Xiaomi Routers: Xiaomi BE10000/BE7000/BE6500 Pro/BE5000/BE3600, Xiaomi AX6000, Redmi AX6000, Redmi AX5400/Gaming, Xiaomi AX3200/AX3000, Xiaomi AX3000T

[nagase_4]

Also, understand that AX6000 only have CN version.
So if i were to get a AX3600 to mesh, i will need AX3600 to be CN version as well?
How do i tell the difference between AX3600 global and cn version?

Thanks in advance!

 

[xiaofan]

Also, understand that AX6000 only have CN version.
So if i were to get a AX3600 to mesh, i will need AX3600 to be CN version as well?
How do i tell the difference between AX3600 global and cn version?

Thanks in advance!

Yes it is better to have AX3600 China version. But I will recommend against buying AX3600 for now since Xiaomi has stopped the production for quite some time and you may not know the quality and condition of the current stock in the online market.

I will suggest buying another CN version of Redmi AX5400 (non gaming edition, RMB349) to form the mesh.

 

[nagase_4]

Yes it is better to have AX3600 China version. But I will recommend against buying AX3600 for now since Xiaomi has stopped the production for quite some time and you may not know the quality and condition of the current stock in the online market.

I will suggest buying another CN version of Redmi AX5400 (non gaming edition, RMB349) to form the mesh.

Thank you @xiaofan.

noted on above. Currently redmi ax5400 only got stocks from China.

what if i dont wanna wait and wanna get everything by today. Besides Redmi Ax5400, which other router should i get to pair with AX6000.

also, i assume you will also recommend me to not use AX6000 as my main router?

 

[xiaofan]

noted on above. Currently redmi ax5400 only got stocks from China.

what if i dont wanna wait and wanna get everything by today. Besides Redmi Ax5400, which other router should i get to pair with AX6000.

also, i assume you will also recommend me to not use AX6000 as my main router?

Just go with the Xiaomi AX6000 as the main router if you are okay with the features. It may be good enough for many users. As for the mesh node, you can also go with China version of Xiaomi AX300, Redmi AX6S or Redmi AX3000, if Redmi AX5400 normal version is not available.

 

[nagase_4]

Just go with the Xiaomi AX6000 as the main router if you are okay with the features. It may be good enough for many users. As for the mesh node, you can also go with China version of Xiaomi AX300, Redmi AX6S or Redmi AX3000, if Redmi AX5400 normal version is not available.

Okie thanks again.
Probably i get the AX6000 first then bring home to test out the wifi.
After that then decide on the 2nd device for mesh.

But for discussion sake, i read in earlier thread that xiaomi routers send alot of packets to and fro unknown locations? Is this something we should be concerned about? Is there any settings i should set b4 using?

Also i read that you have a ASUS main router and then use xiaomi routers as your APs?
Im actually thinking of that since my BB plan is due for recontract soon and probably can get a ASUS RT-AX3000 WiFi-6. Is this sufficient as a main router (with wifi off) and use the rest of my Xiaomi devices as APs and mesh?

If not, at most i can just continue to use my Ubiquiti Dream Machine as the main router, turn off its wifi and disconnection my NanoHD AP, and use the xiaomi routers as my Wifi Mesh with wired backhaul.

Below pic to illustrate what i mean. With Green as the main router placement because ONT is there.
And 2 blue will be where my 2 xiaomi routers will be to form the mesh.

 

[xiaofan]

Since you have the UDM and Nano HD, why do you need to look at the Asus or Xiaomi at all? Sorry I did not read your previous post when I say Xiaomi AX6000 might be good for you as the main router. If you are used to the Unifi features, then you will not be happy with the limited features of the Xiaomi routers.

Just keep the UDM as the main router and buy AX rated Unifi AP like U6-Lite or U6-LR if you want to upgrade to AX.

But if you really want to get away from the Unifi APs, then yes you can keep the UDM as the main router and then add Xiaomi AX6000 as an AP and then adding more Xiaomi as mesh node when needed.

 

[nagase_4]

Since you have the UDM and Nano HD, why do you need to look at the Asus or Xiaomi at all? Sorry I did not read your previous post when I say Xiaomi AX6000 might be good for you as the main router. If you are used to the Unifi features, then you will not be happy with the limited features of the Xiaomi routers.

Just keep the UDM as the main router and buy AX rated Unifi AP like U6-Lite or U6-LR if you want to upgrade to AX.

But if you really want to get away from the Unifi APs, then yes you can keep the UDM as the main router and then add Xiaomi AX6000 as an AP and then adding more Xiaomi as mesh node when needed.

Hi again. I feel like Ubiquiti's setup is well beyond my depth/knowledge and I don't think I can properly set it up to fully optimise the settings. and i find that the wifi is slow and sometimes unstable which Im sure it's down to me not doing the settings properly.

As such, I just wanna go back to consumer grade routers.

End state is that i will probably sell off my UDM and NanoHD AP and just get a better main router. For now, i will just get a AX6000 to test out the wifi range and functions first.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi again. I feel like Ubiquiti's setup is well beyond my depth/knowledge and I don't think I can properly set it up to fully optimise the settings. and i find that the wifi is slow and sometimes unstable which Im sure it's down to me not doing the settings properly.

As such, I just wanna go back to consumer grade routers.

End state is that i will probably sell off my UDM and NanoHD AP and just get a better main router. For now, i will just get a AX6000 to test out the wifi range and functions first.

I see. Yes that is a good plan.

In terms of features and long term support, then Asus routers will be better. And yes you can use the Asus RT-AX3000 as the main router, then use Xiaomi AX6000 as AP, and add another Xiaomi mesh node later if necessary.

But then again, you may also look at pure Asus. Eg: Asus RT-AX82U as main router + RT-AX3000 as AIMesh node.

 

[nagase_4]

I see. Yes that is a good plan.

In terms of features and long term support, then Asus routers will be better. And yes you can use the Asus RT-AX3000 as the main router, then use Xiaomi AX6000 as AP, and add another Xiaomi mesh node later if necessary.

But then again, you may also look at pure Asus. Eg: Asus RT-AX82U as main router + RT-AX3000 as AIMesh node.

Yea but i think i last time before Ubiquiti, I also din have good experience with AiMesh but that's like 2-3 years ago so Im not sure how things have improved now.

Furthermore, seems that Xiaomi routers are alot more bang for bucks as compared to Asus routers. So most prob will be going for Xiaomi routers as APs and Mesh. Just that maybe need a good main router like say Asus?

But then again, I also realised that I don't really tinkle much with my router settings. So end of the day, maybe use xiaomi router as main router also possible.

Now my only concern is that Xiaomi routers seem to be sending alot of packets to and fro China (based on what i had read in the earlier threads/posts. So probably need to do more research on this on how to prevent this or stop this from happening.

@xiaofan do u have any insights/advice on this?

 

[xiaofan]

Yea but i think i last time before Ubiquiti, I also din have good experience with AiMesh but that's like 2-3 years ago so Im not sure how things have improved now.

Furthermore, seems that Xiaomi routers are alot more bang for bucks as compared to Asus routers. So most prob will be going for Xiaomi routers as APs and Mesh. Just that maybe need a good main router like say Asus?

But then again, I also realised that I don't really tinkle much with my router settings. So end of the day, maybe use xiaomi router as main router also possible.

Now my only concern is that Xiaomi routers seem to be sending alot of packets to and fro China (based on what i had read in the earlier threads/posts. So probably need to do more research on this on how to prevent this or stop this from happening.

@xiaofan do u have any insights/advice on this?

Different people may have different opinions about the those privacy/security concerns. Some people are more worried about Chinese companies like Xiaomi (or Huawei). Some people are more worried about TrendMicro (used by Asus routers and some TP-Link routers) or Avira (used by some TP-Link routers).

Then some people are actually more worried about Google/Microsoft/Facebook/Apple but I guess they are difficult to avoid.

So it is up to you to decide.

But it is possible to block the Xiaomi router phone home features by using things like Pi-hole.

Personally I do not recommend running Xiaomi or Huawei router as the main router, due to lack of features and not due to privacy/security concerns. I also tend to recommend Asus over Linksys and TP-Link because of better FW features and long term support.

But if you are really worried, just do not use Xiaomi.

 

[nagase_4]

Different people may have different opinions about the those privacy/security concerns. Some people are more worried about Chinese companies like Xiaomi (or Huawei). Some people are more worried about TrendMicro (used by Asus routers and some TP-Link routers) or Avira (used by some TP-Link routers).

Then some people are actually more worried about Google/Microsoft/Facebook/Apple but I guess they are difficult to avoid.

So it is up to you to decide.

But it is possible to block the Xiaomi router phone home features by using things like Pi-hole.

Personally I do not recommend running Xiaomi or Huawei router as the main router, due to lack of features and not due to privacy/security concerns. I also tend to recommend Asus over Linksys and TP-Link because of better FW features and long term support.

But if you are really worried, just do not use Xiaomi.

Hey thanks for above explanation. You put it quite clear and concise in that this is normal be it xiaomi trend or google or facebook. In that case, 我也比较放心.

Again, thanks alot!

also your recommendation of using Asus as main router is also what i leaning towards at the moment.

lets see how it goes as i slowly consider over the next week over which setup I will get eventually!

edit - @xiaofan need to trouble u again. May i ask if i were to get a Asus as a main router. Which one should i get?

 

[xiaofan]

edit - @xiaofan need to trouble u again. May i ask if i were to get a Asus as a main router. Which one should i get?

M1 has very good GT-AX6000 deal which is difficult to beat: S$13 x 24 = S$312 for new sign-up, S$379 for existing customers.
https://www.m1.com.sg/home-broadband/devices/asus-rog-rapture-gt-ax6000
If you intend to get Xiaomi AX6000 or similar as AP, then you can go with a cheap Asus router like RT-AX56U. It has the same CPU (BCM6750) and same amount of RAM (512MB) as RT-AX58U/82U.

But if you change the mind and want to use pure Asus, then I will recommend RT-AX82U as the main router and then RT-AX55 as the mesh node.

 

[TanKianW]

Hey thanks for above explanation. You put it quite clear and concise in that this is normal be it xiaomi trend or google or facebook. In that case, 我也比较放心.

Again, thanks alot!

also your recommendation of using Asus as main router is also what i leaning towards at the moment.

lets see how it goes as i slowly consider over the next week over which setup I will get eventually!

edit - @xiaofan need to trouble u again. May i ask if i were to get a Asus as a main router. Which one should i get?

Maybe you should flash your UDM + NanoHD to latest firmware, reset and reconfigure. Before considering any other alternatives. You can do it pretty fast.

You might be having problem with your Unifi due to old firmware version (common problem in the past) since you stated that you seldom tinker.

Unifi pretty much works right out of the box. You might need to reposition your APs to have better coverage. (Eg. locate out of the cabinet, APs not too close to each other, better to be in the room instead of hall junctions, etc)

If Unifi just do not work for you, perhaps then switch back to Asus router.​

 

[nagase_4]

M1 has very good GT-AX6000 deal which is difficult to beat: S$13 x 24 = S$312 for new sign-up, S$379 for existing customers.
https://www.m1.com.sg/home-broadband/devices/asus-rog-rapture-gt-ax6000
If you intend to get Xiaomi AX6000 or similar as AP, then you can go with a cheap Asus router like RT-AX56U. It has the same CPU (BCM6750) and same amount of RAM (512MB) as RT-AX58U/82U.

But if you change the mind and want to use pure Asus, then I will recommend RT-AX82U as the main router and then RT-AX55 as the mesh node.

Tks again!
Im with MyRepublic.

Will explore above 3 asus routers as recommended!

 

[nagase_4]

Maybe you should flash your UDM + NanoHD to latest firmware, reset and reconfigure. Before considering any other alternatives. You can do it pretty fast.

You might be having problem with your Unifi due to old firmware version (common problem in the past) since you stated that you seldom tinker.

Unifi pretty much works right out of the box. You might need to reposition your APs to have better coverage. (Eg. locate out of the cabinet, APs not too close to each other, better to be in the room instead of hall junctions, etc)

If Unifi just do not work for you, perhaps then switch back to Asus router.​

Hey thanks!

Yes i did that in the past. Updating the firmware. Go on Unifi’s discord and ask and reconfigure. In the end still same.

I’ve actually thought about it for a few months liao and decided that better to change to “simpler” router then stick with Unifi.

 

[edmwing]

If you intend to get Xiaomi AX6000 or similar as AP, then you can go with a cheap Asus router like RT-AX56U. It has the same CPU (BCM6750) and same amount of RAM (512MB) as RT-AX58U/82U.

Is it 'wasteful' to set up redmi AX6000 as AP? It is cheaper than AX56U but seemingly better than xiaomi AX6000.

 

[xiaofan]

Is it 'wasteful' to set up redmi AX6000 as AP? It is cheaper than AX56U but seemingly better than xiaomi AX6000.

Whether it is 'wasteful1 all depends on the personal preferences. There are people who use Xiaomi AX9000 as an AP...

On the other hand, many SingTel users are using the SingTel ONR (very limited features) as the main router, any Xiaomi AX routers will be better in terms of features than the SingTel ONR. So it is okay to use Xiaomi AX router as the main router if you just use the basic router features.

It is just my personal preference that I recommend using Asus AX router (RT-AX56 or better) as the main router in order to have more FW features and long term support.

Then for more advanced users I will actually recommend using OpenWRT/pfSense if you are more technical inclined and willing to spend some time learning. Or you can go with Ubiquiti ecosystem.

 

[nagase_4]

For AX3600 local set, can i flash it with china firmware and then will it be compatible with AX6000 to form a mesh?

 

[edmwing]

On the other hand, many SingTel users are using the SingTel ONR (very limited features) as the main router, any Xiaomi AX routers will be better in terms of features than the SingTel ONR. So it is okay to use Xiaomi AX router as the main router if you just use the basic router features.

Do you mean for ONR users to set Xiaomi AX router as router instead of AP?

 

[xiaofan]

Do you mean for ONR users to set Xiaomi AX router as router instead of AP?

You can do that but then it will become Double NAT. Double NAT may not affect normal web browsing or content consumption but it may affect gaming or VPN usage.

The better way is to move out of SingTel and go to M1/Starhub, since SingTel stopped to entertain ONR bridging request since March 2022.