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. I am currently running on 30mbps unifi plan. Can I buy a router which has 300-800mbps speed to replace my existing 30mbps unifi router? Or is it not compatible with 30mbps unifi plan and I have to upgrade to a 300mbps plan?
Yup, it’s okay to overspec.
So if I change my router which is running on 30mbps to a 300mbps router, will it give you a 300mbps speed or still 30mbps?
It won’t give you 300Mbps, your max speed is determined by your Internet package.
Okay tysm. 👍
Hi, my parents house using 300mbps unifi but when speedtest it hardly reach 10mbps? I suspect it’s an old router that TM gave so I ask my parents to upgrade to a new router but they insist to ask TM to change the router which I know their stock router would be bad. So I don’t know how to convince my parents to just buy a better router instead of TM stock router. Is it better to buy better router or just ask TM to change?
If you are under contract, you may request TM to swap one unit at no cost. Worth a try since it’s free.
Hi there,
I am currently using the TP-Link Archer C1200 for 800mbps plan.
The max wifi speed for 5GHz is always stuck at 350mbps, even sitting next to it.
Is this good enough? Understand that with WIFI I won’t get full 800mbps, but is it worth to upgrade my router for better speed?
Well it depends. My WiFi 6 capable smartphone can go up to 800Mbps when sitting next to a WiFi 6 router.
Hi !! Can you suggest the best router for double storey house
current unifi -500 mbps
4/5 users(depends) + 1 smart tv + 2 pc
currently using stock unifi modem and router
modem-Onu-Alcatel-Lucent-i240g
router -RG Innatech RG4332
not more than pricey please.
thank you in advance 🙂
TP-Link Archer AX20 will be a big improvement for you.
Hi. I am staying in an apartment which is still being served by the telephone line from basement of the apartment to the individual unit. I am current on Unifi 30mbps and have had the gateway unit and the router changed to a Netis DL4480V1 unit which has both functions in the same box. What options do I have to get a reliable connection? Either a single unit, or two separate units to provide the same functionality? As it it, I am having difficulty getting a reliable Wifi connection from the furthest room. Thank you.
You will need to retain the current NETIS and change it to bridge mode and pair it with another Unifi capable router.
It seems my previous reply got eaten up by the system so here goes again.
Any recommendations for a compatible Unifi capable router that can be used? Also, anywhere to find instructions on how to configure the router to connect to the Netis in bridged mode?
Thank you.
I doubt there are still good all-in-one VDSL modem router in the market. But all normal Unifi routers can work as long as you can make your NETIS run in bridged mode. I don’t have a NETIS router now so can’t really do a guide.
Hi sifu.Morning. I’ve just change from unifi 100mbps to unifi 300 mbps, can u help suggesting What type of modem i can get.. btw, I’ve got 2 pc, 1 smart tv, 4 phone ar home that will be sharing the internet.
TP-Link Archer AX20 is probably one of the best choices now. Affordable with great performance.
Hi Sir! I am on 800mbps UNIFI package. I plan to use ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 for better speed and coverage in my double storey house or should i go for cheaper option – ASUS TUF AX3000 (AiMesh)
Since you got the budget, get the ZenWiFi XT8 and put ont unit on each floor.
Hi Alvyn, I’m currently on Unifi 30mbps but planning to upgrade the speed to 100mbps in the future. I’ve budget and interested to buy AX20, is it will help in term of coverage and speed in term of 30mbps and 100mbps. Note: I live in condo 1200 sqft.
Yes, it will be a huge improvement from any stock router provided by the service provider.
Does a router that have *TM* or *unifi* can be use or can it use on Maxis line ?
I don’t recommend it. Some models come with a locked firmware.
Question, my condo is using TP-LINK AC1200 in the Living hall, and my rooms gets very weak signal even with a TENDA Extender. What should I do! Is changing to Archer AX50 going to give my rooms much better WiFi coverage?
Get the Deco mesh WiFi system from TP-Link instead.
Hi, I’m currently using a really old ASUS RT N56U for my 800mbps Unifi. Looking to upgrade to fully utilise the speed. We stay in a 2-storey house while most devices (around 10 of it) are on the second floor. Router to be placed in 2nd floor living room in the middle of all the rooms. Want to ask if Asus RT-AX3000 is good enough? Would we need to consider mesh routers like Netgear MK62?
I would suggest you consider a mesh WiFi system instead. You can choose between the cheaper Deco M9 Plus from TP-Link or ZenWiFi XT8 from ASUS.
What router would you suggest for a long double storey house? My current plan is unifi 800Mbps.
Get a mesh WiFi system instead.