Recommendation for new router for FTTP 910 / 110 - an upgrade from the Smart Hub 2

[rambles]

Hi, we got FTTP installed this week and moved from the Home Hub 6 to the Smart Hub 2.

Going from a 40mb FTTC the difference is astounding, BUT.. we are not getting exactly the full speed, around 700 / 50 is the best so far. And the home network has been a bit buggy since changing routers.

The OpenReach engineer suggested that a different router might work better with the connection, and internet research suggests the same. Is there an actual make and model that is known to get the best from this connection? We have around 25 devices on our home network, a mixture of cabled / 5ghz / 2.4ghz - we don't need wifi 6. As we can't split the wifi bands on the Smart Hub 2, I am currently using the old HH6 as a 2.4ghz access point.

Thanks!

[busterboy1]

I know the Asus RT-AX range seem to work very well by reading reviews on this site.

Asus RT-AX88U (AX6000) although quite expensive has excellent reviews and works very well as some forum members will confirm, plus it is WiFi6 enabled as are all AX models.

I have one sat here new in it's box waiting for my FTTP build to be completed on the strength of this forums feedback.

ASUS RT-AX88U

[rambles]

Thanks - I am going to see if there are any deals on Amazon Prime Day. I don't really want/need a Wifi 6 router, so if I just go for AC, is there any makes / models that are known to be particularly good or particularly bad, or am I okay to go for whatever has a WAN port?

[pippincp]

You could always go for the Asus RT-AC88U or as you say any router with a WAN port, just make sure the throughput is up to it.

[rambles]

Thanks. In terms of throughput - will any 1Gb WAN port be okay - or am I looking for another specification as well? 

[pippincp]

1Gb Wan will be OK but it's worth looking at wireless too.

Here's the AC88U wireless throughput.

• Data Rate
  802.11a : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54 Mbps
  802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps
  802.11g : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54 Mbps
  802.11n : up to 600 Mbps
  802.11ac : up to 1734 Mbps
  1024QAM (2.4GHz) : up to 1000 Mbps
  1024QAM (5GHz) : up to2167 Mbps

It would be easier to recommend something if we knew what sort of budget you were looking at and networking requirements (devices etc)..

[rambles]

Thanks.

I have a number of devices already that I can use as wi fi access points, a Home Hub 6, my current Smart Hub 2 and an Asus EA-AC87. The Asus is AC1800 and 5ghz only, then one of the old BT hubs could be my 2.4ghz access point, I can't find specifications on what speeds they are, so difficult to know what would be an upgrade.

The other 'routing' side of the router is what is interesting me, especially as the Open Reach engineer implied that the Smart Hub 2 wasn't the best router to use for a 910mb service. So, would a different router be better for that side of things?

It would be particularly interesting to hear about anyone that switched from the Home Hub 2 to a different router, with the 910 / 110 FTTP service and started to get higher speeds. I am getting around 500mb downloads, and up to 750 / 110 on speed tests.

If buying a new router would get me better wifi speeds than I have already, then that would be a bonus, but not as critical as utilising the FTTP service to it's full on wired connections. Budget is around £150 ish.

[pippincp]

This is around the £160 mark. ASUS RT-AC86U.

[rambles]

Thanks, that looks okay. Will it be better / worse or the same as the Smart Hub 2 in terms of wired performance?

[pippincp]

You should get full speeds from it.