Best Router Advice?

[Raezo]

Hello!

It's been some years since I've purchased a new router. I'd like to upgrade to something more current. In my house we use a couple hardwired computers, 3-4 tablets, 3-4 phones, 3-4 google chromecast (or smart tv) and 3-4 wifi computers. Obviously all these may not be in use at the same time but they are always connected and maybe even a few additional if guests are over.

Some routers may have features that we may not utilize is my household based on our use so I am unsure exactly what I need. We currently have a netgear and I was told to stay away from them now. The Linksys and Asus routers are where I was told to go but I'd like some additional advice from a forum I trust.

Some considerations are as follows...

ASUS RT-AC87U Wireless-AC2400
ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri-Band
ASUS RT-AC5300 Wireless
Linksys WRT1900ACS
Netgear R8500 Nighthawk X8 Router

I'm open to other suggestions but these are what i've been reading about. From what I've read the AC5300 technology is beyond what we can even utilize. Also there may be newer versions of the Linksys? I had a WGRT Linksys way back and it was fantastic. I'm trying to avoid IP conflicts, dropped devices and so on. The fastest speeds will be great too.

Thank You Kindly in Advance!

Ryan

 

[smitbret]

Hello!

It's been some years since I've purchased a new router. I'd like to upgrade to something more current. In my house we use a couple hardwired computers, 3-4 tablets, 3-4 phones, 3-4 google chromecast (or smart tv) and 3-4 wifi computers. Obviously all these may not be in use at the same time but they are always connected and maybe even a few additional if guests are over.

Some routers may have features that we may not utilize is my household based on our use so I am unsure exactly what I need. We currently have a netgear and I was told to stay away from them now. The Linksys and Asus routers are where I was told to go but I'd like some additional advice from a forum I trust.

Some considerations are as follows...

ASUS RT-AC87U Wireless-AC2400
ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri-Band
ASUS RT-AC5300 Wireless
Linksys WRT1900ACS
Netgear R8500 Nighthawk X8 Router

I'm open to other suggestions but these are what i've been reading about. From what I've read the AC5300 technology is beyond what we can even utilize. Also there may be newer versions of the Linksys? I had a WGRT Linksys way back and it was fantastic. I'm trying to avoid IP conflicts, dropped devices and so on. The fastest speeds will be great too.

Thank You Kindly in Advance!

Ryan

Except for the Linksys, you have kind of locked into a few of the "latest & greatest" routers. It sounds like you are not a bleeding edge adopter when it comes to networking gear so I would think that most of those would be complete overkill. They are all tri-band routers that would provide a lot of potential WiFi speed for your wireless network but unless most/all of your devices are equipped with AC wireless adapters then you would get little to no benefit out of them that you wouldn't get with a different model that cost half or third as much.

Asus has the best reputation right now but there is nothing wrong with NetGear. Linksys was bought by Belkin a couple of years ago which means quality probably isn't what it used to be. TP-Link is also making some very good routers right now.

In all likelihood, this will suit your needs:
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Arche...UTF8&qid=1449079481&sr=1-1&keywords=archer+c7

If you are streaming several (3 or more) HD video streams to your devices at the same time, only then consider one of those Tri-Band routers but only if the devices have AC adapters instead of just 'N'. Their Tri-band and Beamforming stuff is still kind of in the beta stage and you would inevitably get much better value for the same performance in a few months from now as the tech matures.

 

[razel]

I just bought the Archer C7 and am highly disappointed. I don't doubt the glowing reviews it has, but in my home it appears as if beamforming is what's required to get decent coverage for my fringe devices. The wonderful ASUS RT-AC56 was $45 and outperformed the C7. I even installed DD-WRT on the C7 hoping to see beamforming options but there wasn't any which leads me to believe that it doesn't have it or you cannot adjust it. The C7 does use an earlier AC chipset.

Regardless... the choices for rotuers are ENDLESS. Here's some common facts:

1) There are only a handful chipsets and many routers use them. The chipset will give you the featureset.

2) Coverage-wise the antenna can be amplified or non amplified. Amplifying signals so that things aren't worse can be tricky. Beamforming does a smarter job of getting signals to fringe signal devices. Explicit beamforming was standardized in wireless AC. Implicit works for any wireless device. I have only seen beamforming for 5ghz so far.

3) Your antenna maybe high gain, but it doesn't generate energy out of thin air. It gets gain by reshaping the signal. High gain usually flattens the signal horizontally. You can also change the shape using aluminum foil. You can better that by grounding the foil to the router making it an active reflector. (ground from lan cable/plug shielding or the outer tip of the power plug)

So far though, my recommended routers in the cheap range are Linksys EA6200 (unamplified, internal antennas can be made external, DD-WRT enables faster AC866 speed) (currently ~$30 off woot) and ASUS RT-AC56 (AWESOME router! stock firmware is the best I've seen, DD-WRT works, but I never bothered, even can be made a 4G router through it's USB port, it's amplified.) I believe the RT-AC66 has external antennas if you prefer that.

Google's onHub routers look amazing with the 15+ antennas. The stock firmware blows, but Google's devices are nearly always modable since they're often open source, so here's hoping for DD-WRT on that one day.

 

[JackMDS]

There is No Best vehicle to buy.

Bulldozer, Fiat 500, Ferrari, and Formula2 (among many more) all have their own type of use.

Similarly with Wireless Routers.

Small space, modest use, and inexpensive.

Modest means No heavy concurrent Streaming and downloading by multiple Wireless Devices.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Dual-Ban...9080284&sr=8-8&keywords=wireless+routers+asus

Normal use, Best price point.

Normal means space of mufti rooms the does not exceeding more then 2-3 walls or similar obstructions. Multiple concurrent devices, but only one or two with heavy Bandwidth use.

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Arche...UTF8&qid=1449079481&sr=1-1&keywords=archer+c7

http://www.amazon.com/RT-AC66U-Dual...9082007&sr=1-3&keywords=wireless+routers+asus

Stretch to max. one Wireless device.

Few Wireless devices that are working at the same time and more than one is doing Heavy streaming and downloads.

http://www.amazon.com/RT-AC68U-Wire...9080284&sr=8-1&keywords=wireless+routers+asus

------------------------
YMMV, according to the actual environment, in many cases one Wireless source would not be enough to satisfy all needs,. Aadditional APs would have to be installed. (Using Wireless Routers (or Modem/Wireless Router) as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html ).





P.S. For people who use a wrist watch like the Gold Patek Philippe to make a statment rather that just find what time it, is there are many over $350 Wireless Router that do very little or nothing over sub $200 units.

.

 

[Burner27]

Build your own: PFsense. You will never look back.

 

[Raezo]

Thanks to all the replies! I should have mentioned that my current router is
http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wireless-Router-AC1750-Gigabit/dp/B0081H8TRA

After reading your thoughts, I'm not sure that an upgrade will really help us. What prompted us to purchase new is suddenly after adding some google chromecast to other TV's, one of the smart TV's will connect but has little to no signal. Previous to that, I would get random IP conflicts from some devices.

Our router and modem are currently in the basement because that's where the family hangs often. The smart TV with said issue is not on the main floor but the second story.

I appreciate the router advice thus far. If anyone has anything to add based on this scenario I'd be greatly appreciative. (hopefully this is the proper forum)

Thank you again,
Ryan

 

[razel]

There is a lot of interference with flat panel TVs. AM radios disappear with plasmas and cheaper LCDs. Is that smart TV with the weak signal also have a Chromecast? If so use that HDMI extension to separate it. You can again also use that ever magical aluminum foil to isolate to reflect a WiFi signal. Just becareful with the backs of TVs. They tend to be metal and may or may not be the type of shield you want. You can also try to switch that smartTV between 2.4 and 5 to see which works better.

The other advice is to greenfield and segregate devices your router. AKA... Turn off wireless B/G. Leave it running N/AC only. Also segregate the devices. Your router has two radios. 2.4 and 5Ghz. It has 450mbps bandwidth at 2.4 and 1300 at 5.0 and that's total not for each device. Attention is shared too. The more devices on one radio, the more things suffer. Throw in support for old B/G devices and best of luck. So you have want to segregate. The older Chromecasts are 2.4 only. It's up to you on how you want to separate devices. My smaller devices like printers/speakers are 2.4G. Everything else is 5Ghz.

 

[Raezo]

There is a lot of interference with flat panel TVs. AM radios disappear with plasmas and cheaper LCDs. Is that smart TV with the weak signal also have a Chromecast? If so use that HDMI extension to separate it. You can again also use that ever magical aluminum foil to isolate to reflect a WiFi signal. Just becareful with the backs of TVs. They tend to be metal and may or may not be the type of shield you want. You can also try to switch that smartTV between 2.4 and 5 to see which works better.

The other advice is to greenfield and segregate devices your router. AKA... Turn off wireless B/G. Leave it running N/AC only. Also segregate the devices. Your router has two radios. 2.4 and 5Ghz. It has 450mbps bandwidth at 2.4 and 1300 at 5.0 and that's total not for each device. Attention is shared too. The more devices on one radio, the more things suffer. Throw in support for old B/G devices and best of luck. So you have want to segregate. The older Chromecasts are 2.4 only. It's up to you on how you want to separate devices. My smaller devices like printers/speakers are 2.4G. Everything else is 5Ghz.

This sounds like a great start. These are all chromecast 2.0 or whatever, I just bought them. The TV that is struggling is a samsung smart tv with no chromecast. Ill switch the weaker devices over to 2.4 and keep the computers on 5 and see if it makes a difference. I'm also going to move the router and modem to the main floor if this doesn't help. We took the TV in the basement and it worked fine. I'm guessing we are just reaching our device limit but who knows.

While I still plan to purchase wifi extenders and such for the family for Christmas, Does anyone see where a newer router would benefit my situation compared to our current router?

I'll have these up and running after I gift them. These are more for reaching the outside patio but maybe it will benefit this situation also.
http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-LOCO...7440074&sr=8-1&keywords=Ubiquiti+Nanostations
http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Pico...sim_147_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SV55J9WFX1F871KQ8BE