New router recommendations and powerline adapters

Corbula · 7 Apr 2020 at 12:16

The time has come I believe to look for a new router. The current router I have (a netduma R1 for gaming purposes) has served me well, and wired still does but isn't very good with PPPoE so I use my isp router for that. Anyway the WiFi has slowed right down recently and drops out a couple times a week requiring a restart.

There isn't a lot of Internet usage in the house, no streaming except for YouTube now and again and sports to a chromecast (no Netflix or anything) but also gaming.

I've got an openreach modem so don't need one of those. Ideally I would like a router that is openwrt compatible but I don't know if new routers are.

What router would you recommend with a good WiFi signal? My Internet speed is 80/20mbps.

Additionally I currently use two powerline adapters for a wired connection to my PS4 and thinking of replacing these as well as an additional powerline with WiFi to another room where WiFi is patchy. I think the problem the WiFi has apart from being old is a new kitchen that means it's got to get through a granite tile and oven as well as a brick wall (it was an extension to the house). It's less than say 10m though from the router. I did buy an EAP225 and saw no difference in WiFi hence why I'm looking for a powerline WiFi as well.

What powerline would you recommend, it's hard to find singular ones. The one for the Ps4 doesn't need WiFi. I've heard Tp-link are some of the best.

WJA96 · 7 Apr 2020 at 15:05

The best advice is stop messing about with power lines and run a cable.

But if you need powerlines then the best ones are these...

https://mikrotik.com/product/pl7510gi

They're only available as singles and if you plug your EAP225 into that and you'll see a benefit.

Corbula · 7 Apr 2020 at 15:44

WJA96 said:
The best advice is stop messing about with power lines and run a cable.

But if you need powerlines then the best ones are these...

https://mikrotik.com/product/pl7510gi

They're only available as singles and if you plug your EAP225 into that and you'll see a benefit.

Thanks for the suggestion, not seen them before. I will take a look but doesn't seem to show for purchase in the UK after a quick search.

I don't have the EAP225 anymore, I got it last year and it went back due to it not being any different to my 10 year old router.

I know nobody really likes powerline adapter but for me and a few people I know they've worked great. I get wired speeds that I need without running ethernet everywhere which isn't a need for my uses.

What would you recommend router wise?

WJA96 · 7 Apr 2020 at 16:30

The EAP225 is fine if you don't want Unifi. If you want Unifi then The UAP-FlexHD or UAP-HDNano are the sweet-spot at the moment. The challenge there is that the pound has collapsed against the dollar and the prices now are ludicrous.

WJA96 · 7 Apr 2020 at 16:32

And they are available in the UK, but I don't think I can say where although as OcUK don't sell Mikrotik I'll risk saying LinITX.

Corbula · 7 Apr 2020 at 16:44

WJA96 said:
The EAP225 is fine if you don't want Unifi. If you want Unifi then The UAP-FlexHD or UAP-HDNano are the sweet-spot at the moment. The challenge there is that the pound has collapsed against the dollar and the prices now are ludicrous.

Thanks, the unifi are both access points as well aren't they not routers? Do you have any router recommendations rather than access points?

WJA96 · 7 Apr 2020 at 17:00

Routers aren't really my area and the ones I would recommend are pretty ludicrous in terms of learning curve.

The Mikrotik hAP AC is a bargain for the money. If you have a bit more money then the Mikrotik RB4011 is fabulous and if you want ease of use then you want Unifi and then the Unifi Dream Machine is a STAGGERING amount of functionality for what it costs (although it's not cheap).

Corbula · 7 Apr 2020 at 17:25

WJA96 said:
Routers aren't really my area and the ones I would recommend are pretty ludicrous in terms of learning curve.

The Mikrotik hAP AC is a bargain for the money. If you have a bit more money then the Mikrotik RB4011 is fabulous and if you want ease of use then you want Unifi and then the Unifi Dream Machine is a STAGGERING amount of functionality for what it costs (although it's not cheap).

OK thanks. I will have a look. I was also looking at the Tp-link Archer C7, but didn't know if that was getting a bit long in the tooth now. Although it has been updated quite a few times.

WJA96 · 7 Apr 2020 at 17:34

I think the Archer C7 is a great router/access point/switch device. One of the challenges I face is that I tend to work inside a fairly small bubble and recommend the same stuff every time because I know it works and (for me) it's easy to set up and maintain. I don't think you'd be at all unhappy with anything from TP-Link, just check the fine print on the specs because sometimes they have WAN ports that only run at 10/100 speeds and daft things like that.

Corbula · 7 Apr 2020 at 17:41

WJA96 said:
I think the Archer C7 is a great router/access point/switch device. One of the challenges I face is that I tend to work inside a fairly small bubble and recommend the same stuff every time because I know it works and (for me) it's easy to set up and maintain. I don't think you'd be at all unhappy with anything from TP-Link, just check the fine print on the specs because sometimes they have WAN ports that only run at 10/100 speeds and daft things like that.

Yea I'm very into looking into the specs of things and try to do a lot of research. They are 1000 speed ports that was a requirement for me. Not that I would use that speed just don't like being restricted like that.

The Archer c7 is also compatible with openwrt so gives me another option to improve it further.

I've found one that is meant to be opened but never used, might take the risk at about £40 for it. Then pair it with some new powerline when I can. The WiFi on the powerline only needs connectivity not necessarily high speeds. The wired one for the Ps4 is needs more but only to about 100mbps, nothing huge. I may even keep what I've got for that when I've run some tests.

Quartz · 7 Apr 2020 at 17:57

Corbula said:
Additionally I currently use two powerline adapters for a wired connection to my PS4 and thinking of replacing these as well as an additional powerline with WiFi to another room where WiFi is patchy.

WJA96 said:
The best advice is stop messing about with power lines and run a cable.

This. Don't be afraid of routing cables round doors and things. Equally, don't be afraid of drilling holes in your walls for cables.

Corbula · 7 Apr 2020 at 18:20

Quartz said:
This. Don't be afraid of routing cables round doors and things. Equally, don't be afraid of drilling holes in your walls for cables.

I know ethernet all over would be the best option but it's really not needed in my case for Internet browsing, YouTube and gaming. The powerline I have has been brilliant and served me well for years now.

WJA96 · 7 Apr 2020 at 18:20

Quartz said:
This. Don't be afraid of routing cables round doors and things. Equally, don't be afraid of drilling holes in your walls for cables.

I agree. Don't forget though that lots of people don't have the tools to drill through walls and make up their own cables etc. Just for terminating cabling you can easily be looking at £50 worth of tools. and ten times that if you want to test and certify cables you make.

Corbula · 8 Apr 2020 at 14:53

I've just tested the powerline I have with iperf and it must be the short distance but I got 140-150mbps which is more than enough for the purposes it's used for at the moment. So don't think I will be replacing them just yet unless I need a WiFi one in the other room because the new router (which ever I decide) isn't quite good enough signal.