Advice on buying new router

[Rossmon]

None of this needs or will ever reach 2.5GbE speeds including everything connected to the second router. If you insist - RT-AX86U Pro, takes less space, Asuswrt 5.0 compatible and matching the firmware on your main router. Connected wired or wireless - won’t make any difference in user experience on the devices you plan to you it with. You are overpaying for hardware.

Well thanks for your advice. $100-$200 doesn’t mean very much to me as a savings and whatever second router I end up with will be lasting a long time so a little extra performance may be appreciated. If I wanted to save $$, could just reuse my old rt5300 or several older apple routers collecting dust!
Meanwhile, what an upgrade and $$ savings from xfinity. I hope sonic grows and grows so more folks can enjoy the speed and savings plus the fact that they hire/train mostly local Americans of all colors that speak English well! The fellow who installed my fibre was on the job only 3 weeks and his trainer supervised the entire job!

 

[Tech9]

$100-$200 doesn’t mean very much to me

In this case get a second GT-AX6000 for node. AiMesh works best with identical devices and wired.

 

[Rossmon]

In this case get a second GT-AX6000 for node. AiMesh works best with identical devices and wired.

Thats what i was starting to think. Difference in money is small. Its not like this class of router is in the $400-$700 range. Amazon prime days starting tomorrow and will be watching. If sale numbers are tiny, can always reuse rt5300 right now and wait for black thursday!