Recommended Routers?

[PokerPlayer]

Hi All,

Been a few years since I last logged in to ISPReview...I guess the XILO broadband package I've had since 2009 hasn't given me any reasons to complain!

Here in 2015, I am still a faithful UNO/XILO customer but am making some changes. Fed up with BT's extortionate line rental and call costs, I have just signed up for Uno's 'Talk Surf' package which is essentially the same LLU broadband package I have now but includes line rental and calls at a significantly lower price.

I'm also moving my girlfriend onto the same package as she is currently paying nearly £50 a month for BT line rental, anytime calls and broadband that syncs at less than 1MB! Her line SNR is 6.00dB Up and 6.10dB Down, so she should be getting quite a bit more speed. As usual, BT support were useless and were only interested in hard selling Infinity 2, which is way beyond her needs AND budget.

Now that I've cleared my chest.... http://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/images/smilies/laugh.gif

can anyone recommend a cheapish router that would be suitable for the Uno package mentioned above? I'm a bit out of touch with the latest technologies and the choice of routers nowadays is a bit overwhelming...

 

[Captain_Cretin]

For cheap, reliable and plenty of features - TPLINK.

 

[PokerPlayer]

I've been looking at Draytek but even used ones are fetching silly money. Granted, they're good quality but are they REALLY 5 times better than the cheaper alternatives?

This seems like a good spec for £32? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NNPDEDE

 

[Mark.J]

I think the TP-Link one on Amazon that you linked is just a router with no ADSL2+ modem inside. For one with ADSL2+ on a budget the TD-W8970 v3 might be better as it fixes a fair few problems with the original run:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...ASIN=B00QKFYR3U&linkCode=as2&tag=isprecouk-21

You can step up to the more expensive 8980 if you want dual-band WiFi etc.

 

[PokerPlayer]

@Mark: On closer inspection, you are correct. Thank you for pointing this out.

 

[Captain_Cretin]

I have had TPLink ADSL, Cable and Fibre routers over the last 10 years and not had an issue with any of them; I bought the first as a cheap replacement for a NetGear router that melted, and the Netgear was itself a replacement for a Zoom that also melted!!.

I bought and used a TPLink cable router whilst living in China, it worked flawlessly despite up to 46 degree heat, 100% humidity and fluctuating voltages.

I am now installing a wired network throughout my house, and using TPL switches (and a Lenovo NAS).