TP-Link - Deco X55

No reason to use an Archer if you want to use mesh anyway. Just use the Deco as your router as well for less devices, less cost, more streamlined. Deco or Eero are usually what I recommend for friends that want mesh.

Yep all absolutely true. I ended up trying to downsize and optimize picks but the lag and need for content reboots remained. Switched over to Decos and never looked back. Incredibly fast solid coverage throughout and no downtime. Light years better.

Sounds like you probably want a mesh system. Maybe one with three or more APs (one where the internet comes in the house then two elsewhere) A lot of them work as routers too, but I use mine in AP mode as I have a PFsense router I put together. If your actual router is okay you could get a mesh system and just use it in AP mode. My setup is Modem(virgin hub) > PFsense > switches and stuff > APs Mine are TP-Link Decos. They're pretty reliable and not too expensive but there's loads to choose from. If I had the money I'd like some Ubiquiti ones but honestly I don't have any issues with the Decos. I can't say anything about their router mode though as I've never used it. Tenda is another popular brand but I haven't tried it myself

Works fine. Not a single issue

Go for Mesh! And get yourself a Deco. Amazing experience

I have a deco, nothing but trouble. Read the tp link subreddit about dropped connections. If you work from home this is not for you

Deco here as well and never have any Sonos issues, 160square metre house so I have 3 decos to cover it.

OP this is helpful- can you comment on my setup. I only got a modem from my ISP- no router. I have 5 Deco X55s in my 4 story townhouse I have one networking closet that has my wires coming in from outside and my exposed Ethernet cables (that are also running throughout my home). In this closet I have my modem from my ISP and my Deco X55 router and a TP link 8 port switch. I have an Ethernet cable going from my modem to my router and also from my router to the switch. I have plugged in the 7 exposed Ethernet cables to my switch as well. Now in my other rooms and floors of the house- I have plugged in my other routers to the wall jacks so they are hard wired. My speed is great everywhere when I run speed tests from my iPhone and iPads and laptops. Am I doing anything wrong or can I optimize further? I believe I have done something called wired backhaul- my Deco app is in Router mode- not Access Point. Is this correct? ​ https://preview.redd.it/27np5avsr7ke1.jpeg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69fab3f466a2885d7b1260485d4d49bc5b38c691

Agree, Deco mesh is very good, took a bit of adjusting in my flat - the walls seemed to be lined with lead.

it gives me the impression that you are comparing the numbers behind the AX. those numbers does not mean much when u have little simultaneous connected devices. in a wireless router (or ap), manufacturer rate them by wifi standard, that is an, ac, ax, be, etc. then they also rate their bandwidth, so for example, the x25 is marketed as a AX1800, it has 2.4ghz and 5ghz, so its 500mbps + 1300mbps = 1800mbps of bandwidth. bandwidth is the total speed it can accommodate across all connections, not just to one devices. so now if u have an old iphone that only connects to 2.4ghz, u will only get max about 500mbps, because its not capable of connecting to the 5ghz network of the router. and if u have a newer iphone that connects to 5ghz of your router, then it will get, in theory, up to 1300mbps, but in most real life situations, its about 600-800mbps, depending on the quality of connection. so with this, ax3000 does not means ur iphone will get 3000mbps, it means, 2.4+5+5 = 500 + 1300 + 1300 = 3100 .. yah, it know it doesnt add up, this is because different manufacturers market their numbers differently, some call 2.4ghz 575mbps, some calls them differently, but they should be in the 400-600mbps range. likewise for 5ghz band, some call them 1200mbps, some calls them 1300, but it should be about these range. so the x55 is marketed as 3000mbps, but if u connect to the 5ghz band, u will only get 1300mbps in theory and in actual, u be like 600-800mbps, still the same as the x25. the only diff is another device can also get this 1300mbps connection at the same time, in an ideal situation. so if u only have 1 wireless devices in your area, ax1800 is equal to ax3000 or ax5400, maybe there are slight diff in other technologies, but more or less that the bandwidth u can expect. this theory remains till wifi 7, which has mlo and such to utilize more than 1 band of connection. so back to your question, i will not think x55 be giving u a faster connection, but it will give u a bigger bandwidth for more devices. also take note that data flowing to the connected devices are not constant, u browse a page on your iphone, it will only load that page and u be reading it for 10 seconds, and there will be no data coming in or out (well, maybe minimal) on this connections, so other connected devices will get 1800mbps. so in actual, 1800 band is adequate for 4 surfing devices, or 2 gaming devices.