AX router recommendations?

[lance88]

Wow everybody moved to AX already?

I am still using Asus AC2600, bought for $40 only.


Is this router good or bad? In terms of coverage?

Really depends on your needs, if you feel your current house coverage and getting the speed you paid for.

If you are on a 500mbps plan, even on wireless speedtest on mobile you should be clocking near 500mbps (device near the router and has to be a recent mobile phone), if not then its time to get a new router as it bottleneck.

 

[Hailgod]

Wow everybody moved to AX already?

I am still using Asus AC2600, bought for $40 only.


Is this router good or bad? In terms of coverage?

i using linksys ac2600 bought for 50$..
seems like i missed the huawei ax 3 deal.

 

[Phen8210]

That was a popular low end low cost router as M1 was given it for free from late 2019 to 2020 and later M1 switch the free router to Asus RT-AX55 and TP-Link Archer AX73/AX72.

Haha, isn't the RT-AC2600 a midrange? Think that time still costs $200+ for a brand new one. But I guess anything AC is low-end already.

It is at lower tier than the older RT-AC68U (AC1900) in reality as it does not support AIMesh.

Well, I think you need to look further than just AIMesh. The RT-AC68U uses MIMO, not MU-MIMO, which means the wireless experience will be pretty poor, especially during heavy traffic. Had enough of APs without MU-MIMO, minimally also must have MU-MIMO.

The wireless technology and speeds on AC2600 are better and faster. The downside, no AIMesh. I am a peasant living in HDB, just have good placement can already, no need AIMesh.

Both are around the same price on carousell.

Will still pick the AC2600 if given a 2nd chance.

Really depends on your needs, if you feel your current house coverage and getting the speed you paid for.

If you are on a 500mbps plan, even on wireless speedtest on mobile you should be clocking near 500mbps (device near the router and has to be a recent mobile phone), if not then its time to get a new router as it bottleneck.

Yeah.. even in my room, it's hitting max speeds and reception.

The speed actually not my focus, it's just a bonus to be honest. The traffic control, reception, stability of connection and latency is more important.

Wi-Fi 6 got OFDMA, so if got any good deal then see see ah.. hope ISPs give more free router and the market get saturated lol.

 

[xiaofan]

i using linksys ac2600 bought for 50$..
seems like i missed the huawei ax 3 deal.

Indeed Huawei AX3 Quad-core global version at S$58 offer was indeed a very good offer. I paid S$53 by applying a Shopee S$5 voucher.

That being said, AX routers are pretty cheap now, including the current promotion at S$59 for TP-Link AX10 (AX1500) from Courts and Challenger, which is a decent offer.

Asus RT-AX55 from M1 users are selling at around S$110 to S$120, which is a pretty good deal as well, even though I will recommend to spend a bit more to get Asus RT-AX56U.

The wireless router is the most important component for the home network, I tend to think it is perfectly okay to spend S$200 to S$500 depending on the budget. I myself use the Asus RT-AX82U.

 

[xiaofan]

If choosing between the low cost D-Link models versus TP-Link models, I tend to recommend TP-Link models as they are at similar cost and seem to be more popular.

1) DIR-X1560 AX1800 @S$59, same price as the TP-Link AX10 (AX1500)
https://www.challenger.sg/biz-solut...dirx1560-ax1500-wifi-6-router0--0790069451898
2) DIR-X1870 AX1800 @S$89, this has the similar spec as the TP-Link Archer AX20 and AX23.
https://www.challenger.sg/biz-solut...-wifi-6-router0--0790069458446?h=MSwwLDAqODk=
3) DIR-X5460 AX5400 @S$179, this has the same wireless spec as the TP-Link Archer AX72 or AX73
https://www.challenger.sg/biz-solut...dirx5460-ax5400-wifi-6-router0--0790069458347

 

[xiaofan]

Linksys E-series AX routers are decent as well. They support Singtel VLAN profile (for Singtel ONT users), unlike the Velop compatible Linksys routers.

1) Linksys E7350 AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router @S$139
https://shopee.sg/Linksys-E7350-AX1800-Dual-Band-WiFi-6-Router-i.275574001.4078278577
2) Linksys E8450 AX3200 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router @S$189. It is now supported by OpenWRT snapshot version so potentially supported by next formal release version of OpenWRT. It uses MTK CPU ( based on MediaTek MT7622BV and MediaTek MT7915E).
https://shopee.sg/Linksys-E8450-AX3200-Dual-Band-WiFi-6-Router-i.275574001.4063804697
3) Linksys E9450 AX5400 Dual Band WiFi 6 EasyMesh Router at S$268. It has a special feature for Singtel ONR users that it supports Singtel TV box in AP mode (Netgear Orbi is another one) but the support may not be that stable as per the feedbacks.
https://shopee.sg/Linksys-E9450-AX5400-Dual-Band-WiFi-6-EasyMesh-Router-i.275574001.8627852567
Linksys also offers dual pack of E8450 and E9450. But the feedback in this forum is saying that the mesh solution is not as mature as of now.

 

[singapurablue]

Just replaced my router today. Tell you guys, i am very happy with Asus RT AX88U. It is far more superior in strength and reach of the wifi to all corners. Based on download/upload i can get 737/830Mpbs. Used to employ Asus Lyra Trio mesh. Now i removed all mesh. Saved electrical point and easier.

 

[loganrunning]

Just replaced my router today. Tell you guys, i am very happy with Asus RT AX88U. It is far more superior in strength and reach of the wifi to all corners. Based on download/upload i can get 737/830Mpbs. Used to employ Asus Lyra Trio mesh. Now i removed all mesh. Saved electrical point and easier.

welcome to the club !

I too was surprised by the wifi coverage, and was able to shut down my APs.

if you have Wifi6 devices, you'll be happier with the speed

 

[cscs3]

Haha, isn't the RT-AC2600 a midrange? Think that time still costs $200+ for a brand new one. But I guess anything AC is low-end already.



Well, I think you need to look further than just AIMesh. The RT-AC68U uses MIMO, not MU-MIMO, which means the wireless experience will be pretty poor, especially during heavy traffic. Had enough of APs without MU-MIMO, minimally also must have MU-MIMO.

The wireless technology and speeds on AC2600 are better and faster. The downside, no AIMesh. I am a peasant living in HDB, just have good placement can already, no need AIMesh.

Both are around the same price on carousell.

Will still pick the AC2600 if given a 2nd chance.



Yeah.. even in my room, it's hitting max speeds and reception.

The speed actually not my focus, it's just a bonus to be honest. The traffic control, reception, stability of connection and latency is more important.

Wi-Fi 6 got OFDMA, so if got any good deal then see see ah.. hope ISPs give more free router and the market get saturated lol.

Actually my guess is depend on how you look at it. If you have only 1 or very few AX capable devices or PC using AX speed at short distance. Chances is you would not find any different between AC or AX.

 

[cscs3]

Linksys E-series AX routers are decent as well. They support Singtel VLAN profile (for Singtel ONT users), unlike the Velop compatible Linksys routers.

1) Linksys E7350 AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router @S$139
https://shopee.sg/Linksys-E7350-AX1800-Dual-Band-WiFi-6-Router-i.275574001.4078278577
2) Linksys E8450 AX3200 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router @S$189. It is now supported by OpenWRT snapshot version so potentially supported by next formal release version of OpenWRT. It uses MTK CPU ( based on MediaTek MT7622BV and MediaTek MT7915E).
https://shopee.sg/Linksys-E8450-AX3200-Dual-Band-WiFi-6-Router-i.275574001.4063804697
3) Linksys E9450 AX5400 Dual Band WiFi 6 EasyMesh Router at S$268. It has a special feature for Singtel ONR users that it supports Singtel TV box in AP mode (Netgear Orbi is another one) but the support may not be that stable as per the feedbacks.
https://shopee.sg/Linksys-E9450-AX5400-Dual-Band-WiFi-6-EasyMesh-Router-i.275574001.8627852567
Linksys also offers dual pack of E8450 and E9450. But the feedback in this forum is saying that the mesh solution is not as mature as of now.

I would stay away from Linksys due to their poor firmware support. Was using their high end AC router. Seem they hardly want to fix any firmware bugs reported. Worse, not even security fixes to their firmware.

 

[BradenHeat]

Just replaced my router today. Tell you guys, i am very happy with Asus RT AX88U. It is far more superior in strength and reach of the wifi to all corners. Based on download/upload i can get 737/830Mpbs. Used to employ Asus Lyra Trio mesh. Now i removed all mesh. Saved electrical point and easier.

welcome to the club !

I too was surprised by the wifi coverage, and was able to shut down my APs.

if you have Wifi6 devices, you'll be happier with the speed

pfft,

havent even install Merlin yet so happy liao



, which I think the wide channel 160mhz channel hog script adding might be a good feature.

the positive aspects for the rest, is diversion and other Adblocking capabilities


throw in the Adguard and YazFi, for guest, its practically good for the next 3 years , until wifi 7 stabilitize


too bad, I exchange/ ax88u for my 87u because of the physical mass, else it will be a lot HARDCORE lol
but again, VERTICAL space for the win !

 

[Phen8210]

Actually my guess is depend on how you look at it. If you have only 1 or very few AX capable devices or PC using AX speed at short distance. Chances is you would not find any different between AC or AX.

true story

 

[loganrunning]

pfft,

havent even install Merlin yet so happy liao



, which I think the wide channel 160mhz channel hog script adding might be a good feature.

the positive aspects for the rest, is diversion and other Adblocking capabilities


throw in the Adguard and YazFi, for guest, its practically good for the next 3 years , until wifi 7 stabilitize


too bad, I exchange/ ax88u for my 87u because of the physical mass, else it will be a lot HARDCORE lol
but again, VERTICAL space for the win !

give him a chance to enjoy it as stock first
then he can fully appreciate merlin and add-ons

 

[BradenHeat]

give him a chance to enjoy it as stock first
then he can fully appreciate merlin and add-ons

Cannot la,

must do it before the kids home base or school start, before wife's bday etc.

all adds ALOT of time de.

just hastening the learning curve nia

 

[loganrunning]

Cannot la,

must do it before the kids home base or school start, before wife's bday etc.

all adds ALOT of time de.

just hastening the learning curve nia

hmm, so all the above detract from quality of life?

 

[BradenHeat]

hmm, so all the above detract from quality of life?

not saying they are, but " aliens "

 

[loganrunning]

not saying they are, but " aliens "

um, i'm lost. "aliens"?

 

[BradenHeat]

um, i'm lost. "aliens"?

https://www.history.co.uk/shows/ancient-aliens/articles/10-facts-about-the-ancient-aliens-guy

meme of a guy, meme of a questionable solution/ retort =)

 

[keenklee]

Indeed Huawei AX3 Quad-core global version at S$58 offer was indeed a very good offer. I paid S$53 by applying a Shopee S$5 voucher.

That being said, AX routers are pretty cheap now, including the current promotion at S$59 for TP-Link AX10 (AX1500) from Courts and Challenger, which is a decent offer.

Asus RT-AX55 from M1 users are selling at around S$110 to S$120, which is a pretty good deal as well, even though I will recommend to spend a bit more to get Asus RT-AX56U.

The wireless router is the most important component for the home network, I tend to think it is perfectly okay to spend S$200 to S$500 depending on the budget. I myself use the Asus RT-AX82U.

IMHO.
Must thank you for the heads-up.
Just got the TP-Link AX10 for testing.
Wifi6 is
I am looking at consolidating my routers again.

 

[Hailgod]

I would stay away from Linksys due to their poor firmware support. Was using their high end AC router. Seem they hardly want to fix any firmware bugs reported. Worse, not even security fixes to their firmware.

and tplink recent scandal its sending all traffic to their servers.
Only can buy asus?