What's right/wrong with FritzBox

I made a comment somewhere about the FritzBox being a good router and a reply contradicted me.

It works for me and has a lot of features you simply can't find in another single box solution. VoIP, WireGuard and DECT basestation with answer phone for example.

What am I missing? Why isn't this a good router? Which other single box can replicate a FritzBox?

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

Which other single box can replicate a FritzBox?

At one time I did consider Fritz!box. For you, it is fine. But I did not want wireless in the router. A router belongs in the best place for a router, wireless belongs in the best place for wireless and they are not necessarily the same place. So that is why I rejected it.

It is a bit like the debate over integrated hifi vs separates.

My router has an Intel processor and runs OPNsense. I use separate hardware for Wifi and my VOIP uses Gigaset equipment. I have a Wireguard VPN which connects to to another location and also enables remote access. Useful for accessing my bank account when abroad.

Edited by Michael_Chare (Wed 05-Aug-26 12:55:39)

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

My router has an Intel processor and runs OPNsense. I use separate hardware for Wifi and my VOIP uses Gigaset equipment. I have a Wireguard VPN which connects to to another location and also enables remote access. Useful for accessing my bank account when abroad.

I like the FritzBox because it does all of that in a single box. I don't know why I'd want an Intel processor or OPNsense though. I see why some people might want an WiFi in a better location for coverage. Mine is OK and I have another FB which can act as a relay for the days the signal doesn't reach the end of the garden.

I've used a FritzBox and found them to be a decent enough router although I'm still on FTTC. Full fibre is available round here via Virgin, but I'm not sufficiently masochistic to go down that route. Unless you're running your own servers I can't really see why you'd need an Intel processor or OPNsense, but whatever works for the individual. For a domestic situation the FB works fine for me and the availability of WireGuard is icing on the cake.

The only downside with the VOIP is that UK versions of the Fritz handsets are not easily available, although I have been told that some of the newer Gigaset handsets offer pretty much full compatibility though I've not tried them.

You can pick up decent ex-Zen FritzBoxes on eBay pretty cheaply and occasionally see the Repeaters which can be used either as wireless mesh or as an access point via a Cat5/6 connection.

Solidly built and reliable in my experience backed by regularly updated firmware pushed to the device. YMMV of course.....

IMO: Nothing is wrong. Everything is right.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

I made a comment somewhere about the FritzBox being a good router and a reply contradicted me.

It works for me and has a lot of features you simply can't find in another single box solution. VoIP, WireGuard and DECT basestation with answer phone for example.

What am I missing? Why isn't this a good router? Which other single box can replicate a FritzBox?

I doubt there is anything wrong with them, some people get a bit, snobby when it comes to routers. Not sure if snobby is the right word, but it will do.

I have a cheapish TP-link, it does what I want it to do.

Not exactly what was being asked but I believe that after sales service is important. Product support from AVM/Fritz! is first class. I bought a 7530 a few years ago and it failed after about 14 months. I thought I'd see whether I could get a replacement at reduced cost and got an immediate response to my query to say the guarantee was 5 years and not as I thought 12 months. I got a free replacement without any hassle whatsoever.

In reply to a post by longedge:

. I bought a 7530 a few years ago and it failed after about 14 months.

Out of interest, where did you buy it from. I've only ever seen used Zen boxes for sale these days. (Although I do still have a couple of really FB routers from ADSL days in the attic. Probably cost £300 each!)

Just to add to the debate, my 7530 was bought in April 2021 and is still going strong. It is now acting as a router on PlusNet full fibre 300 using the LAN1 port instead of the ADSL WAN port. It also acts as a DECT base station for two Fritzfon C6s via A&A VOIP.

I'd say it has stood the test of time in terms of keeping up with the technology and given excellent value for money.

Looking just now, the 7530 is still available new on Amazon (UK) for £168, with the AX (WIFI 6) model at £250.

I think the fact that Zen chose it as their standard router says something about the quality. They obviously thought it was (is) reliable.

On the few occasions I have experienced issues, it was my own fault, and AVM support were quick to sort it out for me.

In reply to a post by Axolotl:

Looking just now, the 7530 is still available new on Amazon (UK) for £168, with the AX (WIFI 6) model at £250.

The AX is available direct from AVM €160. Unfortunately they don't seem to ship to the UK. https://fritz.com/en/products/fritz-box-7530-ax-2000...

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

Which other single box can replicate a FritzBox?

It depends if a one-box solution is right for you. I'm using an ASUS at the moment as it has 8 Ethernet ports, which is unusual, and it is only router, no DSL modem for those that still need. I will likely replace with separate router and WiFi access points as I can't find an equivalent that has 3 band WiFi 7 annoyingly. I already have a 10 GbE switch for the high bandwidth devices.

Having DECT built in gets less interesting as if you buy telephone from your ISP you may have no choice but to use their router, and its only if you buy from independent VoIP provider that you can use built in... and so why not just install an App on a smartphone and make 01xxx "landline" calls from anywhere in the world?

I'm very happy with my Archer BE550, which has 5x 2.5Gbps ports and tri-band WiFi 7. Works reliably into Zen Full Fibre Max with steady 2230/2320 Mbps.

In reply to a post by cjn:

I'm very happy with my Archer BE550, which has 5x 2.5Gbps ports and tri-band WiFi 7. Works reliably into Zen Full Fibre Max with steady 2230/2320 Mbps.

I have an Archer AX53, Wi-Fi 6, but it does the job and only 4x1gb/s ports, but plenty fast enough for what I have on it. It has been reliable for the 3 and a half years I have had it, 3 years of that on Zzoomm. If it stops working or have a problem, then I will replace it or if I update the network, which, I doubt, will happen unless I move and have lots of money.

The router is still sold, while there have been no updates for a while, but maybe it don't need any.


That BE550 looks a beast, but at nearly £200, it is a fair bit of money.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

In reply to a post by longedge:

. I bought a 7530 a few years ago and it failed after about 14 months.

Out of interest, where did you buy it from. I've only ever seen used Zen boxes for sale these days. (Although I do still have a couple of really FB routers from ADSL days in the attic. Probably cost £300 each!)

I'm almost certain it was Amazon and IIRC I paid about £135 (7530 NOT 7530 AX)

Useful to know. I'm going to put off WiFi 7 until next year anyway, don't really have a need for it yet. And due to my high speed ISP/network choice being limited to only one, I'm stuck price wise on faster speeds too.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Useful to know. I'm going to put off WiFi 7 until next year anyway, don't really have a need for it yet. And due to my high speed ISP/network choice being limited to only one, I'm stuck price wise on faster speeds too.

I am not sure if I would ever have a need for Wi-Fi 7, i prefer to use Ethernet. My phone is 6e, the same as my Mac, but my Mac is on Ethernet anyway. So Wi-Fi wise, my Mac and phone is faster than what my Router can cope with.

Sure if I had to replace the router I would look at wi-fi7 as long as the price was not stupid.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

I am not sure if I would ever have a need for Wi-Fi 7, i prefer to use Ethernet. My phone is 6e, the same as my Mac, but my Mac is on Ethernet anyway. So Wi-Fi wise, my Mac and phone is faster than what my Router can cope with.

I have devices that have no ethernet port that already have WiFi 7 support; at least one laptop etc. I do have 10GbE ethernet internally. My WAN is only 500 / 50.

FRitz!Boxes can be obtained online (with all taxes paid) from Amazon.de and Sotel.de.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

I made a comment somewhere about the FritzBox being a good router and a reply contradicted me.

It works for me and has a lot of features you simply can't find in another single box solution. VoIP, WireGuard and DECT basestation with answer phone for example.

What am I missing? Why isn't this a good router? Which other single box can replicate a FritzBox?

Good is whatever floats your boat; does what you need at the price you’re happy to pay. As long as the manufacturer supports the box with regular updates for security updates and bug fixes, then really that’s all there is to it.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Having DECT built in gets less interesting as if you buy telephone from your ISP you may have no choice but to use their router, and its only if you buy from independent VoIP provider that you can use built in... and so why not just install an App on a smartphone and make 01xxx "landline" calls from anywhere in the world?

Tend to agree with you. Some folks like all in one for the convenience, cost and compactness. It’s a similar line of thinking to do I have a single provider for data and voice or do I have multiple/separate providers.

All in one (boxes) won’t be ideal for *all* homes and small businesses, as ideal WiFi placement (and/or DECT base placement) isn’t always necessarily where the broadband connection is available. Sometimes discreet, separate units are better (irregular shaped / layout homes / thick stone walls / etc). Sometime several units are needed for better coverage, in which case does it make more sense to have WiFi its own homogeneous and separate solution from the router. Or for that matter WiFi devices supplied/tied to a single service provider. What if I fancy a change…

It’s always horses for courses, but folks may find it hard to comprehend or appreciate the uniqueness of others situations and usage scenarios.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

I have devices that have no ethernet port that already have WiFi 7 support; at least one laptop etc. I do have 10GbE ethernet internally. My WAN is only 500 / 50.

Oh yes, i forgot laptop seems to have gone Wi-Fi only these days, I suppose you could stick a USB Ethernet adaptor on it.
I did think at one point about 10Gbit Ethernet, but I have nothing to take advantage of it. My partner has a fibre network, we set up months ago, but she don't have anything to take advantage of the speed. We did it because the cables are easier to get through places.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

Oh yes, i forgot laptop seems to have gone Wi-Fi only these days, I suppose you could stick a USB Ethernet adaptor on it.

Apple was first to go WiFi only in the MacBooks released in 2016, yes, 10 years ago.

You can... but its defeats the primary purpose of being portable on battery power. Might as well have a desktop (which i have) if you're going to wire it in. USB 2 and 3 is relatively slow (software overhead) but USB 4.0 or Thunderbolt (both on the C connector) can do full 10 GbE if required.

I did think at one point about 10Gbit Ethernet, but I have nothing to take advantage of it. My partner has a fibre network, we set up months ago, but she don't have anything to take advantage of the speed. We did it because the cables are easier to get through places.

Yes, I decided to go 10 GbE rather than 2.5 although most desktop kit is supporting 2.5 now. There is an ISP in my road offering 2.3 Gb symmetric for under £50 a month, although not available to me sadly.

Edited by jchamier (Mon 10-Aug-26 09:29:02)