Modem/Router Recommendations Needed
Modem/Router Recommendations Needed
Hello friends,
I’m planning to upgrade my NetGear Nighthawk AC3200 router and CM1200 modem, which are nearly eight years old. I live in a 1400 sq foot home with a detached workshop/garage and have a tri-level setup. I need a solution that covers all areas and possibly extends Wi-Fi to the garage. My current gear struggles with signal strength in the garage, just 20 feet from the house.
I’m considering a separate modem and router or even the new TP-Link mesh network, but I’m unsure how to connect it. My budget is around $500 or less.
Thanks for your help!
Your modem should work fine as long as your current service speed isn't limited.
I highly recommend these items:
https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/udm
https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-...6-extender
I typically use a router together with two range extenders to cover a comparable home size. For your setup, placing one of the extenders in your workshop might improve signal strength.
Keep in mind, the listed prices are MSRP and may be lower elsewhere.
Who is the ISP? The CM1200 is a
currently supported
32x8 Docsis 3.1 modem which Comcast supports up to 949Mbps service so there is nothing to gain from them with a newer one. Docsis 4.0 is rolling out in a few markets but with rental gateways and not customer-owned equipment.
If you'd like to buy a newer router, simply repurpose the old one as an access point closer to any problem area like the garage. If the old router is a R8000 then it's supported by both
FreshTomato
and
DD-WRT
firmware projects if you'd like current security updates for it (
OpenWRT
too but the radios are unreliable with it)
Thank you for the feedback. Your current service from Xfinity is set to 300mbs, but you're only receiving around 190 consistently for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. You have approximately 22 devices connected via Wi-Fi, with your computer and two TVs using Ethernet.
30Mbps is all you need to view 4K videos per person/device.
what's wall materials of the dethatched garage? does it has a wooden door or a glass window that wifi signal can penetrate? If not, you might need a outdoor wifi extender with a ethernet port that can comes into the garage and connect to another wireless AP or just use the router you have now and turn it into an Access Point.
==
Outdoor AP can be used indoors. You can place the AP besides the window that faces garage and if the garage has wall/door/window that wifi signal can penetrate.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-EAP110-Ou...B07CG3YRTR
Typically Xfinity speeds are shown as 110-120% of what’s advertised during speed tests, which only check your connection to and from them. Clearly, results change if you’re downloading from outside their network. You can eliminate the outdated router by connecting a modern computer directly to the modem’s Ethernet port instead of using it, and checking if you receive around 345Mbps.
Repeaters aren’t recommended unless there are no better alternatives, since they reuse the same radio frequency, cutting bandwidth in half and doubling latency. Mesh networks employ a distinct radio for the backhaul to the main router, delivering full speed unless one of the radios operates on the 2.4GHz band, which still doubles latency due to two sequential links. An access point performs at full speed without noticeable latency differences compared to a direct Wi-Fi link to the main router, though it needs an Ethernet cable to be connected.
You may position the access point near the weak signal area, but repeaters or mesh satellites should be placed roughly halfway to that location.
If running an ethernet cable isn't possible, alternatives exist as long as the garage doesn't interfere with the signal, such as using aluminum siding, a metal door, or Low-E metalized glass. Ideally, install it inside the house where the signal remains strong, preferably near the garage wall. Technically, Wifi-7/802.11BE works only with Windows 11 24H2 and newer, though it supports slower speeds backward, allowing connection to older routers like Wifi-5/802.11AC. At around $100, it's not excessively expensive compared to many newer devices.