I’ve been using my carrier’s router for a while now but I’ve been having some issues. Though speed tests show nice speed, the consistency of the signal is very bad. I work from home in an office with my SO and when we’re both using the internet the signal can become really bad. Currently getting 20% signal strength and having a hard time keeping my teams call up.

The router is not that far, like 10-15m away but does go through a wall. Ethernet cables are unfortunately not a possibility and since we both have desktop computers we’d rather not move.

Looking for a router around 100 euros, preferably available on Amazon Spain so I can return it if it doesn’t solve my problem. The goal is to shut down the carrier router’s wi-fi and just use the new router for all the networking.

I don’t having any special requisites. Wi-fi 6E would be a nice to have but honestly wi-fi 6 is good enough. Solid connection is the most important thing for me.

Thanks!

  • walden@sub.wetshaving.socialEnglish
    12·
    8 days ago

    Just to make things a little more clear, here are some definitions for what things are called:

    Router - a piece of hardware that runs router software. It determines where internet packets go, gives devices IP addresses using DHCP, and whole host of other cool stuff. A router can have physical connections only (ethernet, for example), or they are sold as combo units with WiFi, too.

    Access Point - A WiFi access point broadcasts and receives wifi signals, but still needs a router to handle the who, what, where, and when.

    I suggest keeping your current router (combo) if you’re happy with the management of things. To get better WiFi, you can add additional Access Points. They should be wired directly to your router. You can leave the WiFi on on your current combo-router, and just add extra WiFi as close to your devices as possible.

    If you have access to Unifi products, they are pretty solid, but you’ll need to boot up their controller software on a computer to get things set up.

    Grandstream makes good hardware, too, and you can get them set up by accessing them directly over your network (controller software built in).

    Mikrotik is a great brand and they have inexpensive Access Points, and also Router/WiFi combos (I think the combos are called “hAP”). They are enthusiast level type stuff, and not really user friendly. They do have a default configuration that will get you up and running, though. Their WiFi products are slightly behind the times (WiFi 6 is about as far along as they’ve come at this point, but hey, I’m still on WiFi 5 and doing fine).

    I really like Mikrotik, but you have to be their target audience to enjoy using them, I think. Just throwing that out there.