Ask HN: Consumer WiFi router options in 2020

[reaperducer]

It's time to replace my Apple AirPort gear, and I'm having a hard time finding a wifi router that meets what I thought was a fairly low standard: I don't want cloud management, I don't want to create an account to use it, I want something simple (no DIY, no OpenWRT), I want my privacy, and no PoE.

With Apple no longer in this space, I looked at Ubiquiti and its offerings are too enterprisey for my use. Its HD line is five years old. Its Alien isn't available on Amazon, even from UI's own "Buy at Amazon" link, which makes me wonder about it. I read nothing but bad news on HN about Linksys, Netgear, and Cisco, but am keeping an open mind. I can find almost no objective information about TP-Link.

Are there brands or models I'm overlooking?

[cweagans]

IMO, really rethink your position on Ubiquiti. For residential use, you really don't need anything from their HD line. I have no affiliation with them other than being a very happy customer. They literally have a device for almost any networking use-case you can think of. You _do not_ need to use their cloud management capabilities, have an account with Unifi, etc to be able to use it (even though that's what they really want you to do -- I wanted 100% local management for my own setup, so this was a hard requirement for me).

For your purposes, I would highly recommend checking out the Unifi Dream Machine (https://store.ui.com/collections/routing-switching/products/... -- not the Pro unless you already have a network rack). It's as close to an AirPort as you can reasonably get these days. You can also get additional Unifi APs if you need more coverage (including any of their outdoor stuff) or use Unifi LTE as a backup conneciton (https://unifi-lte.ui.com/)

I've installed just the Dream Machine in several family members' homes and it's a huge improvement over the nonsense that the ISPs provide them with. Personally, I run a Unifi Security Gateway, Cloud key (Gen 1), and the AC AP PRO and I've been very happy with it. I like that I can selectively upgrade equipment when needed (for example, I upgraded my AP for better range and speed a couple years ago, but I'm still using the same USG that I got back in 2014 or something).

If you're having trouble figuring out what you need and you want to go the Ubiquiti route, feel free to email me (see profile) and I can get you pointed in the right direction.

[adkadskhj]

It's interesting - as someone in the market (but not actively looking) i glanced at Ubiquiti and found it bizarrely confusing. Granted, i'm definitely no network admin, but i'm just used to the days when i'd hook up a simple Router behind a Modem and get basic firewall, wifi, etc features with a moderately complex and useful admin interface out of the box.

With Ubiquiti i had no clue what i wanted or where i should go. There were all these tradeoffs (Cloud vs not) where i didn't even understand the context for making a decision.

Coming from a simple (old) TP-Link router next to me, the idea of needing some complex setup or an easy "cloud" option both seem bizarre. It's a router.. what is Unifi offering that changes everything so much?

I still plan on eventually going Unifi since all my coworkers recommend it with glowing praise - but i keep kicking that can because every time i open their page it sounds like some big project. I just wanted a replacement Router + ~4-8ports + wifi haha. I probably would have already purchased something from Uniquiti if i had any clue what to buy from them.

[adamfeldman]

I recently switched to the Unifi Dream Machine from AirPort Extreme. I’m thrilled.

The major upgrade for me was the analytics available in the Unifi controller (built-in to UDM).

The analytics (channel scanner especially) enabled me to see the neighboring interference that had degraded the Airport network quality and was causing my devices to act weirdly.

I see WiFi as an arms race. My 5+ year old Airport (802.11ac) is no longer a match against newer ISP gateways with built-in access points. The UDM (802.11ac Wave 2) not only competes properly, but can analyze any future problems that will occur as neighbors change out their equipment.

[seattle_spring]

I mistakenly followed recommendations to go with Ubiquiti for my home routing setup. Got a USG, AP, and switch. It's the most unnecessarily complicated bullshit ever. Sure, you have way more agency to customize anything you want, but the benefit to the average person is arguably negative. Not to mention having to have 3 boxes all wires together rather than just one single unit.

[3np]

My understanding is that the long and short of it is that you should not try to get a WiFi router at all and instead have a wired router and one AP. There is nothing inherently making it a bad idea to bundle those things in one device, but unless you want to go down the DIY rabbit hole, the AIO options are generally not great.

Manufacturers I think you should consider would be MikroTik, and Netgear's business and SOHO ranges (one step up from the normal consumer stuff).

If you're set on a consumer WiFi router device, Unifi is your best bet. Other than that, Linksys and Asus aren't that horrible, relatively speaking, and you can pick a device with good Open/DDWRT support if you retire it or change your mind down the line.

How important the above is also depends a lot on your requirements in terms of # connections, throughout, and consistency.

[deanclatworthy]

Surprised nobody has mentioned ASUS here. I have an old 66CU that’s been powering away for around five years now. One of the benefits of ASUS routers is you get to run the awesome Merlin-WRT custom firmware which makes great improvements on what ASUS offers out the box.

[nknealk]

Also running an ASUS router, but mine’s on stock firmware. I believe the model number on mine is 68CU. It’s been rock solid for like 5 years now.

It meets all of OP’s requirements as far as I can tell. My favorite feature is that it has USB ports in the back where you can attach discs/printers and share them on the network easily.

[wdhilliard]

I was a bit shocked to discover that Google Wifi actually performed worse than my (7 year old?) Airport Extreme. And it pretty much requires you to login if you want to do anything more than basic setup

[fsloth]

My experience was completely opposite. Airport out, Google Wifi in and it just works. Otoh, I implemented a three node mesh.

[rhexs]

I haven’t found a one stop solution for a good home router yet, but I’ve played with most of the popular brands at this point.

The biggest requirement I have is CAKE [1] support as I think it’s an absolutely incredible feature that makes non gigabit/upload limited connections with multiple users much more usable.

Unfortunately, this limits us to a few routers. OpenWRT does it wonderfully, but OpenWRT is only a great choice if you’re a rather technical user and can be around to upgrade it/futz with it as needed. Ubiquiti doesn’t have support yet (I think the edge router has some custom packages you can install, but these aren’t official last I checked).

Eero does support this, and is my current recommendation, but it is worth noting that Eero is locking features behind a subscription plan that costs up to 10$ a month. Want adblocking, a feature that other routers are now adding for free? You have to pay. I seriously doubt this plan is ever going to work for them, but keep it in mind. I’m guessing it’ll eventually morph into a “sign in with your Amazon Prime account” style thing for bonus features/selling your DNS/tracking data to Amazon, but who knows.

Thus, I think Eero is a great stopgap for the next 1-2 years until Ubiquiti stabilizes their Amplifi line and/or finally adds CAKE to the Unifi stuff.

[1] https://www.bufferbloat.net/projects/codel/wiki/Cake/

[reaperducer]

I find it interesting that the Amplifi pack costs $120 more on Amazon than on the Amplifi web site.

I prefer to order something like this from Amazon, since if it blows I can sent it back. I've seen unpleasant things about the return policies router companies have these days.

[jedberg]

I’ve been using a trio of Orbi’s for about a year now. They’re pretty solid.

Every once in a while I have to power cycle the bunch, but it’s getting longer between each time (presumably because the firmware updates are working).

Overall they work pretty well for a consumer product and I think they meet all your requirements.

[jgilias]

MikroTik may be an option. I use one in a small office setting without any big complaints.

[barlo]

I'm a huge fan of MikroTik. The RB4011 is fantastic router at the price point and even has a 10G SFP+ port. Great hardware.

The configuration UI isn't the best, but they also have a full scriptable CLI that isn't too bad. Huge future set. I just wish they would move the newest version (7) along quicker in development.

[reaperducer]

I looked at MicroTik, and its prices are between half and 10x less than the other brands. How is this possible? It makes me worry about the quality.

[rawgabbit]

I just replaced my router with Google 3 point mesh. Installation was a snap. You do need a google account and you have to use the Google WiFi app.

[reaperducer]

So it fails both the "I don't want to create an account to use it" and the "I want my privacy" requirements.

[wmf]

Eero is well reviewed but it may require an account. I know Nest Wifi requires a Google account so you can skip that one.

[lancepioch]

Eero has been great to me, but yes, it requires an account.

[mrbuttons454]

Another vote for Eero. It does require an account, though.

[sytelus]

Netgear has been dissopointing for me. I like to load up DD-WRT but it's getting harder to make things work these days. One of the feature I want is ability to see usage report per device, especially for kids devices. This is so badly implemented in most routers. Netgear app for this is an absolute joke.

[kwillets]

What features are you looking for? Wifi range/bandwidth? Security? Advanced routing?

I upgraded my range by adding a couple of Unifi AP's to my existing ISP router. It was less of a commitment than a UDM, and I originally just set them up in standalone mode with no account or cloud presence.

[rhn_mk1]

What about Turris Omnia or Mox?

[BossingAround]

With Ubiqiti being "too enterprisy," I suspect Turris Omnia has long gone out of the window.

[wikibob]

Eero. One hundred percent. I also used to screw around with ubiquiti. Eero just works. The SW Engineer posts extensively on Reddit about how they do stuff too.

[shanecleveland]

I went with Eero, too. I had full Ubiquity setup going strong for five years. No complaints. But then I set my parents up with Eero to improve their coverage and give me something easy to manage. Couldn’t believe how easy it was to set up and how well it worked.

I needed a better way to set some parental controls, so I switched to Eero, too. No noticeable difference in performance from Ubiquity. I went with the standard 3-unit setuo to continue using my wired network throughout. The Pro AP units cannot be wired, for some reason.

[pakwa]

Www.badrouterlist.co.uk

Try this guide. Focussed on Uk, but should work elsewhere. :)

[maximente]

check out GL inet, which has a (FLOSS) GUI on top of openWRT for easy config. it also has the ability (from the GUI) to act as a wireguard VPN.

[Biff85]

I personally use the Google Wifi.

[gcatalfamo]

Asus, or Fritz!box

[martini333]

Nokia

[fulafel]

MikroTik