Searching for a small WiFi 6 router.
Searching for a small WiFi 6 router.
You're exploring options for a compact router that fits your home office setup. With your current setup using 1G fiber and an ASUS RT-AX82U, you're considering alternatives like the Eero 6+ or Eero Pro 6 to balance space and performance. Since you need something small and efficient, these models could work well for your needs.
I’d prefer a pfSense unit and the older router for the WiFi in Access Point mode, since you can manage both connections from one device and set which PC connects to which link with failover. However, it comes with a learning curve. The router I’m using is compact: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004254089060.html
I don’t have a spare router to use. My existing one connects directly via Ethernet, while the fiber link is in another part of the building. The modem I own is an Arris SB 8200, which functioned well for cable internet before, so I’m just looking for a device with built-in WiFi.
I support the primary setup but wonder why you need a backup link. Unless your internet line often disconnects and you need redundancy… stick with what you have now. Why add another connection when you can rely on the existing one? Also, considering the cost, there’s little value in extra hardware.
It happens unexpectedly sometimes, even with a recent outage. At around 25 USD for 1G it’s manageable, so having a backup makes sense. pfSense sounds promising but mixing fiber and cable isn’t appealing to me. If both options are reliable I’d likely stick with cable eventually.
Using failover and policy routing lets you manage both connections seamlessly. A single router handles switching when one component fails automatically. While I occasionally mix wired links, I rely on fiber and 5G for downloads—this setup helps avoid peak latency issues. For speeds beyond Gigabit, it’s efficient without overloading the fiber. I wouldn’t revert to basic consumer routers; once you adapt, you unlock far more capabilities with a full-featured router OS.