Searching for an affordable Wi-Fi hotspot.
Searching for an affordable Wi-Fi hotspot.
Hey everyone, I just switched to a 500Mb internet plan and set up an old Cisco router as a Wi-Fi access point in my room to improve coverage. The wireless speed is around 100Mb, and it gets quite warm, so I think it’s time for an upgrade. I’m on the lookout for affordable, up-to-date options—something simple enough to fit in a corner of my desk. I currently have one Ethernet cable and three going out, so something with at least three Ethernet ports would be ideal to avoid needing a switch. I’m in Canada and looking for deals under $200 CAD. Thanks!
The TP-Link AC1200 seems like a solid option, priced around 40 CAD with positive feedback and strong support up to 1200Mbps. TP-Link also provides premium models such as the AX1500, offering faster speeds (1500Mbps) and WiFi 6 capabilities. Both models include five Ethernet ports—one for the router and additional ones for connecting devices. If you're not happy, returns are possible; however, I question if this is likely.
I suggest using the Ubiquiti airCube-AC in AP mode. You can find it at a lower price on eBay. It's a compact, high-performance wireless router/AP. Assign it a static IP outside your LAN's DHCP range, connect your Ethernet to the WAN port, and reserve three additional ports for other devices.