What's a good Wifi Router?

[revo]

I have a Linksys AC 3000 router, which I think I bought a few years ago, but it seems to be fading badly.

I have 250 mbps speeds, but I'm lucky if I get 1/5 of that from my wifi in rooms that are just 50 feet away.

I had to buy a few extenders (at $100 a clip) that I placed all over the house, and while they work OK, it's obviously not ideal.

This wifi router is also supposed to be a "smart router" where I can set schedules for certain devices (namely, my kids devices) but it never works.


So, I'd like a new wifi router that:
- can cover most of a large house (4,000+ sqft)
- has "smart" features
- would even work with my existing Linksys extenders


Anyone with some good recommendations?

[Kevin Seitzer]

I used to have Linksys or Netgear routers for a long time. Every 2-3 years they would die and need to be replaced, and there were definite dead spots in the house. A couple years ago I bought a 3-pack of eero mesh routers and placed them around the downstairs and have been happy. They can be controlled by an app on my phone, which is nice.

I don't know if they would work with your existing Linksys extenders, but I would guess no. I don't know if eero is the best option for you, but it's one I've been happy with.

[Bene Futuis]

4,000 square foot house? Damn! I use a Linksys EA6350 router and tp-link WiFi extenders in a couple rooms in my house and my internet is great. Router was super cheap, less than $100. Extenders are like $20/per or something.


Edit: No idea if my router has smart features. Probably not, given the price point.

[revo]

I used to have Linksys or Netgear routers for a long time. Every 2-3 years they would die and need to be replaced, and there were definite dead spots in the house. A couple years ago I bought a 3-pack of eero mesh routers and placed them around the downstairs and have been happy. They can be controlled by an app on my phone, which is nice.

I don't know if they would work with your existing Linksys extenders, but I would guess no. I don't know if eero is the best option for you, but it's one I've been happy with.

eero is offered by my Internet provider. I'll look more into them.

I was also researching Linksys mesh routers. I have no idea what a "mesh router" is, mind you.

4,000 square foot house? Damn! I use a Linksys EA6350 router and tp-link WiFi extenders in a couple rooms in my house and my internet is great. Router was super cheap, less than $100. Extenders are like $20/per or something.

Well, it's really like 4,500. And that doesn't include the 3-car garage that probably adds another 800 sq feet, and a new shed we're building that's about 30'x14' for another 420+ sq ft. But who's really counting?

And TBH, it wasn't very 'spensive, which is why we moved where we did, lol.


Anyway, I'll look into the router. Thanks.

[Kevin Seitzer]

https://www.signalboosters.com/blog/wifi-extender-vs-mesh-network-whats-the-difference/

[chancellor]

4,000 square foot house? Damn! I use a Linksys EA6350 router and tp-link WiFi extenders in a couple rooms in my house and my internet is great. Router was super cheap, less than $100. Extenders are like $20/per or something.


Edit: No idea if my router has smart features. Probably not, given the price point.

This is almost exactly what I have, and definitely have a "dumb" router. Overall good, but do have to monitor the TP-Link extenders; ours seem to randomly go down and stay down.

[TranaGreg]

I have the google wifi mesh pucks (3) ... works well out of the box, tho I understand that if you have anything unusual it can be very difficult to configure (I've kept it to a basic vanilla install)

[revo]

I bought the TP Link Deco X20 Wifi mesh router system. Thanks guys.

[Gregg]

Reminds me of that movie Good Wifi Hunting with Minnie Drivers.

[revo]

I bought the TP Link Deco X20 Wifi mesh router system. Thanks guys.

And it sucks. My kids’ bedrooms in the basement was getting far worse signals, and I was having geolocation issues with my PC. Back to Amazon you go! Next!!

[DMT]

And it sucks. My kids’ bedrooms in the basement was getting far worse signals, and I was having geolocation issues with my PC. Back to Amazon you go! Next!!

I have Eero and have never once had an issue.

[Bene Futuis]

I have Eero and have never once had an issue.

Ah, yes, but do you live in the Windsor Castle like Lord Revo of Jerseyshire?

[Kevin Seitzer]

It was a couple years ago, but at that time all the reviews said Google or eero were the best, and that eero had a better/easier interface.

[TranaGreg]

I tend to trust Tom's reviews ...

Best mesh Wi-Fi systems for 2021: Mesh Wi-Fi routers and points

[revo]

Ah, yes, but do you live in the Windsor Castle like Lord Revo of Jerseyshire?

That's Pennsylvaniashire.


I'm not sure why the router changed my geolocation systems on my PC (and NOT on my iPhone/iPad which were also on the new wifi), and after spending an hour with TP Link AND DraftKings technical support -- you DON'T mess with my sports wagering! -- I had no alternative but to send it back.


So apparently a "mesh" system is just one long interlocking web zone. Extenders each have their own zone. I suppose if you're walking around with something in your house, like a non-cellular iPad, it would be helpful, but after realizing that that's exactly was "mesh" is, I realized I didn't need it. Especially when the 250 mbps I get on my router was being degraded to 5-15 mbps on this new wifi system.