Question Need a router to replace my ISP's unit

[tinpanalley]

The router that comes with my ISP is notoriously not great either as an individual device or for WiFi. But I don't know where to start in looking for a new one.
I get the highest up and downloads I can get where I live, 400down and 50 up. So I don't need a Gigabit capable router but if price isn't a factor, why not future-proof is my philosophy. I'd like several LAN ports but I will be using my existing Mesh system anyway for the layout of our apartment. Apart from that I just want to not have a router where someone in a tech forum recommends doing something with my router that it turns out I don't have the ability to do. Strong Wifi from the base would be great, but again, as long as I can run my mesh system which I love for our layout, then I'll be happy.
Can anyone recommend something? Budget is hard to answer because I don't know what these go for anymore. I haven't had a router since my Linksys WRT54G over ten years ago. Just give me prices that are reasonable for what I need.
Please, and thank you.

 

[Tech Junky]

Well you could go wired only for $50 if you have the mesh handle the WiFi. If you need both then it's a toss up depending on if you want 6E or just 2.4/5ghz bands for the devices.

 

[fralexandr]

One of the only affordable Wifi 6e routers (6ghz) $200-$20 coupon

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Tri-Band-Archer-AXE75-Wireless/dp/B0B3SQK74L/ref=asc_df_B0B3SQK74L/

2 options I've seen recently for ~$100 wifi 6 routers

I'm currently running the dlink x4860. The web interface is somewhat weird though.

EXO AX AX4800 Wi-Fi 6 Router DIR-X4860

Max 3 units per household. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology provides faster speeds, great...

us.dlink.com

If you want to be able to replace the firmware with openwrt

AX3200 WiFi 6 Router: 25+ Devices, 2500sqft | Belkin

Our AX3200 WiFi 6 router delivers fast speeds to more than 25 devices on your home network through dual bandwidth that covers up to 2,500sqft. Shop now.

www.belkin.com

 

[tinpanalley]

I'd like the router to handle the ethernet routing I need in that room, and I would then just shut off the WiFi and use my Mesh system that works so well.

 

[Tech Junky]

I'd like the router to handle the ethernet routing I need in that room, and I would then just shut off the WiFi and use my Mesh system that works so well.

That makes sense to me as I segregate my wired/wifi duties to different devices. It allows more flexibility when tech upgrades and you don't want to drop $500+ on a new black box.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Multi-WAN-Integrated-Lightening-Protection/dp/B0917SJHH3 - $50 and you can swap ports from LAN > WAN > LAN up to 4 in the group.

If you need some additional ports then just add a switch to the mix for the wired clients. They're cheap. $10 gets you 4 usable ports. If you have a ton of devices it might make more sense to go with a managed switch with some more options but, that might jump the price to $100. I bought used TPL off ebay awhile back to play around with some stuff and IIRC it was a 16 port for $50.

 

[tinpanalley]

That makes sense to me as I segregate my wired/wifi duties to different devices. It allows more flexibility when tech upgrades and you don't want to drop $500+ on a new black box.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Multi-WAN-Integrated-Lightening-Protection/dp/B0917SJHH3 - $50 and you can swap ports from LAN > WAN > LAN up to 4 in the group.

If you need some additional ports then just add a switch to the mix for the wired clients. They're cheap. $10 gets you 4 usable ports. If you have a ton of devices it might make more sense to go with a managed switch with some more options but, that might jump the price to $100. I bought used TPL off ebay awhile back to play around with some stuff and IIRC it was a 16 port for $50.

Oh, I already have a switch. All I'm asking for here is advice on a router.

 

[mxnerd]

Cheap and powerful. Both comes with wifi. Just disable the wifi part if not needed (can be used as a backup wifi)

https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-RB750Gr3-5-port-Ethernet-Gigabit/dp/B01MSUMVUB

https://www.amazon.com/MikroTik-RBD52G-5HacD2HnD-TC-Dual-Concurrent-802-11a-Ethernet/dp/B079SD8NVQ

Power can come with UI complexity, however.

Better visit Youtube for reviews before marking decision.

==

Ubiquiti Edgerouter is good too.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-EdgeRouter-Gigabit-ER-X/dp/B011N1IT2A

==

The TP-Link router suggested by @Tech Junky probably is just all you need.

 

[tinpanalley]

So, things like the TP-Link Archer or the ASUS ROG aren't that great then? Or are they not suitable for me?

 

[mxnerd]

You said your mesh works great and you wanted to keep it. Mesh systems also won't work across brands.

 

[tinpanalley]

You said your mesh works great. Mesh systems won't work across brands.

Oh really? Strange. When I had my last ISPs router/modem combo, it wasn't tplink but its WiFi and my tplink mesh worked fine at the same time. I figured it didn't matter.

 

[mxnerd]

The devices just pick the stronger signal. It's not really integrated, you can't manage them as one.

Exactly what functionality you need/want from the router?

 

[tinpanalley]

The devices just pick the stronger signal. It's not really integrated, you can't manage them as one.

Exactly what functionality you need/want from the router?

In case I ever need to control ports in a way that is better than what the ISP one permits. Better guest network tools, QoS, etc

 

[In2Photos]

In case I ever need to control ports in a way that is better than what the ISP one permits. Better guest network tools, QoS, etc

How is the router handling the guest network (WiFi correct?)?

 

[mxnerd]

Doesn't your mesh system support guest network or QoS?

I think Microtik & Ubiquiti both supports ports control & VLAN.

I don't play games, can't comment on them. But youtube & internet got reviews.

The Best Gaming Routers for 2023

Have a household of digital devices—and an online gamer or three? You need a router that's ready-made to give gaming traffic the right of way. These are the best we've tested.

www.pcmag.com

 

[tinpanalley]

Doesn't your mesh system support guest network or QoS?

I think Microtik & Ubiquiti both supports ports control & VLAN.

I don't play games, can't comment on them. But youtube & internet got reviews.

The Best Gaming Routers for 2023

Have a household of digital devices—and an online gamer or three? You need a router that's ready-made to give gaming traffic the right of way. These are the best we've tested.

www.pcmag.com

Actually, I don't game online ever so I guess then that I really just don't need a special router at all. Better for me I guess.
I think what threw me off was that my last ISP had an all-in-one modem/router and so I had to plug into that and my head saw it as a router and so I now thought I needed a router again to plug my mesh into. I didn't see the mesh as something that could function just with a modem. I imagine that doesn't make much sense but that's just the way I saw it.

 

[mxnerd]

Mesh system are just several integrated wired/wifi units that each one can function as a router (first one) or a node.

So when you plug in a mesh system into ISP router (usually called a gateway), you get double NAT. It's not a big issue if all of your devices are wired to the mesh system or wireless connected to it. You want more ports? Just add a (smart) switch to any unit.

If you really want to avoid double NAT (which slows down the speed just a little bit), you have to find the doc or ask your ISP how to run the gateway in pure modem mode.

 

[Tech Junky]

I wouldn't rely on an ISP device to do firewalling. It's always a good idea to set a demarcation point between your network and the ISP. As to the nat issue it's usually for those trying to port forward for external access. Speed usually isn't a factor unless you have ancient network equipment. I'm effectively triple nat'd currently and have no speed impacts.

 

[tinpanalley]

If you really want to avoid double NAT (which slows down the speed just a little bit), you have to find the doc or ask your ISP how to run the gateway in pure modem mode.

I no longer have that combination modem/router. What I now have is a separate router and modem from my ISP.

As to the nat issue it's usually for those trying to port forward for external access.

That's exactly what I do. I access all my music shares via an app that lets me access them via data while I'm away from home.

I wouldn't rely on an ISP device to do firewalling. It's always a good idea to set a demarcation point between your network and the ISP.

How do I go about doing that?

 

[mxnerd]

So if everything is OK and remote music is also working, then what worries you?

Still feel not safe? Too few options ? Maybe a self built firewall like pfsense will suit you.

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=pfsense&crid=1J1773AYQS8TE&sprefix=pfsense

any mini pc with dual ports should work (make sure the CPU supprts AES-NI)

INTEL ethernet chip is much better than Realtek though.

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==

As long as you don't open ports, I wouldn't worry being hacked. No firewall needed. 😁

==

I use ZeroTier VPN for family members, no ports open. Search tutorials on YT.