Best Router for $300 or under :)

Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 12:12

Hi, I recently switched my internet service provider from Telstra to SuperLoop (100/20 plan) as I'm moving apartments, and now I'm looking for a semi decent router for under $300. I've already snuck around Ozbargain for any deals, and two of them caught my eyes:

  1. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/675628 (NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000 WIFI 6 Gaming Router)
  2. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/679746 (D-Link DIR-2150 AC2100 Dual Band 802.11ac Wireless Router)

Both of these obtainable from Officeworks, which is a bonus since I have a $200 Officeworks gift card, and the Officeworks is really close to my house as well. I at first leaned more towards the NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000 WIFI 6 Gaming Router for $285, however reading the mixed reviews for this product made me question my decision. My new apartment is roughly 130 square meters and the actual router will be kept inside of the bedrooms (the computer will be in one of the other bedrooms). I mostly play games so a reduced ping is very favorable.

If anyone has any other recommendations for under $300 or even barely over $300, that would be greatly recommended. Thank you so much for taking your time to read this, and have a great day :)

Computing Wireless Router

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 27/01/2022 - 12:23
    +2

    The ASUS AX-56U is $179.99 with free shipping from Amazon, you can price match it against Officeworks for a 5% discount and maybe pay $171.

    Wifi 6 + Supports Merlin firmware. See previous deals.

    actual router will be kept inside of the bedrooms (the computer will be in one of the other bedrooms). I mostly play games so a reduced ping is very favorable.

    Suggest you also get a powerline adapter for your gaming desktop then since ethernet will always have less latency than wireless, even if it's via a powerline. You might only cap out at 100mbps though.

    TP-Link Deco series mesh router also a consideration if you think you might have trouble getting good Wifi coverage across home.

    • Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 12:55

      Thank you so much for your recommendation. I'll most definitely check it out. The powerline adapter is also a very good call. The bedrooms are very close indeed, so I'll try to run a ethernet cable at first, but if that's too much hassle, then I'll definitely get a powerline adapter. Also, how would the SUS RT-AX56U AX1800 compare with the NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000. Would these perform relatively the same, or would the Nighthawk be slightly better for the extra price. I really don't mind paying the extra price, if its better :)

      Anyways, thanks for your recommendation and insights

  • mangoed on 27/01/2022 - 14:40

    I'd recommend a mesh system which you can upgrade by adding more nodes in case you discover an area which does not receive strong signal. I started with a single Google Wi-Fi (1st gen) thinking that it would be enough for our house, now I have three to provide good signal to a few dozen of devices scattered around the property (including Ring doorbell at the gates and smart lights in the garage). It all works flawlessly.

    • Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 14:44

      Thank you so much for your insight.

      To be honest, I haven't really considered a mesh system at all since for like a 2 pack or 3 pack can be really expensive and they generally don't tend to have any discounts on them. Also the fact that my apartment really isn't that big so didn't think to get a mesh system. Even so, I can still take a look to see if I can find a decent mesh system. Thanks! :)

      • Bigboomboom on 27/01/2022 - 16:26
        +1

        Many brands now offer Mesh function with standalone routers. For example majority of current Asus router can creates a mesh network with each other (AiMesh 2.0) and you can mix/match as much as you like. For example I started with RT-AC68U in 2017, expanded with AX-88U in 2019 then swapped out AC68U for TUFF AX5400 last year.

        I strongly advise against the Google/Nest Wi-fi as it severely lock the router functionality compared to say ASUS or Netgear, and also they are both WiFi 5 (Nest is the 2nd gen but it's still WiFi 5 not 6). They are also rather expensive.

        • Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 16:35

          Thank you for your input, but again I'm assuming mesh systems are only useful for large residential houses or large businesses. For a apartment like mine, i would assume that a single router would be more than enough.

          • Bigboomboom on 27/01/2022 - 16:48
            +1

            @Mani88: Yes, however the point is you don't need to buy Mesh system now because standalone routers like ASUS ones can be readily changed to Mesh whenever you want. So I would suggest looking into this as a criteria for your purchase.

            Asus TUFF AX5400 or Asus AX82U is the equivalent to the Netgear option, and they are typically cheaper. You can use it as a standalone router now, and if in future you need to expand to Mesh just buy another Asus router. You don't have to replace it.

            • Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 16:59

              @Bigboomboom: oh I get what you're saying, yep that makes sense. I'll definitely consider that then. So the Asus Routers have to say in the specs that its AiMesh 2.0 compatible?

            • scrimshaw on 27/01/2022 - 17:01

              @Bigboomboom: like what bomboom says the ASUS routers give you the most flexibility, if you ever find yourself needing better Wifi in a specific room you can always buy another ASUS router and configure it to act as a mesh. The models of the routers do not need to match either.

              I'm using AI Mesh now using a AX88U and a much, much older ASUS DSL68U (that I got for free from a relative when they upgraded) and it's given me a significant speed boost compared to using just one router.

              Powerline adapter is also a good alternative to mesh, but performance on Powerline varies depending on the quality of the wiring in your home plus loads of other variables that are difficult to control.

              • Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 17:05

                @scrimshaw: Yep! That makes so much sense. Thank you all for your input, its definitely made my life easier in picking a router :)

                • Bigboomboom on 27/01/2022 - 17:12

                  @Mani88: Most of the ASUS router on sale are compatible with AiMesh, the 2.0 is just update I think early 2021 to the original AiMesh and all compatible routers received it via firmware update. It's much better now compared to earlier iteration.

                  In fact I don't think any routers still being listed on Asus website that doesn't support AiMesh.

                  Your cheaper option is TP-Link but not a whole lot of their routers support their Mesh versions.

                  • Mani88 on 27/01/2022 - 19:21

                    @Bigboomboom: oooooo ok, thank you so much for the information! :)

  • OldSchoolHarry on 30/01/2022 - 13:07

    It seems you are looking for a router with WiFi in which case about mentioned options seem compelling.

    If you were looking for just a router (no WiFi) then EdgeRouter X for about $80 is still one of the best value options out there.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join