Seeking simple router recommendations

OK, my ISP is Charter/Spectrum. My modem and router are each about 14 years old and starting to fail. I will be getting a new modem from Spectrum (free). Any recommendations for a new router? I would like it to be wi-fi 6 capable. I am not a gamer, just web-surfing, email, spreadsheets, Turbo Tax, Quicken. I'm hoping to see a little more speed opening some browser windows.

I'd like to keep the cost under $200. Our current units are in the basement but we get a good signal upstairs, where we are most of the time. Thinking of getting a mesh style in case we need a boost, but that might not be necessary. I'm seeking suggestions on what to get.



Mel

Any router currently on the market, will be capable of handling the available feed from the Internet Modem, most are at least 1Gb and few providers can get close to that.

There are new routers becoming available that provide 2.5Gb but these are aimed for the future and presently such a system would suit someone that has a need to transfer large amounts of data, between local systems. This also applies to the current crop of 1Gb routers

If the router is, like here in the UK, supplied free with the Contract I would always suggest trying it for a while as it makes little sense for the provider of the service to weaken the service with sub standard hardware. (I am due to switch to a 900Gb full Fibre system and will take the provided router rather than spend money on a replacement router ( required due to the direct fibre connection to the router, replacing the current wiring to premises )

Go with pretty much any Asus router. You can easily setup a mesh with them if needed. Even with the cheaper models.

i have been using Google Wifi or now Nest wifi and those are drop dead simple to setup, and you manage everything from an app on a smartphone. They have been rock solid for me, even with their simplicity, they have offered me everything I have needed.

Good suggestions so far. I've used Google Wifi (pre-Nest) with good results, and now use LinkSys Mesh system that I use as Access Points instead of a true mesh (lol) because my fiber comes in the basement, and I have 2 floors above that, and the house was pre-wired with Cat 5e cabling (Ethernet cable for running wired connections).

If you plan to start with a simple router, and want to build up on it, buying either a simple Mesh system with a base and single satellite is a good idea, or go with Slice's idea for an ASUS router that you can always add to later on. It does not sound like you need 2 or more satellites in a mesh, a single base and 1 satellite should be more than sufficient as it is.

Newegg currently has an open box 2-Pack Asus RT-AX92U available for $199.99. I have it, it's the best affordable WiFi 6 mesh system hands down. Older reviews talk down on it because the firmware was crap at the time when those review articles got published. It runs stable as a rock just like my 10 years old RT-N66U. Sure, you can't put Merlin on the RT-AX92U, but hey.. who the F still needs Merlin when you can simply use The Force?

Where are you located? TP-Link gear is very good AND good value.

Kelper:
I am leaning towards:


TP-Link Deco X60 Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, 3-Pack

It's marked down special from $240 to $175

Any thoughts on this?

Mel

I have a few TP-Link Switches and they're great. As @kelper said you get good value for your money.

I can't answer until you tell us in which country you reside. It is a good idea to add this info to your profile.

We would also like to know the exact model of the modem, ONT or router that your ISP has sent or promised.

compiler said:

OK, my ISP is Charter/Spectrum.

Click to expand...

They service areas in the US.


When you click on the interactive map, it says:

Spectrum offers internet service across 44 states with the greatest coverage in California, Texas, and New York. Cable internet from Spectrum is available to an estimated 102.7 million people, making it the 2nd largest residential cable provider in the U.S. by coverage area.

Click to expand...

johnlgalt said:

They service areas in the US.

Spectrum Internet: Coverage & Availability Map | BroadbandNow

Thinking about getting internet from Spectrum? Don’t miss this expert breakdown of their Internet, TV, and Home Phone services along with a detailed coverage map of the 81 states where Spectrum provides service.

broadbandnow.com

When you click on the interactive map, it says:

Click to expand...

Yes, but OP needs to engage to get specific help.

when you mention router, I'd recommend Mikrotik especially if you intend to wire up your abode.
It doesn't take much configuration just to share connection, might look daunting because the interface isn't like what you'd seen, but just follow this guide.

Best thing, the firmware keeps getting updated unlike TP-LINK and other brand of routers, even for hardware that is more than 10 years old.

No big deal. I'm in the USA.
Also, the promised modem is ARRIS. It should be here yet this week.

Mel

compiler said:

Kelper:
I am leaning towards:


TP-Link Deco X60 Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, 3-Pack

It's marked down special from $240 to $175

Any thoughts on this?

Mel

Click to expand...

They force you to register an account to access your own network settings so that's a major no no for me, as it kills your privacy rights unlike Asus where having an account is strictly optional. TP-Link the feature list is extremely limited with dumbed down settings (some consider to be a pro, but I certainly do NOT!), and the throughput is slow compared to what I have. Some say the short antennae of the Asus can't be properly aimed, but I know from first hand experience that the range and signal reliability is downright stellar. I am talking distances of well over 65 ft. going through multiple solid brick walls with no dead spots and with not much sacrifice in performance going on if using the wired backhaul configuration option, and THAT is with the secondary node standing on the bottom shelf of a piece of furniture so it is standing only one inch above the floor AND there's only one inch of spacing between the top of antennae and the shelf above it. It's nice and compact, and extremely forgiving of less than ideal placement. I like that. And no, the hinges of the antennae are not "weak points" because.. well, you need to use the force, not BRUTE force!

Further, the common remark of "you can't connect devices to the AX band if wireless backhaul is in use" no longer applies to the Asus. This has been fixed in a firmware update a long time ago. Wired backhaul is still much superior to wireless backhaul, but that also holds true for other brands also including TP-Link so, because of the required cabling, I vastly prefer to have a mesh system with only two strong nodes as opposed to with three weaker ones, especially when the latter ones are significantly slower performance. If you can't use wired backhaul, then simply don't buy mesh (any type of mesh), as IMO it just cripples the whole basic idea of a mesh system so not worth it unless you really have no other choice. As a cool bonus, the USB3 port on the Asus is just palpable enough for it to be able to replace a NAS speed wise. Also IMO, even if you don't need extra features the difference in signal stability and speed makes up for the added expense of the Asus when compared to TP-Link.

Kelper:

YOU need to engage to GIVE any kind of specific help

Mel

Just got an Asus dsl-ax82u here. All in one modem router to keep it simple after my modem failed. It's a good wifi 6 router. My problem is my low internet speeds.

I have had good service with TP-Link routers the last couple of years.