Best Wireless Access Point (under $100)

[Tearitup]

Hey All,

 

I am building a new home network and am currently using an old re-purposed Netgear WNDR3700 as an wireless access point. Along with it being old, it has older wireless technologies, limited range, and the speeds are horrible. I have Blast Pro! internet from Comcast, which is 100/10, and I can only achieve around 45 Mbps down or so over the 5 GHz band. I need something that I can receive my full internet speed through, as most of my devices are wireless. It needs to provide great coverage in my 1,100 square foot apartment, which should be easy to do.

 

I have looked around quite a bit but I wanted to see what you guys are using - nothing beats real-world experience.

 

Thanks so much!

[newcbomb]

I have a NightHawk r8000 which is a bit expensive and out of your price range. However, one of my friends has this https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Wireless-Dual-Band-Gigabit-Anywhere/dp/B00JZWQW4C/ and 200/75 and he can achieve full speeds on 5G and LAN. 

[Tearitup]

Don't really want a router - I want a dedicated WAP.

[Dujith]

Do not get a router. You'll just pay extra for the router part and an access point is more flexible where you can place it. (if there is a wired connection nearby)

For that price range you could check for an Ubiquiti or another brand depending on prices.

 

ps: the 5Ghz has more bandwith but is also weaker then the 2,4Ghz in that walls and such tend to absorb 5Ghz alot more the 2.4Ghz

[Tearitup]

Just now, Dujith said:

Do not get a router. You'll just pay extra for the router part and an access point is more flexible where you can place it. (if there is a wired connection nearby)

For that price range you could check for an Ubiquiti or another brand depending on prices.

 

ps: the 5Ghz has more bandwith but is also weaker then the 2,4Ghz in that walls and such tend to absorb 5Ghz alot more the 2.4Ghz

I just want a dedicated WAP - preferably one that will aggregate the 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz bands.

[Dujith]

I would suggest the Ubiquiti UAP-AC-Lite. Quick scan on amazon shows it for 83

Others might have other suggestions, this one worked fine in a brick home  

[Tearitup]

I definitely like the Ubiquiti brand - I have used it and set it up in my past job and with my current company as well.

 

Any other suggestions?

[Dlog]

5 hours ago, Tearitup said:

I definitely like the Ubiquiti brand - I have used it and set it up in my past job and with my current company as well.

 

Any other suggestions?

I own it and it's fantastic. (for those not familiar) This AP being an enterprise focused AP, means you don't configure it directly like a home Wifi router combo. You run an application and configure settings for a group of APs and add this to them. They also don't support routing/DHCP etc... so you would need something like an edgex router behind it ($45ish). 

 

highly recommend, stable with no quirks in my home for ~2 years.

[Tearitup]

I am very curious about this - I have been rather fond of TP-LINK in the past for performance and value. What do you all think?

 

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1200-Wireless-Wi-Fi-Access/dp/B01LLAK1UG/

[Real_PhillBert]

I bought my Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR for just under $100 on amazon a few months ago, now I see they're going for about $110. 

 

I cant tell you if it's really the best option but mine has been 100% reliable since I got it up. 

[Zangashtu]

18 minutes ago, Real_PhillBert said:

I bought my Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR for just under $100 on amazon a few months ago, now I see they're going for about $110. 

 

I cant tell you if it's really the best option but mine has been 100% reliable since I got it up. 

One up for the Ubiquiti UAP, we use them for some customers and they're fantastic both with range and throughput

[Brian Blankenship]

Asus N-66, you can find them doe about 80$ normally. I bought two for my house, turned out one would have been fine.