RazzMatazz00
New Around Here
Hi all, I'm looking for some help in choosing a new router specifically from the ASUS range.
I am looking for something that will operate in isolation (not having to use multiple routers and mesh networking).
The main aim of the new router is better reach and speed of the WiFi signal around the house. I work from home on the second floor of the house (ground, first, second) and at the moment I get a weak signal in my office and the speed peaks out at 40mbit on 2.4ghz and 70mbit on 5ghz.
Secondly I need strong parental controls to manage what and when devices can access the internet etc.
Thirdly something that is future proof, that should last me over the next 5+ years.
I'd rather not spend at the top end of my budget if I don't need to and I'm currently choosing between the Asus RT-AX88u Pro or the RT-BE92u both which are actually at the top end of my budget. There's not much difference between them in price but I'm speculating why Asus state the AX88u Pro is marketed as suitable for "very large homes" (because it supports 4x4 streams for both 2.4g and 5g??) and whether that might be the better choice over the WiFi 7 and triband capable BE92u but only suitable for "larger homes"?
I guess the Rt-AX86u pro could also be a good option but I noted that the spec for the 88u pro stated higher speeds for WiFi 5 devices.
Background...
I'm in the UK and I currently have 150mbit FTTP with Sky broadband and use Sky's own router. Sky usually only allows their own router to be connected but I've found out that Asus routers generally work with Sky because they support the specific setting that sky requires I.e.DHCP option 61. It's seems not many other router brands support this. Consequently I've narrowed my search to only Asus routers though I do know that apparently some Netgear routers may also work.
Our home is a terraced house, 1800 sq ft over 3 floors (ground, first and second floor). My working from home office is on the top floor. The house is a modern UK construction with more hollow plasterboard walls and very few concrete walls. Due to the layout of the house, the Fibre terminates by our front door and this is where the router is located, centre but front of the house. Unfortunately there was no better option to get the Telco engineer to locate the termination point without having fibre
cable being visibly and carefully laid around the house. It's hard to now retrospectively find a central location to locate a router and lay a cabled backhaul though this would have been my preference.
Devices wise, we mainly have 2.4ghz or 5ghz devices that are mostly WiFi 5 compatible. Maybe a phone or two and a laptop that support WiFi6 but not 6E let alone WiFi7. We have a number of smart devices around the house... Wireless printers, Smart TV, wireless soundbar, smart speakers/assistant, thermostat, plugs. bulbs etc etc. so we need a router that can manage all those.
We are a household of three including an 8 year old child. We currently don't do any gaming and don't have a console but may get one in the next couple of years but don't see ourselves as hardcore gamers. I work from home and need reliable and fast access to Teams video calls and office 365 incl OneDrive and Teams files. The 150mbit connection feels more than sufficient for our needs for now but as prices come down over the years and needs increase, we could move to a much faster connection e.g. 500mbps, 1gbps.
TIA for your help!
I am looking for something that will operate in isolation (not having to use multiple routers and mesh networking).
The main aim of the new router is better reach and speed of the WiFi signal around the house. I work from home on the second floor of the house (ground, first, second) and at the moment I get a weak signal in my office and the speed peaks out at 40mbit on 2.4ghz and 70mbit on 5ghz.
Secondly I need strong parental controls to manage what and when devices can access the internet etc.
Thirdly something that is future proof, that should last me over the next 5+ years.
I'd rather not spend at the top end of my budget if I don't need to and I'm currently choosing between the Asus RT-AX88u Pro or the RT-BE92u both which are actually at the top end of my budget. There's not much difference between them in price but I'm speculating why Asus state the AX88u Pro is marketed as suitable for "very large homes" (because it supports 4x4 streams for both 2.4g and 5g??) and whether that might be the better choice over the WiFi 7 and triband capable BE92u but only suitable for "larger homes"?
I guess the Rt-AX86u pro could also be a good option but I noted that the spec for the 88u pro stated higher speeds for WiFi 5 devices.
Background...
I'm in the UK and I currently have 150mbit FTTP with Sky broadband and use Sky's own router. Sky usually only allows their own router to be connected but I've found out that Asus routers generally work with Sky because they support the specific setting that sky requires I.e.DHCP option 61. It's seems not many other router brands support this. Consequently I've narrowed my search to only Asus routers though I do know that apparently some Netgear routers may also work.
Our home is a terraced house, 1800 sq ft over 3 floors (ground, first and second floor). My working from home office is on the top floor. The house is a modern UK construction with more hollow plasterboard walls and very few concrete walls. Due to the layout of the house, the Fibre terminates by our front door and this is where the router is located, centre but front of the house. Unfortunately there was no better option to get the Telco engineer to locate the termination point without having fibre
cable being visibly and carefully laid around the house. It's hard to now retrospectively find a central location to locate a router and lay a cabled backhaul though this would have been my preference.
Devices wise, we mainly have 2.4ghz or 5ghz devices that are mostly WiFi 5 compatible. Maybe a phone or two and a laptop that support WiFi6 but not 6E let alone WiFi7. We have a number of smart devices around the house... Wireless printers, Smart TV, wireless soundbar, smart speakers/assistant, thermostat, plugs. bulbs etc etc. so we need a router that can manage all those.
We are a household of three including an 8 year old child. We currently don't do any gaming and don't have a console but may get one in the next couple of years but don't see ourselves as hardcore gamers. I work from home and need reliable and fast access to Teams video calls and office 365 incl OneDrive and Teams files. The 150mbit connection feels more than sufficient for our needs for now but as prices come down over the years and needs increase, we could move to a much faster connection e.g. 500mbps, 1gbps.
TIA for your help!
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