AX router recommendations?

[Lss]

What is the coverage of the current router?

It seems to me the router placement is not optimal and the main bedroom and main bathroom may not have good coverage.

Do you have LAN ports in the rooms? If you have LAN ports in the main bedroom, then I will recommend to get an Asus TUF-AX4200 (or better ones like TUF-AX6000 or GT-AX6000, depending on your budget) as the main router and then another RT-AX3000P (BNIB from Carousell at around S$80, dumped by M1 users) as the AImesh node in the main bedroom.

Whole unit gets WiFi but of course bedroom less bars. I have since swapped it to Asus TUF-AX4200 and getting full bars everywhere.

 

[ongkmeng]

Riding on this post. Need some advices on whether to upgrade to WIFI6.

Current ISP : M1 1GHz Fibre BB
WIFI setup : 1) ONT -> Deco M9-plus (as router) @ level 2 (corner)
2) 3 x Deco M9-plus as Mesh AP (1 @ MasterRm Level 2, 1 @ Livinig Room Level 1, 1 @kitchen Level 1)
Network coverage : General OK - except only a MiTV having WIFI connection to level 1 Deco but intermitant lost internet connection after some time usage)

Question :
Got a Asus AX-3000P router FOC from M1 renewal.

1) My Deco M9 plus setup do not support WIFI6. Is it worth to upgrade to WIFI6 which my family has some newer devices that support WIFI6? ie setup a new Asus (incl AX-3000P) WIFI6 setup in replacement for my Deco setup?

I read in thread that it is recommended to another router e.g TUF-AX4200 as main router. Then use AX-3000P as AiMesh.

2) Can I get another AX3000P as router (level 2), then put another AX-3000P as Mesh at level 1? Is performance more inferior to a TUF-AX4200? Read that AX3000P 256Mb RAM is a disadvantage to use a router.

3) Does AX-3000P as AiMesh perform well as a dedicated Aimesh AP? Is there any limitation using a router as Mesh setup

4) Should I exchange/buy a TP-Link AX4500 and then go with TP AX Mesh? (ie still got to discard M9Plus since it does not work as Mesh with AX4500)

Some kind advices are appreciated. Thanks

 

[babyjyo]

Riding on this post. Need some advices on whether to upgrade to WIFI6.

Current ISP : M1 1GHz Fibre BB
WIFI setup : 1) ONT -> Deco M9-plus (as router) @ level 2 (corner)
2) 3 x Deco M9-plus as Mesh AP (1 @ MasterRm Level 2, 1 @ Livinig Room Level 1, 1 @kitchen Level 1)
Network coverage : General OK - except only a MiTV having WIFI connection to level 1 Deco but intermitant lost internet connection after some time usage)

Question :
Got a Asus AX-3000P router FOC from M1 renewal.

1) My Deco M9 plus setup do not support WIFI6. Is it worth to upgrade to WIFI6 which my family has some newer devices that support WIFI6? ie setup a new Asus (incl AX-3000P) WIFI6 setup in replacement for my Deco setup?

I read in thread that it is recommended to another router e.g TUF-AX4200 as main router. Then use AX-3000P as AiMesh.

2) Can I get another AX3000P as router (level 2), then put another AX-3000P as Mesh at level 1? Is performance more inferior to a TUF-AX4200? Read that AX3000P 256Mb RAM is a disadvantage to use a router.

3) Does AX-3000P as AiMesh perform well as a dedicated Aimesh AP? Is there any limitation using a router as Mesh setup

4) Should I exchange/buy a TP-Link AX4500 and then go with TP AX Mesh? (ie still got to discard M9Plus since it does not work as Mesh with AX4500)

Some kind advices are appreciated. Thanks

To answer..

1) It depends on the needs/usage and expectations. Honestly, WiFi5 on 5Ghz is generally more than sufficient for most users. Realistically, it won't be a significant difference (outside speedtest).
2) & 3) In general, what you have mentioned are all wireless routers. In the consumer market, access points products almost don't exist today. The only way is to configure it in access point mode (which will turn off the router function). Unless you go for business products, access points can be easily found.
4) Generally, it is a personal call on Asus or TP-Link.

 

[xiaofan]

Riding on this post. Need some advices on whether to upgrade to WIFI6.

Current ISP : M1 1GHz Fibre BB
WIFI setup : 1) ONT -> Deco M9-plus (as router) @ level 2 (corner)
2) 3 x Deco M9-plus as Mesh AP (1 @ MasterRm Level 2, 1 @ Livinig Room Level 1, 1 @kitchen Level 1)
Network coverage : General OK - except only a MiTV having WIFI connection to level 1 Deco but intermitant lost internet connection after some time usage)

Question :
Got a Asus AX-3000P router FOC from M1 renewal.

1) My Deco M9 plus setup do not support WIFI6. Is it worth to upgrade to WIFI6 which my family has some newer devices that support WIFI6? ie setup a new Asus (incl AX-3000P) WIFI6 setup in replacement for my Deco setup?

I read in thread that it is recommended to another router e.g TUF-AX4200 as main router. Then use AX-3000P as AiMesh.

2) Can I get another AX3000P as router (level 2), then put another AX-3000P as Mesh at level 1? Is performance more inferior to a TUF-AX4200? Read that AX3000P 256Mb RAM is a disadvantage to use a router.

3) Does AX-3000P as AiMesh perform well as a dedicated Aimesh AP? Is there any limitation using a router as Mesh setup

4) Should I exchange/buy a TP-Link AX4500 and then go with TP AX Mesh? (ie still got to discard M9Plus since it does not work as Mesh with AX4500)

Some kind advices are appreciated. Thanks

You may want to post the floor plan to have better recommendation.

From your description, single TP-Link Deco M9+ in Level 1 has some coverage issues for the Mi TV.

1) If you want to upgrade to Asus AImesh, yes I will recommend using TUF-AX4200 or better to act as the main router and then you can use the RT-AX3000P as AImesh node.

2) Yes the performance of RT-AX3000P is inferior to TUF-AX4200, in terms of both routing performance (weak CPU and 256MB RAM) and wireless coverage/performance.

3) No idea what you are asking. For Asus AImesh, mostly you have a main node (usually the main router, but it can be in AP mode if there is already another main router) and a few mesh nodes (in AP mode).

4) Since you have existing Deco M9+, if you want to reuse them, then it is easier to go with TP-Link Deco, for example, to go with TP-Link Deco X50/X60/X75/etc as the main router. No point to go with TP-Link Archer AX72 or similar since they are not compatible with TP-Link Deco.

5) All in all, it is okay to go with either Asus AImesh or TP-Link Deco setup. If you want to reuse existing Deco M9+, then it is just easier to have a new Deco X50/X60/X75 as the main router and use the existing three Deco M9+ as the mesh nodes.

 

[FaithHopeLove]

Hi all, not sure how to upload image, hence using google drive instead for my floor plan.

Currently will be signing up with StarHub broadband for my new flat. The DB box is making me think really hard on how to have the best coverage as the cabinet is closed which definitely will cause some coverage issues.

I will be using the ONT and Starhub's Smart WiFi MX2 Linksys MX2001 Velop. Issue is, I find that it is very wasted to put this router in the DB box since it is quite an alright router? Thought of 3 options with a budget of $600.

1) Get ASUS RT-AX56U, use it as a replacement router in the DB box instead of Linksys MX2001, get a Asus TUF-AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router and put in bedroom 3 as that will be the study and PC will be directly plugged into router. Will then place Linksys MX2001 in bedroom 2, nearer to the walkway and bath/wc 2 using the lan point in the room near the window, hopefully it will give coverage to the bathrooms and master bedroom.

2) Leave the Linksys MX2001 in DB box, get Asus TUF-AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router and put in bedroom 2, nearer to the walkway and bath/wc 2 using the lan point in the room near the window hopefully cover the second part of the house. Living room/kitchen will tap on the Linksys? PC in study will just plus in the LAN cable into LAN port near the window.

3) Leave the Linksys MX2001 in DB box, get Asus TUF-AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router and put in bedroom 3 as that will be the study and PC will be directly plugged into router. Get the 2 pack ZenWifi XD5 mesh system, put in the bedroom 2 and 1 in master bedroom?

Which would be more ideal?
If you have any other alternatives, please suggest!

 

[xiaofan]

Hi all, not sure how to upload image, hence using google drive instead for my floor plan.

Currently will be signing up with StarHub broadband for my new flat. The DB box is making me think really hard on how to have the best coverage as the cabinet is closed which definitely will cause some coverage issues.

I will be using the ONT and Starhub's Smart WiFi MX2 Linksys MX2001 Velop. Issue is, I find that it is very wasted to put this router in the DB box since it is quite an alright router? Thought of 3 options with a budget of $600.

1) Get ASUS RT-AX56U, use it as a replacement router in the DB box instead of Linksys MX2001, get a Asus TUF-AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router and put in bedroom 1 as that will be the study and PC will be directly plugged into router. Will then place Linksys MX2001 in bedroom 2, nearer to the walkway and bath/wc 2 using the lan point in the room near the window, hopefully it will give coverage to the bathrooms and master bedroom.

2) Leave the Linksys MX2001 in DB box, get Asus TUF-AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router and put in bedroom 2, nearer to the walkway and bath/wc 2 using the lan point in the room near the window hopefully cover the second part of the house. Living room/kitchen will tap on the Linksys? PC in study will just plus in the LAN cable into LAN port near the window.

3) Leave the Linksys MX2001 in DB box, get Asus TUF-AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router and put in bedroom 1 as that will be the study and PC will be directly plugged into router. Get the 2 pack ZenWifi XD5 mesh system, put in the bedroom 2 and 1 in master bedroom?

Which would be more ideal?
If you have any other alternatives, please suggest!

Sorry but where is the DB box? Where is Room 1? Your floor plan shows Room 2 and Room 3.

BTW, Linksys MX2001 is a very basic router.

If you want to go with Asus AIMesh, I will suggest to go with Asus TUF-AX4200 as the minimum main router and put it in the DB box. TUF-AX6000 is of course a good one as well. For mesh node, if you want low cost ones then you can get Asus RT-AX3000P from Carousell (BNIB at around S$80).

 

[FaithHopeLove]

Hello Xiaofan, thank you.
oops sorry bedroom 1 is actually 3 in the layout have edited). DB box is right beside the door on the right, in between household shelter and door.


does the router you used in DB box affects the speed of the other LAN points when connected in the DB LAN points like D1 or D2 or D3 etc?

is it advisable to then leave the Linksys, purchase TUF-AX4200 in bedroom 2 and TUF-AX6000 in bedroom 3 to be connected directly to PC?

Also, is it simply just to connect the lan cable from lan point to the router and the router will start working?

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks for the updates.

Q1: Usually a typical router in the DB Box will be okay to router gigabit traffic. However, the feature sets of different routers vary by quite a bit.

Q2: I will not really recommend using the Linksys Atlas 6 as the main router in this case. It is better to have a pure Linksys setup or pure Asus setup.

Q3: Basically yes -- but you need to carry out the setup, following the vendor's suggestion.

My recommendation:
1) If stick to pure Linksys setup, keep the Linksys Atlas MX2 in the DB box as the main router, get another unit of Linksys Atlas 6 in Bedroom 2 as mesh node to see how it goes. Worse case is to have three Linksys Atlas 6 in the end, existing one in DB box, one in Bedroom 3 and one in Bedroom 2 (or Main Bedroom)

2) If going with pure Asus setup, then put Asus TUF-AX4200 (or TUF-AX6000) in DB box as the main AImesh router, and Asus RT-AX3000P (about S$80 BNIB from Carousell) in Bedroom 2 as AImesh mesh node to see how it goes. Worse case is to have two RT-AX3000P, one in Bedroom 3 and one in Bedroom 2 (or Main Bedroom).

But if you really want to have a mixed setup, then you can try your plan as well. Take note you need to set up AImesh in AP mode, since Linksys MX2 Atlas 6 is the main router.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1043044/

Hello Xiaofan, thank you.
oops sorry bedroom 1 is actually 3 in the layout have edited). DB box is right beside the door on the right, in between household shelter and door.


does the router you used in DB box affects the speed of the other LAN points when connected in the DB LAN points like D1 or D2 or D3 etc?

is it advisable to then leave the Linksys, purchase TUF-AX4200 in bedroom 2 and TUF-AX6000 in bedroom 3 to be connected directly to PC?

Also, is it simply just to connect the lan cable from lan point to the router and the router will start working?

 

[FaithHopeLove]

Thanks for the updates.

Q1: Usually a typical router in the DB Box will be okay to router gigabit traffic. However, the feature sets of different routers vary by quite a bit.

Q2: I will not really recommend using the Linksys Atlas 6 as the main router in this case. It is better to have a pure Linksys setup or pure Asus setup.

Q3: Basically yes -- but you need to carry out the setup, following the vendor's suggestion.

My recommendation:
1) If stick to pure Linksys setup, keep the Linksys Atlas MX2 in the DB box as the main router, get another unit of Linksys Atlas 6 in Bedroom 2 as mesh node to see how it goes. Worse case is to have three Linksys Atlas 6 in the end, existing one in DB box, one in Bedroom 3 and one in Bedroom 2 (or Main Bedroom)

2) If going with pure Asus setup, then put Asus TUF-AX4200 (or TUF-AX6000) in DB box as the main AImesh router, and Asus RT-AX3000P (about S$80 BNIB from Carousell) in Bedroom 2 as AImesh mesh node to see how it goes. Worse case is to have two RT-AX3000P, one in Bedroom 3 and one in Bedroom 2 (or Main Bedroom).

But if you really want to have a mixed setup, then you can try your plan as well. Take note you need to set up AImesh in AP mode, since Linksys MX2 Atlas 6 is the main router.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1043044

Hi xiaofan, thank you.
I’m looking more at pure Asus set up.
Would like to check will there be issues if I just swap out the Linksys to Asus in db box and get more Asus routers instead? Will there be any configurations I need to do if I were to swap Linksys to Asus in db box? Or ours simply just unplug from Linksys and plus into Asus? Sorry really a newbie in this so I’m not too sure.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi xiaofan, thank you.
Just want to check will there be issues if I just swap out the Linksys to Asus in db box and get more Asus routers instead? Will there be any configurations I need to do if I were to swap Linksys to Asus in db box? Or ours simply just unplug from Linksys and plus into Asus? Sorry really a newbie in this so I’m not too sure.

Just need to follow the guide from Asus to set up internet connection. It is quite easy. You can either use browser or Asus app. You do not need to be overwhelmed by all the features -- you can just change the wireless SSID and Password and leave all the others to default.
https://www.asus.com/sg/support/faq/1005263/
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1016107/

After setting up the main router, then proceed to set up AImesh.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1035087/
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1035168/

 

[FaithHopeLove]

Just need to follow the guide from Asus to set up internet connection. It is quite easy. You can either use browser or Asus app. You do not need to be overwhelmed by all the features -- you can just change the wireless SSID and Password and leave all the others to default.
https://www.asus.com/sg/support/faq/1005263/
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1016107/

After setting up the main router, then proceed to set up AImesh.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1035087/
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1035168/

Oh wow… thank you so much! Really appreciate it.

Do you recommend just leaving it as a router in bedroom 2 & 3 or use it as AI mesh for Asus RT-AX3000P?

Do you think 1 router in bedroom 2 is enough to cover a 4 room flat with a TUF AX4200 set up in db box?

 

[xiaofan]

Oh wow… thank you so much! Really appreciate it.

Do you recommend just leaving it as a router in bedroom 2 & 3 or use it as AI mesh for Asus RT-AX3000P?

Do you think 1 router in bedroom 2 is enough to cover a 4 room flat with a TUF AX4200 set up in db box?

I tend to think the following combination should be good enough, as long as your DB box does not block WiFi badly. Placement is important.

Asus TUF-AX4200 in DB box
Asus RT-AX3000P in Bedroom 2.

It is better to set up RT-AX3000P as an Aimesh mesh node to have better roaming performance.

You may want to go through some of the Youtube videos in the first post of the sticky thread to know more about ABCs of Home Networking.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/understanding-the-abcs-of-home-networking.6653421/

You can also refer to the placement tips in the same sticky thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...home-networking.6653421/page-3#post-149371244
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...home-networking.6653421/page-4#post-151852781

 

[FaithHopeLove]

Thanks xiaofan, really very insightful. I was at a total loss about this cause older flats the optic fibre is in the living room so it solves everything with just 1 router. Appreciate your help!

 

[Durian Shell]

Recommend cheap and good AX gaming router. Thank you

 

[xiaofan]

Recommend cheap and good AX gaming router. Thank you

Budget and requirement?

 

[Durian Shell]

Budget and requirement?

Around $200, spec as NETGEAR RAX120 AX6000

 

[xiaofan]

Around $200, spec as NETGEAR RAX120 AX6000

Probably difficult to get a good one with this budget.

You probably have to double the budget to get things like Asus GT-AX6000 (around S$400+ BNIB from Carousell). Asus RT-AX86U Pro is another choice but not as good as Asus GT-AX6000.

If you do not mind no local warranty, then you can take a look at Asus China model TX-AX6000 天选路由器 (similar to TUF-AX6000) which fits your budget. You can get it from Taobao Asus China Flagship store at RMB 749 plus GST and Shipment fee. This is a very cost effective model but of course not as good as GT-AX6000.

 

[Mistiqark]

Hi guys, need some advice on whether to switch router.
Recently got the TP-Link EX510 after recontracting with MyRepublic.
Currently using Asus AC2600.

Main bedroom and toilet has poor wifi signal (2.4ghz about 1 bar, can't detect 5ghz), so have to use Mi extender on 2nd bedroom.
Question: will replacing AC2600 with EX510 help with the signal and so I can get rid of the mi extender?
Don't really need the 5ghz in the main bedroom, but at least 3-4 bars of 2.4ghz would be ideal.

Usage is actually light, mainly in living room and bedroom 3. Main bedroom is mainly just for the chromecast which we use to stream sometimes.

 

[hkchew03]

Hi guys, need some advice on whether to switch router.
Recently got the TP-Link EX510 after recontracting with MyRepublic.
Currently using Asus AC2600.

Main bedroom and toilet has poor wifi signal (2.4ghz about 1 bar, can't detect 5ghz), so have to use Mi extender on 2nd bedroom.
Question: will replacing AC2600 with EX510 help with the signal and so I can get rid of the mi extender?
Don't really need the 5ghz in the main bedroom, but at least 3-4 bars of 2.4ghz would be ideal.

Usage is actually light, mainly in living room and bedroom 3. Main bedroom is mainly just for the chromecast which we use to stream sometimes.

unlikely, unless you manage to shift the router to the hallway entrance.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi guys, need some advice on whether to switch router.
Recently got the TP-Link EX510 after recontracting with MyRepublic.
Currently using Asus AC2600.

Main bedroom and toilet has poor wifi signal (2.4ghz about 1 bar, can't detect 5ghz), so have to use Mi extender on 2nd bedroom.
Question: will replacing AC2600 with EX510 help with the signal and so I can get rid of the mi extender?
Don't really need the 5ghz in the main bedroom, but at least 3-4 bars of 2.4ghz would be ideal.

Usage is actually light, mainly in living room and bedroom 3. Main bedroom is mainly just for the chromecast which we use to stream sometimes.

The MR specific EX510 is not a good router. But you may want to use it as the main router and then Asus RT-AC2600 as an extender (Asus router, repeater mode) to replace Xiaomi Extender.