Question Router recommendations for Spectrum's 100 Mbps service ?

[mmitsch]

Our son got Spectrum 100 Mbps service for his apartment. They provided a cable modem and a router. The cable modem is included in the kit and a SAX1V1K WiFi router.

We were told we can get our own router and return the one they provided and save the $10 / month extra fee for it,

Can someone suggest a good router? It’s in a 1,200 sq ft apartment.

I saw a TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router Archer AX55 on Amazon for about $60 and a NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) for about $80. Not sure of exzctly the best one?

They do have 2 cats so I’m hoping they don’t but the antennas.

Let me know your thought.

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Is it possible for a one time purchase of that same equipment, direct from Spectrum?
I did that with my Verizon FiOS.

If not, what devices are on their recommended list?

 

[bill001g]

Do they charge the $10 for just the router or is that the modem and router. The will let you keep the modem for free ? A modem tends to be kinda of expensive.
In a way it is surprising they are using 2 devices most times the router and modem are in the same box and you must replace both.

Those routers will work. Hard to say if one is really better than the other. Wifi6 in general was very disappointing for most people. They key feature in wifi6 is the ability to use 160mhz wide radio bands. Because of all the strange rules like avoiding weather radar a lot of end device do not support it. This means it only can run 80mhz bands which is the same as wiifi5.

For pricing I don't know if there really is any difference between wifi5 and wifi6 routers so it mostly doesn't matter.

Do not get hung up on things like number of antenna or bigger numbers on the router box. The end devices are 1/2 the connection. For example you could buy a very expensive wifi7 router with 4 antenna (ie 4x4 mimo) that claims speeds like 19000 but if your end device is the much more common wifi5 device with 2 antenna the router will then function just like a wifi5 router with a 1200 number on the box. Note the 1200 number is a big lie also but most people get over well over 100mbps so it will be faster than the internet package you purchased.

 

[mmitsch]

Do they charge the $10 for just the router or is that the modem and router. The will let you keep the modem for free ? A modem tends to be kinda of expensive.
In a way it is surprising they are using 2 devices most times the router and modem are in the same box and you must replace both.

Those routers will work. Hard to say if one is really better than the other. Wifi6 in general was very disappointing for most people. They key feature in wifi6 is the ability to use 160mhz wide radio bands. Because of all the strange rules like avoiding weather radar a lot of end device do not support it. This means it only can run 80mhz bands which is the same as wiifi5.

For pricing I don't know if there really is any difference between wifi5 and wifi6 routers so it mostly doesn't matter.

Do not get hung up on things like number of antenna or bigger numbers on the router box. The end devices are 1/2 the connection. For example you could buy a very expensive wifi7 router with 4 antenna (ie 4x4 mimo) that claims speeds like 19000 but if your end device is the much more common wifi5 device with 2 antenna the router will then function just like a wifi5 router with a 1200 number on the box. Note the 1200 number is a big lie also but most people get over well over 100mbps so it will be faster than the internet package you purchased.

Thank you for the reply!

I called Spectrum and spoke with them and the modem they provided is includdd in the lease.

The guy at Spectrum said if I get a router I can return the one they provided and they will take off the $10 / month fee.

I think I found a good Netgear one - it’s a NETGEAR RAX36 AX3000 Nighthawk 4-Stream AX4 WiFi 6 Router. You think that’s be a good choice? It’s in a 1300 sq ft apartment, used for about 5or 6 devices and the service is 100 Mbps.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[mmitsch]

Is it possible for a one time purchase of that same equipment, direct from Spectrum?
I did that with my Verizon FiOS.

If not, what devices are on their recommended list?

I called the Spectrum support line and they only lease equipment. They told me if I buy a used Spectrum router it will most likely not work as they’re router serial numbers are tied to accounts. He said any good router would work and mentioned they tended to have fewer issues with Netgear stuff.

Let me know if you know of a NETGEAR RAX36 AX3000 Nighthawk 4-Stream AX4 WiFi 6 Router. Seems a good fit.

And thanks for your help!

 

[COLGeek]

To verify, the modem is good to go, but you just want to replace the router? If so, the one you mentioned is as good as any. Proceed.

 

[USAFRet]

I called the Spectrum support line and they only lease equipment. They told me if I buy a used Spectrum router it will most likely not work as they’re router serial numbers are tied to accounts. He said any good router would work and mentioned they tended to have fewer issues with Netgear stuff.

Let me know if you know of a NETGEAR RAX36 AX3000 Nighthawk 4-Stream AX4 WiFi 6 Router. Seems a good fit.

And thanks for your help!

If all you're looking for is the router, yes, that one is OK.

 

[cruisetung]

Why not cheaper RAX54S? ($82.97)

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nigh...LCZH2/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/132-1044840-8218868

 

[mmitsch]

Why not cheaper RAX54S? ($82.97)

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nigh...LCZH2/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/132-1044840-8218868

They one does look better but they’re in an Apartment with only 100 mbps incoming service. Would it be a lot faster for them?

Let me know & thanks.

 

[cruisetung]

Sorry, my bad. I was comparing RAX36 (now $89.97) you mentioned in post#5 vs RAX54S ($82.97)