"Value" router to extend network (UK-based)

Hi all!

I'm looking to improve wifi in part of the house. I've got an ethernet cable through there for my NAS so presumably just need a wifi router to use as a wired access point / extender (ethernet goes into new router, which provides wifi where I need, with a cable from there to my NAS)?

Can anyone recommend a solid, cheaper end router? Doesn't need to be great - we're getting by on 125mbps - just easy to configure - already wasted a day trying to repurpose an old TP-Link one.

Thanks!

Edited by Robroadband (Wed 20-Nov-24 17:16:27)

I have used Zyxel VMG3925 routers bought on ebay for doing this.

Thanks Michael - sounds interesting. Not a brand I've heard of - am I going to be able to unbox, plug this into my laptop or main router and press a button on its web GUI marked "use AP mode"?

Or is it going to take more config which I may not have the knowledge to do? I had a really good go at getting my old TP-Link router going but it proved frustratingly beyond me

Which tp link is it ?

To extend WiFi coverage to a place where you have a cabled connection, you don't "need" a router- just simply a wireless access point.

Though if you are simply recycling existing kit you have, then of course possible to use an all-in-one router with WiFi and just turn-off / not use the routing/NAT etc functionality. It will still work.

Some of the older tplink is weird for what the OP wants to do. I pulled my hair out with my older tplink unit in doing exactly the same as the OP

I see it as needs must, not really the ideal way of doing it. But if the old kit is there gathering dust then it can be used in a pinch.

From an ease of management perspective, performance, flexibility, roaming etc, etc - I much prefer to use proper access points ideally all belonging to same manufacturer / family etc. Though I take the point this isn't for everyone, and just for one AP may be a bit OTT.

Less all round hair loss issues from me though 😅

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

I see it as needs must, not really the ideal way of doing it. But if the old kit is there gathering dust then it can be used in a pinch.

From an ease of management perspective, performance, flexibility, roaming etc, etc - I much prefer to use proper access points ideally all belonging to same manufacturer / family etc. Though I take the point this isn't for everyone, and just for one AP may be a bit OTT.

Less all round hair loss issues from me though 😅

Oh i agree, I used the tplink as a test unit to see how wifi coverage would change..But boy did it not like being AP mode. Wireless mesh mode compared to that heap of junk(tplink) was night and day.. Sadly the OP has double posted here and ispreview ........

You would need to stop the DHCP server and set the LAN IP address to a value outside the range of the DHCP server in your current router. There used to be instructions about how to do this on this website but alas they have gone.

I believe what the OP actually wants is a “value” wireless access point.

The “router” request in the title is a bit of a red herring. They’ve already said they’ve lost a day trying to reconfigure and repurpose an existing TP-Link router for the task.

You don’t really need (or want) a “router” for this job. 👍

Here’s a couple of suggestions of some fairly cheap (relatively) wireless access points off Amazon (other retailers are available) that will do the job:

Zyxel Cloud WiFi6 AX1800 Wireless Access Point - £64 on Prime

NETGEAR Wireless Access Point WAX210 - £68 on Prime

TP-Link Wireless AX3000 WiFi-6 - £86 on Prime

The above is just illustrative, a starter for ten and by no means definitive. You can probably spend less (and get less) or it’s easy to spend double or even triple on high-end WiFi 7 access points, but not necessary really given your wanted throughput (and a bit extra for future proofing)

Lot on Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals on or coming up too.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

You would need to stop the DHCP server and set the LAN IP address to a value outside the range of the DHCP server in your current router. There used to be instructions about how to do this on this website but alas they have gone.

they are still there. Theres two sets of instructions - one for older tplinks and you wire it via the lan port and the newer ones where you can use the wan port.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1384/

one of the above will work for your tplink......

Thanks all - brilliant response - sorry I missed you all.

My existing routers's a TP-Link TL-WDR4900 - it's pretty old and has no "AP mode" setting - as you note, requires disabling DHCP and putting it on a different domain/subnet mask etc which seems to be beyond me, as Taras perhaps appreciates . As I understand it, more modern routers have this AP mode setting, so I knd of thought of picking one up for £20 new (or even cheaper if I buy one of the Ebay Zyxel's Michael's suggested) and enable that setting, but that's not what I'm hearing here so I may well be wrong. I'll have a squiz at the other helpful stuff above though.

Edited by Robroadband (Thu 21-Nov-24 12:47:25)

For the avoidance of doubt, Michael's TP-Link instructions say:

After successful login, select Access Point mode and follow the Quick Setup to complete the configuration.


and Lifewire's say this:

Once logged in, locate the router’s wireless settings and select AP Mode. This will turn your router into an access point for your internet connection, essentially extending the Wi-Fi beyond the main router’s range.

It sounds simple, if you have a router built in the last 10 years , but will look at APs as well - I agree, it's the most "elegant" way of doing it.

Thanks all again!

Edited by Robroadband (Thu 21-Nov-24 12:48:31)

Would one described as this:

TP-Link N300 Mbps WiFi Router, Wireless Extender - 2 x 5dBi High Power Antennas, Supports Access Point, WISP (TL-WR841N)

do the trick? Says it "supports access point", <£15...

that one will struggle to give you 150mbits

can you give us a budget and places you are happy to buy from ?

Personally, I would go for a router with AP mode.

Most AP units only have one ethernet port for the uplink whereas a router in AP mode will have one port (typically the WAN port) for the uplink and four ports for local ethernet.

I believe the OP said they require a local ethernet connection.

In reply to a post by Taras:

that one will struggle to give you 150mbits

can you give us a budget and places you are happy to buy from ?

Yes, looks like it's only 10/100 ethernet as well, which will be a step back from the old TP-Link and presumably limit my 150mbps paid-for to 100 max to my NAS, even over wired?

Budget-wise, I was trying to repurpose a Wifi4(n) dual band 2x450mbps router for free, so I'm just after something at a minimum of that but with a more up-to-date UI which allows a simple mode change to AP. I'd prefer additional ethernet ports as I may work in that part of the house one day, so sounds like a router's the best bet rather than a dedicated AP (I hadn't realised they didn't have ports)

So I guess that's a router which gets me a good level of wired throughput (Gigabit I suppose) and can throw out a decent % of my paid-for 150 by Wifi. I've no prefernce good or bad re who to buy from.

Edited by Robroadband (Thu 21-Nov-24 23:17:46)

if you are happy to go second hand, get an asus router as that during setup will allow you to set as an access point.. Just a note, that some of the asus routers on ebay are now end of life and will not get security updates.

As long as you are on wpa2/3 with a strong password you should be ok.

Something like the TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 at £40 would do quite nicely.

Its seems down to v1.60 the c80 is setup for easy access point mode.

https://postimg.cc/zyQXjGJh

All rob has to do is set the ssids up and cable up

https://i.postimg.cc/26V4f0Kk/image.png

In reply to a post by Eeeps:

Something like the TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 at £40 would do quite nicely.

Thanks again all. I note there's a Wifi6 TP-Link router right next to the C80 on a popular site, at £45 - the AX18/AX1500. Worth the extra £5? I think the RRP on the Wifi6 is lower (£70 compared to the C80's £80).

Edited by Robroadband (Fri 22-Nov-24 15:01:48)

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

In reply to a post by Eeeps:

Something like the TP-Link Archer C80 AC1900 at £40 would do quite nicely.

Thanks again all. I note there's a Wifi6 TP-Link router right next to the C80 on a popular site, at £45 - the AX18/AX1500. Worth the extra £5? I think the RRP on the Wifi6 is lower (£70 compared to the C80's £80).

I think the AX18 is not quite as good on the 2.4GHz band hence the AC1500 v AC1900 of the C80.

Regarding setup I suggest the following...

1. Log into your existing router and discover the IP range used (Subnet) and DHCP start and end range (Scope). This will provide you with a suitable fixed IP address to use on the new router / AP.

2. Use a wired connection to the new router directly from a laptop. Don't connect it to your network yet. Put the new router in AP mode, configure the static IP address and switch off its DHCP.

3. Connect the new router to your network and configure the Wi-Fi settings from the comfort of your living room.

Which ISP do you use?
Some ISP (like Virgin) have the DHCP range starting at 192.168.0.10 meaning you have 8 addresses that can be used for static devices. (192.168.0.1 being used for the main router)

Edited by Eeeps (Fri 22-Nov-24 15:27:36)

I think the AX18 is not quite as good on the 2.4GHz band hence the AC1500 v AC1900 of the C80.

Thanks Eeeps - that would make sense. For my meagre 150mbps paid-for, would it make more sense to go for the Wifi6 even with the lower 2.4GHz for a) hopefully better coverage around the house, b) future-proofing?


Which ISP do you use?
Some ISP (like Virgin) have the DHCP range starting at 192.168.0.10 meaning you have 8 addresses that can be used for static devices. (192.168.0.1 being used for the main router)

Just moved to Vodafone - the reserved addresses look to be 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.200, so presumably I can give the new router .201? Appreciate the help - I'm hoping the instructions above and any help TP-Link can give me via a quick start up guide/software and the online help Taras linked to will see me right...

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

I think the AX18 is not quite as good on the 2.4GHz band hence the AC1500 v AC1900 of the C80.

Thanks Eeeps - that would make sense. For my meagre 150mbps paid-for, would it make more sense to go for the Wifi6 even with the lower 2.4GHz for a) hopefully better coverage around the house, b) future-proofing?


go with the c80 its cheaper, and as you are not quite what you need atm - its a fair price atm to for.

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

Which ISP do you use?
Some ISP (like Virgin) have the DHCP range starting at 192.168.0.10 meaning you have 8 addresses that can be used for static devices. (192.168.0.1 being used for the main router)

Just moved to Vodafone - the reserved addresses look to be 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.200, so presumably I can give the new router .201? Appreciate the help - I'm hoping the instructions above and any help TP-Link can give me via a quick start up guide/software and the online help Taras linked to will see me right...

Don't worry about ip addressing. atm. the tplink will disable dhcp and the voda router will dish out the ips. You may wish to put the tplink on 192.168.1.201 so you can get into it without issue. You will initally either get it to work or for it not to work. If its the latter post here - please try and keep to one forum, as it any further help will be split over two sites and confuse everyone including you.

Honestly I would look at second hand APs and a PoE switch which should be around the same price as a budget router e.g. right tool for the job.

I see a set of three Unifi APs for under £40 on ebay.

You need to run a manager program to configure them (on a laptop or PC) and then it isn't required.
I run it as a small VM on the same hardware as my router and only spin it up when a change is required.

Once it is up and running and you find it just works then adding a more up-to-date wifi 6/7 is simple. Just plug it in, adopt in the software then the same config is applied.

You can also find cheal Ruckus hardware but it is a bit more complex compared to Unifi.

In reply to a post by Taras:

go with the c80 its cheaper, and as you are not quite what you need atm - its a fair price atm to for.


Thanks Taras - can someone explain what the 2.4Ghz does, as this is the single selling point of the C80 over the £5 more AX18 which would future-proof me a bit with Wifi6.

Edited by Robroadband (Sat 23-Nov-24 16:16:40)

Thanks smouty - if I could understand even a vague idea of what you;re saying, I'm sure this would be a great solution but if you assume you're dealing with a tech dullard here you won't be far wrong...

Edited by Robroadband (Sat 23-Nov-24 16:29:59)

In reply to a post by Robroadband:

In reply to a post by Taras:

go with the c80 its cheaper, and as you are not quite what you need atm - its a fair price atm to for.


Thanks Taras - can someone explain what the 2.4Ghz does, as this is the single selling point of the C80 over the £5 more AX18 which would future-proof me a bit with Wifi6.

Theres 3 frequencies used by wifi units, 2.4ghz, 5ghz (not to be confused with 5G mobile phones - 5g for phones means fifth generation) and recently 6ghz.

So 2.4ghz was the first frequency range used by wifi, so everyone has a wifi unit that has 2.4ghz but what makes 2.4ghz even more crowded is that bluetooth and microwaves sit in that frequency range..

Thats the huge downside to 2.4.ghz the upside it can penetrate walls easier.

The reason i'm saying go for the c80 is this, I don't think, you know confidently and add in your skills set at this stage to know what you need. Wifi is some sort of weird thing becasue its limitations are partly limited by your environment. Some properties are great, others not so much.

You've identified where you need to upgrade - upgrade that now; cheaply and then look at what you need maybe 6 to 8 months down the line. You may be fine with the c80, but who knows you may ned up with 10 devices in being served by the c80 and you really then maybe need something else. Rather than going gun ho buying something that you won't use.

Coming back to the ax18 vs the c80, it will be probably a much of muchness and add in your internet speed, the c80 is probably the better bet but you will be fine with the ax18.

It sounds complicated but there are so many video guides available

E.g. https://youtu.be/q6l7_-mWsbc?si=0IPe6CQjq8dsO_2W