Best rmerlin compatible router to replace expired RT-AC87U

[HellDiver]

Folks,

I've had an RT-AC87U for a long time, great router. Fast, brilliant signal everywhere in the house, and great performance from the OpenVPN server.

Sadly, it died yesterday, so I'm back to my pauper-spec spare router, a TPLink VR400 which gets me on the internet, but wifi signal is pants, and I've had to run up OpenVPN on an old Synology box which is slow as a slow thing that's not in a hurry.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement for the AC87U. I don't really need a lot more spec than the 87U, but hoping for something that's going to last a bit longer.

Is the RT-AC88U a decent router?

Thanks!

 

[Chris313AllNight]

The AC88U is a decent unit, but if memory serves, several posters on the forum have brought up issues with that model. Try the 3100 4 port model and just add a switch if you need more then 4. See how that works out for you. Sorry to hear about your 87U, you and a friend of mine have 87Us and were 2 of the rare users I heard of that had units with no problems, when this forum was rife with 87U complaints.

 

[HellDiver]

The 3100 isn't generally available in the UK, which is a shame.

I'm gutted about the 87U - mine is a very, very early unit, I got it basically the first day Amazon UK had them for sale. I had no issues at all with it until yesterday when it just had a fit and died.

I'm struggling here to justify the RT-AC88U - the TPLink VR2800 is looking like a great alternative, which would allow me to get rid of my VDSL modem. The VR400 is OK for an elcheapo, it's just a bit limp in the wifi department, and can't run a VPN server.

 

[AndreiV]

There are plenty of AC87-U's available and the AC3200 works well for me.

 

[djrm]

I have a AC88U since Asus released it and I have had any issue at all with it. Great performance and stability, so not sure about what issues are mentioned here (I haven't see any systematic issue on this model)

 

[AndreiV]

The only problem with the AC88-U is the UK price .

$352.95 US / £270 GBP ( and that has gone down from £365 )

 

[Nigel Jones]

What's your current VDSL modern? The tplink ac1900 I tried a while back was better than hh5a but not a patch on the hg612 modem. Slower speeds and much less stable. Also the tplink was very limited.


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[ASadani]

I like the AC5300. It has three radios. The only downside is its ports. It looks better and well built.

 

[Chris313AllNight]

Folks,

I've had an RT-AC87U for a long time, great router. Fast, brilliant signal everywhere in the house, and great performance from the OpenVPN server.

Sadly, it died yesterday, so I'm back to my pauper-spec spare router, a TPLink VR400 which gets me on the internet, but wifi signal is pants, and I've had to run up OpenVPN on an old Synology box which is slow as a slow thing that's not in a hurry.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement for the AC87U. I don't really need a lot more spec than the 87U, but hoping for something that's going to last a bit longer.

Is the RT-AC88U a decent router?

Thanks!

You say it died. What happened to the unit? Depending on what happened, it may not be dead.

 

[Chiny91]

At a UK price (quoted above) of £270, any router would have to do something special, for home use anyway. I'm on a Amazon returned RT-N66U for £51 (I think it was) which works fine and looks indistinguishable from new. Maybe you could get a chunk of £££ off for a return.

My RT-N66U replaced an RT-16N which popped a power supply capacitor (easily replaced) which seems to be a regular with Asus. Mind you, after the repair, I sort of lost confidence in it hence the replacement. Still, if you have a dead router, presumably you have little to lose in removing a few screws and taking a look.

I'm wondering whether I dare hang a Raspberry Pi honeypot off that RT-16N...

 

[Csection]

The only problem with the AC88-U is the UK price .

$352.95 US / £270 GBP ( and that has gone down from £365 )

Try Amazon. Not sure how it works in UK though(Shipping etc).

 

[Nigel Jones]

That is amazon. 214 from Amazon warehouse though


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[AndreiV]

Try Amazon. Not sure how it works in UK though(Shipping etc).

Whatever price + shipping + duty+VAT no thanks.

 

[RMerlin]

Never buy a router from another country. It will be hard configured to a different region.