[SOLVED] Asus ZenWiFi ax XT8 (2) or different Asus routers with AI Mesh?

[Neonplanet40]

Hi folks, looking to complete my home WiFi setup and ensure there are decent speeds.

I currently have:

Asus RT ac68u
Asus RT ac86u

Both are used as individual wireless access points connected via ethernet to my home network and internet (talk talk isp router with wireless turned off, used just as modem to provide internet to a wired network). (Both Asus routers offer separate 2.4 and 5ghz channels).

My main wireless is the 86u. The 68u is in the front room close to the door to ensure a strong signal for my Ring Pro doorbell.

However, to simplify things, I want to make use of Asus ai mesh. What I need to know is, would I be better:

Selling both routers and getting the Asus Zenwifi ax xt8 pair and using these for my house and doorbell. Both would be connected via ethernet to the home network.

Or buying something like the Asus rt88u and adding it to the 68u, 86u and connecting them all to the network via a wired Ethernet connection and then connecting via ai mesh?

Just wondering what would provide the best wireless speeds for me as these are my priority? I do watch 4k remuxes over my wireless on my tablet via Plex. I am able to do this fine with the 86u as it seems quite fast. I can't do it with the 68u as it isn't quick enough to provide the bandwidth. I'm just unsure how using different routers will affect speeds etc. I.e. will they be forced to operate at the slowest router in the bunch's speeds etc.

Thank you

 

[kanewolf]

"Mesh" is wireless uplinks. That is not what you are doing with wired backbone. Mesh is used incorrectly to describe single SSID with roaming. The biggest thing about having multiple WIFI APs is turning DOWN the transmit power on the APs to minimize overlap. Also turn the 2.4Ghz power lower than the 5Ghz to bias devices to 5Ghz.

 

[Neonplanet40]

So which option would be best for me? Increasing my setup by adding another router or ditching it and going Zenwifi (or similar). I'm just trying to keep things simple to be honest.

 

[kanewolf]

So which option would be best for me? Increasing my setup by adding another router or ditching it and going Zenwifi (or similar). I'm just trying to keep things simple to be honest.

Do you have WIFI6 devices? I am not a fan of the current WIFI6 hardware. Until the WIFI6e (6Ghz) hardware comes out, I wouldn't spend extra for WIFI6.

 

[SamirD]

What you want is what a ubiquiti setup provides, especially if you're willing to spend the money to replace stuff.

 

[kanewolf]

What you want is what a ubiquiti setup provides, especially if you're willing to spend the money to replace stuff.

Yeah, I replaced all my Asus hardware with Ubiquiti. They do good for WIFI and switching, the UniFI routers ... mediocre. But good enough for me.

 

[SamirD]

Yeah, I replaced all my Asus hardware with Ubiquiti. They do good for WIFI and switching, the UniFI routers ... mediocre. But good enough for me.

Interesting--what did you find lacking about the routers? Most everything I've read online about people moving to them are always just raving about how good it is.

 

[kanewolf]

Interesting--what did you find lacking about the routers? Most everything I've read online about people moving to them are always just raving about how good it is.

You have to separate the UniFI line from the Edgerouter line. I was specifically speaking of the UniFI routers (USG, USG-PRO, DREAM MACHINE). The older models are very stable but are not as high performance as some would like. The newer models have had early adopter pains.

 

[SamirD]

You have to separate the UniFI line from the Edgerouter line. I was specifically speaking of the UniFI routers (USG, USG-PRO, DREAM MACHINE). The older models are very stable but are not as high performance as some would like. The newer models have had early adopter pains.

Gotcha, those are the ones I was curious about. Those actually seem like the same issues with almost anything electronic today, lol. I thought there was something specific like port forwarding was a pita or something like that.

 

[kanewolf]

Gotcha, those are the ones I was curious about. Those actually seem like the same issues with almost anything electronic today, lol. I thought there was something specific like port forwarding was a pita or something like that.

The Dream Machine units are nice because they are similar to a typical home router. They are router, switch and AP all in one. They also have the UniFI controller software running on them to manage everything. If you have zero UniFI equipment, they are a good entry point.

 

[SamirD]

The Dream Machine units are nice because they are similar to a typical home router. They are router, switch and AP all in one. They also have the UniFI controller software running on them to manage everything. If you have zero UniFI equipment, they are a good entry point.

Thank you for the additional info on the dream machine. I knew these integrated the controller, but didn't research what else was integrated, and now I know.