Router Wifi recommendations

[gdntx]

I think it is time to update the home router/wifi.   Looks like the market has become flooded.  It's a bit hard to wade through them.   Just wondering if any of you have recently been through this and would share what you found that stands out and works well.   I know what is good for one may not be the best for someone else.  

I currently have Orbi - with one mesh satellite.   The interface has been very slow and clunky since day 1 and at times wifi seems to really take a hit.   I won't buy another one.  I believe that is about 7 years old.

I'm on a typical city lot with a 2300 sq ft single level house.   I have ATT Fiber 500 for service and am using their modem.  That sits in one of the front corners of the house.   In the opposite back corner is the garage where I have a two EV's and a garage door opener which all connect wifi.  In the back yard I have Sonos speakers and I like to connect from phones or tablets while in the back yard.   Today the Orbi satellite is near the garage and covers the cars and back yard.  That coverage has been decent.  I will either have to maintain a satellite or I'd need to move my new router to the middle of the house and I don't care to pull any more ethernet, although that may be a solution I have to embrace even for a decent access point.

I have 3 hard wired 8 port switches, one to my TV, Apple TV and sound in the Living room, one to my master BR where the EISY (30+ Insteon switches) and Apple TV live and another to a closet where I used to have a music server.  I will maintain those.

Everything else is Wifi, 10 Sonos speakers,  3 or 4 laptops, Windows for work, others are MacBooks.   A couple of iPads, 2 iPhones, Ring doorbell, Rachio sprinkler control, 2 Alexa's and maybe a few other connected gadgets.

Any thoughts on the latest setup for coverage?   TP-Link seems to stand out, Ubiquiti is intriguing for customization and even Ruckus r650 which is more business oriented for an AP isn't out of the question.  I've been all over the place in my research.

I appreciate any insight.  

Edited Friday at 09:28 PM by gdntx

[majkman]

I went with Ubiquiti, work great.  (about 130 devices on my LAN).   I signed up for a B and H photo credit card, they rebate the sales tax and free shipping.

[gdntx]

You mind sharing what you put in at a high level?   A router?  A powered switch and some AP's?    

[Geddy]

1 hour ago, gdntx said:

Any thoughts on the latest setup for coverage?   TP-Link seems to stand out, Ubiquiti is intriguing for customization

I know it might go against the grain for some around here, but I've had good luck with most TP-Link mesh systems. Seem better than some of their single point routers from in the past. I currently use Xfinity modem + TP-Link Deco AXE5400 (tri-band) that has 3 satellite kit (I got mine at Amazon, but looks like Costco has TP-Link Deco AXE5300 for slightly less than the 5400 - I haven't compared the two). I have over 35 network items connected.

I'm running in 2,500 SF ranch with main in center of house and satellites in "home office" and "game" room that covers the house entirely. I had a leftover M9 Plus (TP-Link) from a few years ago that is also providing coverage (from the bonus room over the garage) to cover Ring doorbell, Ring floodlight, and MyQ garage opener.

I tried Ubiquiti with the Dream Router product and it was under powered and didn't allow full 1Gbps speed (capped around 600-700mbps). It was a nice product that had a lot of function I don't need (and honestly didn't want due to being complicated for family use). 

Does your AT&T gear not cover the house and outside fully? I've been considering changing to AT&T Fiber and might end up being like you of having it installed in one corner of the house rather than the center of the house like Xfinity was when we built the house. 

[gdntx]

1 hour ago, Geddy said:

Does your AT&T gear not cover the house and outside fully? I've been considering changing to AT&T Fiber and might end up being like you of having it installed in one corner of the house rather than the center of the house like Xfinity was when we built the house. 

I've been happy with ATT, but never gave their Wifi a chance, I've only had it a couple of years.  I had cable before that and just always had my own router/Wifi.  When we added the Tesla and connected garage door opener the Wifi we had at the time wouldn't reach the garage, so that is when I went with Orbi and the mesh/satellite.  That got the signal to the garage and the back yard where we spend more time in the summer - have music, pool control, etc.  

I'm very happy with a solution out of the box, but do like to tinker too and that is why I add Ubiquiti to the mix - more hands on.    I'm OK with the mesh too as I don't really want to pull wire to get a wired AP, but I would.   I'll research the TP Link you note, but do hope to get at least 6E and or 7 to future proof for a few years.   That may be oversold to however.

[Geddy]

3 hours ago, gdntx said:

I'll research the TP Link you note, but do hope to get at least 6E and or 7 to future proof for a few years

The TP-Link I have is 6e rated. I’ve only got a few devices that support that. More than enough bandwidth for steaming on multiple devices and gaming. 

[stevehoyt]

I have eero's running in 2 houses. One 2300 SF and one 4000SF . It is rock solid in both places, both inside and out. I have 1 base station in each and 2 extenders. 68 devices in the larger installation spread out over about half and acre. 

[JTsao]

Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro with one or more ceiling mounted PoE Unifi access points - the only down side is that you need ethernet cable to the access point.  Alternatively, the Ubiquiti Dream Router (may be out of stock).

[gdntx]

Good feedback on the two brands I really thought I would focus on, thanks for sharing.   I forgot CES is this week, so I'll see if either company has any big news dropping.    

TP-Link is really compelling and probably my front runner.   Not wanting wired backhauls, their dual band 6 Ghz seems like a great way - use one channel to back haul and the other for devices.  It is interesting some of the bad reviews on the Costco site however.   Just a small percentage, but something to take note of.

I'll do more research on Ubiquiti, guessing they may have a new router coming since the current one is out of stock.   Maybe just an end of year issue.

 

[slimypizza]

I’ve been using Netgear’s ORBI 6E mesh system.  The RBK853 has a wifi router (router disabled, only AP active) and 2 satellites.  House size 4200sqft.  We have 1GBS Xfinity internet and all has worked well knock on wood for the past few years. I like Ubiquiti but the need for cabled connections to the WAPs drove me to the ORBI system which is all wireless.

[gdntx]

40 minutes ago, slimypizza said:

I’ve been using Netgear’s ORBI 6E mesh system.  The RBK853 has a wifi router (router disabled, only AP active) and 2 satellites.  House size 4200sqft.  We have 1GBS Xfinity internet and all has worked well knock on wood for the past few years. I like Ubiquiti but the need for cabled connections to the WAPs drove me to the ORBI system which is all wireless.

I've got an Orbi system now, however it is again, likely about 7 years old.   I know everyone can improve, but their bad app and slow management and spotty wifi has driven me to say I won't go with them again.  

It is nice to hear though that others are happy and this is a newer product than I have, so perhaps they have improved.

[larryllix]

I use the WiFi 6 for my devices that need/use the higher speeds and arbitration it offers.

When I attempted to use the wireless back channel for router connections I had nothing but problems with my 5 different ASUS routers trying to create a 3 router mesh. It definitely slows down data rates echoing data.
Hardwired was the only way they seemed to work properly but then ASUS still had problems with disallowing some devices to patch through to the Internet frequently. A few of the routers worked better after being factory repaired. Cooling fans and vertical mounting also helped a lot when high data rates were encountered.

My single Netgear Nighhawk router always worked more reliably in my 3800 sq.ft. home, and had better reach for it's signals, than the crippled strength signal mesh setup. I had to disable all the smart switching as many devices would not tolerate changing APs. It wasn't a good thing for devices that ever physically move or if the router logic thought a better AP would be better and switched the AP for that device.

[Geddy]

1 hour ago, gdntx said:

dual band 6 Ghz seems like a great way - use one channel to back haul and the other for devices.

Get the tri-band versions (that's what mine is) for a true dedicated backhaul channel. The dual bands share the traffic for the backhaul (unless you can specifically limit it now). 

1 hour ago, gdntx said:

It is interesting some of the bad reviews on the Costco site however.   Just a small percentage, but something to take note of

Consider reviews like forum posts. Usually only people with issues that will make a post. Because of the issues they have they'll leave bad/low reviews. There are tons that won't review a product because it works as expected. I'm guilty of that, and sure most here probably are. 

I looked at eero a few years ago, but they didn't play well with my modem at the time. And I've seen comments about some "features" now being behind a paywall (eero+). Why do I need to subscribe to services on a router after I've paid for the product? I just haven't looked at eero since the issues I faced, but that's been 5+ years ago. Perhaps they're better now and worth a look. They're now owned by Amazon (for what it's worth).  

[gdntx]

1 hour ago, Geddy said:

Get the tri-band versions (that's what mine is) for a true dedicated backhaul channel. The dual bands share the traffic for the backhaul (unless you can specifically limit it now). 

Sorry - I wasn't clear.   It is actually a quad band with dual 6 Ghz.   One of those can be dedicated for the backhaul they note.    It's very pricey right now.   Hoping some new products or adoption will drive these prices down.    If not - I'll settle for the tri band.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/deco-mesh-wifi/product-family/deco-be95/

[Geddy]

4 hours ago, gdntx said:

I'll settle for the tri band

There's a statement that's underrated! Remember when we just had 1 or 2? Now we're willing to "settle" for 3! I've not looked into quad-band equipment. I'm more than satisfied with the tri-band I'm using.

 

[dbuss]

I have a Ubiquiti system consisting of a UDM 6E, four U6 1W, one U6 extender, and one U7 Pro. I live in a condo, and with all the other WIFI signals from the neighbors, the RF interference was killing my Eero system. I don't have an interference problem with Ubiquiti.