The best Computer Networking Wireless Access Points: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

You're probably going to be dissatisfied with wifi coverage from an all-in-one router solution with a house of that size. You'd get better coverage by hard wiring wireless APs, one per floor.

This sub loves it some UniFi, 3 of the AC Lite APs and the USG for the router/firewall would put you right around $400.

You really don't want your router doing wireless, it is preferable to have a dedicated Access Point (AP) doing wireless. Unfortunately what people think of "routers" now are actually three devices in one, they are a router, switch (multiple lan ethernet ports), and access point (wireless). Personally I feel the combo devices do a bad job at all three of those which is why I prefer to have dedicated devices for each piece. If you plan on using an existing router and just want wireless I would suggest the unifi ac lite access point.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY

If you need a router as well then I would use the access point and pfsense for your router. You could use a wired nic like this in an existing computer.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-1000-Dual-Server-Adapter/dp/B000BMZHX2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527380550&sr=1-3&keywords=intel+dual+gigabit

Pfsense does support wireless cards but trust me you don't want to go down that road for many reasons. Any time that topic comes up most users on this subreddit suggest against it myself included. I have tried building wireless into my pfsense build before and quickly abandoned it.

For a temporary solution how about running an Ethernet cable from the existing router to the room directly underneath your office. Then connect a decent WiFi access point to the cable and aim it up to your office through the ceiling/floor?

The Ubiquiti UAP-AC-Lite costs around $80 and comes with it's own power-over-ethernet adaptor so you don't have to use a power outlet at the AP end.

Later on you can install it on the ceiling of your office or anywhere else you need better WiFi signal.

The unifi ac-lite is $81 on amazon so out of your budget but it's just barely enough to cover my small ass apt.. your house is smaller than this?

Sounds like you are looking for Ubiquiti and a UniFi cloud controller.

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-Enterprise-System-UAP-AC-LITE-US/dp/B015PR20GY/

https://help.ubnt.com/hc/en-us/articles/209376117-UniFi-Install-a-UniFi-Cloud-Controller-on-Amazon-Web-Services

It does everything you're asking and can be fully managed through a web interface without connecting to the clients network

Mostly Amazon but they are still available on the UBNT store. Some are hesitant because of speed issues, Others because they have had problems connecting phones to their gen 1 gear.

Well, some free advice that you can take or leave - you spent entirely too much money on that router. I mean, there's overspending and then there's overspending. You overspent big time. You paid for that router what equipment from Ruckus costs.

You will recieve exactly zero benefit from 802.11ad, considering you have no devices which can use this speed, your internet provider will not come close to maxing out AC in the next 10 years, along with the fact that your average x265 compressed 4K stream is about 12 mbps. You might, maybe possibly find one that is 100 mbit. Regardless,you have no need whatsoever for 802.11ad.

As far as your wifi coverage, all you need is a decent 3x3 router with normal antennas. Funky plastic desinged to look like a stealth bomber does nothing for your wifi. The following router/access point is $90 bucks at Microcenter, amazon, or newegg

http://www.microcenter.com/product/414584/ARCHER_C7_Wireless_AC1750_Dual_Band_Gigabit_Router

If you need you can even buy two for less than half of what you did pay. It is what I use at home, they work well.

You could also explore Ubiquiti AC-Pro access point models, but it does seem like you need a router. But, again, you can buy three of these for less than one access point you did buy, and they will cover every square inch of your house.

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-802-11ac-Dual-Radio-UAP-AC-PRO-US/dp/B015PRO512

Lastly, your offer of $20 bucks an hour is low. Good IT is $100/hour on the low end. But, your suggestion of $150 is a fair price for someone to come and do this job right for you.

You can upgrade wifi router with an enterprise grade unifi ac-lr for $90 from Amazon, it'll beat anything consumer grade.

Edit. Link here: Ubiquiti Unifi Ap-AC Long Range - Wireless Access Point - 802.11 B/A/G/n/AC (UAP-AC-LR-US) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PRCBBI/

>APs with similar specs (dual band and mu-mimo) are atleast twice the price as the routers

I'd like to see what router is half the price of this EAP225 and is still as reliable, not to mention receiving firmware updates as often (and for as long) as TP-Link will be providing firmware for their EAP series APs. Makes even more sense to go with a device like this if you're going to need three of them in your home...

You can run it from the modem combo to an Access Point such as this or you can configure your second router as an access point (turn off the routing features) to just broadcast the wifi signal.

TP-Link and Ubiquiti are very popular here.

No single radio will have the power to penetrate concrete reliably. Multiple access points (EAP-225, UAP-AC-LITE) is what you need. If you cannot run Ethernet through any walls, consider using conduit or a track to hide the cable. Nothing will compete with a couple of APs with a wired backhaul.

I bring a wireless bridge with me ($25) to turn the hotel WIFI into my own personal WIFI hub. Then a Chromecast ($35) for the TV entertainment will connect to the bridge (so will my phone/tablet/laptop).

Here's the bridge I use on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wireless-300Mbps-Repeater-TL-WA801ND/dp/B004UBU8IE

$68 on Amazon

> How much do they cost?

AP - $68 Ubiquiti ERX- $50

So we're at $130 for both items that perform substantially better than an all-in-one, like the AC68U which is ~$135

Why would you NOT want businesa grade equipment? It performs better, it's actually patched for vulnerabilities, and it lasts longer. For around the same price.

When you buy the AP, the injector comes with it. In your case, you don't really care what the injector does, as long as the AP works ;-)

Look at this listing on Amazon for the AP AC Lite:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY/

That little black box is the injector. You put this near your router, connect a cable to the router, plug the AP cable into it and plug it in the wall. Job done, it doesn't matter whether it's a 24V AP or a 48V AP, you're using its own injector anyway.

Is something like this cheap enough? It is a simple wireless access point (not a router). You plug it in to your ethernet cable, configure the wifi and go. It has additional ports to plug wired devices in to.

90 feet is close enough that you should be able to throw WiFi out there without digging up the yard. These can be used outdoors:

TP-Link 2.4GHz N300 Long Range Outdoor CPE for PtP and PtMP Transmission | Point to Point Wireless Bridge | 9dBi, 5km+ | Passive PoE Powered w/ Free PoE Injector | Pharos Control (CPE210) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00P4JKQGK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SPEHBCGTAF926VCF10HF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Idk if they are V3 or not. Didn’t even know that was a thing, haha.

I get this for the 245: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NMZR3F1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YKVCPN8C99KBESXCXSKC

I see there is a V3 switch but it’s not available for me either.

For what it’s worth, I’ve got a 245 I bought back in April and it’s been rock solid. I have 2210MP switches though.

You need access points.

Ubiquiti Unifi Ap-AC Long Range - Wireless Access Point - 802.11 B/A/G/n/AC (UAP-AC-LR-US),White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PRCBBI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0BEGMHNAB0PRTSZC5VFJ

TP-Link 2.4GHz N300 Long Range Outdoor CPE for PtP and PtMP Transmission | Point to Point Wireless Bridge | 9dBi, 5km+ | Passive PoE Powered w/ Free PoE Injector | Pharos Control (CPE210) , White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P4JKQGK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WV0QHSDXQ6D4KNGKBABS

We have had good luck with some of the TP-Link directional wifi units. It has a 15 degree coverage area so you would have to aim it.

TP-Link 2.4GHz N300 Long Range Outdoor CPE

Well, what router do you have? So you have mainly wifi issues then?

To help, switch to using the 5GHz channels for as many devices as you can. Hardwire as many devices as you can. You can always get access points for cheap to improve coverage/speeds. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0781YXFBT/ref=dp_cr_wdg_tit_nw_mr

Correct, you'll not want to use 2 routers, you'll want one router and one access point.

Or one wired-only router and 2 access points.

For example I'm running a TPLink TLR-600VPN as my router and a Ubiquiti access point that's a few years old and no longer available. If you want to stick same brand, look at TP Link's Omada access points. You'll find a LOT of threads on here about TPLink Omada setups, this is what we're talking about!

This kind of gear honestly might cost you less than fancy routers you'll find marketed towards home users and can get you a lot more ability to finely configure the setup plus equal or better performance.

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Edit: I re-read and it sounds like your existing wireless where you are is fine. I'd look at just adding an access point then. Something like this is what you'll want for that!

Thanks. I saw a couple Ubiquiti devices including a DeathStar looking beamshooter.

I’m also seeing a decent looking TP-Link 🧻 product that be may be barebones in comparison, but likely two of these would do the job. This would be used to link an Arlo camera.

TP-Link 2.4GHz N300 Long Range Outdoor CPE for PtP and PtMP Transmission | Point to Point Wireless Bridge | 9dBi, 5km+ | Passive PoE Powered w/ Free PoE Injector | Pharos Control (CPE210)

I ❤️ hearted this on amazon a while ago anyway I guess, so maybe I researched this before.

The EZlink from the vid and Ubiquiti transmitters may be higher performance than I need.

Thanks 🙏🏻

> I was thinking maybe I could plug a router into the modem for better WiFi?

No - this is what access points are for. They are usually designed to be installed on a ceiling, but can be placed on a counter / shelf. The TP-Link EAP225 is a decent AP, and is cheaper than most consumer routers. :)

Something like two of these creating a bridge from the house to the barn should work.

TP-Link 2.4GHz N300 Long Range Outdoor WiFi Extender for PtP and PtMP Transmission | Point to Point Wireless Bridge | 9dBi, 5km+ | Passive PoE Powered w/ Free PoE Injector | Pharos Control (CPE210) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P4JKQGK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_hyBQFbWA4QFV7

With ethernet run to all wifi broadcast points, skip consumer mesh entirely and run hard-wired access points (APs), one on each floor, ideally controller-based (ie. a central "brain").

A great budget option is TP-Link Omada. I would do three EAP225v3's, one per floor, including in the basement to replace the wifi of the centurylink device (with it's wifi disabled). Then add the OC200 controller (from which you'll configure the setup, and will control all APs for seamless roaming, updates, etc.).

That's the route I'd go. Any questions, feel free.

Routers are made to connect two different networks together (so your home network + the internet). As a rule of thumb do NOT get two routers for one network. It creates issues.

You'd want a second AP something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY they go for as low as $70 (check slickdeals.net if you want crowdsourced deals). They pop up on newegg, amazon and/or bhphoto semiregularly at that price.

APs like that only need one cable (single ethernet) as they get power over ethernet (called PoE). The ideal is you plug in a short ethernet cord to your existing wired network (so your router) and then put a PoE injector in(included with the switch) and then you run a long ethernet cable to your AP which is further away. I am aware that dealing with ethernet runs can be a pain. One "good enough" solution I recomend is using thin ethernet cables. Thin cables aren't as good but for runs up to 100ft they're probably OK. $10-15 will get you a thin white cable and some wall tacks, they can be placed along edges tastefully.

The above COULD be done over powerline, but as much as possible avoid powerline. Single band-repeaters and powerline battle it out for the worst way of connecting things to a network. The winner usually depends on your home's layout/configuration. I'd actually suggest a "mesh system" over a system which relied on powerline unless the home was VERY recently made and you know that there's a relatively straight run of electrical cord from outlet A to outlet B.

One other trick is to try to better position your router. Buying some coaxial cable and an adapter is pretty straightforward - I ran coax when I was 11 without any instructions and it worked without a hitch (looking back I could've done a better job but that's another story).

Look into the below link, its from UK Amazon but its a global product. I run 3 of these in my house (a little overkill, but one was free) and they are fantastic. They offer a "roaming" style feature, like you are looking for, but without the need of a conventional physical controller. Set the AP's up using the mobile app, its a real piece of cake. Then you have access to a whole host of configuration presets from basic to advanced, that allows you to monitor, control and report on everything you could need.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-LITE-Access-Point/dp/B016K4GQVG/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_147_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G1ZZZFFNCV46C2T5JNR2

Or a new TP-Link EAP225 for $57 with a clickable $3 coupon

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-EAP225-V3-Wireless-Supports/dp/B0781YXFBT/

Depending on the distance from the house to the garage/barn, this might give you enough reach especially on 2.4GHz