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Router suggestions

Glennster

Glennster

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 30, 2014
417
69
Canada
Currently using this as router for about a year in our condo of approx 1100 sq feet: https://www.tp-link.com/ca/home-network ... rcher-c20/

The signal strength is all over the map and that’s with just being in the next room. Checked with internet provider & after some diagnostic tests it was not deemed an issue at their end.

Want to upgrade but not sure what to get. Currently internet is cable with an avg strength of around 75 mb/s, which is higher than our internet pkg of 60 mb/s.

Usually we have 1-2 Macbooks working during the day, 2 iPhones.

Any suggestions on what to get?
 
There are MANY options nowadays when it comes to consumer-grade wifi routers.

I'm going to be honest with you, I'm biased towards Asus wifi routers. They do have good support from Asus and even better 3rd party support. I've been using the same wifi router for 6 years with zero issues. I use Asus AC68U and you can mesh them together if you need to for more range.

There is ongoing 3rd party support. https://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin.42/
This includes many AddOns, to improve your internet and home network experience. https://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin-addons.60/

T-plink does make good routers. But the Archer C20 is ok, it's a budget wifi router.

Now before you buy a new router, there are few things you can try to improve the wifi signal and speeds on your current T-Plink router.

1. Update firmware. T-Plink website has a clear guide on how to update the firmware.
2. After updating the firmware, perform a full reset and set it up as a new router. T-Plink website has a guide on how to fully reset your router.
3. Set Both bands (2.4 and 5) to a manual channel.
4. Turn off Beamforming for both bands if applicable.
5. 2.4 band, manually set channel to; 1, 6 or 11. Test each channel one at a time and see which one works the best for your environment. Manually set Channel Bandwidth to 20 Mhz.
6. Band 5ghz, manually set the channel to 149 or above and manually set Channel Bandwidth to 80Mhz.

Get back to me after a few days and let me know if most of your issues have been resolved, once you have implemented the steps I have suggested.

Cheers.
 
Last edited:
I'd like to jump in and go for Asus as well.
Their kit is usually very good quality and I find their software to be excellent.
Their mesh works very well and I always get a solid signal with no dropouts.
The software interface is really important finally because it makes such a difference to what you can do with it.
Also the fact the phone app works well. Not always the case.
Try this
www.asus.com

RT-AC86U｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS USA

ASUS has a range of wireless routers suitable for every purpose. Whether it's for your home, for business trips, or for any other need or environment, there's an ASUS router for you.
www.asus.com www.asus.com

I forgot, they also come with Trend micro anti virus/malware included and that's the best way to implement protection.
 
I saw huge improvements in speed, no more dropped wifi connections, stable thruput once i went to Wi-Fi 6 AX. There were issues with firmware and early AX unit i got from Netgear, the AX45 has been stellar - had years of trouble before that.

This came out in Sept and looks promising - don't own it - $129

www.amazon.com

ASUS RT-AX55 (AX1800) Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router, Subscription-free Network Security, Instant Guard, Parental Controls, Built-in VPN, AiMesh Compatible, Gaming & Streaming, Smart Home, black

The ASUS RT-AX55 Dual-band WiFi 6 router delivers ultrafast WiFi speeds up to 1800 Mbps, supports both MU-MIMO and also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels and communicate with multiple devices simultaneously. The router is equipped with AiProtection, ASUS's lifetime free security an...
www.amazon.com
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
63W said:
There are MANY options now days, when it comes to consumer grade wifi routers.

Im going to be honest with you, im biased towards Asus wifi routers. They do have good support from Asus and even better 3rd party support. Ive been using same wifi router for 6 years with zero issues. I use Asus AC68U and you can mesh them together if you need to for more range.

There is ongoing 3rd party support. https://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin.42/
Which includes many AddOns, to improve your internet and home network experience. https://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin-addons.60/

T-plink does make good routers. But the Archer C20 is ok, its a budget wifi router.

Now before you buy a new router, there are few things you can try to improve the wifi signal and speeds on your current T-Plink router.

1. Update firmware. T-Plink website has a clear guide how to update firmware.
2. After updating the firmware, perform full reset and set it up as a new router. T-Plink website has a guide how to fully reset your router.
3. Set Both bands (2.4 and 5) to manual channel.
4. Turn off Beamforming for both bands if applicable.
5. 2.4 band, manually set channel to; 1, 6 or 11. Test each channel one at a time and see which one works the best for your environment. Manually set Channel Bandwidth to 20 Mhz.
6. Band 5ghz, manually set the channel to 149 or above and manually set Channel Bandwidth to 80Mhz.

Get back to me after few days and let me know if most of your issues have been resolved, once you have implemented the steps I have suggested.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I’ve updated the firmware and still no change. I assume the other changes you suggested are fairly easy...? I’m very green when it comes to the router world.
 
For congested situations, WiFi 6 helps. If you have channel selection on auto, use a wifi network analyzer app to see which channel is strongest and has less conflicts. Your wifi is impacted by, and broadcasts, nearly 200 ft.

When I went to WIFI 6, I saw large improvements in download speeds, better than what I pay for.

Modem + router plays a role. Your cable provider may even have issues outside - equipment needing repair. Laying in new coax from outside to the house.
 
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Glennster said:
Thanks for the tips. I’ve updated the firmware and still no change. I assume the other changes you suggested are fairly easy...? I’m very green when it comes to the router world.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's very simple. TP-Link's website will have needed instructions.
 
And I'll counter the Asus suggestion. I had used system boards from them for several computer builds and was always happy with them. I bought the RT-AC86U almost 3 years ago, but it lost the 2.4 Ghz band about a year ago. I needed that band for a couple items in my setup. I contacted support and the only option was to ship them the router for repair, leaving me without a router for however long that would take!

It took a negative review on Amazon to even get an OFFER for advance replacement, I contacted them for that only to find that they didn't have any of that model in stock. I'm still waiting but I've stopped holding my breath as I passed out a few times over the last year...

I have since bought a Synology RT2600c and have been SUPER happy with it. One of the features that I could never get to work on the Asus, single SSID for both bands, works perfectly on the Synology.
 
I have the Amplifi HD system that solved all my coverage and speed problems. https://amplifi.com/amplifi-hd

They have their 'Alien' system if you want WiFi 6

Aside from the speed, setup is the easiest thing out there. Plug it in, download the app and you are up and running in about 2 minutes (literally). It's small and discrete, you can see the status of coverage / speed using the app and downloads are very simple. Looks good too. I'd describe it as a very Apple-like experience.

I'm a big fan of this kit (you might be able to tell 😀)....it wasn't the cheapest but it just worked where other devices I'd tried hadn't. I've converted two friends to this system and they are happy also.
 
seems UNIFI TECHNOLOGY is all the rage, their residential products div
a few posts here on macrumors too
i dont own any of their products and dont rep this company
ui.com

if i were attempting to replace my all in one box (includes cable fiber modem, routing and wifi) i would first look at your internet providor provisioning page.
if your in an apartment complex what does the geek next door use?

I persoanlly am liking any wifi6 box and it must have a easy to under stand internal web config page.
 
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Ubiquiti and nothing. I trust Ubiquiti more than any other networking company for hone/prosumer. My wifi has been working flawlessly for years with them. I’m using Unifi APs. It’s more prosumer oriented and needs some IT skills. The amplifi is the consumer segment and works also very good.
 
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