Looking for a router that offers adaptive QoS settings
Looking for a router that offers adaptive QoS settings
I experienced the same situation as many peers—forced back to campus with limited internet speeds. While streaming videos was manageable at high quality, Disney Plus had no control over performance; it aimed for maximum quality but ignored household data limits. I’m considering a new router with dynamic QoS, though I’m unsure if it’s worth the cost. The NightHawk XR500 seems promising, but its price is quite steep. I’m looking for options that let me prioritize my device and slow down others to handle heavy usage. My budget is around $150, but I’m willing to stretch it if it means less stress during the transition period.
I own a reasonably cheap Ubiquiti ER-X-SFP, and after enabling QoS, this device performs some unusual behavior. It hasn’t slowed any single device down due to bandwidth consumption. Of course, the EdgeRouter functions as a wired router, so unless you’re ready to spend on additional access points and switches, this might not suit your needs. I previously used a Netgear R7000, which I considered a well-rounded wireless AC router. Updating it with third-party firmware such as DD-WRT or AdvancedTomato unlocks more capabilities, especially QoS, allowing you to assign priority levels to different traffic types. I even successfully implemented QoS in DD-WRT for a TP-Link Archer C7 at my parents’ residence. With third-party firmware, wireless speeds can be limited compared to stock hardware, but the added control justified it. As shown, supporting QoS doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In my view, purchasing an expensive wireless router with speeds far exceeding your internet connection isn’t necessary unless you plan upgrades soon. Additionally, you’re unlikely to visit your parents’ home often after college, making it a less practical investment.