Need recommendations for a high-end wireless router

[Dragnerok_X]

I recently upgraded to a 100mbps internet connection, so the old Wireless N router is no longer cutting it. It's time to buy a new router.

My primary concerns are reliability and performance at range, or to be more specific, the ability to sustain at least 150mbps across an 1800 sq ft single-story home and adjacent RV with many connected devices. I tend to only upgrade the router every five years, so the more future-proofing the better. My budget is $400, so money is effectively no object.

Right now I've got it narrowed down to three routers:

• ASUS RT-AC88U
• Linksys EA9500
• Netgear R8500 Nighthawk X8

Which of these would you recommend? Is there another that might better suit my needs?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

If your current N router is Gigabit capable, then just grab a couple of Ubiquiti's Unifi AP AC Lite units, disable wireless on the N router, and just use these placed strategically around the home. If you can wait then you may want to get their Amplifi HD system when it is released sometime soon.

 

[s44]

Ubiquiti EdgeRouter Lite + UniFi AP(s) ("Pro" AC version)

 

[rekd0514]

Build a pfsense box or use another router distro and buy a Unifi AC Pro.

 

[JackMDS]

My primary concerns are reliability and performance at range, or to be more specific, the ability to sustain at least 150mbps across an 1800 sq ft single-story home and adjacent RV with many connected devices. I tend to only upgrade the router every five years, so the more future-proofing the better. My budget is $400, so money is effectively no object.

There is No one Router that can reliable provide all of it.

Paying a lot of money for marketing Ploys does not work in Wireless Networking.

If you want to go Realy pro takre ake the Ubiquiti approach.

Otherwise Buy as good $200 range Wireless Router and add Access Points as needed.

This is as good as the Multi Antenna concussions go.

https://www.amazon.com/RT-AC3200-Tr...NNS&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&tag=small0c-20

 

[razel]

I also have 100mbps and have lived with the fact that in real life that 100mbps is difficult to maintain wirelessly and reliably past the next-next room. Your phone may get 433mbps link speed in the same room, but turn a corner and it's 200-ish. Walk farther and it drops more. That 200mbps your computer/phone shows is the full duplex speed so one way is half or 100mpbs. That's not the end of the world though. There's still plenty of speed left.

If that bothers you, then in my experience in my 2500 sq/ft home, I would estimate I that'll need 2 wireless routers on separate channels, connected wired to each other, one in AP mode and located at near opposite ends of the home, but I don't let it bother me. I only have one single OnHub router and am VERY happy with it's coverage throughout my home.

 

[sdifox]

run wires in the attic, install a couple of Ubiquiti unifi ac lite, use your current router (assuming it has gigabit ethernet ports) just as NAT and router by turning off the wifi on it.

For your trailer, put a nanostation on the wall facing the trailer.


https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Net...&qid=1467204842&sr=8-1&keywords=unifi+ac+lite

 

[piasabird]

Try using high gain antennas.

 

[piasabird]

Wireless isnt designed to work over too large an area because then it would interfere with the neighbor's wireless if it is too strong. I am guessing that hotels use wireless access points or just pay someone to run wires to every room.

 

[sdifox]

Try using high gain antennas.

high gain antenna actually makes WAP more directional.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

1) Smallnetbuilder ranks all the routers they review. Makes it pretty easy to find the "best" one. (Sort by rating, go down the list until you find one in your price range, buy it.)

2) Don't use wifi if you don't have to. Running old fashioned copper wire is child's play if you own the house.

3) Don't overthink it.

Follow those three rules and you'll be happy.

 

[JackMDS]

1) Smallnetbuilder ranks all the routers they review. Makes it pretty easy to find the "best" one. (Sort by rating, go down the list until you find one in your price range, buy it.)

Just pay attention to the Chart page on Smallnetbuilder site.

It usually come up like this:

Look at the Red arrow that point to the current Benchmark "WAN to LAN Throughput".

It is not necessarily the most important value for many user and does not indicate the value of the Wireless.

So one should Pull the Menu down and select some other Benchmarks that might more relevant to One's specific needs.

 

[fiberst]

Here again recommend UniFi AC Lite AP, better than NETGEAR or Linksys.

 

[TheRyuu]

Well if you know what you're doing I don't think you can go wrong with the Mikrotik Routerboard RB2011UiAS-2HnD-IN[1]. Honestly I'm surprised that it hasn't come up in this thread yet. You may have to get a more powerful antenna to cover an area of that size (at that speed) although I would try without one first.

I think it's one of the best bang for your buck routers that you can buy. Although I must admit there may be a bit of a steep learning curve with software/configuration of it (you probably won't use most of the stuff that it can do but you still have to know enough to set it up correctly although I think there's a setup wizard). Aside from that I'm not sure you can get the features it has at that price point anywhere else. They also actually release software updates pretty regularly (it uses RouterOS).

[1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGIXOHQ