topic Re: Which router should I use? in My Router

Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:39:24 GMT

I need a better router than the Plusnet one, or else to move to another provider. My flat is not big but for unfathomable reasons I need a TP Link to extend the wifi signal. This is causing problems with my Sonos network as some speakers are on the TP Link connection and the others are on the Plusnet connection. Plus it's really annoying having to skip between Wifi connections anyway.

I know there are better routers out there and would be grateful for a recommendation please.

Many thanks!

Re: Which router should I use?

dvorak — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:41:37 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved to My Router

Re: Which router should I use?

bobpullen — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:40:53 GMT

Have you tried renaming the Wi-Fi network name/password on the TP-Link devices to match that of the Plusnet router (or vice versa)?

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:43:19 GMT

Yes, but it still comes up as a separate connection. Which I guess, technically, it is.

Re: Which router should I use?

bobpullen — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:46:20 GMT

Comes up as a separate connection where exactly? That sounds a tad peculiar if both access points have the same name.

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:51:43 GMT

Well it comes up as two separate connections when you try to connect to the Wifi, both with the same name. (for example when I search for a connection on my phone)

Re: Which router should I use?

DJMcKenzie87 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:35:48 GMT

HI there I've recommend this for you needs because I've got this Router as my Home Network System

https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/rt-ax86u/

Re: Which router should I use?

Champnet — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:09:44 GMT

@ellythemoo Are you using SonosNet to connect your speakers ?

https://speakergy.com/what-is-sonosnet/

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:27:54 GMT

Yes they are - Channel 1.

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:28:27 GMT

Thank you - I will start saving!

Re: Which router should I use?

bobpullen — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:58:37 GMT

@ellythemoo wrote:

Well it comes up as two separate connections when you try to connect to the Wifi, both with the same name. (for example when I search for a connection on my phone)

What TP Link device are you using exactly? I’m wondering if there’s something different you could be doing with the config. Can you share make/model?

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:34:40 GMT

It's this one

TP-Link AV600 Powerline Adapter Wi-Fi Kit, Wi-Fi Booster/Hotspot/ Extender, Wi-Fi Speed up to 300Mbps, 2+1 Ports| N300 Mbps+AV600 Mbps plug and play, (TL-WPA4220 KIT) : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Re: Which router should I use?

bobpullen — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:05:18 GMT

@ellythemoo - thanks, not a huge amount of configuration available in which case 😕

Might be worth confirming that the settings on page 17 of the manual here match the equivalent settings in the Plusnet Hub Manager though, particularly the security setting.

Another thing you might want to try is temproarily disabling the 5GHz Wi-Fi in the Plusnet Hub Manager. The extender you are using is pretty basic and only broadcasts on 2.4GHz. Configuring the Plusnet hub to do the same might improve things ( although worth considering that you'll sacrifice Wi-Fi speed/performance by doing this).

@ellythemoo wrote:

Well it comes up as two separate connections when you try to connect to the Wifi, both with the same name. (for example when I search for a connection on my phone)

... it's really annoying having to skip between Wifi connections anyway.

This still confuses me to be honest. See below, which is a direct exceprt from TP-Link's website: -

"Generally, when multiple devices (bands) broadcast their wireless network with the same name (SSID), you can only see one network name in the wireless list of your end devices.

For example, if the SSID of your router is 'TP-Link_Router', and you also configure your Range extender with the same SSID, you will only see 1 wireless name in the list of your phone, though your router and extender have 2 wireless signals in total. And then, if you connect your phone to this network, you may not know which front device your phone is connecting to."

🤔

Re: Which router should I use?

Dan_the_Van — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:07:51 GMT

@ellythemoo

When you say you can see two connections, do you mean one on the WPA4220 and the other on the Hub?

The WPA will display attached devices, the Hub displays DHCP clients and where they are connected, for me the WPA clients are show as devices being connected to the HUB LAN 1 where the powerline adapter TP-Link PA4010 is connected.

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:37:46 GMT

Thank you - have been distracted but this thread has been on my "to do" list for several months now!

I had obviously screwed up changing my wifi name on the TPLInk because I've sorted it now and only one wifi connection is now showing on my devices having followed the instructions you gave.

Would changing from 5GHZ have a significant impact on the speed/performance?

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:41:39 GMT

@Champnet I am not sure if I responded properly to this. They are all connected on SonosNet. I had one speaker plugged into the main router via an ethernet cable but apparently that made matters worse!

In the sitting room I had another speaker plugged into the TP Link which I suspect was making matters worse.

My Sky box is plugged into the TP link in my sitting room, and that seems to be doing OK.

Re: Which router should I use?

ellythemoo — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 21:41:43 GMT

@Dan_the_Van PS I have chhecked the settings are the same for both as you recommend but I can't change the "wireless mode" which is loing and complicated on the TPLink (something about mixed?) but only Mode 1, 2 or 3 on the Plusnet router. I may be being really dense but I can't figure out how to swap between 2.4 or 5GHz either! Thank you for your continued help.

Re: Which router should I use?

Dan_the_Van — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 07:39:45 GMT

@ellythemoo

You can not split the Wireless names 2.4 and 5 GHz always share the same, but you can turn either OFF.

To change mode click on the box saying Mode 1; a selection window should pop up.

Some wireless devices you are able to setup your preferred band, setting will be in the device hardware properties.

Depending on device usage 5GHz may not be necessary; a strong 2.4 GHz signal could give you a faster connection compared to a weak 5 GHz

For WiFi devices connected to your WPA4220 would be limited by two factors, the interconnection speed between the powerline adapters and Ethernet port which only supports up to 100 Mbps.

Since moving to Full Fibre I get a interconnection speed on the powerlines of around 90 Mbps, I see roughly the same speed using both Wired and Wireless connections.