New Router - What To Get?

[#1]

So, with the possibility of now getting full fibre (first engineer visit booked 17 September) I am doing research into the purchase of a new router.

My current set up is, router and mesh pods, all TP-Link.

I will probably use the supplied Hub 2 when first installed just because I have it to hand, but once up and running I am going to purchase a new router as my current TP one is a bit old in the tooth.

Having read this forum, other places etc., looked at the various routers mentioned on here, I am still leaning toward purchasing a new TP-Link router as it would fit with ease into my current eco system.

The one I am currently looking at is this one TP-Link Archer BE550 - Archer BE550 | BE9300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router | TP-Link United Kingdom

What I would like to know from the more knowledgeable people on here is do you think this would be suitable choice?

Thanks in advance

[#2]

I very much doubt I am more knowledgeable, but I'll have a go at being helpful...

First question is really what are your requirements, how fast will your new full fibre connection be and what do you want to use it for?

We have a FF145 and the Hub2 manages fine with a couple of WAPs to extend the WiFi, but I normally use a Synology router (which I would not recommend) because I paid quite a lot of money for it and it is much more flexible that the old TP-link or Hub2.

FF145 is much greater capacity than we need, but far better than the old long line FTTC we used to have, it's great for WFH (Teams) and TV streaming to multiple devices.

The TP-link Router you reference looks high spec and fast, but it's also looks quite expensive to me (by comparison to other TP-link routers.)  Does price matter to you, do you need WiFi 7 and will you use the 2.5Gb ports?

[#3]

@DerekW 

Given the speed soon to be available, have you considered running ethernet cable around the house to give solid starting points for WiFi access and / or direct connections to devices?

To get upstairs consider an external cable run.

Brian

[#4]

@DerekW

Have a look at this one

https://amzn.eu/d/dU3LDm7

Swapped out all my BT home discs for this. Also got Openwrt as the 'host' OS if you want to configure.

Great signal all over the house, even get 80Mb on wireless to my home cabin office in the garden. Have 40+ devices connected as well.

[#5]

Hi @bmc 

Ethernet cable runs are not viable and not really needed for my set up.

I only have a single story small property so the TP Link pods provide all the coverage I need for my use case scenario.

My computers, NAS and important devices are all in my home office and are hard wired.

[#6]

Hi @mystreet1 

Thanks for that.

I already get good coverage all over my property with my current set up.

I am just looking for a new router that will be able to take full advantage of the fibre upgrade, my current one would not really be able to do that. 

[#7]

Hi @Ian06 

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated.

I am hoping to get the max fibre product offered by PlusNet.

The only reason for looking at getting the TP Link router I linked to is because I want to future proof my set up as best I can and for ease of use as my set up is all TP Link gear - Does that make sense?

I don't like spending more than I have to obviously but by the same token cheaper is not always better

[#8]

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@DerekW wrote:

The only reason for looking at getting the TP Link router I linked to is because I want to future proof my set up as best I can and for ease of use as my set up is all TP Link gear - Does that make sense?

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It does to me, I have used several TP-Link network devises at home and been happy with them.  I currently use a synology router because it provides a DLNA  server, VLAN & multi-network support and some other bits from their NAS o/s.  I got frustrated with my TP-Link router (it was initially used on FTTC and didn't play well with the OR modems in the cabinet and then I found there was a fairly small storage size supported for DLNA.

But if you are happy with the TP-link stuff you have it makes sense to me to stick with it, unless you have specific requirements not met by the TP-Link.  Obviously there are other TP-Link routers in the same range that are less expensive.

[#9]

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@DerekW wrote:

I only have a single story small property so the TP Link pods provide all the coverage I need for my use case scenario.
My computers, NAS and important devices are all in my home office and are hard wired.

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As I understand it, you have a mesh set up. If your router is located in your home office, then what is the logic of going for an expensive WiFi7 router, unless your mesh satellites are also WiFi 7, preferably with an Ethernet Back haul? Then, why do you need all the extra wireless performance?

Remember, high speed wireless links will still deteriorate over distance, 

[#10]

Hi @Baldrick1 

As I mentioned in a post a couple above yours....

The only reason for looking at getting the TP Link router I linked to is because I want to future proof my set up as best I can and for ease of use as my set up is all TP Link gear - Does that make sense?

[#11]

@DerekW 

I would agree getting TP-Link equipment makes as you can repurpose your current Mesh nodes as they should be compatible with your choice router, although working at their current 

I moved from a TP-Link VR400 v3 to a AX53 v1 I have a RE300 one mesh which is now connected to the AX53.

The RE300 is going to be replaced at some point with a WiFi 6 compatible device.

[#12]

@DerekW 

The question is: What do you consider to be 'future proof'? This is but one component in your set up.

To me, 'furure proof' would be far in excess of what I can perceive needing in terms of the performance that I will need during my lifetime. It would be a WiFi 7 mesh system with at least a CAT 7 Ethernet backhaul.

If rather than furure proof I consider what do I need to satisfy my perceived future needs, my current set up of a WiFi 6 router with a single WiFi 6 meshed satellite, interconnected via 1Gb/s CAT5e Ethernet backhaul, more than satisfies this requirement.

My future proofing advice is to to install Ethernet cabling whenever a room is decorated to form a cabled data backbone rather than spend big on a router with wireless capability far in excess of what you can use.

I suspect that many of today's installations provide greater bragging rights than actual performance requirements. We all think differently so expect others to differ. 

[#13]

@Baldrick1 The question I asked at the start of this thread was if my router choice would be suitable for my new fibre install.

I also pointed out that cable runs are not a viable option in my property.

What I did not ask for was some kind of in depth analysis of my choice/decision making.

Thanks anyway

[#14]

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@DerekW wrote:

The question I asked at the start of this thread was if my router choice would be suitable for my new fibre install.

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The router looks very fast and should work well on a high speed full fibre connection, but the thing that you might want to consider (and puts me off the current crop of TP-Link routers a bit) is the need to subscribe to some services on the router.

[#15]

@Ian06 

Not disagreeing with you, for me the additional features are add on rather than essential.