I was actually looking at 2 of these for my house (gigabit ethernet). What router do you use? https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-EAP610-V2-Wireless-Integrated/dp/B09XM74VQL/ref=sr\_1\_6?crid=2J1AR61Y3CVDK&keywords=tp+link+omada&qid=1671031206&sprefix=tp+link+omada%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-6&ufe=app\_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-477...
I've got Ubiquiti APs, and like them.
Been looking at the TP-Link line also only as an iterest item since I won't mix them into my UniFi system. This one has good reviews.
Best prices are on Amazon. TP-Link has a store on the site.
From what I've read, the TP-Link APs can be accessed via their own Web page once you know the IP. In the worst case you would have to use the Omada software to configure it. Look at Amazon for those. I would get this one since it had great reviews on Crosstalk Solutions.
you want:
modem --> firewalla --> access point
right now you have two modems. basically, modem converts your telephone line into a digital format (modulator-demodulator) and vice versa. you generally need this to connect to your ISP's line.
firewalla is a router/firewall. think of it as the "brain" of your network. you generally want all your network traffic passing through the firewalla first (inbound and outbound). so, you want your firewalla connected to your modem and any other devices connected to your firewalla -- either directly or through an intermediary (network switch).
the last piece is the access point. this is what is broadcasting a WiFi signal. you want this if you are connecting devices to your network wirelessly. right now you have a modem instead of an access point, so you'd want to return one of the modems and buy an AP.
there are tons of good APs, but the "latest and greatest" use WiFi 6. I personally use TP-link/Omada since they have good hardware at a decent pricepoint.
The EAP610v2 launches next week in the US:
TP-Link EAP610 V2 | Omada WiFi 6 AX1800 Wireless Gigabit Ceiling Mount Access Point| Support Mesh, OFDMA, Seamless Roaming & MU-MIMO | SDN Integrated | Cloud Access & Omada App | PoE+ Powered | White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XM74VQL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RQEQWSQST474G2RB291J
3x TP-Link EAP610 APs - one each floor @ $100ea
(alternately an older/cheaper $80 EAP245 v3 or a more expensive EAP660HDat $180ea )
1x TP-Link TL-SG2008PPoE Switch @ $70
You can either use an old pc or rPI to host the management software or buy one of their controller (OC200) for another $100
Again, I don't have any experience with these yet... I have the EAP610, switch, and OC200 waiting for me to install currently chilling in an amazon box in the hallway...
These TP-Link EAP610s have gotten good reviews.
You're looking at routers which are primarily wireless AP's since they're integrating that functionality into a hybrid device. Wireless AP's are basically commodity items unless you get into wireless mesh. They also have the capability of being placed anywhere there's a network connection and not at the router location.
The Edgerouter ER-X is back in stock at ubiquiti for $59. It can't quite do 1Gbs but can do 957Mbs asymmetrically. If you need 1Gbs symmetric, get a cheap Fortigate 60D on Ebay or move up to the ER-4. Once you have a router which will do the throughput you need, you can then spend money on AP's such as: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B09XM74VQL
If a centralized AP can't cover your whole place, get another one and strategically place it to get the best coverage. This strategy is going to work a lot better than a single integrated Wifi router that looks like a stealth fighter or an octopus. More AP's to reduce the distance to the Wifi source is going to be the most effective strategy as keeping Wifi bandwidth high. If your're using Wifi for gaming though, you're doing it wrong. Anything where bandwidth and latency are important should be done via a wired connection. Now granted this isn't going to have RGB LED lighting but it's the way that most businesses do it.
The ER-X doesn't have a lot of CPU power for QoS functionality but if you need it for a slow upload connection, you can enable it on upload only without horribly affecting download bandwidth (just don't enable it on download). If any of these hybrid routers have the FQ_Codel or CAKE built in they may be worth looking at if you have a slow uplink and want to keep your latency down when there's congestion. I don't think that's true of any of them without 3rd party firmware though.
those repeaters I am talking about are also using ethernet.
But use this upstairs https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-EAP610-V2-Wireless-Integrated/dp/B09XM74VQL/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=tp-link+wireless+access+point&qid=1660394489&sr=8-3
Is your $250 budget just for the access point and POE injector? If so, that gives you a ton of options, as virtually all Omada access points + a POE injector will cost less than that, at least based on current prices in the US. Yes, you can absolutely put an access point on a table, especially with the new ones they've come out with that are much, much smaller than the original ceiling-based access points - in fact, I have two EAP620 v.3 access points and one EAP610 v.2 sitting on surfaces and they're quite small and work great. Just keep in mind they broadcast outwards and up a bit better than behind (under) them), but if on a normal-height table top should not be an issue at all.
The new EAP610 v.2, 620 v.3, and 650 are all about 6.6" in diameter so much smaller than the original 610, 620 and 660 referenced in my original post, at which time they were probably not even available where I live, hence I didn't mention them then. The 610 v.2 is currently $103 so just $6 more than the EAP615 as of this writing. Here's a link - it should accomplish what you need very well. The 620 v.3 is the same form factor but I think has more memory to accommodate larger numbers of devices, and is a bit more expensive, but still no more than roughly $130:
EAP610 v.2 (small form factor)
EAP620 v.3 (small form factor)
Here's my 610 v.2 in my office on top of a table (I have two others, both 620HD v.3's in the house and zero issues with any of them after 9 or 10 weeks online), and I put mine on a silicone or rubberized coaster which you can't see, to keep it from sliding and also to absorb heat (they don't seem to produce much on the back side when sitting like this).
EAP610 v.2 with mouse to see relative size
Again, you can connect a POE injector (which is currently about $20 US on Amazon, just make sure you get a Gigabit one) or you can use a POE switch (I have used both with no issues). You can use without a controller of course and log in locally via the EAP's IP page in what's called "standalone" mode. Just note you won't be able to access remotely and not sure how well roaming will work without a controller. But if you want to give it its own SSID (network ID) and just have internet access in your cottage and don't care about how well it integrates with your existing router or roaming, this would be a great and inexpensive option and less work than installing a wall unit.
Thank you! I bought mine on Amazon - but looks like the US Amazon site is sold out of the 620 v.3 at the lowest price from Amazon itself as the vendor, but they do have some other vendors with some in stock that are a bit higher in price. The 610 v.2, which is also small, is still in stock. I also found some on eBay (new, not used). Just make sure you specify the correct version in your seach.
FYI for folks curious:
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I just today pre-ordered a couple of slimline EAP610 (v2) units on Amazon for $99 ea (note, I think this is a McCann Tech based ad link, but it's unrelated to the price and availability)! The page notes they will be released April 25.
The EAP620 HD v3 amazon page has them available currently (note, I think this is a McCann Tech based ad link, but it's unrelated to the price and availability), apparently as of April 18, 2022. Woo!