BT Smart Hub 2 any good?

nantucket66 · 19 Nov 2020 at 23:08

Our switch to BT goes lives at some point tomorrow. They reckon we should see around 70-80mb in our location. Currently on TalkTalk and we get around half that. Fast enough for our requirements so as long as it's no worse all good

Currently have a TalkTalk modem/router in modem only mode with a Asus RT-N66U (must be 5 years old, but has been solid)

What is the Smart Hub 2 like as a bit of kit?

I have quite few wired devices - 2 Mac's, Windows Laptop, Surface Pro, 2 QNAPS, 2 Smart TVs, PS4, Music Server, Sky Q, 2 phones, 3 iPads, a Switch, half a dozen Alexa bits and lights. Lots of online gaming, netflix, amazon and hi-res music streaming with Roon

I'll live with the hub for a few weeks to see how it fares, but would spending some money on something like a Draytek 130 Modem and a Asus RT-AX88U result in faster download speeds, better wi-fi or just a more reliable connection?

I understand I can't use the Smart Hub 2 in modem mode so won't be able to my current Asus with the SH2, is that right?

Anything I may buy will be classed a business expense so won't cost me anything but I don't want to spend money if I don't need to for obvious reasons. I guess time will tell, but anyone with experience of a Smart Hub 2 or the bits I am thinking of buying it would be good to hear your thoughts on them or other options

Loagi · 20 Nov 2020 at 15:37

Doubt it will be significantly different in terms of reliability, but the Asus should allow you to split the 2.4 and 5Ghz wifi into different SSIDs and probably have more fine-grained firewalling - this can be useful as some smart devices don't play nice with a combined wifi.

WJA96 · 20 Nov 2020 at 16:01

Can't you split the SSIDs on the new BT hubs? You've always been able to before. The current BT Hubs are 4x4 Wave2 WLAN devices so they're run most clients at good speeds. It's not WiFi6 but how many of us actually have WiFi6 clients?

The BT hubs have really good integration with BT and they expose the basic features you'd want. You might need something else if you want VLANs but in general there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the BT Hubs.

the-evaluator · 20 Nov 2020 at 16:02

WJA96 said:
Can't you split the SSIDs on the new BT hubs?

Not since the Smart Hub 1 I believe.

nantucket66 · 20 Nov 2020 at 19:58

Well so far so good. No problems or glitches with set up. Previous ISP with Talk Talk modem and an Asus RT-N66U would top out at around 35 Meg. Getting almost double off the Smart Hub 2.

It does look like 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz are combined. They have always been separated on the Asus. Time will tell if that will be an issue.

Be interesting to see how it performs with a good hammering of 4k Netflix and some online gaming at the same time.