Which Wi-Fi ADSL Router To Buy?

[JetsetBkk]

I have a Huawei SmartAX MT880 Router/ADSL Modem, courtesy of 3BB.

I want to upgrade it so I can get my TVs to access the Internet. I have one TV connected by a LAN cable, but I don't want to run a cable to the other TV so I may as well connect both by Wi-Fi using a Wi-Fi Router/Modem.

The question is: which is the latest bestest Wi-Fi ADSL Router currently on the market?

I set up a friend's Wi-Fi network on his TP-Link ADSL router without too much trouble, but I have read on here that some people think TP-Link are cr*p, so I thought I'd get a consensus. There's nothing better than personal recommendations.

The Wi-Fi needs to go through two concrete walls - from the computer room to the bedroom. I don't know how much metal there is in them.

I would also prefer more than one LAN port as I am currently using 4 ports on an Ethernet switch.

All opinions gratefully received.

[RichCor]

ThaiVisa Thread: 

I need a new Router - Any recommendations?

Started by roban, 2014-02-03 07:14  --  41 replies

 

 

While you could replace the existing router, why not just add a WiFi Access Point (usually sold as Router/Repeater/AP switchable) that connects to your current router to extend your network. Then you don't have to deal with the adsl/router/WiFi compromise. Get the device and service you want or need: 802.11g; n; ac; MIMO technology (using multiple antennas), or uses 2.4 & 5 GHz radios if your area is crowded.

 

 

When we upgraded from adsl to FTTx, TOT didn't have any all-in-one routers so they connected the old TP-Link adsl/router/WiFi-G to act as a WiFi Access Point.  Because it was a separate unit I was able to swap it out for a WiFi N unit that has better signal penetration -- so I'm glad it wasn't integrated into the FTTx router.

 

 

Generally, people on the board tend to like ASUS, D-Link, even some TP-Link and ZyXel

[JetsetBkk]

ThaiVisa Thread: 

I need a new Router - Any recommendations?

Started by roban, 2014-02-03 07:14  --  41 replies

 

 

While you could replace the existing router, why not just add a WiFi Access Point (usually sold as Router/Repeater/AP switchable) that connects to your current router to extend your network. Then you don't have to deal with the adsl/router/WiFi compromise. Get the device and service you want or need: 802.11g; n; ac; MIMO technology (using multiple antennas), or uses 2.4 & 5 GHz radios if your area is crowded.

 

 

When we upgraded from adsl to FTTx, TOT didn't have any all-in-one routers so they connected the old TP-Link adsl/router/WiFi-G to act as a WiFi Access Point.  Because it was a separate unit I was able to swap it out for a WiFi N unit that has better signal penetration -- so I'm glad it wasn't integrated into the FTTx router.

 

 

Generally, people on the board tend to like ASUS, D-Link, even some TP-Link and ZyXel

 

Thanks for the link - I guessed there'd be an old thread, but fortunately not too old - only three months. So I'll be reading that too.

 

I thought about a separate Wi-Fi access point, and will look into them (again) too. The last time I tried to set one up - a TP-Link or D-link, can't remember which - I had all sorts of problems and got totally p'd off with it! It should've been so easy to set up but just wouldn't connect to a laptop. Turns out the guy's laptop was so old it didn't have 802.11n and the Access Point he bought used only 802.11n. I'll try not to let that experience cloud my judgement.

 

It's the signal penetration through walls that I am concerned about. I've been to a few restaurants or bars where people have had problems connecting to the Wi-Fi unless they sit closer to the access point. So I want a device that produces a strong signal.

[RichCor]

[...]

 

I thought about a separate Wi-Fi access point, and will look into them (again) too. The last time I tried to set one up - a TP-Link or D-link, can't remember which - I had all sorts of problems and got totally p'd off with it! It should've been so easy to set up but just wouldn't connect to a laptop. Turns out the guy's laptop was so old it didn't have 802.11n and the Access Point he bought used only 802.11n. I'll try not to let that experience cloud my judgement.

 

It's the signal penetration through walls that I am concerned about. I've been to a few restaurants or bars where people have had problems connecting to the Wi-Fi unless they sit closer to the access point. So I want a device that produces a strong signal.

 

 

WiFi routers are supposed to be backwards compatible, but enabling that feature can slow the entire wireless network while an old slow device does its thing (like getting stuck behind a garbage truck making it's rounds).  Telling the WiFi router to only allow g, n, ac connections usually works best but it does mean legacy machines won't be able to connect.

 

 

Regarding signal strength, all WiFi equipment is limited the the same maximum (unless it has a special licence).  The way most manufacturers is to tune the omnidirectional antennas so that less signal is sent/received in the up/down vertical plane and more signal is sent/received in the horizontal plane (these special antennas are marked as n dBi where n is the amount of energy redirected into the horizontal plane).  These antennas provide a little better 'punch' through walls.

 

Another option is to get an AP with a built-in directional antenna where all of the signal send/receive is patterned into a vary narrow single direction where the signal can potentially travel a dozen or so kilometers of open space. [example: TL-WA5210G AP built-in Antenna Beamwidth Horizontal: 60° Vertical: 30°] So if your WiFi Access Point was inside against a wall the signal pattern could be aimed to travel through one or two rooms.

 

Or get an AP that looks like a smoke detector and mounts on the ceiling, position in right in front of the doorway.

 

 

 

 

        

[IMHO]

If you want the best Wi-Fi you have to go the "add an additional device" method...

 

Here's some devices worth a look:

 

Linksys WRT1900AC 

Asus RT68U

Apple Airport Extreme

 

Edited August 2, 2014 by IMHO

[JetsetBkk]

Thank you RichCor and IMHO for your input.

I'll be researching all the issues and devices you mentioned. I'll post back when I've decided what to get - and if I can get it in Phuket.

Cheers!

[NanLaew]

I bought a TP-Link modem/router in Malaysia a few years back as it was highly recommended in a thread on this forum. This was before TP-Link products became available in Thailand. It's a TD-W8960N and has given stellar service in 3 different houses and hookups. Whilst in the UK, I also picked up a Linksys E4200 dual-band wifi router with a view to supporting higher speed and definition AV. Relocations have kept me from attaining these goals but to summarise basic wifi connectivity with these devices.

 

House #1: single floor, 3-bed villa with the TP-Link router in the bedroom near outer wall. Good connectivity throughout the house, patio and garden (large rooms, less walls). I purchased the Linksys after leaving this house.

House #2: two floor, 4 bed house with the TP-Link router in the office upstairs near inner wall and the Linksys out in the upstairs hallway. Mostly good connections but notably lower speeds in the patio area and around the front downstairs (smaller rooms, more walls plus the concrete floor). I ended up hanging a wifi extender access point in the lobby downstairs and all the dead spots vanished.

House #3: single floor, 3-bed villa. Both units in the office near outer walls. Usable wifi all around as far as the master bedroom (beyond 2 walls) so I placed the extender AP in there and connectivity is all good.

 

Point to note, the TP-Link has two external antennae whereas the Linksys antenna is internal. This didn't seem to make any significant difference in signal strength when measured from the same locations.

 

If you have a smartphone, there are many wifi signal strength scanning applications that can help with finding the inevitable dead spots. There's no real telling where there may be re-bar inside some walls or power wiring runs so my experience is if you really want optimum wifi performance, be prepared to mount them in odd places and not necessarily near the convenient power point or desktop.

Edited August 2, 2014 by NanLaew

[JetsetBkk]

I bought a TP-Link modem/router in Malaysia a few years back as it was highly recommended in a thread on this forum. This was before TP-Link products became available in Thailand. It's a TD-W8960N and has given stellar service in 3 different houses and hookups. Whilst in the UK, I also picked up a Linksys E4200 dual-band wifi router with a view to supporting higher speed and definition AV. Relocations have kept me from attaining these goals but to summarise basic wifi connectivity with these devices.

 

House #1: single floor, 3-bed villa with the TP-Link router in the bedroom near outer wall. Good connectivity throughout the house, patio and garden (large rooms, less walls). I purchased the Linksys after leaving this house.

House #2: two floor, 4 bed house with the TP-Link router in the office upstairs near inner wall and the Linksys out in the upstairs hallway. Mostly good connections but notably lower speeds in the patio area and around the front downstairs (smaller rooms, more walls plus the concrete floor). I ended up hanging a wifi extender access point in the lobby downstairs and all the dead spots vanished.

House #3: single floor, 3-bed villa. Both units in the office near outer walls. Usable wifi all around as far as the master bedroom (beyond 2 walls) so I placed the extender AP in there and connectivity is all good.

 

Point to note, the TP-Link has two external antennae whereas the Linksys antenna is internal. This didn't seem to make any significant difference in signal strength when measured from the same locations.

 

If you have a smartphone, there are many wifi signal strength scanning applications that can help with finding the inevitable dead spots. There's no real telling where there may be re-bar inside some walls or power wiring runs so my experience is if you really want optimum wifi performance, be prepared to mount them in odd places and not necessarily near the convenient power point or desktop.

 

Hi NanLaew - Thanks very much for such a detailed post.

 

I'm very interested in the Wi-Fi extender that you mention in your houses #2 & #3? Can you say the make and model number of it, please?

 

Cheers,

 

JS.

[NanLaew]

Hi NanLaew - Thanks very much for such a detailed post.
 
I'm very interested in the Wi-Fi extender that you mention in your houses #2 & #3? Can you say the make and model number of it, please?
 
Cheers,
 
JS.

I have been using ASUS WL-330 series mini routers since they first came out. The first ones, the WL-330g was just a wifi access point and handy for setting up a wifi link in a hotel room that only provided internet via LAN, Then they updated and came out with the WL-330gE that had four configurations, Gateway, AP, Adapter or Repeater. That's the one I use for filling the dead zones at home. I now travel with the WL-330n3G which in addition to the 4 functions above supports a 3G USB dongle so adds 3G connectivity, sharing and Hotspot capability. They are still probably the smallest, palm-sized devices out there and always cost about $50. I have never seen them in Thailand as I bought them either in US or UK. D-Link make slightly larger version of the latter that I have seen locally. In fact I bought one a year ago, maybe 1500 baht? but I don't use it any more.

[JetsetBkk]

 

Hi NanLaew - Thanks very much for such a detailed post.
 
I'm very interested in the Wi-Fi extender that you mention in your houses #2 & #3? Can you say the make and model number of it, please?
 
Cheers,
 
JS.

 

I have been using ASUS WL-330 series mini routers since they first came out. The first ones, the WL-330g was just a wifi access point and handy for setting up a wifi link in a hotel room that only provided internet via LAN, Then they updated and came out with the WL-330gE that had four configurations, Gateway, AP, Adapter or Repeater. That's the one I use for filling the dead zones at home. I now travel with the WL-330n3G which in addition to the 4 functions above supports a 3G USB dongle so adds 3G connectivity, sharing and Hotspot capability. They are still probably the smallest, palm-sized devices out there and always cost about $50. I have never seen them in Thailand as I bought them either in US or UK. D-Link make slightly larger version of the latter that I have seen locally. In fact I bought one a year ago, maybe 1500 baht? but I don't use it any more.

 

 

Thanks again, NanLaew. Lots of good information for me to research. Much appreciated!

 

[FreedomRouters]

@JetsetBkk,

 

Extending the use of your current router seems to be the way to go and a couple of the Asus models mentioned here are widely reputable to be "wall punchers". Freedom Routers offers a line of optimized wireless routers with (optional) VPN integration that will maximize signal speed and stability along with some powerful options for managing bandwidth. For example: Asus RT-AC66U

 

Cheers