Router upgrade

[#1]

After reading the posts here ages ago about replacing the Plusnet supplied router I installed a Asus RT-N66U router.

It's been rock solid, but of late neighbours (not next door neighbours either) have been showing a stronger Wifi signal (BT) than mine on both 2.4 and 5 even though mine is just across the other side of the room.

After reading the reviews and looking at prices I've gone for a Asus RT-AC68U. I couldn't justify the £300 for the 88U.

My Wifi is now stronger than theirs - I'm the boss in my own house again.

One thing I did find odd on first install is that the 2.4 Auto setting chose channel 10 !!! Not only a weird channel to choose but also crossed the most populated spectrum area round me. I can see just under 30 other 2.4 subscribers near me in Wifi Analyser but only 3 on 5Ghz. The 5G Auto selector also went on the same channel as one of them.

I'm of the distinct impression that the router auto channel select is pants (technical term).

[#2]

It shouldn't really matter much which wireless signal is stronger than another. Wireless works by each device checking if the channel is clear before transmitting, not by trying to blast a stronger signal over another signal. All that should matter is if it has sufficient signal strength to get the required amount of bandwidth to where you need it.