Buy own wifi router?

[hellorent]

Hi all, just changing my BB supplier, would it be worth my while buying my own better quality router or just sticking with
the 1 I get off the new supplier (Onestream), mainly used for 2/3 tv's watching Netflix etc, don't mind
spending up to about £70 if it will give better range/performance, if yes any suggestions for router make/model would be
most welcome.

[Brainpox]

I would stick with the router you are given and see if there’s a particular problem you want to solve. If it does the job then no need to spend anything. This is general advice though, I’m not an expert, I don’t know if you’d even get anything better than the ISP supplied kit for £70

[mmm-five]

...and before you spend anything, check that there's no onerous terms/conditions that state you have to use the supplied modem/router.

[Chuffedmonkey]

I would try the new modem first and see if it works for the needs of your house.

Saying that, I bought my own mesh system, it was cheapish (TP link) and I have had no problems since. If my modem is upgraded by my ISP then I wouldn't bother to use the modem I would install my mesh system from the off.

[Greedydog]

In my experience it's usually the router/wifi side of ISP supplied devices rather than the modem part that causes issues. I'd give it a go ,then if it's not up to your demands use it as a modem and connect a better router to it.

[Captain_Morgan]

It really depends on the size & construction of your home & if your trying to address any spicific issues, such as an existing wireless dead zone.

I’d generally try to get the isp provided unit in a central location but bios’d towards any heavy traffic areas before looking to replace hardware.

[Griffith4ever]

Install the free router and get it working.

Then, if you have more complex routing demands like NAT or port forwarding that the free one does not provide, or simply want better IP management, get your own router like a TP Link Archer series. You'll absolutely know if this is a requirement if and when you run into it (likely you will not unless you get into techie stuff).

When you need broadband support you can unplug your router and plug the free original back in. The Indian call centres frequently demand you run the supplied router before they will help. Vodafone do for sure....

Or, if you want simply better WiFi ranges just add on a mesh WiFi system (Deco link is hugely popular for the price) to your free router and turn off the routers WiFi. Then you get the best of both worlds. "Authorised router" plus great WiFi. Upgrading the router alone will mostly likely improve wifi range a bit, but nothing like adding a mesh network.

As for overall network performance, I can't say as I only get 24mb which any old router will handle with ease. This may change with Gbit fibre connections.

[sparkyhx]

Greedydog said:

In my experience it's usually the router/wifi side of ISP supplied devices rather than the modem part that causes issues. I'd give it a go ,then if it's not up to your demands use it as a modem and connect a better router to it.

Assuming you can, I had a router that you coulnt switch to bridge mode, hence why I was 'forced' down the BT Mesh system rather than others that were available. Having said that i've not looked back. If your routers wifi is lack lustre Mesh all the way (unless you can wire)

[Captain Answer]

Install and see what it's like then go from there - no point spending the money for something you don't need

My virgin bb is linked to a Tenda unit which I didn't expect to last, put it in at the start of Covid as my TP-Link Archer C9 stopped doing 5Ghz - the Tenda has actually proved more stable than the Archer ever was

If I was in the market now I'd put in a mesh tho (couldnt get one when the Archer failed sadly as no one had stock and I needed it next day for WFH purposes)

[beko1987]

I run a wifi hotspot as my 4g router is in my loft for max 4g, and the wifi from it isnt great when you get out to the garden/downstairs.

Was plug and play really, just a different network to connect to (and when I turn the 'loft' network back up my phone just switches between them (I only notice when I see adverts as my pihole only works on the access point)

I need to have a network re-jig for power saving reasons, and have an old cisco office access point to try and sit in the middle of the house and hope it's not so old it's useless. Otherwise my little tplink hotel wifi box will carry on being handy, just plugged in somewhere else so I can turn my main front room sockets off and save crap loads of standby wattage.

[Lucas Ayde]

Another 'mesh network' recommendation here .. Assuming that it's just the wifi that is problematic and not your entire network connection or just a really poor performing router. Although ISP routers aren't normally much to speak of in terms of all around performance, it's the WiFi that really sucks on most of them.

The mesh network will bypass the crap internal wifi of your router (it'll plug into one of your ethernet jacks) and you can turn the router wifi off. Job done. If you change routers or ISPs in the future, just plug the mesh into the new router and it'll continue to work as before with no extra config needed.

[Fas1975]

Lucas Ayde said:

Another 'mesh network' recommendation here .. Assuming that it's just the wifi that is problematic and not your entire network connection or just a really poor performing router. Although ISP routers aren't normally much to speak of in terms of all around performance, it's the WiFi that really sucks on most of them.

The mesh network will bypass the crap internal wifi of your router (it'll plug into one of your ethernet jacks) and you can turn the router wifi off. Job done. If you change routers or ISPs in the future, just plug the mesh into the new router and it'll continue to work as before with no extra config needed.

Sorry to threadjack but would really appreciate some help.

In short, which mesh system? I thought I had selected the TP Link X60 https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08759W2P7/ref=cm_sw...

But the more I read, the more confused I get. Google, Orbi, Virgin Media's own pods ( I have one, it's not that bad but I do have blackspots in the kids bedrooms at the extremes of the house), Eero, Amazon etc.

The TP link is getting really strong reviews but I guess I'm looking for affirmation.

[Captain Answer]

Fas1975 said:

Sorry to threadjack but would really appreciate some help.

In short, which mesh system? I thought I had selected the TP Link X60 https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08759W2P7/ref=cm_sw...

But the more I read, the more confused I get. Google, Orbi, Virgin Media's own pods ( I have one, it's not that bad but I do have blackspots in the kids bedrooms at the extremes of the house), Eero, Amazon etc.

The TP link is getting really strong reviews but I guess I'm looking for affirmation.

That one looks good esp with the WiFi 6 capability, this one always gets a lot of positive praise on here too... https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Deco-E4-Seamless-...

This is the one I want to get, but will wait till my Tenda dies to get it I think... https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089NMH2WX/?coliid=I...

[Lucas Ayde]

Fas1975 said:

Lucas Ayde said:

Another 'mesh network' recommendation here .. Assuming that it's just the wifi that is problematic and not your entire network connection or just a really poor performing router. Although ISP routers aren't normally much to speak of in terms of all around performance, it's the WiFi that really sucks on most of them.

The mesh network will bypass the crap internal wifi of your router (it'll plug into one of your ethernet jacks) and you can turn the router wifi off. Job done. If you change routers or ISPs in the future, just plug the mesh into the new router and it'll continue to work as before with no extra config needed.

Sorry to threadjack but would really appreciate some help.

In short, which mesh system? I thought I had selected the TP Link X60 https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08759W2P7/ref=cm_sw...

But the more I read, the more confused I get. Google, Orbi, Virgin Media's own pods ( I have one, it's not that bad but I do have blackspots in the kids bedrooms at the extremes of the house), Eero, Amazon etc.

The TP link is getting really strong reviews but I guess I'm looking for affirmation.

Almost any decent mesh would be good enough - just depends on the features you want. Check reviews to see if there are any glaring problems with that particular brand/model. It cannot be understated just how poor ISP router WiFi tends to be and how much a half-decent mesh improves things.

eg. I got 3x BT mini Whole Home discs on a deal and they have been fantastic

[TameRacingDriver]

I can confirm the mesh systems are generally very good. I bought a cheap Tenda system for black Friday last year, 4 WiFi repeater cubes for £35, I probably only need 2 but have used 3, but anyway my WiFi has never gone down once since I had it (before it was almost a daily issue). I do believe it might have limited speed capabilities but is still faster than my ISP can provide (I'm on 70mbps) and I can't see me getting proper fibre anytime soon. No regrets at all.

[hellorent]

Just a update the supplied router (tp link) is a lot better than the old vodafone router, so just
going to carry on using that, thanks for all the suggestions

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Fas1975 said:

Sorry to threadjack but would really appreciate some help.

In short, which mesh system? I thought I had selected the TP Link X60 https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08759W2P7/ref=cm_sw...

But the more I read, the more confused I get. Google, Orbi, Virgin Media's own pods ( I have one, it's not that bad but I do have blackspots in the kids bedrooms at the extremes of the house), Eero, Amazon etc.

The TP link is getting really strong reviews but I guess I'm looking for affirmation.

I work for Virgin, if youve got one of the wifi pods, you can get another 2 of them.