Which Router to buy ?

[kev2021]

Hi all,

I just had a look at BT sites and it seems they are offering me quiet a good good to “upgrade” and I could get the 150 speed at my home.  So, as I have run into issues wit teh BT smart hub 2 and my smartplugs, I’ll need to buy my own router to switch it out with, which may not be a bad thing as in general it seems consensus online is the bt smarthub 2 isn’t that good and some not getting full speeds, admittedly on 500/900mb lines).  So decision time… what do i get?  Another RT-AX86U, go for the AX88U or something different entirely?

I’m tempted by the AX88U but isn’t the RT86U newer, even though a lower number? Seems some people are rating the AX88U quiet well but i suspect it will suffer same issues with sonos… but I’m kinda over that for now, I just don’t use it any more so an expensive ornament atm :)

If i go for the deal and the price is correct that they are quoting, it means i could get FTTP 150mb and save £20 over 12 months so as its a 24month plan, i’d save £40 over 24 months.   My existing deal ends in May next year and they are quoting that will go to just £5 less than FTTP and i’ on a 36mb connection at the moment so going to re-check tomorrow and see and look into the routers.

It seems the prices are going up – AX86U is around £250 now and the A88U is almost £300 – bit higher than i planned to spend so that may be a factor that will limit my choices but at the moment, want to get some idea of what to get and then once looked at them, price will then come into it :)

Thanks

Kev

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[kev2021]

Update – No longer required as prices quoted wasn’t what I thought they were so makes the move not viable for me at present so i’m sticking as is at present.

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

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[kev2021]

Hi all,

So have now decided to replace my BT router and get a replacement router.

Looking to setup a VPN between my place and parents when needed.  I.e. I initiate the VPN when i need it, not have it up 24/7 so I figure having another Asus router would be the best option for this?

in light of this, which Router would you suggest?  Ideally no looking to spend a fortune, maybe £100 or so?

Upon a quick look on Asus website, would the RT-AX82U, RT-AX86S, RT-AX68U be ok to use?

Main criteria required is:-

1. WIFI 6

2. Ability to work with a Draytek modem (one i bought before)

3. Ability to work with FTTP in the future by just removing Draytek modem and plugging cable from ONT into the WAN port (like I did on existing router)

4. Ability to VPN (remote location connecting to this router and also connecting to remote location)

5. Ability to turn of the lights on it

Slight concern over the 512mb ram, considering my AX86U runs at 433mb ram with most stuff turned off, doesn’t leave much room in ram but it seems they are all 512mb ram.

Many thanks, looking to order asap as ideally want to get it Thursday so can set it up as I’m off work :)

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

I cannot recall, are you interested in using Asuswrt-merlin for ASUS routers as his firmware supports VPN’s particularly well ?

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[kev2021]

Hi,

Ideally was going to leave as stock as it seem the Asus routers support VPN natively?

Kev

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[kev2021]

Whats your take on the RT-AX86S?

Looking at the specs it seems differences are:-

 

RT-AX86U

1.8 quad core CPU

1gb ram

2.5G port

 

RT-AX86U

1.8 quad core CPU

512mb ram

No 2.5G port

Would you still consider the RT-AX86S?

Thanks

Kev

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[kev2021]

Hi all,

Went for the RT-AX86S – from what could tell, only above options were different.

Not too concerned RE the 2.5G port and not too worried about CPU as have some features turned off.

Only real concern is the 512MB ram but it seems at the price point I was looking at, they are all 512MB ram so not too much can do.

Advantage is, it has the lights on/off button and it has the same VPN options so at least should be compatible with each other.

So now its just working out, how I setup the VPN :)

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

I did reference this chart, maybe worth a look

The RT-AX86U uses the SPI for firewall and is quad core – RT-AX86S is dual core cpu and basic NAT firewall. but apart from that, much alike they are, but may struggle with constant vpn usage 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/ASUS_RT-AX86S_vs_ASUS_RT-AX86U/BHitems/1670371-REG_1584970-REG

FYI; NAT might protect your LAN, but it won’t protect your router itself.

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

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[kev2021]

Thanks

Its coming Thurs so lets hope its ok.

Kev

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[kev2021]

Out of curiosity, I guess that BT homehub just uses NAT right? Can’t imagine its anything more than that?

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Not sure, I would assume a NAT firewall only , but could be wrong ;)

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

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