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.
hello, Just few question and hopefully you can help me up . i just came back from LA and i bring back a Netgear R7000 nighthawk router . I wonder if this router is compatible and usable in malaysia and able to connect maxis fibre ? The modem they provide is actually huawei in silver color and with TM wording on the surface because i switch from unifi to maxis home fibre and maxis said they won’t change the modem. i edited the user id and password and it couldn’t connect to maxis and internet. does it have anything to… Read more »
Yes, it is compatible with Maxis Fibre. You just need to plug it into the second port of the ONU. The VLAN for Maxis Fibre is 621 instead of 500. Change that and you are good to go.
Hi Blacktubi,
continuation from my email to you previously.
I knew that I can replace the DLINK 850L with my ASUS RT-N66U.
However, I want to use both since I want remote incoming connection utilising the DDNS feature of the DLINK and also the ASUS.
Kindly advise.
Regards,
morisa
Hi, you can have your Asus router configured as an Access Point in the settings but I would not recommend it as the N66U is a better router spec wise. It should be used as the main router and there is free DDNS in the Asus router as well.
Hi Blacktubi,
Thank you for the fast response.
I did that config when I use the ASTRO/maxis IPTV services previously. Connections for the ASTRO decoders were all taken from the black MAXIS Router while all internet connections for daily usage were handled by the N66U.
I also try connecting the N66U directly to the TM BTU 2nd Port but not working. Maybe the BTU ports has been block.
Regards,
morisa
Hi, BTU port 2 is reserved for Maxis Fibre. Please connect it to Port 1. Make sure your Asus route is configured to the Unifi profile as well.
Hey Blacktubi, I just upgrade plan from 5mbps (unifi) to 10mbps (Maxis) and after 2 month the FTTH Modem (Onu Modem) just problem (short). For replacment I need 4 days, quit long maybe because when switch to Maxis the prioritysame as I use unifi.
Can you advise what model that I can by by my own to get faster & good speed.
And can I just plug n play.
TQ.
You cannot buy your own ONU. Only ISP issued ONU will work, unfortunately.
Hai blacktubi, can u help me. I have asus rtn12hp, what is the step by step I need to do to replace my old unifi router? If possible we can email, [email protected]…. Thanks
Hi, you can just follow this article on how to set it up for Asus router.
hai blacktubi, want to ask, ok if we have done setting all .. do we still need to connect asus router with unifi router with cable or we can place the asus router anywhere in the house as long it can reach the signal ? thanks
No, the Asus router still need to be connect to the ONU (modem).
Hey Blacktubi, my friend just install 30mbps unifi plan. They came to his house and installed it. The router is Dir-850 L with TM logo on it.
Yes, it is given by TM for new subscribers.
Does dir 850 L support the hypptv?
Yes, it does.
Is it a good choice to buy dir-868L for my unifi 30.is it compatible with Wd mycloud HD and hypptv box
Yes, it is compatible. Make sure you purchase the latest version.
Any plan to review the Huawei WS880 + Asuswrt-Merlin?
The WS880 review is coming soon! On stock firmware and Asuswrt-Merlin later.
Hi there, would Asus dsl-ac68u compatible with tm unifi? I have tried hours setting it up with unifi home but to no avail, tnx.
It is not compatible.
Hi sir,
I’m living in 2 storey house and using unifi. Need advice on good wifi router and it will be access (wireless) by many user 5 to 6 user at one time (heavy use). Hope u can help…tq
Asus RT-AC55UHP is a good choice.
Hello, I recently just upgraded my unifi plan from 5mbps to 30mbps, and renewed the contract after it ended last month (June). I have conducted a speed test and found that the speed I got from upstairs (lvl 2) was about 7mbps and 30mbps only near my router (orange d-link modem) located at the living room (downstairs). Could I upgrade my router? since they didn’t renew my router after the upgrade. I’m not sure whether my situation allows me to lodge a complain to TM to get a new router for me. Any tips (persuasive complaint) in how to get… Read more »
Just let them know you can’t achieve the claimed speed. Worst to worst just get yourself a great router.
same thing happened to me. Using the crappy L7 network router from TM with my 30mbps plan too. Getting about 6-8 mbps at my room, only able to achieve 30mbps when i go beside the router to test the speed. I upgrade from 5 mbps to 30mbps and didnt ge a new router too. I pm the TM facebook customer support and they say they dont provide new router even contract renew or plan upgrade.
Only way it’s buy a router. I know how it feels,sad.
I have a Linksys WRT1200AC flashed with DD-WRT. I can’t seem to make PPOE connection to TM Unifi. I have verified mu username and passwords are correct. Anything I have overlooked? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
You need to configure VLAN tagging which may not be compatible with the device.