WAX 206 access control problem

I am restarting this discussion since there is something very wrong with the access control on my new WAX206. I have used MAC filtering on every network device I had on my home network in the past and never had issues. I just do not understand why is this so difficult for Netgear. I guess a "good deal" on Amazon was there for a reason.

Anyway - I use WAX 206 as a wireless access point connected to Internet trough a TPlink Archer C7 router. Initially I had access control on on both devices and had problems with an iPhone and iPad to connect at all. By switching access control off on the router but leaving it on on the WAX all white listed device connect with no issues for a while and then randomly they cannot obtain IP address or they just have no internet while the connection is established. If I switch access control off on WAP everything works fine but I am worried about the level of the network security.

Should I wait for a firmware update or get some better access point and sell WAX to someone else who is keen on a "good deal".