Replacement Router Recommendation

Teloriun

Teloriun

Teloriun

Associate
Joined
18 Jan 2015
Posts
23
Location
Atherton
Hello.

A couple of months ago, I upgraded my internet to BT's FTTP 500/73 package which came with the SmartHub2.

So far, I'm un-impressed with the SH2. It's very restrictive compared to the ASUS RT-N66U 'Dark Knight' I used with FTTC and also WiFI is no-where near as consistent on either channel (not just speed, just connectivity in general with regular drop outs).
Location is the same as my previous router so shouldn't be an issue (no other environmental changes) and even the TP link extender which is upstairs to keep the kids happy lucks out most days.

So... I'm looking for a replacement if anyone can offer suggestions.

I did wonder about sticking with ASUS (RT-AX5400 / AX3000 TUF gaming?) as I know my way around the WebUi but open to suggestions - just need something reliable with decent range with a max budget of £150. My main need is the simple ability of creating a guest wifi network (seriously BT why cant I do this?!) so that my work laptop and most importantly friends of the kids are not on my home network! Expect most routers have the other basic things I'm after like QOS, port forwarding, change DHCP, change wifi channel (SH2 restricts to 3 channels used by all the neighbours) and I don't need VOIP (so can plug directly into the ONT).

Appreciate any responses.
 
The last 3 Asus routers ive had have all been aweful, eventually having the same issue that the throughput on wired connections drops to unusable levels until its restarted.

Id suggest looking at TPlink or Netgear instead.
 
Rocking a pair of Asus Xt8 routers with wired backhaul.

Had a bit of a glitch at first, but lowered the logging level and it's been rock solid since.
 
Happy Asus XT12 owner here too. If youve had Asus kit before and know your way around I'd say stick with that. I've had TPlink before and was happy, but I think the GUI has less options nowadays / forcing you more towards app? . Asus is good in regards to options.
 
Can’t you just plug your old ASUS in and enter the BT PPPoE details ([email protected] and any password you like)?

Failing that I don’t like ASUS as a brand, and their routers are fairly poor. MikroTik are excellent or if you want something a bit more attractive to small children, TP-link build good routers these days.
 
Odd, the Smarthub 2 is generally considered as one of the better ISP supplied routers when it comes to wifi signal. I personally found it had better signal than my Asus AC86U, the main drawback was not being able to separate the bands. Don't get me wrong, the Asus is far superior, but for wifi signal the Smarthub 2 won hands down and I can't remember ever having drop outs.
 
no_1_dave said:
Odd, the Smarthub 2 is generally considered as one of the better ISP supplied routers when it comes to wifi signal. I personally found it had better signal than my Asus AC86U, the main drawback was not being able to separate the bands. Don't get me wrong, the Asus is far superior, but for wifi signal the Smarthub 2 won hands down and I can't remember ever having drop outs.
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It’s still restrictive. You cannot change the DNS or split the Wi-Fi frequencies, for starters. However, it was generally reliable.
 
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I thin
Strikeforce said:
It’s still restrictive. You cannot change the DNS or split the Wi-Fi frequencies, for starters. However, it was generally reliable.
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I think you missed the point that you won’t get better WiFi than the BT Hub. Extra features, yes, but you won’t get better WiFi. Certainly not from anything ASUS. There are very few WiFi chipset manufacturers - Intel, Broadcom, MediaTek, Qualcomm - so most devices uses the same WiFi chips and they’re legally restricted in terms of transmit power and antenna gain so they are all range limited roughly the same. The only options for improvement are in superior reception antennae and processing and placement of the devices, which is why the best systems are generally mounted on the ceiling.

Looking at your initial post you have 500/73 so you really don’t need QoS. The BT hub does port forwarding, you can change the DHCP range on the BT Hub and the reason it uses those 3 channels in basic mode (1,6,11) is they’re the only uncontested channels available once you get into 40MHz bandwidth AC, so you will be using those anyway. On the last BT hub I used, you could choose any band in the Advanced settings menu, but because of overlaps you only really want 1, 6 or 11. You’d be better off talking to your neighbours and getting them to stagger their signals so you all get better throughputs. As for DNS, unless there is a new version of the BT hub, you can add two DNS servers to your DHCP settings in the advanced menu.

Are you in the basic or advanced settings menus?
 
The Wi-Fi performance and reliability of the SH2 is lacking. My recommendation is to keep it (you’ll need it if you have DV anyway) but add one of more non Bt wireless access points. Use a different ssid or turn off the sh2 wireless. Alternatively you can wait for sh3…
 
CaNsA said:
Wow, well I totally disagree with that statement.

I'd be interested to hear your experience with the xt8 and the xt12 which have both been referenced in this thread in relation to great performance.
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Sure. We test a lot of these type of devices. They have a poor receiver antenna configuration (especially the XT12 with the flat surfaces) and are extremely sensitive to positioning as a result. They also have a very sharp RSSI cut-off which means they just don’t work with marginal signal hand-held devices. They’re also really expensive for what they are. Hopefully that helps qualify my decision to not recommend an ASUS device. Their company values are also decidedly dubious. Bear in mind they recently were exposed for only providing review samples of motherboards on the basis of a positive review. So anyone publishing any review on any ASUS device is likely to be subject to those sorts of conditions.
 
Cheers for the reply.

I live in an old house that is terrible for WiFi, dead ones everywhere and it wound me up so bad.

2 x asus xt8 later and both my missus and I now have a strong, reliable WiFi signal for our work and personal kit.

Granted I am not using the stock firmware which is pants.
 
WJA96 said:
Sure. We test a lot of these type of devices. They have a poor receiver antenna configuration (especially the XT12 with the flat surfaces) and are extremely sensitive to positioning as a result. They also have a very sharp RSSI cut-off which means they just don’t work with marginal signal hand-held devices. They’re also really expensive for what they are. Hopefully that helps qualify my decision to not recommend an ASUS device. Their company values are also decidedly dubious. Bear in mind they recently were exposed for only providing review samples of motherboards on the basis of a positive review. So anyone publishing any review on any ASUS device is likely to be subject to those sorts of conditions.
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The price of mesh systems is always more. You pay for the convenience. That's not an Asus only issue, just look at the pricing of netgear orbi kit for example (which I've also owned and I much prefer the XT12 kit). I run mine with the power levels at fair (half way) and get ample coverage inside and out to the shed. No problems that I can tell with the antenna configuration in the kit, seems to work really well and not even at full power. As mentioned, the configuration options you get to play with blow anything equivalent from netgear, Google, amazon, etc out of the water. I even recommended it to a friend recently and they also are impressed with the XT12 kit. My brother uses the XT9 and has no problems with it in his house either. That's myself and two other happy customers. That's my experience to date.
 
Firegod said:
I have a router/mesh/whatever. I’ve not done back to back comparison testing with other routers/mesh/whatever but it works OK for me. I actually have no idea how it compares to other routers/mesh/whatever but it’s the one I picked and it works for me so IT‘S THE BEST. I don’t care that other people work for companies that buy and test lots of prosumer gear and specifically DO NOT recommend what I bought because they tested other kit that was better for a lot less money. It works for me in my home and that means IT’S THE BEST.
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I hear you. I disagree.
 
Firegod said:
I run mine with the power levels at fair (half way) and get ample coverage inside and out to the shed. No problems that I can tell with the antenna configuration in the kit, seems to work really well and not even at full power.
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Please think about what I wrote and what you have responded with.

It‘s not about whether the client devices can hear your access point, it’s about whether or not your access point can hear the client. Transmit power has no impact on whether or not the receiver antennae in the XT12 can hear your iPhone or iPad when they’re far away.

You‘ve got a megaphone. You’ve set it to half power. I can hear you. 500m away. I‘m shouting back as loud as I can but you can’t hear me. And not only that, but ASUS engineers have designed the system to specifically not listen for quiet signals. Why would they do that? To make you buy more access points. There are much better systems for less money.
 
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