Best WIFI router

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Best WIFI router

benokobi

927 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#139427 8-Feb-2014 22:55

What's the best wifi router for supplying high speed wifi throughout my reasonably large house. It would be connected to my Technicolor VDSL router.

I would prefer it if it has 802.11ac and the ability to still support 802.11n devices without impeding my newer devices.

Is the Airport Extreme ok for this job... What are your suggestions?

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#982504 9-Feb-2014 00:28

Netgear Nighthawk R7000

http://www.netgear.co.nz/home/products/wirelessrouters/ultimate-performance/R7000.aspx

benokobi

927 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#982508 9-Feb-2014 00:42

Great features will look into it further.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#982509 9-Feb-2014 00:51

look no further

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/32239-ac1900-first-look-netgear-r7000-a-asus-rt-ac68u

benokobi

927 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#982510 9-Feb-2014 00:58

How good is the signal say over 25 metres away?

Jase2985

13462 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#982545 9-Feb-2014 09:20

depends on what it has to go through

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#982551 9-Feb-2014 09:47

There isn't such a thing as the "best router", it comes down to what your requirements are.

The fact you already have a router makes me question if you're after another router or just an access point. If you are after another router then you'll obviously want to configure the modem in bridge mode or you'll have double NAT occurring.

benokobi

927 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#982712 9-Feb-2014 13:35

sbiddle: There isn't such a thing as the "best router", it comes down to what your requirements are.

The fact you already have a router makes me question if you're after another router or just an access point. If you are after another router then you'll obviously want to configure the modem in bridge mode or you'll have double NAT occurring.

I just need it to act as a access point to replace the hopeless wifi in the technicolor.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#982742 9-Feb-2014 14:47

benokobi:
sbiddle: There isn't such a thing as the "best router", it comes down to what your requirements are.

The fact you already have a router makes me question if you're after another router or just an access point. If you are after another router then you'll obviously want to configure the modem in bridge mode or you'll have double NAT occurring.

I just need it to act as a access point to replace the hopeless wifi in the technicolor.

You really just need an access point then - that's very different to wanting to replace your router.

overkill

222 posts

Master Geek

#982744 9-Feb-2014 14:52

benokobi:
sbiddle: There isn't such a thing as the "best router", it comes down to what your requirements are.

The fact you already have a router makes me question if you're after another router or just an access point. If you are after another router then you'll obviously want to configure the modem in bridge mode or you'll have double NAT occurring.

I just need it to act as a access point to replace the hopeless wifi in the technicolor.

Look no further :) Great units and easy to config, run some Cat6 to where it needs to be mounted and whaalaa, the best AP for the money.

http://www.gowifi.co.nz/access-points-802.11/outdoor-wireless-access-points/ubiquiti-unifi-uap-ac-high-speed-managed-wireless-access-point.html

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"

AKLWestie

641 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#982768 9-Feb-2014 15:48

benokobi:
sbiddle: There isn't such a thing as the "best router", it comes down to what your requirements are.

The fact you already have a router makes me question if you're after another router or just an access point. If you are after another router then you'll obviously want to configure the modem in bridge mode or you'll have double NAT occurring.

I just need it to act as a access point to replace the hopeless wifi in the technicolor.

What is the model of your VDSL2 modem/router? Is it a Technicolor TG589vn?

Many months ago I used the TG589vn as an all-in-one modem router unit. I noticed that after I did a few large downloads (linux ISOs, I really mean those 4.xGB linus ISOs, nothing else) evening using the wired LAN interface (not wifi), the modem became kind of non-responsive and then have difficulty handling wifi traffic.

However, I had no problem using the TG589vn in bridge mode.

I suggest you do some big download tests before deciding what you want:
- TG589vn in bridge mode with a separate router doing PPPoE authentication, LAN and wifi; or
- TG589vn in modem/router mode but with wifi disabled, and have a separate access point

just my 2 cents

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#982801 9-Feb-2014 16:33

I have a Nighthawk and I am very impressed, the range is actually better than my range extender, (RE1000) at the other end of the house and the RE1000 is about 10 meters closer. You can set it up as an AP or router.

The Ubiquity AP would also be a good option although about $200 more than I paid for the R7000 from Amazon.

benokobi

927 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#983021 9-Feb-2014 22:02

AKLWestie:
benokobi:
sbiddle: There isn't such a thing as the "best router", it comes down to what your requirements are.

The fact you already have a router makes me question if you're after another router or just an access point. If you are after another router then you'll obviously want to configure the modem in bridge mode or you'll have double NAT occurring.

I just need it to act as a access point to replace the hopeless wifi in the technicolor.

What is the model of your VDSL2 modem/router? Is it a Technicolor TG589vn?

Many months ago I used the TG589vn as an all-in-one modem router unit. I noticed that after I did a few large downloads (linux ISOs, I really mean those 4.xGB linus ISOs, nothing else) evening using the wired LAN interface (not wifi), the modem became kind of non-responsive and then have difficulty handling wifi traffic.

However, I had no problem using the TG589vn in bridge mode.

I suggest you do some big download tests before deciding what you want:
- TG589vn in bridge mode with a separate router doing PPPoE authentication, LAN and wifi; or
- TG589vn in modem/router mode but with wifi disabled, and have a separate access point

just my 2 cents

The technicolor you mentioned above is what I have. I would have it in router mode with wifi disabled and a separate wifi access point as I just can't handle how bad the wifi is especially when we have so many devices trying to use it at once.

I've tried my airport express and it functions far better but the signal is not as good so I use it to extend it into my theatre so our apple tv and all that stuff has a decent signal.

Canuckabroad

179 posts

Master Geek

#991800 21-Feb-2014 13:25

If I could piggyback on this thread, I currently am using a router provided by my ISP, and I'm going to jump ship - so need to source my own router with support for VDSL - but preferably with a nice featureset like dual-band 802.11ac, good wireless performance, etc. Since I'm starting out from scratch, looking for both in one device, rather than the latest/greatest AP and then a separate router.

802.11ac isn't a must - just like the idea of some future-proofing.

Recommendations? Fritz has some fancy (and pricey) units, who else out there should be considered?

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#991808 21-Feb-2014 13:43

Looks like somebody has marked my reply above as the answer (although its just an answer) both the above units have ac but R7000 is also a router. When I bought mine I couldnt find them in NZ, but they are now available and not much more than overseas, plus you get an NZ wall wart.

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#991838 21-Feb-2014 14:41

There's the Fritzbox 7490 which has a nice feature set of VDSL and dual band ac.

I've gone the route of a Asus RT-ac68u and a Draytek Vigor 130 combination.