I need a new Router. Suggestions?

I am looking for a new Router. What is everyone using, recommend?

I have 3 Desktops (ethernet connected) and a household of wireless devices. No wireless gaming though.

nowadays… get a mesh routers

I’m running a vilo mesh routers with a small ethernet switch on the main to plug in wired items. each vilo hub has 3 ethernet ports also

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Netgear orbis here.

Mesh routers are especially good for deadapots in multistory homes.

They say they aren’t as good for gaming, but I haven’t noticed a problem nor have my kids complained about lag in games.

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our previous home I used an Asus AC66u B1 as my main router with an old Asus N56U running as just an AP to cover our bedroom which was a deadspot. Our current home I have an Asus AC86U (previous fave over on SNB) that covers my whole house plus my yard. All the routers are/were running merlin firmware. The current favorite router on SNB is the Asus AX86U but if that is too rich you can definitely use the AC86U, it easily has the highest throughput for a router I have ever used especially on the 2.4ghz radio signal.

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The AC86U AC2900 looks nice. Do you have the standard version or the ROG Gaming one?

they are one and the same internally, both Asus and Netgear (among others) are notorious for selling the same router across several SKUs. All gaming routers do is add lighting and a reskin firmware while selling for a premium price. In fact, since gaming routers don’t sell was well as general routers they may not get the same firmware updates or have an earlier EOL than their “non-gaming” version. Regardless, if you do get the AC86U, I suggest running merlin on it. The firmware is easy to install and Asus does have great mobile app for router set up and maintenance. In fact when my wife’s friend came over to our home to do some work on her laptop, I was able to create a new temporary network just for her from my phone while at work.

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Thank you. Its standard one is on sale now for $99

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that’s a good price

Id just get a decent Netgear with wifi 6 capabilities. Costco normally has the best prices on them

You are entitled to your opinion just make sure you post your comment as such, it would definitely create a good laugh on the SNB forums. Mesh has been around for a long time and certainly has its pros as well as its cons.

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You are 100% right I gave a an opinionated post that was hardly fit for reddit. I edited it to be more just pure unbiased advice. I try to stay away from opinioned post. I guess I just got carried away :woman_shrugging:

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No problem, and I like I said in my previous post I’ve created ad hoc “mesh” style networks and AiMesh using my old routers. mesh is a fantastic way to get wi-fi in dead spots with easy consumer set up (in most cases) but depending on backhaul, your mobile clients, size of your home you can be putting too much wi-fi into an area, create more latency, introduce more drops, etc., Also, most likely at equal cost you will be getting a worse AP in a mesh node than a single router.

End of day I always tell people, a $10 Ethernet cable will outperform a $500 “gaming router” in many cases. Similar to PC hardware, spend your hard earned money on performance you will use. Not performance that will impress strangers on a forum.

Costso does have good prices on Netgear routers though

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If you are able to hardwire your PC this is 100% TRUE and I hope the OP sees this. If you dont mind running cable through your house being hard wired will literally let you use any old cheapy router provided by your ISP. Being hard wired is always better than wifi.

You can get super long dirt cheap CAT6 cable off Amazon

If your internet service provider doesn’t have a all in one router/modem combo it’s time to change. Or call them up and ask if they got one.

Most do but why?

Nobody wants to do that…it’s such a pain. Especially multistory homes.

Knowing me I’d set up a “temporary” drop that would never get finished and it would just be me having cables stapled along the walls with zip ties and duct tape for years

More convenient, you don’t have to spend extra cash for a router, and it’ll be able to handle the speed you pay for right out of the box. It’s a win win in my book.

We dont know the OPs situation she/he might be able to put the router right next to the PC and hard wire it

I have debated over it for years but this is how it would end up looking in my house knowing me:

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I’d go with one of the TriBand routers… with so many devices trying to get wifi access now, the 3 bands are super helpful. It’s like having 3 routers. Currently using a NetGear Nighthawk AC3000, and really please with it. It’s getting a bit old, so I expect I will be in market soon for a new router. I will definitely go with TriBand again.