Say NO to ASUS

[Major Payne]

ASUS AC86U with 2 mesh nodes.

This is my 3rd ASUS router in 6 years, the first mesh. Can't connect to web GUI and nodes lose connection.

After a year of use every router needs to be rebooted at least once a month.

2400 sq ft house, is there a better alternative not ASUS?

 

[Tech9]

2400 sq ft house, is there a better alternative not ASUS?

Wireless mesh is not very reliable. You may want to think about wired infrastructure first. There are better than AiMesh options after. Omada and UniFi are lower cost options. More reliable than AiMesh wireless options - Qualcomm based Google Nest Wi-Fi, Amazon Eero, some of TP-Link Deco models.

 

[Major Payne]

Only 3 rooms are wired, also a ADU about 35 feet out, so I'm kinda stuck with using wireless for some devices. But thanks for the info and suggestions. Probably get the Deco AXE5300 at Costco, $250.

 

[Tech9]

I have 2x running UniFi systems now if you guys want I can do a mini review how UniFi does things compared to Asus router running Asuswrt-Merlin and popular scripts for it. I can also share range and speed comparison between U6 Plus and U6 Mesh access points to RT-AX58U and RT-AX86U routers.

 

[tgl]

FWIW, I've also landed on UniFi after experience with other makes (Netgear, Asus, Zyxel) and am pretty pleased with it. I'm only using their APs though; have not bought into UniFi routers or switches.

Zyxel's APs are okay too, but UniFi provides more options for controlling the APs than Zyxel does. Did not like either Netgear or Asus: not stable enough.

 

[tgl]

Only 3 rooms are wired, also a ADU about 35 feet out, so I'm kinda stuck with using wireless for some devices.

How much do you care about performance with the APs that will require wireless backhaul?

If the answer is "a lot", then you're going to need devices that have a separate radio dedicated to backhaul, and that limits your options. (You're also going to need two clear radio channels, one for the clients and one for backhaul, and that might be impossible if you live in a crowded neighborhood.) If the performance needs are not high, then in-band backhaul is probably fine.

BTW, have you considered wired options other than an actual ethernet cable? MoCA is a really solid alternative if you happen to have a house that was wired for cable TV at some point: you can share or repurpose the coax lines. Powerline might work well enough too depending on the power wiring you have. Plenty of info about both of these options over in other subforums of this site.

 

[Tech9]

UniFi OS is refreshed, new look with new features. The new gateways are super small in size and being 3-in-1 devices makes network building super easy. Just add access points, switches optional as needed. Now complete UniFi system can be under 1kg equipment and under 20W power consumption.