In need of a new router

[79wjd]

I'm switching to Fios (200/200), so I'm in need of a router (I've been using the default router provided by Optimum). I'm in a small apartment in a large apartment building (so lots of congestion) and was originally just going to get a TP-Link AC1750 (A7) for $50 (refurbished), but started to look into some AX routers that might be a bit more expensive but worthwhile stepping up to for a bit of future proofing (either in my current apartment or possible semi-distant future house).

 

I have no AX devices, and that likely won't really change in the near future (with no plans on buying any new tvs/computers).

 

I was looking at the Netgear RAX 15 ($100~) and TP-Link AX10 ($80). Although I think I would lead more towards the RAX 15 for guaranteed WPA3 support.

[Donut417]

2 hours ago, 79wjd said:

I'm switching to Fios (200/200), so I'm in need of a router (I've been using the default router provided by Optimum). I'm in a small apartment in a large apartment building (so lots of congestion) and was originally just going to get a TP-Link AC1750 (A7) for $50 (refurbished), but started to look into some AX routers that might be a bit more expensive but worthwhile stepping up to for a bit of future proofing (either in my current apartment or possible semi-distant future house).

 

I have no AX devices, and that likely won't really change in the near future (with no plans on buying any new tvs/computers).

 

I was looking at the Netgear RAX 15 ($100~) and TP-Link AX10 ($80). Although I think I would lead more towards the RAX 15 for guaranteed WPA3 support.

1) The AX spec is not 100% complete. Which means if you buy a router now, you cant guarantee that all the features will be available on it. 

2) The FCC is looking at authorizing 6Ghz for WiFi use, so none of the routers on the market currently will have 6 Ghz radios in them, so you will loose out on that. 

3) My Synology RT2600AC router was given WPA3 support. So its not just AX routers that will have that. 

 

I personally would wait a year or two to even invest in AX. The fact is it will take that long before we have decent market penetration on AX WiFi being in all of our gear. Plus it gives them a chance to work out all the bugs. To me a good AC router is good enough for the foreseeable future. 

[79wjd]

20 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

1) The AX spec is not 100% complete. Which means if you buy a router now, you cant guarantee that all the features will be available on it. 

2) The FCC is looking at authorizing 6Ghz for WiFi use, so none of the routers on the market currently will have 6 Ghz radios in them, so you will loose out on that. 

3) My Synology RT2600AC router was given WPA3 support. So its not just AX routers that will have that. 

 

I personally would wait a year or two to even invest in AX. The fact is it will take that long before we have decent market penetration on AX WiFi being in all of our gear. Plus it gives them a chance to work out all the bugs. To me a good AC router is good enough for the foreseeable future. 

Well, I need to get a router regardless, so does it make sense to pay a potentially small difference to get an AX router instead or is it better to just go the cheap but good route of an A7.

[Donut417]

4 minutes ago, 79wjd said:

Well, I need to get a router regardless, so does it make sense to pay a potentially small difference to get an AX router instead or is it better to just go the cheap but good route of an A7.

Non AX devices won't benefit. But if you do have AX devices there should be some benefit. You have to decide if your OK not getting all the features that the spec promises. I look at it like this, AC is proven and tested. AX not so much. 

[2FA]

All consumer routers suck but I would consider maybe Netgear the least sucky.

[Gallimania]

I'm personally a fan of either Netgear or TP-Link networking devices. If you want to go all out I would recommend geting this bad boy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076HRZJ66?pf_rd_r=MHK1AF92YMM435NNJTNE&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee. I upgraded to the TP-Link AC5400 bigger brother (the AX11000) from my 6 year old Linksys DD-WRT and the difference is night and day. I get coverage in every corner of my house and my download speeds are almost indistinguishable from ethernet connections. With the Linksys DD-WRT I would find myself constantly having to reboot the router and the signal would drop off significantly at the outer corners of my house.

[79wjd]

On 7/10/2020 at 7:28 PM, Donut417 said:

Non AX devices won't benefit. But if you do have AX devices there should be some benefit. You have to decide if your OK not getting all the features that the spec promises. I look at it like this, AC is proven and tested. AX not so much. 

If I get an AC router then I'll get none of the AX features, so even partial AX functionality from a pre-certified standard would be more than what I would get with an AC router.

On 7/10/2020 at 7:44 PM, 2FA said:

All consumer routers suck but I would consider maybe Netgear the least sucky.

I've had good luck with Asus routers as well (AC68u), just not their customer support.

On 7/11/2020 at 11:32 AM, Gallimania said:

I'm personally a fan of either Netgear or TP-Link networking devices. If you want to go all out I would recommend geting this bad boy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076HRZJ66?pf_rd_r=MHK1AF92YMM435NNJTNE&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee. I upgraded to the TP-Link AC5400 bigger brother (the AX11000) from my 6 year old Linksys DD-WRT and the difference is night and day. I get coverage in every corner of my house and my download speeds are almost indistinguishable from ethernet connections. With the Linksys DD-WRT I would find myself constantly having to reboot the router and the signal would drop off significantly at the outer corners of my house.

Very much not interested in spending $300. Especially when I can get an Archer A7 for $50.

 

I'm really just curious if there is any AX router that would be worthwhile paying a bit more for -- or I guess now that has morphed a bit to whether there's a much better AC router for only a bit more. (e.g. Netgear R6700 - $86, R7000 - $100, RAX15 - $100, Asus AC66u - $80, TPLink AX10 - $80, other?),

 

Also, worth pointing out that I have virtually non cell service and rely on WiFi calling, which has been spotty at best on the stock (shitty) Optimum router, although I assume a decent portion of that is from the congestion of the building. A better router, or an AX router might be most beneficial here if I end up getting a new phone (which would certainly support AX) -- within the next few months, which is decently likely.

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, 79wjd said:

If I get an AC router then I'll get none of the AX features, so even partial AX functionality from a pre-certified standard would be more than what I would get with an AC router.

Not if its not implemented correctly. Not to mention these first gen routers are bound to have many issues vs waiting a year or two and having them worked out. At least that's the way I look. Also how many AX devices do you have? Your not going to get any benefit if you don't have devices that use it.