WiFi 7 routers (including WiFi 7 routers without 6GHz band support)

[jinsatkilife]

how do ppl usually assess whether router is good or bad and then rank them?

all these new routers make my head confused and headache, that's why i only see what model ppl recommend then just buy it without knowing if its worth the extra cost

i think having a 1st principle criterion approach would let many users assess the routers themselves for their own needs

 

[xiaofan]

how do ppl usually assess whether router is good or bad and then rank them?

all these new routers make my head confused and headache, that's why i only see what model ppl recommend then just buy it without knowing if its worth the extra cost

i think having a 1st principle criterion approach would let many users assess the routers themselves for their own needs

Each individual has different criteria, but usually it comes to price (budget), wireless performance (range, then speed at close range and far range), wired speed, FW features and brand. Still different people will put different weightages on them.

Some also put emphasis on the form factor (eg: internal antenna vs eternal antenna).

Once you know your use cases and set up the criteria including budget, you will narrow down the candidates.

For example, 10G capable WiFi 7 router with dual 10G ports and at least two 2.5G LAN port, with 6GHz band, internall antenna, budget below S$500, then you know you have very limited choice:

All Asus will be out, most of the TP-Link will be out. You only have the choices provided by the ISPs.
TP-Link EB810v for Starhub users.
TP-Link HB810 for Singtel users.
Amazon eero Max 7 for VQ and SIMBA users (SIMBA is selling at S$399).

 

[ruffruff]

Hmm, I think you may want to monitor. Did you carry out factory reset of the nodes (the two RT-AX88U and RT-AX55) when you set up the RT-BE88U as the new main AImesh router?

BTW, I tend to think you have too many nodes. Too many nodes will also cause interferences and reduce the roaming performance.

I tend to think the more the merrier? Haha, but yeah, I have 1 router + 3 nodes setup for many years. Yes, I factory reset all the nodes as that is the prerequisite to connect to the Be88u.

I guess I will monitor for now. If it occurs again, I will remove the AX55. Thanks.

 

[ruffruff]

Which plan do you have? I also intend to get the BE88 to use with my GT AX6000 and RT AX88U.

I am at the M1 shop now, going to sign up the 10gbs plan, get the zenwifi and sell them off to finance my 2nd be88u.

Update: plan disrupted... M1 don't have 10gbps at my area.. only Hougang at the moment... crap... have to go with 2.5gbp first and wait...

 

[i.Singaporean]

I am at the M1 shop now, going to sign up the 10gbs plan, get the zenwifi and sell them off to finance my 2nd be88u.

Update: plan disrupted... M1 don't have 10gbps at my area.. only Hougang at the moment... crap... have to go with 2.5gbp first and wait...

How about the ZenWifi BT10 stock? Is it available for pickup at the M1 shop already?

 

[ruffruff]

How about the ZenWifi BT10 stock? Is it available for pickup at the M1 shop already?

Oh my bad, I didn't ask. But I think you can call customer hotline to check. I did that previously when I was re-contracting for the AX88U.

 

[xiaofan]

One new China WiFi 7 router from Ruijie (BE68 Ultra).
锐捷天蝎龙勃版 BE68 Ultra, dual band BE6800, using "Luneburg Lens Antenna" technology.
Listed price RMB 699, launch price can be below RMB 599.

First review from Chinese Youtubers.

Ruijie BE68 Ultra vs Xiaomi BE6500 Pro vs Huawei BE7 Pro.

 

[xiaofan]

Huawei BE7 Pro (using Qualcomm chipsets) review by Chinese Youtuber
1) Open Box, Teardown and Speedtest -- Wireless coverage is good


2) SpeedTest with iPhone 16 (Pro or non-Pro)

 

[kashix]

My BE88 just arrived yesterday and Xiaofan TB recommendation on SFP+ to Rj45 works well with the router.

But I have a weird issue with the AIMesh setup. I have the same setup for many years but rarely run into this.

BE88U is at the store room, the following AiMesh nodes are connected to Be88U via RJ45 through the patch panel in store room.
1) AX88 in living room
2) AX88 in study room
3) AX55 in kids room

The AX88 (2) and AX55 (3) appeared offline this morning. Same thing occurred last night as well but they came back online after 10mins. I had to remove them and re-add them. All routers are at the latest firmware.

Anyone experience similar issue? Appreciate any recommendations, thanks.

Hmm, I think you may want to monitor. Did you carry out factory reset of the nodes (the two RT-AX88U and RT-AX55) when you set up the RT-BE88U as the new main AImesh router?

BTW, I tend to think you have too many nodes. Too many nodes will also cause interferences and reduce the roaming performance.

Your Aimesh setup not considered a lot, considering your main router cpu prowess. The problem with Asus Aimesh is they don’t tend to work very well when you mix across standards and firmware version. Like 386 version and 388. And wifi 7 and wifi 6/5. You basically have to play trial and error with the combination.

 

[ov2rey]

https://einfoldtech.com/2024/10/asus-rt-be88u-dual-band-wifi-7/
Local Review - 5 Room BTO

 

[ruffruff]

Your Aimesh setup not considered a lot, considering your main router cpu prowess. The problem with Asus Aimesh is they don’t tend to work very well when you mix across standards and firmware version. Like 386 version and 388. And wifi 7 and wifi 6/5. You basically have to play trial and error with the combination.

Maybe it's the Wifi7? I will try disabling that tonight. This morning, the study room Ax88u and bedroom Ax55 nodes disconnected again. Strangely, no issues with the Ax88 in the living room. I have re-added the study room ax88u and force it to connect via Ethernet only. The Ax55 is removed. Finger cross that the Ax88 don't get disconnect again, else I will need to get another Be88 soon..

 

[kashix]

Maybe it's the Wifi7? I will try disabling that tonight. This morning, the study room Ax88u and bedroom Ax55 nodes disconnected again. Strangely, no issues with the Ax88 in the living room. I have re-added the study room ax88u and force it to connect via Ethernet only. The Ax55 is removed. Finger cross that the Ax88 don't get disconnect again, else I will need to get another Be88 soon..

That’s the sian part about aimesh, they have too many models with different firmware versions and hardware differences, chipsets. If your intention is stability, try to get similar hardware or same series products.

 

[WatCult]

First review from Chinese Youtubers.

Ruijie BE68 Ultra vs Xiaomi BE6500 Pro vs Huawei BE7 Pro.

Unfortunately, Rujie app requires registration with a CN phone no so can't play around with all the gaming features.

However, you still can login to the router thru the usual ip address on your pc and Rujie provide language switch to english so that you can play around with the typical settings.

 

[koreanlover]

First review from Chinese Youtubers.

Ruijie BE68 Ultra vs Xiaomi BE6500 Pro vs Huawei BE7 Pro.

What is the difference between 4个2.5G 满血版 and 残血版？
The video didn't explain.

 

[xiaofan]

What is the difference between 4个2.5G 满血版 and 残血版？
The video didn't explain.

Do not worry too much about it unless you have three 2.5G wired devices connected.

Xiaomi BE6500 and BE6500 Pro --> the four 2.5G ports share 5Gbps bandwidth, 残血版
Xiaomi BE7000 and Ruijie BE68 Ultra --> the four 2.5G ports share 10Gbps bandwidth, 满血版
ZTE BE7200 Pro+ --> the two 2.5G ports share 5Gbps bandwidth, 满血版

Reference: Xiaomi BE6500 and BE6500 Pro LAN ports limitations
https://www.acwifi.net/28642.html

 

[kashix]

Unfortunately, Rujie app requires registration with a CN phone no so can't play around with all the gaming features.

However, you still can login to the router thru the usual ip address on your pc and Rujie provide language switch to english so that you can play around with the typical settings.

The router looks good sia ... LOL

 

[Singrish]

That’s the sian part about aimesh, they have too many models with different firmware versions and hardware differences, chipsets. If your intention is stability, try to get similar hardware or same series products.

Its a bigger headache with TPlink router from what i hear. Anyway regardless of brand, generally if you attempt to mesh routers with different standards eg wifi 7 with wifi 6 you would expect issues.

 

[kappak]

Tplink 2024 models are ok.personally i am using BE800.
So far i tested ax75/ax73/ax55/ax23. All are robust no gime me problem.

I also test/setup the nv310 5g router/outdoor ap/outdoor point to point ac.so far all ok.

I no need those extra feature provided by asus where tplink need to pay. Save me 300-400.

 

[xiaofan]

Basically you do not have many choices for WiFi 7 routers, especially 10G capable ones.

1) TP-Link has the most offerings, including service provider models like EB810v (Starhub) and HB810 (Singtel). And then TP-Link Archer BE805 is also bundled with MR 10Gbps plan and M1 6Gbps/10Gbps plans.

2) Asus still has the better high end offerings now (eg: Asus ROG GT-BE98, listed at S$1099; ZenWiFi BQ16, listed at S$899 but said to be available as low as S$746) but still on the more expensive side compared to TP-Link. It is great that M1 has the Asus ZenWiFi BT10 bundling at reasonable price.

3) Amazon eero Max 7 is now bundled by VQ and also offered by SIMBA (S$399). It has some issues (need subscriptions for basic security features) but at least it has decent HW spec (dual 10G ports and dual 2.5G ports). The wireless performance should be okay as well.

4) Netgear Orbi 970 is super expensive. Netgear Nighthawk RS700S is also expensive at the current S$999 promotional pricing.

5) Ubiquiti hasWiFi 7 offerings but not 10G capable.

6) TP-Link has WiFi 7 offerings for business as well.

7) Linksys has only one WiFi 7 router but only capable of 2.5Gbps, and it is not available in Singapore.

8) D-Link has kind of losing out since WiFi 6 times. It has only one low end dual band DIR-BE3602 (with single 2.5G port) listed in D-Link Singapore website.

9) Acer has some WiFi routers listed in its Singapore website, including PREDATOR CONNECT T7 WiFi 7 router which only has one 2.5G WAN port.
https://www.acer.com/sg-en/predator/networking/wi-fi

10) MSI has not brought WiFI 7 router to Singapore market yet.
https://sg.msi.com/Networking/Products#?tag=Gaming-Routers

 

[xiaofan]

Nice Webinar from TP-Link
TP-Link Aginet Unified Cloud Managed Wi-Fi Solution (TAUC) Webinar.

One question is whether you want the ISPs to know so much about your wieless clients (if the ISP enables the features of WiFi client historical info).