WiFi System Recommendations

[Stuart993]

House size 2200sq ft, 3 levels.

Whose system would the Trust recommend?
Google.
Netgear.
Other?

Thanks in advance.

[Gus Berges]

Pricey, but ease of use and performance is beyond reproach: Apple.

Ideally you would have ethernet ports in each level, but if not, you will need to figure out if the Extreme is strong enough to send to higher levels and then use an Express to repeat the signal via Wi-Fi (with a significant decay in performance).

For a more robust operation, look at Ubiquiti.

[GH85Carrera]

I am leery of any product sold by Google. Period. Just my opinion.

I have a Apple router and it is pretty reliable. I put a Netgear router in for my Mother-In-Law. it has been flawless for many years.

[flipper35]

Ubiquity. Get solid non wifi router and then you can add access points as/where you need them. Enterprise class for the home.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by flipper35

Ubiquity. Get solid non wifi router and then you can add access points as/where you need them. Enterprise class for the home.

Why a non-wifi router? Not challenging you, just asking. I see cost/lost weekends adding access points.

You clearly have a reason. Is it integrity/continuity of the signal?

[Amail]

I've installed Orbi and couldn't be happier. Dead simple to set up and administer, and coverage is consistent.

[Eric at Pelican Parts]

Hmmm, I've been thinking of upgrading my gateway router as well. Spectrum supplied me with this Arris TG1672G (if I remember right). It works well, but doesn't cover 2500 sq ft.

I've also noticed my home office gets horrible speeds too... believe one of the walls is blocking the wifi.. Instead of getting 300 mbps, i'm only getting 40mbps. I'd like to fix this problem if I buy a new router.

[jyl]

I installed a Eero system (Hub + two Beacons) in my house, works wonderfully, inconspicuous, and took 5 minutes to setup.

House is basement 1000 sf, ground and 2nd floor each 1000 sf, 3rd floor 600 sf, wood frame. Somewhat noisy environment with my existing Apple Airport Extremes broadcasting two separate networks and the cable modem broadcasting a third network, plus a couple of neighbors' networks. Hub is at one corner of the ground floor (where the cable modem is), one Beacon is at the opposite corner of the ground floor, other Beacon is in stairwell between 2nd and 3rd floors. Strong signal everywhere. I get 70 Mbps at the cable modem (Mac wired to modem) and 45-50 Mbps on all wireless devices connected to the Eero.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Why a non-wifi router? Not challenging you, just asking. I see cost/lost weekends adding access points.

You clearly have a reason. Is it integrity/continuity of the signal?

If it is the only wifi distribution point it is fine. When you are trying to mesh two or more and they are different brands they don't always play nice. If you are buying a router you can get one without wifi and either save some money or get a more robust one for the same money.

If you are using wifi for a laptop that doesn't move much it doesn't matter much. Personally, I would do the no wifi router and spend another $65 on a second Ubiquity access point at that location.

[Bill Verburg]

I've had really good experience w/ Netgear
current is an AC -2600 which works great streaming 4k content across the whole house

But they do have higher and lower rated products, I love that they are easy to set up

If security is an issue the Norton Core security Router might be worth looking into

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I am leery of any product sold by Google. Period. Just my opinion.

I have a Apple router and it is pretty reliable.

Apple probably has almost as much time and money in big data as Google does. My wife was just on the phone getting her free 1 hour of training for her new watch the other day, and I heard several innocuous questions that I suspect were definitely for very specific data gathering purposes.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Why a non-wifi router? Not challenging you, just asking. I see cost/lost weekends adding access points.

You clearly have a reason. Is it integrity/continuity of the signal?

When you get a modem, router, access point all in one, it's like getting an inexpensive car that is trying to be a sports car, people hauler and utility vehicle all in one. Too much compromise. You usually end up with a device that is at best average at any of them. A dedicated wifi device will usually give you much better service, more features, better range.

The difference is that you'll probably end up spending more, but the better service and lack of frustration will be worth it.

[masraum]

Most wifi devices are designed to send a signal horizontally, with a little vertical. You may be able to get by with a good quality wifi device in the middle, or if that doesn't work, or isn't a viable option because the entry point is on the bottom floor, then you may want to plan for having something on the 1st and 3rd floors. The second floor will probably see enough overlap that you should get a decent signal there. Obviously, if you go that route, you'll need cabling between the 1st and 3rd.

At 2200sqft and 3 levels, I assume your place is fairly small per level, and maybe kind of a long skinny-ish rectangle of 3 floors? You may have better luck with having the antennas laying horizontal aligned with the short side of your place, so the signal spreads up and down and front to back (assuming side to side is the short side).

[masraum]

Originally Posted by flipper35

If it is the only wifi distribution point it is fine. When you are trying to mesh two or more and they are different brands they don't always play nice. If you are buying a router you can get one without wifi and either save some money or get a more robust one for the same money.

If you are using wifi for a laptop that doesn't move much it doesn't matter much. Personally, I would do the no wifi router and spend another $65 on a second Ubiquity access point at that location.

Or even just turn off the wifi on the wifi/router, if you're stuck with something that does both.

[beepbeep]

There are two major routes (other than using one combined WiFi/router):

1. Setting up enough wired Access Points to cover the house.
2. Using mesh AP's to do the same, without running Ethernet to each.

First option can be made arbitrary easy or complicated (PoE, Ubiquity, home-made OpenWRT etc.) but is the most robust.
Second option is slightly slower but plug and play. If you are only accessing Internet and do not have fibre, it is plenty enough. (I helped neighbour to set up Asus Lyra mesh system. It works fine.)

Wired AP's are the best solution, but overkill in most cases. I use four former 801.11ac Internet routers as Access Points (re-flashed with custom Linux OS, customized as dumb AP's, with quick roaming enabled) and one central router. I have 500Mbit WiFi link speed everywhere for 200 bucks but have spent lot's of time fine-tuning. Ubiquity kit does the same, but with hefty price markup (obviously).

P.S. Also, use Ethernet cable for everything that is not moving and has Ethernet jack. WiFi is meant for mobile stuff.

[Stuart993]

Thanks gentlemen.

[Roswell]

FYI...Apple is discontinuing its line of routers

[wildthing]

I would personally try to make sure I could get Ethernet to any TV or any other Internet-connected device that doesn't move. Then the WiFi could be reserved for truly mobile devices and other "smart" devices that can only connect via WiFi.

I found that even with an advertised "250Mbps", I can only get close to that speed while on Ethernet, and would be useful for consuming online video services.

I have not needed to try any of those "extenders" or "mesh" type of devices so can't help you there. Though a podcast I've been listening to has been advertising "eero".

[id10t]

Originally Posted by wildthing

I would personally try to make sure I could get Ethernet to any TV or any other Internet-connected device that doesn't move. Then the WiFi could be reserved for truly mobile devices and other "smart" devices that can only connect via WiFi.

I found that even with an advertised "250Mbps", I can only get close to that speed while on Ethernet, and would be useful for consuming online video services.

I have not needed to try any of those "extenders" or "mesh" type of devices so can't help you there. Though a podcast I've been listening to has been advertising "eero".

This. Royal PITA to do but well worth it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I installed a Google mesh type system in my in-laws’ 6000 sq ft 3 level home. It seems to provide consistent strong coverage throughout, where before their service supplier’s router would not reach many points upstairs.

At home I do not have Ethernet wiring in the walls so I am using Powerline adapters to our desktop and son’s PS4. It transmits internet through the electrical cables and gives the full 100 MBPS that I pay for consistently.