Router recommendations for 1.6Gbps

[TechManMax]

Features required: MULTIPLE 2.5G ports (not just WAN) and WiFi 6E standard at a minimum (WiFi 7 would be nice) with good MU-MIMO/Traffic management to ensure maximum speeds across multiple devices. 6GHz network band is an absolute must (I believe that some WiFi 7 routers exist that don’t have 6GHz which is crazy since WiFi 6e/7 require 6GHz to operate efficiently).

the problem is all the routers that match the criteria cost over £700. That is an absurd amount of money!

Currently got an eero Pro 6E which has performed well on Sky Gigafast (900mbps) when paired with an 8 port gigabit LAN switch but going forward it won’t be good enough considering it only has one 2.5G port which will be required to connect to the ONT. WiFi specs will be sufficient I presume but LAN specs will not as it only has one other LAN port and that is only 1Gbps.

Did come across a TP-Link BE550 (£299) which has 5 2.5G LAN and WiFi 7 BE9300 but multiple reviews state multiple issues with connectivity and MU-MIMO not working properly. All the “this is amazing!” ones cost over £700 which is ridiculous.

Urgently need recommendations for routers that work well with this package and can offer maximum speeds both over WiFi and over LAN. If none realistically exist at a reasonable price then the order (due to be installed and activated on 5th August) might have to be cancelled as it already costs £20 a month more than sky gigafast and having to upgrade the router separately to achieve maximum speeds seems a bit of a rip off. Not to mention that the included Smarthub Plus only appears to support WiFi 6 (not even 6E) and, although it has a 2.5G WAN, all the LANs are only 1Gbps. Any advice here would be appreciated.

[Northerner]

Hi @TechManMax 

Eero Max 7. I have one and for the money future proof. 

I was lucky and got mine for £450, still a lot but I have WiFi 7 devices (Tab Max 9 and S24 Ultra). It is a beast and much larger than the Pro 6E. 

[TechManMax]

Not sure why my previous reply disappeared but I’ll just post it again. Basically I have looked into that router but it’s currently £599 which is far too expensive. Looking for a router that meets the criteria more within the £300ish price range (up to an absolute max of £400). The router I mentioned in my post, the TP-Link BE550 is £299 and has all the required features but it’s some of the reviews that are concerning…reports of connectivity issues and random disconnects among the most prominent…

Eero Pro 6E (RRP £249 but sale price was £179) meets the wireless criteria…good range, good MU-MIMO, has performed brilliantly on Gigabit ISP and probably will perform well at up to 1.6Gbps as the specs page claim it supports up to that speed. However the lack of a 2nd 2.5G LAN port is a deal breaker.

Requirement of “at least” 1 other 2.5G port, besides the WAN. Can use with a 2.5G switch then. More 2.5G ports would be preferable though obviously.

[cliffy37]

A Couple routers available at the £300 mark that meet you criteria

TP Link BE9300 - 4 x 2.5Gbe LAN/WAN and WiFi 7

Netgear Nighthawk RS300 - 2 x 2.5Gbe LAN - 2 x 1Gbe LAN - 1x2.5Gbe WAN - WiFi 7

Both appear to use 6Ghz with a channel width of 320Mhz

[ALC473]

I have a Netgear Nighthawk RS300 which works perfectly on the 1.6gb tarrif.

I have no WiFi 7 devices, but my iPhone 15 Pro Max is able to achieve just under the maximum speeds I've seen over ethernet whilst in the same room as the router. I also think it looks nice (but others think differently lol).

I got it for £270 using the code NTGR10 on the Netgear website!

[TechManMax]

Thanks I’ll look into that one. Shame the TP-Link model (with more 2.5G ports) has connectivity issues.

[ALC473]

That's the one I wanted originally (for more ports) but the reviews regarding connectivity put me off.

I had to take a punt with the Netgear one as there were no reviews around when I ordered it as it had only just been released but it paid off. I bought a cheap 2.5g switch on Amazon for about 30 quid so overall paid about the same as it would have cost for the TP Link one.

[JimM11]

@TechManMax Believe the wan stability issue was fixed on a FW upgrade around april time.

[TechManMax]

Hmm I did read some reports of a “beta” firmware being given to complainants a few months ago by customer support (maybe that is now released firmware). Considering the specs difference between the RS300 and the TP-Link (more 2.5G ports as well as VPN management, Mesh capabilities and other features) I’ve decided to give the TP-Link a go but will exercise my right to return within 30 days (Amazon) if I have any issues and swap it out for the Netgear one. It seems that these two routers are the only 2 that I can choose from in this price range (I’m a little concerned about the 2x2 MU-MIMO vs 4x4 on more premium routers but BOTH the TP-Link and the Netgear have the same 2x2). Considering the screenshot ALC473 uploaded earlier of his speedtest on the RS300 hopefully it won’t be an issue. Unfortunately these “premium” WiFi 7 routers cost twice the amount (eero Max 7) and more (others).