50 and RBS50 are wired.
    Pros:
    Great coverage, router looks great.

    Cons:
    You can't split 2.4Ghz and 5 Ghz easily on Orbi, which brings troubles in connecting some Smart Home devices.
    Constant disconnection during the streaming or doing video chat while walking around the house. My phone constantly roamed to other meshes even though they might not be the best one to connect. This is even after I split the 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz and have my phone connects to 5Ghz only.

    I switched them to 2 Xiaomi AX6000. So good so far.

    • ty99234 on 20/06/2021 - 16:05

      If running extra cables is a feasible option for you, have you considered getting AC+AP? They are still the most reliable products so far.

      • VeryHungaryCat on 20/06/2021 - 16:21

        I've come across them before, but wasn't sure how good they were for regular internet?

        • ty99234 on 20/06/2021 - 16:24

          Well, I had trouble connecting to certain websites/apps. I originally thought it was the ISP playing up.
          Changed ISP, doesn't help.
          Changed the router, somehow it was fixed.

          Disclaimer: just certain websites/apps, nothing mainstream.

          • madreece on 20/06/2021 - 17:16

            @ty99234: Netgear?

            • ty99234 on 20/06/2021 - 17:54

              @madreece: Yeah, Netgear Orbi. See my previous comments.
              Btw, I also had a month of time where the Netgear Orbi app doesn't work.

              • madreece on 20/06/2021 - 18:44

                @ty99234: I had very weird experience with Netgear routers. Would not connect to Netflix and wouldn't go through Google DNS. Oddly I had two Netgear routers, one updated to latest firmware other on years old firmware. Both with same problem after years of no problems. I must admit TPG were great and really followed up on trouble shooting, tech coming to house etc. They ended up sending me one of their stock routers out which fixed the problem straight away.

                • ty99234 on 20/06/2021 - 19:38

                  @madreece: You feel my pain. Netgear seems to have strange routing problems on certain websites/apps from time to time.

                  • madreece on 20/06/2021 - 19:40

                    @ty99234: Seemed to be random things on the net to try, which I did without success. Netgear never again.

  • Philpski on 20/06/2021 - 17:12
    +1

    I'd recommend a Ubiquiti Unifi set up if the budget will stretch to it.

    Because it's modular you can scale up as needed, or swap one part if it dies rather than the whole set up.

    I've got:

    8 port POE Switch
    2 x ceiling mounted APs
    a gateway
    and a Cloud Key which runs the system

    Massive overkill, but my place is all brick. So the two APs make a huge difference.

    I'm no network expert but am handy with computers etc and it's a breeze to set up and maintain.

    • ty99234 on 20/06/2021 - 17:57

      This would be my dream setup. Unfortunately, my house is too old and it's hard to get new cables installed.

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