hi, could use some experienced suggestion...

currently using Unifi 500Mbps. need WiFi to cover a 50feet x 70feet, double storey area (with brick wall rooms). the router have to be place at one corner so the WiFi will have to cover until 85feet (diagonal). typical connections: 10ish; max connections: 20ish

no option to pull cable or use power line, must use WiFi. intention is to have reliable WiFi coverage. can accept speed drop due to distance. appreciate suggestions to best setup the WiFi? budget rm1k +/-

Googled around, currently looking at either:
1) using TP-Link AC3150 router and one of TP-Link RE650 repeater
2) using only one 'beast' router such as TP-Link AC5400 or AC5400x or D-Link DIR-895L
3) mesh is attractive alternative but i believe will likely be needing quite a few satellite units so might be expensive to setup

@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

@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.

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