Looking for wifi router below 100€ to put behind shitty ISP modem
So, for the flat I'm moving in, we will likely opt for a 250 Mbit/s DSL line which comes with a shitty modem (Fritzbox 7510; 1 Gbit port, no 5GHz wifi..).
Instead of renting a better model from the ISP, I'd rather grab some WiFi router below 100€ to put behind the modem and just own the thing. I've used an Asus RT AC58U in the past (Dualband WiFi, MuMimo, multiple Gbit ports, VPN..) and am looking for something similar again. Wireguard/VPN support would also be nice but is not mandatory.
Any recommendations?
Has anyone had experience with those Tenda wifi routers?
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I use the wee Tenda travel routers as AP for my connected devices but never as a main router. I'm a fan of Xyzel kit these days and have picked up some at great prices.
Why not use a replacement router as the DSL front-end too? My ISP supplies some pretty crappy stuff (Huawei at present) and I just keep it boxed, for those rare times that they screw up the line and I need to get in touch.
In stasis until the shitposting stops/abates.
Than=compare;then=sequence:brought=bring;bought=buy:staffs=pile of sticks:informations/infos=no plural.
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i would recommend TP-Link. AX50 Perhaps. iirc their OS is based on OpenWRT, but generally they are quite stable out of the box.
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/TP-Link-Archer-AX50-HomeCare-Compatible/dp/B07Z8833C7
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/
overkill for 250mbps yet future proof.
I bench YABS 24/7/365 unless it's a leap year.
Concur that TP-Link have been good for me previously.
In stasis until the shitposting stops/abates.
Than=compare;then=sequence:brought=bring;bought=buy:staffs=pile of sticks:informations/infos=no plural.
It wisnae me! A big boy done it and ran away. || NVMe2G for life! until death (the end is nigh).
Take this with a grain of salt, but TP-Link offerings in that price range should be good ($70+).
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I have Asus RT AC58U at home, which you already tried, and I'm very happy with it.
Otherwise I would recommend TP-Link AX50 or similar.
https://www.blacktubi.com/review/tp-link-archer-ax55/
qualcomm chipset and runs cooler than ax50
I bench YABS 24/7/365 unless it's a leap year.
Why not return the Fritz!Box to your ISP and buy a better model (e.g. 7590AX)? I really like Fritz!Box, it has a nice interface and is easy to use (I don't want to spend much time with my home setup).
That one gets sold at like 200€ish on Amazon and since I prefer a new one rather than a used one that's an upfront cost that currently doesn't fit into our moving budget (given that we also have to buy lots of other stuff atm, and router isn't the priority here either). Ofc, after 24 months of paying 2,99€/mo we will also have paid about 71€, but that's still way below what the 200€ model would cost rn. So adding a budget router 50-100€ is just cheaper now, albeit might turn out more expensive in the long term :P
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Hands down for a TP-Link wifi 6 router (Wireless AX). Plenty of speed, future proof, very stable and best bang for buck.
I have advised the TP-Link Archer AX55 to a friend of mine and she's pretty happy with it. Just below 100 EUR at the lowest idealo price: https://www.coolblue.de/produkt/894187/tp-link-archer-ax55.html
If you're happy with a speed that's a bit lower, AX10 could also be an option.
Just checked - my current low-end ISP provided me with TP-Link Archer C6 AC1200:
https://www.tp-link.com/in/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-c6/v4/
The older model (V2) comes with a Qualcomm chip and that would be my first pick:
https://www.tp-link.com/in/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-c6/v2/
Sells for about 50 euros locally.
TP-Link in generall has served me so well on a budget that I find it hard to justify paying more.
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My choice for router hardware is to always look at the OpenWRT Table Of Hardware (TOH) and go from there - but I've moved on from consumer network gear - I run second hand Aruba stuff at home; their IAP series are great bang for the buck for standalone APs, or clustered setups for large coverage area; their switches have easy to learn command syntax and a nice Web UI. Very happy with my experiences with them.
Cheap dedis are my drug, and I'm too far gone to turn back.
Yeah, was also considering the C6 because..why not? It has multiple gbit ports, dualband wifi , good reviews and is affordable. Currently at 36,99€ on Amazon.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
I'd be fine with the newer model, but if I were shopping, I'd look for the V2 at a discount and get it over with.
It should do the job just fine.
We're not talking about dozens of Wi-fi users here, or huge Wi-fi bandwidth demands?
Home use, work computer wire-connected, with a Wi-fi laptop or two?
For that, it should be great - especially if you're on a tight budget.
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Yup. Just the gf's Gaming PC, my Gaming PC, an Amazon Fire TV Stick and wifi for our 2 mobile phones or for when we use our Laptops (but then we wouldn't be using the PC at the same time so..).
First time moving into my own/our own flat (only lived in a shared student flat in Valencia) and it's just crazy how many things just add up (in cost) once you think about everything you need :P Hence starting with a budget solution here and can still uprade later. I assume there will be a rather large initial investment when moving, after that it's just recurring costs for gas/water/TV/internet/rent and we can still upgrade stuff over time.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
wt> @Ympker said:
May i suggest an AC LITE flashed with OpenWrt? This will give you a solid range/signal. (ideally ceiling mounted). -However i would use this as a dumb AP and use the rest of the functions from your fritzbox. (because this option lacks the multiple gigabit ports requirements and has no vpn functions by default (altho you can add those)).
German price search engine: https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/OffersOfProduct/5009457_-unifi-ap-ac-lite-ubiquiti.html
Openwrt site: https://openwrt.org/toh/hwdata/ubiquiti/ubiquiti_unifi_apac_lite
If you are on linux/a mac (with brew): https://raw.githubusercontent.com/damadmai/unifi_openwrt/main/flash_openwrt.sh
Thanks for contributing ideas, mate
It's good to see you around again! Haven't seen you on the forums in a while (?!).
Will have a look at this the next couple days once I have time.
Flat is 48m2, so not super big area to cover either.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
Yeah its true, i have been sort of inactive for the last few months. Lots of stuff going on behind the scenes tho, so stay tuned for some nice updates in the future...
Regarding "advertising" forum posts... probably going to skip the "Lets celebrate another year on LET/LES" this year in favor of some plan upgrades or something. Currently my "free"/spare hardware inventory is too low to warrant doing a sale.
About your Wifi Situation: Regardless of the room size, having a good, strong signal really helps improve the user experience. The openwrt flashed AP, gives you a ton of stuff thats helpful, as its essentially a small linux box that can do 2.4 and 5 ghz wireless lan.
https://mikrotik.com/product/hap_ac2
I would still advise to go for a WiFi 6 model. May seem overkill now, but in 2 years most devices will make use of it. Less congestion and better coverage. It works great for me. And that AX10 is just 20 EUR more expensive.
In all fairness, that C6 (and direct predecessor C5) has been on the market for almost 10 years now.
I used Tenda AC1200 previously but it is now using as repeater, it is a budget router but the performance is good enough for personal use but not home router.
Currently using GL.iNET GL-AX1800 since they launch, things are stable now after few times of update firmware. Performance is good enough to support 15 devices concurrently - gaming, video streaming, etc.
What is the exact advantage of Wifi 6 now? Asus website has an animation where Wifi 5 sends a packet to one enduser-device after another, while Wifi 6 sends multiple packages to various different devices simultaneously. But yeah, the AX10 also looks good.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
Isn't home router personal use, though?
Yeah, Glinet is nice.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
iirc you need the devices to support Wifi 6 as well.
I bench YABS 24/7/365 unless it's a leap year.
Ah, in that case I gotta check if it's even viable.
Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi Note 8 Pro might already support it. Not so sure about my 1-2 year old Firetv Stick. Chromebook and the gf's laptop I'd have to check, too.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
The TPLinks are good. Have a couple of older vintage lying around- might move them to my office once we start WFO again next year.
Every two years my ISP tries to shove down a new router (or claims my existing router cannot support their "High speed" service).
Current one (TATA) has given a locked down Nokia router*
My concern with "High speed wifi" is twofold- security and radiation. Last week we have converted the bedroom to a no digital device zone (except wife's phone for emergencies- ageing mother and all). Sleep quality has improved. A Lot.
Read up on that aspect as well before deciding to buy. Cheers.
*staying with them since customer support is good and they have ipv6.
blog archives
Practically wifi 6 is more efficient. It uses OFDMA multiplexing. This makes for a wifi connection that's more stable and speeds that are more evenly divided over devices. Thankt to OFDMA and BSS Coloring the coverage is also better. Especially important in an apartment (less noise from your neighbours).
Most devices support BSS Coloring, for OFDMA you need wifi 6 capable devices. Most mid-range and high-end smartphones already support this, as do most newly sold laptops. So if you don't have any capable devices now, chances are you will have these in the next years.
I see it more as buying a future proof router now.
so now i have a valid excuse to change phone every year or so
damn my current router has no Wifi 6.
turns out i will be reading the AX55 review shared
I bench YABS 24/7/365 unless it's a leap year.
Future proof hardly ever makes sense. Just burning money. Unfortunately.
I get the idea, but when you sum up all the pros and cons, I think it's better to buy cheaper, then get a new one in 3-5 years, once most of your equipment supports the new protocol.
Of course, if the price difference is symbolic and/or the newer model has other options you fancy (aside from future-proofing), then it makes more sense.
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Using TP-Link Archer C60 v2.0 for a year.
There are always around 20ish devices connected to the router (my desktop - wired, rest are wireless like cameras, mobiles, printer, etc.) and the router stays ON 24x7
Stable AF!
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Sounds good! Thanks!
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
Yes and no. If I buy new equipment I usually do so for at least 5 years. So future proofing is definitely no waste of money here.
Furthermore, with routers, a newer model usually means a faster SoC, sometimes more memory so performance is usually better.
But I have to admit that I don’t have a low end lifestyle. I usually like to pay a bit more, but I have the funds to back it up. Just don’t ask what my network setup at home cost me.
I definitely see the point, buying something that will be considered a good standard for years to come.
Normally, I would also agree to go for something that is a tad more expensive than going cheap. Us being two students, hoewever, the costs of moving kinda add up (washing machine, fridge, shelves, sofa, desk, bed...), so it's currently not within our budget. Likely to upgrade later, even if that means we now have to rent the modem for the next 24 months. Some of the suggested wifi routers seem like they will still do their job just fine
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
If you live in a "1st world" country - just multiply every price by 5 and see if you would still consider it worth paying.
If not, then my hat off to you sir. I try to go for higher quality, but the budget is often quite limited.
So I usually try to get the "best bang for the buck." Not always, but most often.
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In case of that router, well: yes. Really doesn’t come close to what my home network has cost me. Good to note that it’s also kind of a hobby,
What strikes me is that new electronics are equally expensive or even more expensive in Eastern Europe for instance. But that’s a very different discussion.
Best bang for buck is never wrong. But I also calculate short term and long term expenses. Buying a cheaper new device every two years might be more expensive than buying one that’s going to cost me more now, but will last longer. Of course I know that’s a privilege not everyone has.
I'm not talking about electronics prices.
I'm talking about price-to-pay ratio.
I.e. a high-quality router taking a full monthly pay VS one week's pay VS 4 hours of work etc.
In other words: different perspective based on incomes and budgets (as seems to be the case with Ympker now, in his current situation).
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An effect that is amplified because (at least within Europe) electronics are priced equally in high income countries as they are in lower income countries. Which is what I meant.
Which I totally understand.
But the title of this thread still says "below € 100" and the routers I recommend are both very much below that price point. If the title said "below € 50" or "as cheap as possible" I wouldn't have made these recommendations.
I don't feel like dragging this one, but there seems to be at least some kind of misunderstanding here and I certainly don't care to be lectured about financial differences. Because I know that very well, growing up in a relatively poor family. But € 100 is still € 100.
Don't want to cause any turmoil here. Both of you are correct. Like @debaser said, the budget specified is below 100€ so any suggestions up to that price are totally fine and welcome. The idea from @bikegremlin to not spend more than is really needed regarding the moving situation and costs adding up isn't bad either. That is to say, while cost shouldn't be the deciding factor as long as it stays below 100€, it isn't wrong to save money if a economically more affordable device will also do a good job.
Love all of your comments and help, so no need to argue
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
And neither do I. But being accused of being insensitive of peoples budget usually gives me a very nasty itch. Because while I do have more than enough money now, it didn't always used to be that way.
Might have overreacted, but the message is clear. Of course, @Ympker, I should've understood your position a bit better. This context was a bit lost on me.
It's written communication in a foreign language.
I'm not arguing. Nor accusing - as you noted in another reply.
Your input is good - I was just offering a different perspective.
I.e. it wasn't intended as an insult or an accusation.
Edit:
For what it's worht, the perspective change is what I'm guilty of.
I would have recommended a more expensive option if the current budget situation wasn't so explicitly and repeatedly stressed by Ympker.
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4 days ago I got the following router, for just 1€. I wrote OpenWRT on it, and it's ready as backup. This is low-end.
Cloudcone | Crunchbits | Dartnode | Dedirock | Georgedatacenter | Gigahost | Hostbilby | Host-c | Hostdzire | Hostsailor | Namecrane | Nuyek | Realtoxmedia | Servarica | Terabit | Tnahosting | Virmach
OPNSense or pfsense on a cheap corporate SFF desktop like OptiPlex 3020, Lenovo m73, etc.? (Those are super old 4th-gen chips; newer is fine, too.) Add a I340-T2 or I350-T2 PCIe NIC. Separate AP.
I've personally had good luck with ASUS RT-AX92U....but outside of specified budget.
Noooo. That's a 100mbps eth device...while OP has 250mbps internet.
(.C60 is a good choice for openwrt though in niche cases where the 100mbps isn't an issue.)
MikroTik hAP ac3, not sure exact prices, but should be close to €100 ...
With RouterOS 7 it should have Wifi6, WireGuard etc.
https://mikrotik.com/product/hap_ac3
I think it's 300Mbps. Gotta check it out though lol. Haven't bothered even looking at the router since its installation a year back.
Fuck my memory! ngl I'm getting old.
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Moving at the end of August where I will then decide on a router (and easily return it within 14-30 days if not to satisfaction). Thanks for all the suggestions so far!
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
If you're as stingy as I am and can live with a really stupid AP - grab one of those AC 4x4 APs at your local o2 store.
https://www.o2online.de/e-shop/o2-homebox-satellite-repeater-details
Working fine in AP mode. 3€.
Lol, didn't know that one. I think that won't do since I would also need some gigabit LAN ports, so a Router is preferred, but looks nice.
I also still have a TP Link RE650 AP/Repeater (which is fairly powerful) lying around. Could also consider using a Gigabit switch to get the additional Gigabit LAN ports and use the RE650 for Wifi without any additional router. Hmm, may give this a try, too. Thanks for the idea!
So that would be:
ISP modem --> gigabit port to gigabit switch with 5 Gigabit LAN ports. Use RE650 as a WiFi repeater/AP for strong wifi.
Ympker's VPN LTD Comparison, Uptime.is, Ympker's GitHub.
You're confusing wifi speed and eth ports. It's quite common for routers to have far higher radio throughput than the cable part can handle. Since internet comes in over the cable the lower of the two matters
Mikrotik is a good tweakable (proprietary linux) router, but their wifi is shit out of the box.
Ubiquiti is a proprietary crap router, but their Unifi wifi APs are good.
You'll have to give more and combine.
Or you'll have to use Mikrotik and know how to tune the wifi for max performance or max range (still won't beat Unifi), your choice.
Or get something like Huawei AX3, cheap (not cheapest) WiFi6 device, next, next finish setup, not tweakable, lots of CPU and fast wifi/cable speed, low strenght wifi signal, but still fast speeds. Plus it contacts friends from China.
xiaomi ax6s / ax3200 then flash firmware using openwrt
good enough for me