Best VDSL router

The WiFi performance of my old BTHub6 was lacking hence I was looking for a straight upgrade. After I've replaced it with a TP Link Archer VR2800 things have slightly improved but still not to what I was hoping for. My question is, would a DrayTek Vigor 2862ac make any improvements or perhaps should I look into replacing the WiFi router with a Netgear R7800 or a Zyxel NWA1123-AC HD and keep the SH as modem only?

My current VDSL stats are as follows:
DSL Up Time: 0 days 5 hours 49 minutes
DSL Modulation Type: VDSL2
Annex Type: Annex A/L
Upstream Downstream
Current Rate (kbps) 9997 34999
Max Rate (kbps) 12413 46351
SNR Margin (dB) 7.1 10.3
Line Attenuation (dB) 30.4 15.7
Errors (pkts) 0 0

Edited by redamo (Wed 29-Nov-23 21:43:36)

Summit wrong with your stats. Looks like you are banded at 34999. Max rate of 46351 and SNR of 7.1 or 10.3 some modem chips get these the wrong way round, give it away. You can ask your ISP for a reset you should be getting SNR of 6 and 3db respectively unless the line is capped at 50mbps. If its BT good luck. Zyxel have a good rep.

If your problem is just with wifi coverage, then another option is to stick with whatever router you like best, and add one or more wireless access points to improve wifi coverage.

I use 2 x Unifi AC Lite, ceiling mounted at the front and back of the house, Cat5e-cabled back to the router/PoE injector. (AC Lite is no longer sold, but they have an AX model now)

Of course, a one-box solution is always going to be neater *IF* you can get reasonable wifi coverage from a single physical location in the house, and may have a tiny power saving too.

But if you're considering a (modem --- wifi router) combination, I'm just saying you might want to consider (router --- wifi access point(s)).

You weren't complaining about the VDSL speed, but as others have said, it might be possible for your line to run a little faster. However, I wouldn't recommending getting a DLM reset as someone else suggested; just leave it alone. If the connection remains stable for the next few weeks or months, it should automatically adjust. And if it doesn't, it could mean there's some interference on the line, and DLM is prioritising line stability over raw speed, which is a good thing.

TBH, most regular Internet users are not going to notice a change from 35M to 40M, except when running a speedtest app.

I thought that a lower SNR is worse, is it not? I believe the line is capped as I'm still on the BT Fibre 1.

In reply to a post by redamo:

I thought that a lower SNR is worse, is it not? I believe the line is capped as I'm still on the BT Fibre 1.

It is but your stats indicate you have some headroom to increase speed by dropping to a lower SNR which would still be reliable.

I had a 3db profile for years which was 100% stable at 80mbit.

In reply to a post by smouty:

In reply to a post by redamo:

I thought that a lower SNR is worse, is it not? I believe the line is capped as I'm still on the BT Fibre 1.

It is but your stats indicate you have some headroom to increase speed by dropping to a lower SNR which would still be reliable.

I had a 3db profile for years which was 100% stable at 80mbit.

Got it. The trouble is that neither the Archer VR2800 nor the HH6vB doesn't allow me to tweak the SNR. Probably I should look into a HG612? Or perhaps a FritzBox 7530 or VMG8924-B10A would be better considering the crazy low prices that these can be had these days?

The SNR target is set by DLM at the Openreach side, not something you can configure yourself.

If the SNR is high for an extended time, then it will increase the speed cap, which in turn reduces the SNR - down to 6dB or even 3dB.

But if doing so seems to make the line unstable (e.g. disconnections/retrains/impulse noise) then it will choose a higher SNR target.

So, you're saying that I can't tweak the parameters it from my end if the equipment allows it?

You could on ADSL but VDSL no.

I have an HG612 somewhere you can have for postage costs. PM if interested. It is unlocked so you can access it for stats.

In reply to a post by redamo:

So, you're saying that I can't tweak the parameters it from my end if the equipment allows it?

Correct, the SNR target is set at the Openreach end (the DSLAM in the cabinet).

I wouldn't worry about it; you're getting a solid 35M, you might get 40M if lucky, you're probably not going to notice the 14% improvement.