Router

Bowsa

Hi All, 

I have around 14 devices on a virgin super hub 3 
600mbps  internet 

the router is pretty good though the WiFi can drop out and the reach isn’t ideal. 

So I am looking to add a new router however I’ve no idea what I’d be looking for. Ideally I’d want to get range in my garage and garden as well -  maybe 30m max from the router. 

can anyone help 

Zellah

Something like the Asus RT-AX88U would be ideal if you wanted Asus' latest and greatest wifi 6 router, otherwise something like the Asus RT-AC86U is a good balance between performance and cost. With either of these routers, you would need to put the Virgin hub into modem mode  and let the Asus router handle the routing and wifi part.

Bowsa

Zellah said:

Something like the Asus RT-AX88U would be ideal if you wanted Asus' latest and greatest wifi 6 router, otherwise something like the Asus RT-AC86U is a good balance between performance and cost. With either of these routers, you would need to put the Virgin hub into modem mode  and let the Asus router handle the routing and wifi part.

Thanks Zella

more expensive than I had anticipated - do you think that the RT-AC86U would have the required range? 

The 88ux feels a bit over kill going on the price alone.

matelodave

With any router you are pushing your luck to get 30m, especially at 5ghz. That's why there's been such a proliferation of mesh systems to get better coverage over a wider area. Perhaps you could investigate whether a mesh network would be more appropriate
TBH unless you really know what you want and need a lot of the extra facilities that a super-duper router provides I wouldn't be spending more than £100-£150 for a router.

Bowsa

matelodave said:

With any router you are pushing your luck to get 30m, especially at 5ghz. That's why there's been such a proliferation of mesh systems to get better coverage over a wider area. Perhaps you could investigate whether a mesh network would be more appropriate
TBH unless you really know what you want and need a lot of the extra facilities that a super-duper router provides I wouldn't be spending more than £100-£150 for a router.

SJust had a quick google, thing is the super hub 3 nearly reaches everywhere I need it to go - just need a touch more to get it to the edges.....

I don’t live in a mansion just a 3bed semi, though lucky enough to have a fairly large garden and garage

Zellah

Bowsa said:

Zellah said:

Something like the Asus RT-AX88U would be ideal if you wanted Asus' latest and greatest wifi 6 router, otherwise something like the Asus RT-AC86U is a good balance between performance and cost. With either of these routers, you would need to put the Virgin hub into modem mode  and let the Asus router handle the routing and wifi part.

Thanks Zella

more expensive than I had anticipated - do you think that the RT-AC86U would have the required range? 

The 88ux feels a bit over kill going on the price alone.

The Asus RT-AC86U is one of Asus' best wifi 5 routers and is reasonably priced, around £150 - but may be even cheaper in the upcoming Amazon Black Friday sale. I have the Netgear RAX200 (i have loads of wifi 6 clients) and this easily covers my 4 bedroom double floor with both 2.4ghz and 5ghz wifi - my home is fairly new though and has wafer thin walls. I suggest giving something like the RT-AC86U a try, I'm 99% sure it will be an improvement on your existing Virgin router for wifi, how much by, you won't know until you try. But the sensible approach is to buy a good single router first and see how you get on before spending more money on a mesh system or additional Access Points.

bhjm

i would start with repositioning the router first. a small turn(90degree) or moving away from a wall can make an impact, that you might not need an upgrade

Mickey666

I prefer to use separate access points for wifi rather than rely on a single wifi router, because I have a large house and coverage from a single point is impossible.  In fact, I have wifi switched off in my router.  The disadvantage is that this approach requires Ethernet wiring, but it’s cheap as chips and easy to install when renovating or decorating.  The advantage is uncompromising coverage, speed and reliability.
I’ve been favouring the TP-Link Omada access points because they support PoE so no need for separate ‘wall warts’ everywhere and they fit into a standard electrical back-box.  I also use one of their weatherproof external APs for garden coverage.  

They are touted as a ‘business solution’ but that doesn’t mean they are expensive, with ‘wall-plate’ APs starting at around £35.
Just a thought.
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/omada/