Find a router for under £70 and Ethernet cables.
Find a router for under £70 and Ethernet cables.
We're planning a move into a new flat and expect significantly improved connectivity—up to 60mbps in ideal conditions, potentially reaching gigabit speeds elsewhere, though it might cost a bit more. Our existing router isn't great; it's not very reliable, has poor range due to missing antennas, and is struggling with downloads (currently maxing out at 55mbps on my Xbox). I'm looking for solid routers under £70, preferably with better performance. For context, about 5 meters away the signal drops to near zero, and the router sits under a table in a corner. I found a few options that might suit your needs.
It's affordable for several reasons. Have you checked the port speeds? They typically max out at 100Mbps at most. The Archer AX20 should suffice for 500Mbps. It's unclear whether any of the options you have will support consistent gigabit transfer from WAN to LAN. It's tough to offer a strong recommendation since each home is unique, and wireless interference varies. Apartments tend to be the least ideal because they already face wireless challenges. Your best bet is a solution tailored to your specific setup, and the only sure way is to test it in your own environment. Stick with standard Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a cables. You can't make use of the higher bandwidth in Cat7 or Cat8, even if they meet the requirements.
Here are some options you can consider:
- TP-Link Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 with 6Gbps speed, dual-band wireless router, supports OneMesh™, dual-core processor, HomeShield technology. Great for gaming consoles like Xbox, PS4, and Steam. Works with Alexa (Archer AX53). Available on Amazon.co.uk under Computers & Accessories.
- UGREEN CAT 6 Ethernet Cable 10m – solid copper core, 1000Mbps at 250MHz, ideal for high-speed connections to Xbox, PS5, and PS4. Suitable for modems or extenders.
- Nixsto Ethernet Cable 10M – Cat 6e, high-speed network patch cord with RJ45 connector, compatible with routers and modems. Faster than Cat 5e.
That's the Archer AX53, but it might not fit your budget. You mentioned the Archer AX20 or AX1800—whichever is more affordable. Flat cables are used when running under carpets or rugs.
If it makes sense we can invest a bit more, the budget isn’t too tight. However, we shouldn’t exceed £100 just for the router—it’s getting replaced, so it might still be worth it. It will need to pass through the flat from the router, maybe under a few carpets or so, but I found a suitable Cat 6 Ethernet cable online. I think I’ll only need two, since I already have a fairly long Ethernet cable (though I’m not sure what Cat it is).
I don't see why not. You can always return if not satisfied with the performance.