Range Extender Hi all, So i have a RT-AX86s router and I have recently bought a meros surge protector. Plan is to be able to turn on the items by TV via...

[kev2021]

Hi all,

So i have a RT-AX86s router and I have recently bought a meros surge protector.  Plan is to be able to turn on the items by TV via the app as opposed to keep turning on the existing extension lead manually.  This is working after some trouble setting it up as i bought the homekit version which you can setup for homekit or meross app but when using in meross app it just kept wanted to add to apple home and kept failing.  Anyway got it added in the end after an hour or more of messing about.  However, i’ve noticed in the meross app, it shows the wifi signal is no more than 10%.  The router is positioned by front door as thats where the internet connection is so seems its not reaching far enough.

So thought was to either by a newer router which may or may not work as it has to go through a wall or maybe 2 depending how it works so i’ve been looking at a range extender. I’m thinking maybe the RP-BE58 which even though is WIFI 7, I believe it will drop to WIFI 6? but it doesn’t give the wifi 6 speeds in info.  I’m considering this to potentially future proof it for when I most likely will move to wifi 7 when more devices support it.  Or would you say its better to get the RP-AX58 which is WIFi 6?  Looking at prices they are similarly priced so its more what would be most compatible?

The only place I can place it is in Kitchen which would be otherwise of 1 wall and then it will hopefully go through wall to where it is by the TV i’m hoping so that it improves the coverage and hopefully gets higher than 10%.

I plan to extend the Guest WIFI device is on as it only supports 2.4GHZ and it will keep the same name as is on main router so hopefully this will avoid needing to redo anything.

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Just another thought, if you’re already thinking of upgrading your main router anyway, and budget isn’t a concern, have you considered buying a newer ASUS router and using your existing RT-AX86S as an AiMesh node? It would likely give you better coverage than a range extender, and you’d still get good use out of the AX86S.

Moreover, the RT-AX86S eol date must be just around the corner so no harm in planning ahead.

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Hi,

Thanks.  I thought about that but unfortunately I don’t have anywhere that is midway between the 2 locations to put the Router apart from on the floor which isn’t ideal.  Hence I thought of the ranger extender as I can plug it into a socket and leave it plugged in.

I suspect the RT-AX86s and U are probably EOL soon, I believe maybe end of 2027 from a quick look online?

Not sure what to go with next router wise, the BE86U looks similar and price has dropped but I noticed it came out in 2024 so means already 2 years into its life cycle so maybe only another 2 or 3 years before that is EOL.

Wondering whether to go with TPLink BE range instead as the Asus ones have been ok, albeit quiet a few bugs etc people have found and I’m not too sure about using AIMesh as I seem to see a lot of reports of when routers updated, the AIMesh has issues with it dropping etc so hence thought just a standard extender might be better?

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Another option could be a Powerline Adapter (PLC devices) with wifi, which send data over copper mains wires and require circuits to be ideally on the same ring main or consumer unit is an easy option and Netgear and TP-Link offer great options, Very handy with those hard to reach locations.

ASUS BE routers are built for power users who want long‑term firmware support, real VLANs on certain models and deep network control, while TP‑Link BE routers are aimed at normal users who want fast Wi‑Fi, a clean UI, and simpler setup, but with lighter updates and fewer advanced features.

In short: ASUS = control and longevity. TP‑Link = speed and simplicity.

Another good option is GL.iNet as this uses OpenWrt and support lifecylces are slightly better than ASUS’s usually.

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[Grisu]

PLC is the last option to use IMHO and only if LAN and even WiFi wont be possible.
And FW-support for use as range-extender wont be a serious problem. Inside your network behind an uptodate router I dont see an issue to use it much much longer.
So I would take the old Asus router an reuse it as WiFi-extender within mesh.

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[kev2021]

Thanks all.  Would use my existing router in AI Mesh but I don’t have a location to place it apart from on the floor and its likely to get damaged.

I presume the BE routers will be the same 5 year lifecycle?

I not had any issues with my existing Asus routers so I’m happy to buy the same make, its just I tend to leave the firmware updates for a while as always seems to be issues reported and now I think I’m well over a year behind.

Which models to the VLans? I’ve also noticed the price is a fair bit more for Asus, the BE86 was nearer £300 when it came out but is now nearer £200 but that’s likely due to it being 3 years old and only 3 years left in lifecycle so I’d sooner but a newer model which I suspect there will be one before Dec 2027 when mine are due to go EOL I beleive.

 

Also, Am I correct in thinking if I get a new router, if I set up the same SSID and pswd, the devices will auto connect to it?

Reason I ask is I have set the same SSID on my AX86U at parents place and the same SSID on my AX86s however when I go between the 2 properties, I have to manually select the WIFI on my devices, it wont auto connect almost like it knows its different some how? Once I connect I can go and come back to that property and it auto connects but when I go to the other I have to select it to connect the first time then its ok until I go back to other property I have to select it again…

It seems to some how know its different and won’t connect.

When I had BT routers, I setup the same SSID and pswd and that just connected at both properties, no questions asked.

I don’t want to have to re-set up smart plugs and nest etc to reconnect to my WIFI again, I’m hoping it auto connects.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

ASUS BE routers usually get at least four years of updates, and ASUS often goes beyond that timeline with their hardware.

ASUS BE routers that support LAN‑side VLAN ID configuration I believe are:

• RT‑BE96U
• RT‑BE88U
• RT‑BE86U
• GT‑BE96
• GT‑BE98
• GT‑BE98 Pro
• GT‑BE19000

 

Even if two ASUS routers use the same Wi‑Fi name and password, your devices still treat them as different networks. Each router has its own unique “identity”, so when you show up at the other place your phone won’t auto‑connect until you tap it once. After that it remembers it, but when you go back to the first property you’ll need to do the same again. Matching the SSID doesn’t make two separate routers look identical to your devices.

it’s easier to just use a different SSID and password for each location. That way your devices don’t get confused, and they’ll auto‑connect straight away whenever you arrive.

Old BT Routers was far less fussy

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Thanks, I head ready you need to disable a setting on your router but I did that and still no change.  Maybe if I change my routers, I’ll setup a different SSID/pswd, I plan to split the 2.4 and 5ghz bands, at the moment its the same and it connects on either 2.4 or 5ghz but I think that causes some devices to keep jumping between the 2.

My guest WIFI I’ll keep the same, I got I think most if not all my IoT devices on that. I need to check them before I make the changes or I’d setup a 2nd guest network with the old existing SSID/pswd in hopes it reconencts.

Thanks.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

No problem, what router you thinking of upgrading to at some point ?

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Was thinking of the RT‑BE86U but no doubt will be a newer version out before end of next year so will see.

Main issue is really the cost, spending nearly £300 and it lasts approx. 5 years is a bit costly and like now it can be had for around £200 but possibly only 2 or 3 years life left so will see. The TPlink ones are cheaper so will have to see at the time, whether I go ASUS router or tplink or alternative.

Thanks

Kev

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