Jakob Vase

I need better wi-fi, how should I do it?

I’ve come across https://wiisfi.com (thanks Ulrik!) before, and it’s a mouthful, but it’s also amazing. I need better internet since I’m working more from home and video calls are lagging.

TL;DR

My TP-Link Archer C2 AC900 from 2015 is good enough for now. I’ve switched to 2.4g in my home office, which has better range, and everything is good.

Current setup

I have a single TP-Link Archer C2 AC900 router centrally placed in my 125 m2 house.

I have a 1gb fiber connection.

Things I need/would like

The router/access point needs to be pretty for my wife to accept it to be hanging anywhere. And I want it to hang in the ceiling.

“Pretty” is an annoying term, but it has to be white, not too electronic-looking, and only have a single cable running to it. So Power over Ethernet is important.

I also prefer for the router to be EU-made, open source, modular, repairable, etc. All the good tech things. And not from China if I can get it. Problem is the access points can’t be that, because modular things aren’t pretty enough.

So more and more I’m looking at one to two pretty access points, and a nice router.

I’ve learned

I have basically two options. Buy a nice router (like the Fritzbox 5690 pro) for approx. €400 and keep it in the cupboard. I don’t really believe that’s enough.

Otherwise buy two nice PoE powered access points, put one upstairs and one downstairs, buy a PoE switch and do it that way. UniFy 6 Pro is approx. €200 each, a switch is about €100, cables are about €50. So €550, and I’m sure it works. And I can upgrade the individual parts if I need to.

I’m going with option 2.

Reservations

I have pre-fallen in love with the ubiquiti lineup. I’ve seen it work well at work. But I shouldn’t let it cloud my judgment. However, the guy from wiisfi also mentions them as a good option. So there’s three reasons why I’m thinking to go that way before I even start. It worked at work. Wiisfi recommends it. It’s pretty. I think worst case is it might be overkill for my private home. But I’m OK with a little overkill.

Things to do before I buy

Try out how the wifi works in a lot of rooms with and without other devices on it. I want to know that what I buy actually improves the throughput.

Current phy speed 293 Mbps. Now 433. I’m in the opposite direction from the kids, they’re playing 2 ipads and have 2 phones connected.

Options

Ubiquiti U7 Pro (Access Point)

Ubiquiti U6 Pro (Access Point)

Ubiquiti Edge Router

This was the one they used at work.

Cable from router (Low tech)

Requires a 20 M cable and a ethernet->usb-c converter. Is not as pretty. Doesn’t help the rest of the family.

Turris Omnia or Mox

Turris makes their routers and ‘mox’ in Czechia. It’s all open source, but more expensive than my other options. Mox is interesting, it’s a modular device for networking. The problem is that it’s not pretty, and pretty expensive.

FRITZ!Box

Dunno if they’re any good or what they cost. Made in Germany apparently. https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/. Will look later.

Actually seems OK. They have 4x4 MIMO which is apparently really important. I might just go with this one, actually? It’s €383.43 on amazon.de.

Options for switches

Shops

These are all local to Denmark, so may not be relevant for others.