New router needed

ganesh · 21 Mar 2015 at 19:51

Hello all,

The time has come that the plusnet supplied adsl router (Thompson 582n?) just isn't good enough.

I'd like something with:
ac Wireless compatibility
Gigabit lan
Superior wireless range

I do have fibre, so currently have a bt fibre modem plugged in to my router, but after seeing all the issues people have had with the Asus DSL-AC68U I don't really want to cause myself any issues and have to spend hours fiddling. I just want to plug and play with minimal hassle.

Budget ~£100.
But if something like the Asus DSL-AC68U really is worth the money then I could probably stretch to it.

Thanks for any advice chaps.

ganesh · 21 Mar 2015 at 21:59

lamboman said:
If you need something for VPN, AC68U with Merlin firmware.

Otherwise, if you just want a basic router with excellent performance on a budget, the TP-Link Archer C8 is probably the best pick.

AC66U if you want custom firmware for various other features (i.e. Merlin firmware again).

I don't really want to mess around with custom firmwares, I did have a look at the TP-Link Archer C8, though that just seems to be a router as opposed to an adsl router which I believe I still need despite having a fibre modem?

ganesh · 21 Mar 2015 at 23:04

kefan77 said:
why the heck would you need DSL router if you're on fibre?

My knowledge of routers is clearly lacking. So from your reply I take it I can buy a non adsl router and just plug my fibre modem into it with no problems?

ganesh · 21 Mar 2015 at 23:10

Nope, plusnet.

ganesh · 22 Mar 2015 at 15:52

lamboman said:
If you need something for VPN, AC68U with Merlin firmware.

Otherwise, if you just want a basic router with excellent performance on a budget, the TP-Link Archer C8 is probably the best pick.

AC66U if you want custom firmware for various other features (i.e. Merlin firmware again).

Is it worth the extra money for the archer C9? As it's only an extra £20 I am tempted. After looking around the c8 and c9 do seem quite a bargain compared to the competitors.

dhallam said:
I know they are a bit pricy for your budget, but I have a draytek 2860n it has a built in adsl/vdsl router in built so you can get rid of the bt vdsl modem and plug straight into the draytek. It is a excellent router.

Unless having a router with a VDSL modem built in is going to a huge improvement over my current standard BT one and will be hassle free to set up I'm not sure if it's worth the money or potential hassle. Though I'm happy to be educated on VDSL modems, what are the benefits? Will my speed increase significantly for example?