Searching for a new router.
Searching for a new router.
Hello, good day. I'm searching for a new router to replace the BT smart hub 2. It's not performing well—slow speed, confusing interface, and limited coverage. My budget is around £150, and I need something with dual-band and gigabit capabilities. There are many options available, but I want a decent range to cover more areas of my home. I already have some extenders for outdoor use, and I'm considering WPA3 security. I found a few routers online, including one from ASUS and TP-Link (Nighthawk). Could you share more details or recommendations? Please use UK sites and GBP prices. Let me know if you need anything else!
BT supports using a third-party router instead of the Smart Hub 2? If uncertain, please inquire. Also, is it possible to switch the Smart Hub 2 into bridge or passthrough configuration? If yes, you can run your own router in its default mode while still needing the Smart Hub 2. If not, you'll face double-NAT which restricts network functionality. A better approach would be connecting a switch to the Smart Hub 2 and linking access points to it. Spread the APs throughout the house for better coverage. It seems most UK homes have solid walls, making single routers difficult. What area are you aiming to cover? Adjusting the Smart Hub 2’s placement helps—position it centrally, away from walls, not hidden in a cabinet, and elevated above the floor. If this isn’t ideal, you may need more than one AP with an Ethernet connection to the router or switch. This becomes especially important in multi-level or large homes.
BT supports third-party routers to substitute the Smart Hub 2. I’ve reviewed the options but the Smart Hub 2 isn’t convertible to bridge or passthrough. I do have a backup Smart Hub 1 which seems to work in modem mode. I’m still checking its functionality. The router’s performance has dropped noticeably over the past few months, even though it once worked well. Access points also stopped functioning recently. I need to configure VLANs but many routers lack good support for that. I found Unifi Edge Router with VLAN support around £50. Some people suggest buying APs or cheaper routers with AP features as alternatives since the Edge Router doesn’t support wireless. I’m new to this, so I have a lot to learn. Appreciate your help!
The ER-X is a very compact router. It doesn't include wireless radios, which is because it's meant to work as part of a larger network with dedicated access points. Regarding the AP selection, I'm confident in Ubiquiti's UniFi APs. I've used U6-Lites in homes and appreciate the ability to manage them via the cloud. Of course, you're allowed to switch any router into AP mode if needed.