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[Technology] Have you changed your internet router?



Randy McNob

Randy McNob

> > > > > > Cardiff > > > > >
Jun 13, 2020
4,807
Has anyone changed their standard router from their internet provider to a better one ? I see Google make fancy routers but do they make much difference to the connection and speed? More specifically, there are routers with a built in VPN, anyone have experience with these? I have expressVPN and they sell a router but sometimes going through a VPN can slow down the connection and it drops off from time to time.
 






chickens

chickens

Have you considered masterly inactivity?
NSC Patron
Oct 12, 2022
3,047
Haven’t, but have considered. What’s stopped me is the risk of spending a chunk of money, and there being no discernible benefit.

I get “fine” speeds through the default router, but I wonder if the fact that WiFi 5, 6 and 7 have come out since the existing router was designed mean it’s a bottleneck/barrier to multi-device efficiency. Hopefully someone will be along soon with some real world experience.
 


deletebeepbeepbeep

deletebeepbeepbeep

Well-known member
May 12, 2009
22,267
I changed ours to a GL.iNet router in the hope of getting slightly better coverage in our house. We did but only a little bit, enough to cover our kitchen where we previously had drop outs. It wasn't really worth the cost.

You'll need to be careful with what you buy though, some routers will have inbuilt modems, others will be purely routers (in which case you'll also need to buy a simple open reach modem in addition - loads on eBay for £20).

Some internet providers don't let you use a non branded router (think Virgin in particular?) others are much more open, we use Plusnet and it was east to setup. Lots of help on there forums if you get stuck.

In terms of the inbuilt VPN we have never used that feature on ours because we have no real need for a VPN. But when I was doing research people just recommend to have a VPN on the device you are using it for because they introduce latency and who cares if your internet provider knows you are watching iPlayer on your telly or whatever.
 
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S

Shorehamseagull

New member
Dec 23, 2019
24
I was having real trouble with my virgin Router, kept dropping WiFi signal and devices loosing connection to the internet.

I’ve switched it to modem only mode and bought this one -
ASUS RT-AX82U V2 (AX5400) Dual Band WiFi 6

After a bit of research it seem like a good not too expensive choice. So far internet speeds have been far better and really stable with no dropouts (3 months)
 






RandyWanger

RandyWanger

Je suis rôti de boeuf
Mar 14, 2013
7,234
Done a Frexit, now in London
Yes and yes. Upgraded my Virgin hub 3 to a 5 (plug and play so not much to do there) but I then build a PiHole to run my own DNS and stop adverts and tracking. I later upgraded this to run virtually on docker which improved things.

PiHole and Brave browser is a lovely experience. Even YouTube can't advertise to you and makes sites like NSC usable.
 


schmunk

schmunk

Well-used member
Jan 19, 2018
10,855
Mid mid mid Sussex
I use 2 Google Nest mesh routers in place of the Talktalk one, to get a strong WiFi signal throughout the house.

Because I still have FTTC (basic fibre) and the Nest devices I also need a BT Openreach modem which is hidden away behind furniture. With FTTP ("full fibre") this isn't needed.

The ones I have are very reliable and easy to use, but now not the fastest. If/when I move to Full Fibre I'll consider buying some newish EERO devices to replace them.
 




BNthree

BNthree

Plastic JCL
Sep 14, 2016
11,779
WeHo
Yes the Virgin hub thing was diabolical at handling multiple devices streaming at once. Basically during lockdown when the kids were home schooling and wife & I were working from home the wifi was utter pants. So went with a TP-Link Deco mesh (which was on offer at the time) and set my router into "modem" mode. Have had a much better wifi experience ever since.
 


Tom Hark Preston Park

Tom Hark Preston Park

Will Post For Cash
Jul 6, 2003
73,496
Without me asking, BT sent me a new router last week. Something to do with landlines (remember those?) switching to digital. Had to send the old router back - free of charge - or risk being charged for it
 


CheeseRolls

CheeseRolls

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 27, 2009
6,315
Shoreham Beach
Randy McNob said:
Has anyone changed their standard router from their internet provider to a better one ? I see Google make fancy routers but do they make much difference to the connection and speed? More specifically, there are routers with a built in VPN, anyone have experience with these? I have expressVPN and they sell a router but sometimes going through a VPN can slow down the connection and it drops off from time to time.
Click to expand...
Many but not all ISPs won't allow you to do this, so what you will find is that many people have connected their own router to the broadband providers router to provide better Wifi reception around their house.

I have an Asus WiFi 7 mesh network, which supports VPN from the router (not tested) and also has an ad-free DNS option again not tested. WHat I do use is
meshed Wifi 7 fast and reliable
An IoT network, which keeps all my actively managed devices separate from all my smart gadgets.
Router based malware detection (Trend) which doesn;t require a subscription.

What I want to add is a second ISP so that I am not solely reliant on Virgin. Sadly I need another fibre cable into the building and I don't trust any of them to take up and put back my block paving. Failing that a half decent 5G signal would work if it ever arrives here.
 




E

Elbow750

Well-known member
Jun 21, 2020
535
I'm with Sky for broadband (and a 3 box mesh network) which has been exceptionally reliable with ok speeds, something I need given the amount of homeworking in my house.

But Sky has given notice that my old, Sky supplied router, will no longer be supported after Dec.

I'm reluctant to change until I have to, as that's when things go wrong.
Has anyone else had this and successfully changed a Sky router?

I feel a family conference coming on to work out the least sensitive time to change over. It's that important in my household.!
 


happypig

happypig

Staring at the rude boys
May 23, 2009
8,446
Eastbourne
I upgraded to an ASUS RT-AC68U a couple of years ago but it got damaged in the fire and I replaced it with a TP-Link AXE5400 because it supports wifi6.
Both of them can be set up with a VPN (I use NordVPN but on a machine by machine basis for reasons known only to me).
If an ISP doesn't allow use of a better router, then get a better ISP.
 






Jack Straw

Jack Straw

I look nothing like him!
Jul 7, 2003
7,235
Brighton. NOT KEMPTOWN!
Tom Hark Preston Park said:
Without me asking, BT sent me a new router last week. Something to do with landlines (remember those?) switching to digital. Had to send the old router back - free of charge - or risk being charged for it
Click to expand...
My friend with BT also received a new one. There's a socket to plug your landline in to, so you can carry on using your phone. Otherwise, soon it won't work, as the landlines are going digital, and the phone now works through the router, rather than in the old BT socket.
 




P

PascalGroß Tips

Well-known member
Jan 29, 2024
927
deletebeepbeepbeep said:
I changed ours to a GL.iNet router in the hope of getting slightly better coverage in our house. We did but only a little bit, enough to cover our kitchen where we previously had drop outs. It wasn't really worth the cost.

You'll need to be careful with what you buy though, some routers will have inbuilt modems, others will be purely routers (in which case you'll also need to buy a simple open reach modem in addition - loads on eBay for £20).

Some internet providers don't let you use a non branded router (think Virgin in particular?) others are much more open, we use Plusnet and it was east to setup. Lots of help on there forums if you get stuck.

In terms of the inbuilt VPN we have never used that feature on ours because we have no real need for a VPN. But when I was doing research people just recommend to have a VPN on the device you are using it for because they introduce latency and who cares if your internet provider knows you are watching iPlayer on your telly or whatever.
Click to expand...
Virgin Media do allow you to do this. You just put the VM Super Hub into modem only mode
 


AmexRuislip

AmexRuislip

Retired Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
35,407
Ruislip
Randy McNob said:
Has anyone changed their standard router from their internet provider to a better one ? I see Google make fancy routers but do they make much difference to the connection and speed? More specifically, there are routers with a built in VPN, anyone have experience with these? I have expressVPN and they sell a router but sometimes going through a VPN can slow down the connection and it drops off from time to time.
Click to expand...
Recently changed my broadband contract from BT to EE.
The EE / Openreach chap who came out to check I am getting the correct up / download speeds, suggested I keep my BT smarthub, as the EE ones are not as good.
 




M

Mr deez

Masterchef
Jan 13, 2005
3,564
I had the BT router but needed the complete WiFi discs to cover to the end of the garden - and that was a nightmare with sonos. I have a tp link deco mesh set up now, and after some initial set up faff I don't have to think about it working or not any longer. It just does, everywhere.
 


thedonkeycentrehalf

thedonkeycentrehalf

Moved back to wear the gloves (again)
Jul 7, 2003
9,671
I have some TP link Deco units as a mesh network which works well off the virgin media hub.
 


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