Unifi Router Buyer's Guide in 2021
If you use Unifi at your home, you are probably not so happy with the speed and stability of the WiFi network. That’s because TM is still a business and they cannot give an expensive router while remain profitable. But, luckily, TM doesn’t stop you from buying your own router.
While the router provided by TM isn’t too bad, they have slower CPU and weaker WiFi coverage. This means they aren’t very good if you stay in a bigger home or if you have more WiFi devices at home. Thus, in this article, I will show you some WiFi routers that I’ve tested that will recommend for you to upgrade your home WiFi router.
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⚠️ This guide is only intended for Unifi Fibre users!
Table of Contents
Unifi Fibre Equipment Overview
All Unifi Fibre installation come with 2 devices which is the fibre modem and WiFi router. The Fibre modem comes with lifetime warranty from TM and it is non-user replaceable. But, don’t worry as the WiFi router rarely breaks down and it performs well. What we will be focussing is the WiFi router part which will impact all your home networking performance.
Unifi Router Brands
Once you purchased the new router, please request your Unifi login ID and Password from TM. You will need them when configuring your new router. Once you got everything ready, remove your old wireless router and connect the new router to the ONU. You have to reconfigure your new wireless router. The process depends on the brand of the router but generally, you just need to insert the PPPOE ID and password and select the Unifi profile on the router.
TP-Link Unifi Router
TP-Link routers are fully compatible with Unifi. TP-Link offers really good value for money as their routers are usually cheaper while delivering the same level of performance compared to their competitors. They offer a 3 years warranty on all their networking products.
You can refer to my guide on how to setup TP-Link Unifi router here.
Model WiFi Specification Suggested Plan Beamforming MU-MIMO Maximum NAT speed Retail Price
Archer C5400X Gaming AC5400 800Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM1499
Archer C5400 AC5400 800Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM949
Archer C4000 AC4000 800Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM999
Archer C3150 AC3150 800Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM799
Archer C2300 AC2300 800Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM639
Deco M9 Plus Mesh AC2200 500Mbps ✔ ✔ 800Mbps RM999
Archer A10 AC2600 800Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM639
Archer A9 AC1900 500Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM439
Archer C9 AC1900 500Mbps ✔ – 941Mbps RM469
Deco M5 Mesh AC1300 500Mbps ✔ ✔ 800Mbps RM439
Deco M4 Mesh AC1200 300Mbps ✔ ✔ 800Mbps RM399
Archer C7/ A7 AC1750 500Mbps – – 800Mbps RM312
Archer C6/ A6 AC1200 300Mbps ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM209
Archer C1200 AC1200 300Mbps – – TBD RM279
Do note that HyppTV do not work on their Deco mesh series of products but Internet is working properly.
Asus Unifi Router
Asus is another well known brand in the wireless router industry. They are slightly more expensive but they have really solid performance and the AsusWRT firmware offers the most comprehensive set of features. Asus also pioneer their AiMesh technology which allows you to use several compatible Asus routers to form a high performance mesh network. Asus routers come with 3 years of warranty in Malaysia.
You can refer to my guide on how to setup Asus Unifi router here.
Model WiFi Specs Suggested Plan AiMesh BF MU-MIMO Maximum Internet Speed Price Range
RT-AX88U AX6000 800Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 941Mbps Unreleased
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 Gaming AC5300 800Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM2489
RT-AC5300 AC5300 800Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM2209
RT-AC88U AC3100 800Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM1809
Asus Blue Cave AC2600 800Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 941Mbps RM1099
RT-AC68U AC1900 500Mbps ✔ ✔ – 850Mbps RM1039
Lyra Trio Mesh AC1750 500Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 850Mbps RM1579
Lyra Mesh AC2200 500Mbps ✔ ✔ ✔ 850Mbps RM999
RT-AC66U B1 AC1750 300Mbps ✔ ✔ – 941Mbps RM859
RT-AC1300UHP AC1300 300Mbps ✔ ✔ ~500Mbps RM569
RT-AC58U AC1300 300Mbps ✔ ✔ ~500Mbps RM479
RT-AC1200G+ AC1200 100Mbps – – ~400Mbps RM449
D-Link Unifi Router
You probably heard of D-Link before as they are one of the oldest brand selling networking gear in Malaysia. They also produce some really great networking equipment. New D-Link routers are fully compatible with Unifi. They are also rather affordable while delivering good performance.
You can refer to my guide on how to setup D-Link Unifi router here.
Other Brands (Tenda, Netgear and etc)
There are also other brands in the market and most if not all Enterprise level gear can be configured to support Unifi. But, we do not include them in this list as they may be harder to configure for most users.
Netgear is known for requiring manual setup of VLAN for it to work with Unifi.
Hi there. How about Huawei WS5200?
If you are from Malaysia, consider getting more established brands like ASUS or TP-Link with better after sales and guaranteed Unifi support.
Hi Alvyn, i have a few questions on dlink exo series mesh routers:
1) unifi compatible?
2) performance wise is it worth the money?
3) is it easy to setup?
Im running turbo 300mbps
Yup they are Unifi compatible. They are fairly easy to setup but not as good as TP-Link or ASUS. I think for the same money, you are better off getting a TP-Link.
Hi! I’m using a mere 100mbps package now, unable to upgrade package for time being due to certain reason. My connection in 1st and 2nd floor is really bad, is it worth using Mesh? or should i just upgrade to a better router?
Yup, get a mesh WiFi. Even the best wireless router couldn’t break the law of physics as WiFi power is limited by regulation nowadays.
hi master, can i buy rtac68u for my 300mbps plan? is it compatible for unifi box? im also looking to have aimesh for better coverage in my house. or do you suggest any other router? plan to upgrade speed in the future
Yes, it is compatible but I would suggest getting a WiFi 6 router instead.
“Do note that HyppTV do not work on their Deco mesh series of products but Internet is working properly”
However TP-Link fb stated (12 Sept 2019) that Unifi HyppTV is fully supported on Deco M4, M5 and M9 Plus. Therefore the latest firmwares can support right? Just want to confirm only. Thanks.
Yes, they are already fully supported now.
Hi, I have purchased a set of Netgear nighthawk Wifi 6 Mesh router system but I am having real difficult getting it work on TM Unifi. The mesh wifi just cannot connect to the internet (i.e not getting any IP). Would appreciate if you could help.
Unfortunately, they really don’t support Unifi VLAN profile.
Hi there blacktubi, should I disable Dynamic DNS through router configuration?? I am currently being replaced to a Netis DL4480V1 router..i kinda headache right now…i keep getting DC often too…( i switched off DHCPv6 as well.. is that ok ??)
I think you should just get a new router. The NETIS is pretty bad.
Bought Dlink 825+ but not have no wifi 1 room upstairs in a 2 storey house. The wifi coverage is totally loss the second I step in the room. Router is downstairs. Any better router might fix the problem? Have adjusted antenna but no improvement.
The D-Link DIR-825+ is really a crap router. Maybe you can consider TP-Link Archer A9.
Thanks for the reply. It was recommended by TM staff. Will give your suggestion a try. Appreciate your guides here on this site.
What ever router you have, it should not loose signal “JUST” one floor up. May have something to do with the setup or where you place the router
Will Deco M9 plus mesh and Google nest WiFi that I bought from United States connect to Malaysia Unifi?
Deco M9 Plus will work but Google Mesh does not come with VLAN tagging ability.
Hi there! , should i upgrade my router’s firmware for my Archer C1200 V1.0 (EU) version. for a better performance?? If yes, which firmware upgrade should i download? Thanks in advance!
It doesn’t make any difference. You are better off getting a new WiFi router.
Hi Alvyn, i am using C1200 as well but often my evpad 3s loading and loading intermittently. Is that due to router and what is the more appropriate router u would recommend? Not too high budget.
I heard evpad always have compatibility issue with some router. I recommend TP-Link Archer C2300 if you still can find one.
If my house is bigger than 5000+ sqft and I have a 800mbps package what router should I get??
ASUS RT-AX92U
Hi Alvyn, im currently establishing a SME business, and leaning towards CISCO RV 340-W or RV130 due to past reliability experience. hence, do you its possible to setup with said router for home also? cheers.
All SME routers work great in a home.