802.11ac modem/router recommendations

Mad Professor

Mad Professor

Mad Professor

Associate
Joined
10 Nov 2008
Posts
190
Location
Isle Of Wight, UK
Good day all.

I have a feeling that my current Billion BiPAC 7800N is on it's last legs, as the wifi range of the unit has dropped right off where even standing near the unit struggles to keep connected, where I used to be able to walk down the end of my garden without any problems.

So I am now looking at getting a new modem/router and I am looking for recommendations.

It must be wall mountable.
It must have 802.11ac wireless.
I am not bothered if it has internal or external antenna's. But must have good range.
Ideally have built in ADSL and VDSL2 modem for FTTC.

I have no set budget for a new modem/router as I just want to see what is available. But would like to keep under £200.00

Can anyone please advice.

Thanks for your time.

Best Regards.
 
You've got a pick of any router you'd like aside from the just-released Linksys WRT1900AC with that budget. Not aware of any AC units with built-in modems...

If you're not interested in saving at all, the Asus AC68U or Netgear Nighthawk R7000 are the two main choices. Differences in hardware are completely negligible here; the Netgear has a slightly faster chipset and far superior USB 3.0 drive performance as the AC68U has issues with shielding of the USB port, however in the real-world network performance across the board is virtually identical (trade blows). I'd personally pick based on aftermarket firmware support, where the AC68U bests it by a long way. Choice of Tomato and Asus-Merlin firmware, compared to the Netgear which has an unofficial DD-WRT build floating about (personally wouldn't be going near DD-WRT).

If you want to save just under £30, the AC66U is a good option, however it is less powerful; I just don't really see how it is good value now (though it is tried, trusted and stable). In my eyes you either go for an N device (the N66U), go all out and buy the AC68U, or go an AirPort Extreme if you only care about stability and want OK performance (I wouldn't myself). Little reason to buy anything else.

Currently making a similar decision (whether to invest in 802.11ac now with an AC68U despite only having one AC device, or just going for an N66U), so I'd also like to hear other opinions :)

EDIT: Forgot the wall-mounting requirement...the Netgear is, the AC68U isn't, but the AC66U is. The Linksys EA6900 is another option that is wall mountable, but again, aftermarket firmware support is poor. Personally would be tempted by the AC66U over it, but it really depends on your priorities.
 
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7800N is one of the best n routers.

Are you sure the problem is the actual unit? (firmware updates, correct channel, problem with the client etc.)

if so, that's what the warranty is for.
 
kefan77 said:
7800N is one of the best n routers.

Are you sure the problem is the actual unit? (firmware updates, correct channel, problem with the client etc.)

if so, that's what the warranty is for.
Click to expand...
That's why I have bought one a little over a year ago. Hopefully not a sign of things to come. They don't come much better apparently.
 
Wifi failures on the 7800N are fairly common, the rest of the modem is pretty much bulletproof, but the wifi card is only glued in and on some units this can cause failure.

A google for 7800n wifi problems will give you all the evidence you need for the above. Hopefully you are still in warranty
 
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