Next router

[OmegaOmelette]

Howdy, new here.  I'm trying to determine what router would be best for my needs.  I'm getting 200Mbps download and 20Mbps upload from Suddenlink.  I used to have a Linksys ac1200 EA6350 router, but I spilled a bit of coffee on it, so now its done.  I was very happy with the Linksys, but I wanted to take this opportunity to upgrade.  I will have my PC, primarily gaming, on ethernet.  But everything else in the house will be on wifi, 2-4 phones at a time, my chromecast, the toaster.  I also plan on getting fiber internet in the near future (not available in my location yet), so something to future proof myself is preferred.

 

Two routers I was looking at, but didn't know the difference between them.  Besides the pricetags

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-Ethernet-Archer-C50/dp/B0168G0KZY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1477714927&sr=8-6&keywords=ac1200

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Gigabit-Wireless-Archer-C1200/dp/B01IUDUJE0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1477715046&sr=8-2&keywords=ac1200

[Xanthe_2871]

12 minutes ago, OmegaOmelette said:

everything else in the house will be on wifi, 2-4 phones at a time, my chromecast, the toaster.

WiFi works by talking to one device at a time, the more antennas the faster things will be since each device will get more time, if that makes any sense. The second router won't be 50% faster for having 3 instead of 2 antennas, but it will be better for lots of devices. For 4 to 6 devices, I think you will see a benefit, but I'm not sure if it's enough of a benefit to justify the extra money.  

[Xanthe_2871]

BTW, this is the router I am currently using:

https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-AC2600-Wireless-MU-MIMO-EA8500/dp/B00UVN21DK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477716339&sr=8-1&keywords=linksys+ea8500

 

I love it, and you can get it on eBay for $130. Maybe bid $80 on this one, see if you win?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEALED-Linksys-EA8500-Max-Stream-AC2600-MU-MIMO-Smart-Wi-Fi-Router-/142163030314?hash=item211993b12a:g:HoYAAOSwCGVX95wL

[Brightglaive]

I would probably stick to an AC1900 or above rated AP. I use the WRT1900ACS by Linksys and the wireless works well for the 4 phones, sony blu-ray/streaming player, one 1080p HD LED LCD streaming tv and one UHD 2160p LED LCD streaming tv and the occasionally used 3 laptops and 3 tablets we have. Some of the devices connect on 2.4GHz (lower speed devices) and some connect on 5GHz (UHD and HD TVs, and blu-ray player and the 3 802.11ac phones). 

 

If you can afford the ultimate, an AC3200 or AC5300 rated access point will give the greatest separation with one 2.4 GHz radio and TWO 5GHz radios (that's AC600 or AC1000 on the 2.4 GHz radio and AC1300 or AC2166 on EACH 5 GHz radio). That's a total of 6 spatial streams on the 5GHz band and 4 spatial streams on the 2.4GHz band assuming no interference (Yeah, right! ). Technically that's ten devices that would have a dedicated portion of bandwidth assuming they are all 802.11n or 802.11ac compatible. 

 

If you're not using UHD TVs and don't regularly stream high or ultra-high definition video while gaming or have all 5ghz 802.11ac clients then an AC1200 access point may suffice. Depends on your budget and your true needs. I've always let 2 maxims guide me and they always land me in the upper middle area of hardware without getting the bleeding edge premium:

 

1. Buy the best item you can afford right now.

2. you get what you pay for.