New Router? I'm wondering if I should get a new router. I'm currently using a seven-year-old D-LINK DIR-842, which sells for $50. The top-rated routers sell for around $250, which is...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm wondering if I should get a new router. I'm currently using a seven-year-old D-LINK DIR-842, which sells for $50. The top-rated routers sell for around $250, which is out of the question for me. I admit that I know nothing about router specs, but I'm thinking that something reasonably priced might be better than the one I have - or not.

All opinions gratefully accepted.

jjbrenner Loc: San Angelo, TX

Jerry, take a look at this link. The third one, the Google Nest, would me my choice.
Best wishes,
Jim

jjbrenner Loc: San Angelo, TX

Oops, forgot to copy the link:

https://selector.co.ua/best/best-wi-fi-routers-in-2021?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2cWgBhDYARIsALggUhpYdLn-nVC9dbO5dlQzjashAzsFKgPB1wa1SMpDZg2kzN31hn79Ix4aAnazEALw_wcB

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jjbrenner wrote:

Oops, forgot to copy the link:

https://selector.co.ua/best/best-wi-fi-routers-in-2021?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2cWgBhDYARIsALggUhpYdLn-nVC9dbO5dlQzjashAzsFKgPB1wa1SMpDZg2kzN31hn79Ix4aAnazEALw_wcB

Thanks!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Our router is a couple of years old.
I've no problem with either of our upload or download speeds.

I just check them, 55 down, 12 up, this test, but they're fine for me.
Pages load quite fast.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

Our router is a couple of years old.
I've no problem with either of our upload or download speeds.

I just check them, 55 down, 12 up, this test, but they're fine for me.
Pages load quite fast.

Thanks.

therwol Loc: USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I'm wondering if I should get a new router. I'm currently using a seven-year-old D-LINK DIR-842, which sells for $50. The top-rated routers sell for around $250, which is out of the question for me. I admit that I know nothing about router specs, but I'm thinking that something reasonably priced might be better than the one I have - or not.

All opinions gratefully accepted.

Your download speed is fine. Your upload speed sucks. I thought that the ISP limited the upload speed and not the router/modem. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. If this is true, then switching to a new router won't help.

Comcast is now sending me multiple emails telling me that I can get faster download speeds by upgrading my modem/router. I'm paying for up to 1 Gbps but not even getting 1/5 of that. They will happily rent me one. They have a list of modems I can buy as well. The upgraded version of the Netgear Nighthawk I'm using now costs $450. After doing a bit of research and finding out that they won't increase my upload speed with a modem/router upgrade, I'm not going to bite on this. I don't need faster downloads. I need faster upload speed.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And some ISPs throttle bandwidth during abnormally high usage.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

First, when it comes to support, no one is as good as Linksys/Cisco - support is out of Canada. I’m using a 4port + WiFi Linksys MR6350 which sells for $62 at Amazon and can be used as a mesh with another if you need more coverage for a big house. I’m benchmarking 390Mb down and 12Mb up using Spectrum Cable. Be sure to use a CAT6 cable from the modem to your router. Btw, I’m currently using Spectrum’s modem. Had my own, but the Spectrum support was terrible unless they owned the modem - just easier for the few $/month.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

First, when it comes to support, no one is as good... (show quote)

Isn't wire (cable connect) to the router faster than WIFI to the router, especially encrypted?
Our computer connections are all WIFI.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Isn't wire (cable connect) to the router faster than WIFI to the router?

Depends on the WiFi protocol. That $62 Linksys is AC1300 and this is the performance I just benchmarked via WiFi to my IPad. AC1300 is 1.3Gb/sec max but in this case limited to the ISP/modem speed.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

Depends on the WiFi protocol. That $62 Linksys is AC1300 and this is the performance I just benchmarked via WiFi to my IPad. AC1300 is 1.3Gb/sec max but in this case limited to the ISP/modem speed.

Ahh. Our modem is older than our router.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Ahh. Our modem is older than our router.

This is a brand new spectrum router. Mine, which I owned, died, and the fastest, easiest thing I could do is drive over and get one of theirs. The other reason I chose theirs is support. It was a nightmare trying to get them to resolve issues when I was using my own modem. Also, the Spectrum modem is included in the price.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

This is a brand new spectrum router. Mine, which I owned, died, and the fastest, easiest thing I could do is drive over and get one of theirs. The other reason I chose theirs is support. It was a nightmare trying to get them to resolve issues when I was using my own modem. Also, the Spectrum modem is included in the price.

Wow, I've been lucky!
I plug my stuff in, a few answers, and it all works.

therwol Loc: USA

TriX wrote:

This is a brand new spectrum router. Mine, which I owned, died, and the fastest, easiest thing I could do is drive over and get one of theirs. The other reason I chose theirs is support. It was a nightmare trying to get them to resolve issues when I was using my own modem. Also, the Spectrum modem is included in the price.

Comcast charges $15 per month for a standard modem and $25 per month for their premium mesh system. I have always used my own. I looked at my bill a few years ago and noticed a modem charge. They would only refund 2 months of charges. I use a Netgear combination modem and wireless router. No issues whatsoever.