Received a 10GB internet connection at home! Seeking suggestions for wireless routers.
Received a 10GB internet connection at home! Seeking suggestions for wireless routers.
I just got 10 gigabit fiber internet in my apartment ( Sonic.com ), and I'd like to upgrade my wireless router to use as much of that pipe as is feasible. (Yes, I'm aware it's a lot of bandwidth and I'm unlikely to use it all on a regular basis, but I'll never hit the max if I don't have equipment that can actually use it.) I currently have a Netgear RAXE500 that's only connecting to the ONT at 1gbps because the ONT doesn't support 2.5gbps connections. (Weirdly, it only supports 1gb and 10gb, not 5.) So, I'm looking for a router that can at least connect to the ONT at its max speed and dole out the bits as fast as it can over the appropriate interfaces. I've done some searching and have a few candidates. For the last 15 years or so, I've generally only used Netgear and Linksys wireless routers. They've been pretty reliable for me and I only upgrade every 5 to 7 years. So I'm looking for a long-term solution. I won't need a mesh solution. Just a single WAP with some ethernet ports for wiring up a few devices. Can anyone recommend or comment on any of these? Or suggest something different? Be aware, this is an apartment, so complex enterprise solutions or centralized home-server solutions are going to very much be overkill. Archer AXE-300 https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networki...er-axe300/ I only know that TP-Link is highly recommended in general. I like that it has a 10gb ethernet port for a downstream device, but I'm unsure how soon I'd need that (if ever). Unless I decide to run a server of some form. Netgear Orbi 960 https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/mesh/rbre960/ I'm fairly familiar with Netgear's stuff. My last two routers have been made by them. I'm a little tired of their constant sales pitches to subscribe to Netgear Armor and other subscription services, though. Overall I've had a good experience, so I'm not opposed to it. I'm not super-jazzed that this doesn't have any downstream 10gb ports. And I'm pretty sure the 2.5gb port won't going to see much use. Netgear Orbi 860 https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/mesh/rbr860s/ Similar notes to the above. But this one doesn't have a 2.5gb port, which I'm guessing is why it costs a little less. I don't know these two stack up in a head-to-head, though. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 https://rog.asus.com/networking/rog-rapt...000-model/ I'm a little skeptical of "gaming" equipment in general. But this device has pretty good reviews. It's also kind of a visual monstrosity. But it seems like it's got enough CPU horsepower to sling some bits around. I just don't know anything about Asus's networking gear, even though they were a goto motherboard purchase back in my PC building days. Does anyone here have any knowledge about the above, or another recommendation that I missed? Has anyone done any head-to-head performance tests? Or know of ones that aren't clickbait articles? I'm not in a rush to buy. I'm mostly looking for something to keep my eye on as the Christmas season ramps up. I'm looking to be pragmatic about this purchase.
Only specialized solutions for enterprise use or PCs with router software will manage this task.
For 10G connectivity, I’d install a Unifi Dream Machine Pro and feed the fiber straight into the WAN SFP port. Complement it with a selection of Unifi access points and managed switches.
Router lacking Wi-Fi means most consumer options stop at 2.5/5Gbps Ethernet built-in ports, while higher speeds require enterprise-grade hardware with Wi-Fi 6 support.
Fair. Among the choices I’ve seen, none seem to offer better than a 10gbps WAN connection. A few even provide higher speeds if needed later on.
My ONT lacks an SFP port, which means the Mikrotik setup won't function. Correct. All the gadgets connected so far support WiFi 6E and have a minimum of 10 Gbps WAN ports. I'm ready to proceed.
I understand you're not sure about using all the pipe right now. I’m here to suggest a solid option that lets you make the most of what you have. Given the current situation, it’s important to know that early adoption is happening fast, but many users stick to the standard 10GB per user plan. Since you’re looking for flexibility without overspending, I’d recommend checking out routers that support higher speeds—like those offering 2.5Gbps or more—while still fitting within your budget. You might also consider a device that can handle the upper end of the 1.2–4.8Gbps range, which could let you squeeze in more data without breaking the bank. Let me know if you want some specific models or tips on testing performance.
No consumer gadgets are designed for this, and even the best Wi-Fi networks won’t deliver those speeds. Even with a powerful router, the internal antennas and chips of regular devices can’t handle such high bandwidth. Speeds around 4.8 are usually just the theoretical max of one antenna multiplied by its count—it’s like claiming a 5x1 gigabit switch is “5GBe.” In reality, you’ll likely end up with sub-gigabit performance. If you want better results, opt for a device with more than 1 gigabit input and Wi-Fi 6e support. That’s the most effective option.
There are transceivers available that change RJ45 to SFTP. Some users mention consumer products can't handle full performance. You may need professional equipment or a PC with PFSense installed. Alternatively, consider using a MikroTik router with an RJ45 transceiver for a simpler setup.