NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Help me chosse a home router.
I am new to choosing and installing routers. I think I have chosen the correct community but let me know if i have not.
I currently have an ATT Uverse Pace gateway model 5268ACFXN and in the not to distant future will be switching to a T-Mobile gateway using Wi-Fi 6 with 4 x 4 MIMO and it is compatible with 5G NR, 4G LTE networks. I do not know the model yet.
I currently have about 20 items connected. I am interested in having a network drive, good security, the ability to use both wired and wireless connections. My house has a basement, first and second floors. The total square footage of all three levels is 2300 sq ft. (~214 sq meters). If possible it would be nice to include my attached flat deck of 330 sq ft that is attached to the long side of the house.
I am not a gamer, but my two daughters dabble. We would like to be able to stream reliably to at least devices at once, but normally two at a time.
What other relevant information should I include to get the best answer here?
Thanks for looking!
15 Replies
Be aware that the modems you mentioned already have built in routers and wifi already. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NATYou can still connect another router to these using one of the below options.
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the NG router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the NG router gets from the modem. https://kb.netgear.com/25891/DMZ-on-NETGEAR-routers
https://kb.netgear.com/24086/How-do-I-set-up-a-default-DMZ-server-on-my-Nighthawk-router
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the NG router to the modem, LAN to LAN configure AP mode on the NG router.
https://kb.netgear.com/20927/How-do-I-change-my-NETGEAR-router-to-AP-modeBased on size of you home, you might review router and what fits your needs here:
Thank you for the reply. I already understood that the gateways would need to have the wi-fi shut off in them. As for the two links you gave me can you explain why I would look at a mesh router? The other link has too many choices and that is what prompted me to come here asking for help in choosing. The options given on that page do not narrow down my choices for me too much.
What size home do you have? Square Feet?
What are you networking needs? Gaming, Streaming, General internet use?
How many devices do you have?
What kinds of devices do you have connected?
Kind of based on what your needs are and size of home will direct you towards something.
Try plugging your needs into the filters on the product pages:
Wireless Routers for Home | NETGEAR
and
Orbi: Whole Home WiFi System for Better WiFi Everywhere | NETGEAR
Then check back here for reports on the things you are considering, but remember that people turn up in this community with problems, not compliments. So look at reviews on Amazon, for example.
Still too many choices. What additional filters should I apply and why? This is basically the type of help I was hoping for. I'd like to narrow my choices down to two or three so I can focus on what is important. I have no issues paying for a little more than I need, but I am somewhat conservative with my money so I don't wish to overspend. I completely understand that people come to any community with problems in the beginning as I am an Administrator on another forum. Once I start learning more about my eventual system, I will more than likely be one to return to help others. I know the value of a well run forum.
That said...
These are the choices given with the following filters selected: 2500sqft, 3000 sqft,, 20 devices, 25 devices selected
AX5400 WiFi Router (RAX50)
Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router, 5.4Gbps
AX4200 WiFi Router (RAX42)
Nighthawk 5-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router, 4.2Gbps
AX4300 WiFi Router (RAX45)NETGEAR 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router, 4.3Gbps
AC2600 WiFi Router (R7800)Nighthawk® X4S Dual-Band WiFi Router (up to 2.53Gbps) with MU-MIMO
AC2100 WiFi Router (R7200)Nighthawk® Dual-Band WiFi Router (up to 2.1Gbps)
These are the choices I was given with the following filters: Orbi, 3000sqft, 5000 sqft, and Tri Band selected.
Orbi™ 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, 10.8Gbps, 10 Gig Port, 3-Pack, Black Edition, 1-year NETGEAR Armor includedAXE11000 Mesh WiFi System (RBKE963)
Orbi™ 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, 10.8Gbps, 10 Gig Port, 3-Pack, 1-year NETGEAR Armor included
AX4200 WiFi Mesh System (RBK753)
Orbi 750 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 4.2Gbps, Router + 2 Satellites
AX4200 WiFi Mesh System (CBK753)
Orbi Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System with Built-in Cable Modem, 4.2Gbps, Modem Router Combo + 2 Satellites
BUNDLE Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, 10.8Gbps, Router + 3 Satellites – Black EditionBUNDLE Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, 10.8Gbps, Router + 3 Satellites
BUNDLE Orbi 860 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 6Gbps, 10 Gig Port, 4-Pack (RBK864SB)
AX4200 WiFi Mesh System (RBK754)Orbi 750 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 4.2Gbps, Router + 3 Satellites
AX4200 WiFi Mesh System (RBK752)
Orbi 750 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 4.2Gbps, Router + 1 Satellite
5G WiFi Mesh System, AX4200 (NBK752)Orbi 5G Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 4.2Gbps, Router + 1 Satellite
AX4200 WiFi Mesh System (CBK752)
Orbi Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System with Built-in Cable Modem, 4.2Gbps, Modem Router Combo + 1 Satellite
BUNDLE Orbi 760 Series Tri-band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 5.4Gbps, Router + 3 Satellites
AX5400 WiFi Mesh System (RBK763)Orbi 760 Series Tri-band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 5.4Gbps, Router + 2 Satellites
BUNDLE Orbi 5G Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 4.2Gbps, Router + 2 Satellites
-
BUNDLE Orbi 960 Series Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, 10.8Gbps, Router + 1 Satellites (RBKE962)AC3000 Mesh WiFi System (RBK50)
Orbi Tri-band Mesh WiFi System, 3Gbps, Router + 1 Satellite
AX4200 WiFi Cable Modem Router (CBR750)
Orbi Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh Router with Built-in Cable Modem, 4.2Gbps
AX6000 WiFi Satellite (RBS860B)Orbi 860 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh Add-on Satellite, 6Gbps, Black Edition
BUNDLE Orbi 860 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 6Gbps, 10 Gig Port, 4-Pack (RBK864S)
AX3000 WiFi Mesh System (RBK653)
Orbi 650 Series Tri-band WiFi 6 Mesh System, 3Gbps, Router + 2 Satellites
AX6000 WiFi Satellite (RBS860)
Orbi 860 Series Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh Add-on Satellite, 6Gbps
AXE11000 Mesh WiFi System (RBKE963B)
BLASIRL wrote:
Still too many choices. What additional filters should I apply and why?
Only you know that.
I have no issues paying for a little more than I need, but I am somewhat conservative with my money so I don't wish to overspend.Wise person. My inclination would be to go for the cheapest device that you find there.
Oh, and look at the reviews on places like Amazon. The small and baffling differences between different models isn't worth losing sleep over.
I have posted this reply 3 times before and it never stays for some reason.
What size home do you have? Square Feet?
My house has a basement (840sqft), first (840sqft) and second (620sqft) floors. The total square footage of all three levels is 2300 sq ft. (~214 sq meters). If possible it would be nice to include my attached flat deck of 330 sq ft that is attached to the long side of the house.
What are you networking needs? Gaming, Streaming, General internet use?
I am interested in having a network drive, good security, the ability to use both wired and wireless connections.
I am not a gamer, but my two daughters dabble. We would like to be able to stream reliably to at least four devices at once, but normally two at a time.
How many devices do you have?
I currently have about 20 items connected. Would like a bit more room for future though.
What kinds of devices do you have connected?
Four TV's-one 4K, four laptops-three windows, one mac, three tablets, thermostat, and am currently adding six cameras. Later I want to add a network media server.
