IMHO, go for either the C6 or DIR-867.

867/878/882 have the exact same chipset and all perform the same signal strength wise. They are just configured differently.

878 is better than C9 due to the much newer chipset and C6 is the best RM200 router you can buy now.

Only a handful of devices will benefit from the DIR-878 over the DIR-867.

OK. I understood what do you mean.
He will get around 20 - 50 or sometimes up to 70 - 80 Mbps on 2.4GHz with 500Mbps line. ( Only Laptops ).
Phone will be around 15 - 25Mbps because the link speed until 72Mbps only on 5GHz
2.4GHz is congested with radio waves like mouse receivers and bluetooth.

Under 5GHz can get about 100Mbps or above if it is further away from the router.
Mostly every 5GHz are under 2X2 which is up to 866.7Mbps
You may read the pinned post for more info about 5GHz 2X2 and 3X3.
3X3 devices can get up to 800Mbps IRL.
Full Signal = Higher link speed.

If using repeater, won't improve the speed as bro SilentVampire told everyone here.
Stick to one router or lay the cable from main router to an access point.
Since he doesn't want to lay the cables around his house. Extend Wi-Fi Coverage in wireless way won't get exact same speed with the router. The speed will reduce.

New router generally improves the 2.4GHz speed. Before that I was using Wireless N Single Band Router with 10Mbps line.
After got upgraded to 100Mbps. The speed in my room decreases to 5Mbps and below. Then I change to Archer C9 and the speed improves, able to get full 100Mbps under 40MHz in my room. The reason I recommend AC5400X is because the coverage is very big can cover 2 or 3 story house without any problems. Old routers cannot handle higher bandwidth speed and generally will slow down. If 5GHz signal decreases will decrease link speed too. Under 2.4GHz no problem as the coverage is wider than 5GHz.

I'm using Archer C9, when my router kaput. May consider upgrading to TP-Link AC5400X or I will wait for AX Routers.
I'm using TIME 500Mbps and I can get about 70 - 80Mbps on 5GHz now.

Thanks.

I think i will be getting the DIR-867 since it has a bit better wireless signal strength and speed, and also capable of supporting upto 800mbps over wired connection. Fit my bills for future speed upgrade on wired connection and wireless connection.
Thanks blacktubi love your review site helps alot!

@FusionXY and @AVFAN, thanks for the replies.

@FusionXY, couple of questions to follow-up:
1) why the AC5400X over AC5400 and DIR-895L?
- would the AC5400X be "overkill" for my purpose?
- is the hardware & WiFi performance of the AC5400X that much better than the AC5400 to justify the extra cost and footprint?
- WiFi signal strength and reliability is the primary concern. current router is breaking down so need to change ASAP

2) if i budget for the AC5400X, that's ~RM1.3k to 1.4k. is there a better alternative for that budget range?
- i'm open to suggestions of other routers or setups (mesh, etc.)

would like to ask for opinions from others as well if they have experience or suggestions for my situation

@blacktubi, could you also share your opinion? i've read your router reviews and am interested in your opinion

This post has been edited by ahaha: Dec 10 2018, 12:42 AM

for 500mbps, 100mbps can be obtained for 5ghz wifi 85ft diagonal assuming typical conditions?

50-60 ft, ok.

85 ft... seems too optimistic...?


also... been wondering.... if a device 85ft away is consuming 100mbps out of 500mbps, is the 400mbps "left" still fully available with ethernet?

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 10 2018, 01:07 AM

Thanks

I just wondering why no recommendation for Asus Blue Cave router, it is newer with fast processor. Most experts still recommending AC86, which is much older and more expensive.

I like the look, and will jump to buy with good recommendation and discounts.

@FusionXY
What purpose you use for? Gaming, Streaming or Downloading or all in one?
Mainly web surfing, streaming and downloading. Gaming not as often.

If speed is important then get AC5400X or if coverage then get Deco M9 PLUS.
Please state what's your receiving devices spec.
Remeasured the distances, actual diagonal distance is closer to 70 feet; add 10 feet buffer so coverage needed is 80 feet.
Receiving devices are the typical Smart TVs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops and security devices.

On speed vs coverage
Coverage is important since there are devices (laptops) which need reliable WiFi at 70 feet of coverage.
Speed is also preferred but i understand that a WiFi bandwidth of ~25Mbps is sufficient for 4k streaming and gaming?

1) if i use "beast" routers such as the AC5400X, what WiFi bandwidth can i reasonably expect at 70 feet, passing through 3 brick walls?
>25Mbps? which is equivalent to 3MBps... a speed i can work with

2) if i use "mesh" such as the Deco M9 Plus, how many satellites will be required?
- issue is the limitation of obstacle free line of sight between the router unit and satellite units
- there will be no reasonable location to place any satellite unit with line of sight to the router unit; brick wall obstacle
- assuming coverage area of 50x70 feet (3500 sqft) with the router at one corner, how many satellites required as a minimum?
- what is the recommended reliable obstructed distance (20 feet possible?) between the units?

Between the two options, this is my current decision thought process;
1) will purchase a "beast" if the coverage can reliably produce WiFi of ~25Mbps at 70-80 feet.
- i'm assuming if i want to boost the WiFi for more range and speed and stability(?), adding range extenders such as the RE650 is an option?
- the AC5400X features are probably overkill for the current usage but if it can provide the WiFi performance that is required, i'm ok to budget the RM1.3-1.4k

2) will consider mesh if the price to setup the system with good WiFi speed, coverage and stability is reasonable.
- comparing with the prices: one AC5400X + RE650 = ~RM1.8k which is 4 units of Deco M9 plus. which is a better option for my scenario?

Maybe if we look from the budget side, if i'm ready to budget ~RM1.3-1.4k with an additional ~RM400 to improve the system if need be, is there a better alternative than the options discussed above?

@AVFAN
also... been wondering.... if a device 85ft away is consuming 100mbps out of 500mbps, is the 400mbps "left" still fully available with ethernet?
Good question... assuming the limit is 500Mbps, then 400Mbps should be "left" available. But how to determine if 100Mbps is consumed by WiFi? If the device's speed test is say 25Mbps, is it consuming only 25Mbps or much more due to drop (signal loss) in bandwidth over the long distance.

Law of diminishing returns apply.

C5400X will have better close distance speed but M9 Plus will have better long distance speed.

I would go for a mesh system. Sidenote: you can use M9 Plus and M5 in a network.


I am a huge fan of this model. Many people don't prefer routers without antenna but this cube got really good WiFi coverage.

Thanks for the reply. A few things to add:
1) so far no suggestions to use WiFi repeaters. is it such a Taboo option?
2) from your experience of testing the AC5400X and Deco system, simple comparison of my scenario:
at 85feet from router, what bandwidth can i realistically expect with the AC5400X compared to a Deco setup (how many M9+M5)?
3) for cost efficiency wise, it is better to get the AC5400X since it's a high end router hence has longevity and if in future cabling is available, would be better option with AP setup?
4) my reservation with the Deco setup is the number of nodes needed to achieve a reliable and speedy WiFi. at ~RM1.8K it's either 4xM9 or (2xM9 + 3xM5). is that enough to achieve an "impressive" WiFi network for my scenario? also the SMART home feature is not required and i'm afraid the M9 will be outclassed by the time SMART home feature might be needed in the future

1) Not a fan of such implementation as repeaters are slow.
2) On similar situation, even a 3 node Deco M5 can obliterate the C5400X at long distance. TX power is limited by regulation, there's only so far you can go.
3) If you want the best experience now then that would be Deco.
4) (2xM9 + 3xM5) should give you reliable, whole home WiFi coverage with fast roaming.

Another thing worth nothing is AiMesh. They can run in Mesh WiFi mode and can run on WAN backhaul mode shall you decide to install Ethernet cable.

You can consider getting 2 GT-AC5300. Same class with C5400X but with mesh capability. Only thing bad about this is the price.

This post has been edited by blacktubi: Dec 10 2018, 01:43 PM

yr scenario is a fairly common one, not very diff from mine.
2 storey superlinks, semi-ds.... router at bottom corner to opposite top corner max diagonal 70-80ft.
3 storey will be more difficult - for this, i can't see which single superman krypton router can cover it all!

it is unreasonable to even plan to replace all devices to new with 5ghz as typically, there are a dozen or so, can't change so easily.
so, it is very normal to try to find a "good" router than can do both 2.4 and 5ghz well for different devices, old and new at diff locations.
no need 200, 300mbps for all of them; 50-100mbps at 50-60ft, 30-40mbps at 70-80ft will be very very good!
one will be sensible enough to optimize and cope with the various limitations at various locations in the house.

for 800mbps, i am getting 30mbps at 60ft with an average router (rtac1300uhp) for 2.4ghz devices, quite acceptable.
i would like to improve it to 50-100mbps or so for those distances.
i am just not sure if a "good" router can improve to that level for my current devices.
also, i may want to downgrade from 800 to 500 or 300mbps in the near future - gotta prepare for this scenario too.

thanks for the link . Based on why i read and understand, it perform quite similar with minimal differences between the two right?

as per reading your review, do you mean that the C2300 firmware have more advance feature than D-link ones which have only basic feature as per your review? or do you meant that its firmware are more stable than 828 one's

Hi,

I’m looking for a recommendation. My unifi will be turboed to 800mbps and after some research have narrowed down my choice to between the Archer C2300 and the DIR-882. My priority is Wi-Fi signal strength and to get as high connection as possible for my mobile devices. I have my reservations on D-Link due to bad past experiences but can’t overlook the higher bandwidth. Hope to get some inputs here.

More features and more stable.

The differences are only noticeable with 4x4 devices which only a handful of devices have it.

My 1st choice currently is still the asus blue cave for use on my 3 storey house now served with tp a 1200 on 2nd floor and got many dead ones.

However I am tempted by the mesh system. From the reviews both deco m5 and m9 do not support hypptv. Any mesh that support hypptv directly?

Else I am about experiment with tp link easy smart switch to see whether it can work. The article on blacktubi seems easy enough for dinosour like me, but comments on the article make me confused.

Or can I connect directly to the Huawei 2840 for hypptv?

No fan of antennas so that is another reason for me to get rid of tplink ac1200

You can purchase 2 Asus Blue Cave and let them run in AiMesh mode.

Asus Blue Cave itself is a lot stronger in terms of signal coverage.

As for the Deco HyppTV, many users are having issues with the switch workaround lately. I have yet to investigate why.

I'm still using stock router supplied by TM (TP-Link Archer C5 AC1200) and now turbo-ed to 300 Mbps. The router is located on the ground floor but unfortunately my main PC is on the 2nd. I can only get around 80-110 Mbps through 5 GHz using the TP-Link Archer T4U. Also, around 70-100 Mbps on my iPhone. On the ground floor, I can fully utilize the max speed (300 Mbps) with either 5 GHz or Ethernet LAN.

My question is, do I need to splurge some money to replace the router with something that would allow me to still get 300 mbps through WiFi on my 2nd floor or is it not possible or just plain waste of money?

My suggestion is to extend LAN Cable to 2nd Floor and put an access point..
Because 5GHz signal is very low and if blocked with walls generally reduce the 1 bar. I'm using Archer C9 and I'm living in an apartment.
Door closed can get around 100 - 150Mbps.
Door opened can get around 200 - 210Mbps.
Near the router can get full 300Mbps.
5GHz link speed decreases when decrease 1 or 2 bars.

Thanks.

i am of the view u r getting it quite good as it is.

spending big $ will to give small improvement... point of diminishing return.