ASUS - DSL-AX82U AX5400 Dual Band WiFi 6 xDSL Modem Router

I've had zero problems with M1 for many years. Only went down once, and that was for scheduled maintenance in the middle of the night. Also, it's not just your internet plan that could be the cause of any issues. If your router isn't good enough, or is in a terrible position, or is overheating, or the bomb shelter is between your laptop and the router, you are gonna have issues no matter what plan you have. I have a standard 1Gbps plan but an Asus gaming router with ethernet cables going to the 3 heaviest users in the home – PS5, living TV and bedroom TV. I also set up a second router using Asus AImesh to provide wifi signal to one of the further corners of the house.

As title states, looking for a cheap ish router with 2.5 Gbps WAN and at least one 2.5 Gbps LAN port. I have my fiber speed being upgraded to 2 Gbps in a day, my ONT box is ready to handle it, but my current router isn't (currently using ASUS RT-AX82U AX5400). The router is limited to Gigabit both on WAN port and all LAN ports but otherwise has been great. I found the TP-Link BE3600 and BE4800 both in stock at my local Walmart so I could pick them up today, BE3600 is $79.99 and BE4800 is $99.99. They seem to be the most affordable routers I can find that have both a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, but I have no experience with TP Link stuff. They are also Wi-Fi 7, which is nice for the future. Range isn't a major concern, house is 1,700 Sq Ft and router will only have to pass through 2-3 walls to reach furthest points of the home. We usually have 1 Xbox in use to stream 4K video, a few smart devices, couple of phones (sometimes streaming Youtube videos at the same time), and I often stream games to my Steam Deck from my gaming PC via Wi-Fi with Apollo/Moonlight. Very occasionally I use VirtualDesktop to stream PCVR to my Quest 3 as well. The one 2.5 Gbps LAN port I need is for my main gaming PC.

I get what you’re saying. Unless TP Link has notorious software issues, on paper, the specs seem great for the price. That’s why I’m on here asking if anyone has experience with their networking products. And to be fair, my ASUS router only runs about $120 these days and it been great for me for years. Only lacking now because I’m upgrading from Gigabit to 2.5 Gbps speed with my ISP (got a great deal, only $5 more per month)

I've been using AiMesh since the beginning, and it was rocky at first, but now I'm currently quite happy with it. One solid main router and two APs outside. What unifi did you get to replace your setup and do you think it was worth the cost?

Yes that box in the picture is your NTD (modem) that NBN have installed to terminate the fibre. Any router will work, including that Asus. You just plug the WAN port of the router into the UNI-D port your ISP tells you with an ethernet cable (usually port 1). Do yourself a favour though and forget Telstra. Go to Leaptel, Launtel, Superloop and save the $$$$ for a better quality service. If you’re gamers Leaptel or Launtel. Oh and for gaming in particular use Ethernet cabling to the router. WiFi adds latency and jitter.

Asus AiMesh - Yea TP-Link Deco - Yes TP-Link Easy Mesh - Not sure

I have the Asus AC56U and AX5400 I use for Spectrum. Great about Asus is the free parental controls (no subscription needed). Speeds are decent. We use it for COD/Rivals.

ASUS aimesh is the best option besides true ap based systems.

Asus AX82U is great, I have one. But, it's wifi 6 and wifi 7 is out. If you want to future-proof, go for a wifi 7 version of it. If you don't need the extra speed, it's a fine router.

I've been using Asus Aimesh for years. 3 nodes and seamless switching when walking around. There does seem to be a client limit at about 75-80 wifi devices whiche forced me to move iot devices to a separate wifi network. Asus is great to start with but unifi likely my next system

I use Asus routers in my Ai mesh network and it gives me complete control over everything and I've loved it. I use that coupled with family link from Google and I feel like I've done my job as a parent blocking as much bullshit as I can for my kids.  But don't worry, their friends who's parents don't care about a single thing they consume will come along and ruin your hard work. Or your kids will be kids and find loop holes, which they always do. But you still tried.