OT- Router advice

[Seinfeld]

I've been trying to put this off, but with all the video streaming and wifi usage that goes on in my house these days, I've gotta get something new. I currently have a Cisco EA3500, and while it works great at short range, it's virtually useless anywhere that's over 30 ft away. When it's connected, I'll get decent speed, but it loses the signal about every 30 seconds at that range so it's beyond frustrating.

Anyway, based on internet reviews, the Asus AC68R seems to be a good choice, but I'll admit that I wasn't really looking for $200 router. More like $100-150. If it's really that good, though, I might spring for it.

What are you guys using?

 

[MeridianDog]

Deleted

 

[Rog.sixpack]

For that price range: Buffalo N450

 

[randystewart]

Spinoff question... Can a new router increase the speed of my internet, or is that solely a function of my ISP? I know I pay for the maximum tier offered at my house but still seems slow when two people try to use the internet. My router is probably three years old and was just wondering if a new one could actually improve the speed/performance of my internet?

 

[SanfordRJones]

I'm in the same boat you're in. I haven't bought a new router yet, either, but the best reviews for a router in that price range that I've seen are the Dlink DIR-868L.

 

[thf24]

Yes and no. Your internet connection is only as fast as what's coming out of the wall, and unless you're on fiber, a good connection between the router and your computer/device should be much faster than your ISP can provide. However, your connection speed from the router drops with signal strength as you get further away, and if that speed drops below your ISP's speed, then obviously the router becomes the limiting factor. A new/better router will help if your problem is range. Multiple people on the connection by itself has more to do with the max speed from the ISP, though.

 

[pDigital32Dawg]

I bought the ASUS RT-AC66U router off of NewEgg last August. It was priced at $200, and after using promo codes and catching it on sale, I got it for $166 with free shipping. I have been nothing but pleased with the device and quality of service for all devices that are running at the same time. If you're not in a rush, yet your budget is in the ~$150 price range I recommend that you eye ball NewEgg or TigerDirect for any promo codes or price drops on the router that you want. There is a good chance you can get a helpful discount and the free shipping. Plus no state tax is assessed if you're a resident of MS.

 

[The Peeper]

Motorola from Best Buy, paid about $125 for it. Works everywhere inside the house and outside when in the garage, sitting on front porch but fades about 30' from house. We can run Roku and couple tablets w/out problems. Service is Comcast 3mb

 

[InTheCellarNoMore]

Wireless repeater is useful

There are plenty of things to interfere with your wireless signal from lights to wiring to walls to tvs. Take it from a nerdy IT person buy a good wireless router in the $150 range. Most all of them are fine and cover a good area. Then in your problem spots get a wireless repeater. They simply plug into an outlet and extend your range. Put it between the bad spot and router somewhere. They are about $50-100. I typically recommend a repeater for a two story home and putting the repeater in the stairwell or just at the top of the stairs if possible to cover the upper or lower floor.

Also if your router isn't in an ideal spot you can get a powerline kit from Best Buy and move it. It removes the need to run an ethernet cable through walls and ceilings. Plug one into an outlet around your modem and connect the modem to it via a network cable. Go to where you want your router and plug the other one into an outlet and connect the router with a network cable. It gives you a network drop without dealing with wiring and you can put the wireless router in the most ideal place in your home. It makes it easy to move it around and get the best signal everywhere.

I prefer wired connections so I put one of the powerline base station adapters by my modem and then put the other adapters at each tv so I could have a wired connection for streaming at each tv. Added a repeater outside so we could have good signal on the back porch for our tablets. I move the repeater around the house as needed also.

Powerline adapters: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear...&skuId=1612494&st=powerline adapter&cp=1&lp=5
Wireless repeater: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/amped-w...&skuId=4299043&st=wireless repeater&cp=1&lp=1

 

[beachbumdawg]

I'm running a Zoom wired router connected to a Netgear N900 wireless router - comcast blast

2 iPhones, 2 iPads, laptop and xbox constantly going and no issues

 

[RocketDawg]

I got a Medialink from Amazon a couple months ago. Had to replace my NetGear since it was beginning to need restarting a time or two a day. The Medialink had great reviews (close to 5-star) and only cost $50 with free shipping. I have a 3000 sq ft house and get a good signal on both floors, the deck, and garage. The router is located with my "main" computer on the second floor.