Question

Re: Modem/Router What is the BEST modem/router I can get to upgrade from Spectrum’s standard issued equipment? Would like to stay under $300 if possible. Is it ok to upgrade just the router or should I go for both the modem and router? I have a single story 2100 sqft. home and would like the wifi to be able to pickup a detached garage for additional smart home automation.  

Answer 1

First, figure out your abilities. Do you feel comfortable running wires in the attic, basement and in the walls. Do you do DIY home improvement projects, and at what level? Do you know the construction of the building? Do the walls or attic have insulation? If you need 'a little help' see if your neighbors have the skills and if they like pizza or drink beer. Find the right person, you can learn a lot and gain a lifelong friend.  

Comments

@dispassionate great starting out advice. May I also recommend this video it's dated but explains why residential all in one routers are awful.  
https://youtu.be/Zw0TKDuv_g4

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@dispassionate thanks! I have a brother in law who works in IT and is VERY knowledgeable. But I’ll be honest, I don’t have a TON of money to put into this and being in IT he would drop $$$ into it because he wants the best of the best. I’m trying to get him to understand that I’m appreciative of his help but because I know very little, it’s hard for me to say “no, let’s go with this option instead” and feel like it’s a presentable option to what he’s offering. Does that make sense?  I don’t NEED or WANT what he would put into his own home. And I think that’s totally okay.  

Answer 2

I’ve been looking to upgrade mine. I’ve found NetGear has some good options. I would suggest getting a modem and router. I’m sure exactly what I’m going to get but I can keep you posted

Answer 3

What is your technical skill level? You could go PFSense. Either use your own hardware (could be an old PC with multiple NICs or buy hardware from netgate) and use unifi APs (I don't know your layout, 2100 sq feet isn't enough info, but I'm guessing you won't get wifi to your garage with a standard single ap or router). Or if you want to go simpler set up you could go for a Unifi dream machine or similar with a secondary ap for your garage.  

Comments

Im running unify ap’s I had the ubiquity router and then got a pfsense box and noticed a huge performance increase. I too find this to be the optimal set up for a affordable price range

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@dupondius yeah none of that made sense to me.  my brother in law is in IT and basically said I needed to wait until I had more $$$ to spend before upgrading. Something also about getting WiFi 6? Personally, I just want to be able to have: A couple smart light switches A couple smart outlets Stream TV on 2 televisions Smart Garage Door 2 or 3 smart locks (I’m bad about forgetting to lock the door/close the garage door) A leak detector for the basement A couple cameras All with room to expand.  

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@glume for sure. Unifi is technically easier for setting up VLAN rules and stuff but not nearly as powerful and if you're using the standard usg it's not very powerful if you use IDS(Intrusion detection system)/IPS(Intrusion prevention system) or DPI (Deep packet inspection). PFSense is open source and very scalable

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@broadleaved6366 ask your inlaw about PFSense. Open source and highly scalable. It won't actually handle your wifi that's all done by your aps. Unifi aps start around $100 Canadian so they can be upgraded when wifi 6 becomes more common without having to upgrade your firewall

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I found pfsense for having way more options really wasn’t any harder to set up. I remember pfsense years ago and it was a nightmare to configure but now a days it’s really simple and I really like the ui

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@broadleaved6366 check this video out for a quick explanation of different network gear  
https://youtu.be/Vc16CCAAz7Q

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Video very helpful, thank you! How did anyone survive before YouTube?  

Answer 4

Personally, I would buy my own mesh router and use the modem provided.  

Answer 5

I use their modem. Just upgraded to ubiquiti AMPLIFI and I love it.  

Answer 6

Orbi RBK33

Answer 7

BEST? Enterprise grade? Netgear cable modem and Ubiquiti (UniFi) router and access points are the top of the line prosumer/small business grade. I have this setup in 2 houses. Even have a permanent site to site VPN between the houses.  

Comments

@unclothe1851 okay so I guess I don’t want to go enterprise grade. Just home use.  

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@broadleaved6366 yes you still need a router. I’d get 2 or 3 nanoHD access points, a UDM (Ubiquiti Dream Machine) router, and a Netgear CM1000 cable modem.  

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Speaking of netgear cm1000 modem. im selling the one i was using, i loved it but it would not fit in the wiring panel i installed so i went with a smaller surfboard modem.  

Answer 8

The nest wifi scored higher than the orbi?  

Answer 9

You can use just an access point (Wifi APs, not extenders, or go with a mesh Wifi network) if all you want to do is increase range/coverage of the Wifi signal. Getting your own router helps you lock down your own network and have better control over it and security settings. We usually recommend routers to our clients. The modem basically just handles the signals from your ISP. You can use theirs or a 3rd party device. This has little effect on your setup or configuration and can sometimes be disadvantageous, as you wont get support for any problems unless outside the residence, . from the ISP.  

Answer 10

Use seperate equipment. If they aren't charging you anything, use their stand alone modem. Then get a amplifi hd system or look into ubiquiti new udm setup. I literally do this as part of my job and have many happy clients.  

Comments

Do not go with an orbi system. Ubiquiti amplifi hd system and dream machine have much better performance

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@scone50 no lead paint. Had it tested. Detached garage is probably 50 foot. Aluminum siding.  

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@broadleaved6366 Aluminum siding might act as a Faraday cage with the signal. If it doesn't work well with a mesh, you can always use the WIFI bridge units from Ubiquiti or MicroTic to get the signal out there, then a small AP in the garage.  

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@harod Ben, I'll help you with that. The reason I recommended Orbi in the first place, is so that @broadleaved6366 doesn't get stuck doing RMAs with Amazon multiple times if things don't work out. He can run down to Bestbuy, grab a system off the shelf, If he has issues with the garage, etc. then it's a return to store and done. The idea is to test and verify, not just buy shit and hope for the best. Lead based paint, construction material, hydronic heating, neighboring WIFI, EMI, microwaves, BT, refrigeration units and old 2. 4GHZ, phone sets all come into play. There is no one solution fits all.  

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@scone50 best buy sells amplifi hd. I've been in the field for 16 years. Please move on.  

Answer 11

So upgrading the modem doesn’t offer better internet speeds? Also, off topic but y’all sound very knowledgeable. if I’m starting a brand new from scratch smart home can I buy the SmartThings hub and then just look for smart home automation items on Amazon that show “works with SmartThings”. I also have a Harmony remote and hub that was given to me and I’ve never turned it on. This hub only works with this remote, right?  

Comments

I have a harmony with remote. You can add more harmony remotes if you like. Or you can use any mobile device / tablet and download the app to control your devices.  

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@calvin1320 oh that sounds dumb lol

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The modem may improve speeds. I had a docsis 3. 0, I was getting very poor speees. the cable provider told me to try 3. 1. I ended up buying my own modem. The internet speed is solid.  

Answer 12

I have a cheap $80 Asus for a 2k sft house i’m happy with. I doubt it would extend to anything detached. I’d run a hard wire to the garage and a cheaper router, or you are looking into a mesh or wifi bridge of some sort.  

Answer 13

Question is how far is the garage from the house. Your house is not they big but problem is the garage because there can be a lot of interference between them.