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, Currently living in 2.5storey house, about 2600 sqft. I have unifi 100Mbps plan and using the stock Tp-link Archer C5 router. However I found out that the 2.4GHz only give max of around 20 Mbps download speed (theoretically 100Mbps) while upload speed is able to reach maximum (50Mbps). In normal case, there’re around 10 devices connected, 3 of them have only 2.4GHz connection. My budget is around RM400 to upgrade (Can add more for better value). 1. I reckon to get full coverage, mesh wifi is needed, any advice on getting one router+ extender (aimesh/onemesh) or Deco mesh? 2.… Read more »
With the limited budget, I will recommend you to get the Archer AX73 now and consider adding the OneMesh extender shall the need arise. Deco HC4 is also worth considering but I will very much prefer the Archer AX73 + OneMesh route.
I stay in double storey house, about 2,500 sqft in total.
I am using unifi 100 Mbps package.
Having problem with video calls even at ground floor. Weak signal on first floor far end.
1. Which 1 should use – TP Link Archer AX10 AX1500, TP Link Archer AX73 AX5400, ASUS RT-AX3000 or ASUS RT-AC86U AC2900? Feel free to provide other model.
2. Once I purchase 1 of the above model, can I recycle or “repurpose” my current TM provided D-Link 842 as “Repeater” used on my first floor? Thanks.
1- Get a mesh WiFi system since you stayed in a bigger house. A single router isn’t enough.
2- You can’t repurpose the DIR-842. That unit is locked down.
Thanks. The house is about 1250 sqft on ground floor and 1250 sqft on first floor. I was told the current TM provided D-Link DIR-842 is the problem. How about these 3 options – which one will you choose? Option 1- Use existing TM D-Link 842 + 2-pack Tenda Nova MW3 (or 2-pack TP Link Deco E4) [RM190 to RM270] Option 2 – ASUS AX55 AX1800 on ground floor to replace TM D-Link 842 + 2-pack Tenda Nova MW3 (or 2-pack TP Link Deco E4) [RM510 to RM600] Option 3 – Get a unit of ASUS AX55 AX1800 on ground… Read more »
Option 1 – Don’t bother dealing with the DIR-842. It’s going to cause more issue in the future.
Option 2 – Don’t mix and match mesh WiFi system, it will only cause more interference since can’t work directly with each other. If you want a Deco mesh WiFi, go fully Deco only. Likewise with Nova.
Option 3 – Sounds like the most optimal choice out of the 3 options.
Hi my primary Lyra router is down. The other 2 Lyra is still working. What is your recommendation?
I live in a 3 storey house, 5500 sq ft. I installed one Lyra on each floor.
Retire the Lyra and get a better mesh WiFi system.
Hai,
Just asking..its that normal, subscribe unifi 100mbps… but when I download something via idm on my laptop for example games, the speed only got 3-4mbps? Any chance for me to got speed higher than that if I change router from unifi free router to tplink archer ax73 or something like thats?
3-4Mbps is horrible. Try running a proper speedtest on speedtest.net.
Hi sir, i can’t really understand about all the speed thingy, but like op mentioned, idm dl speed usually lower than subscribe. for me, max is 12 mbps, i can see this speed in all platform, idm, steam, epicgame, battlenet etc. where can i read to understand this?
Hi Been Using Router provided by TM Dir 842 I believe and recently installed Mesh M4.
Would like to know if I’m planning to upgrade to say AX73/AX90 would improve anything ?
Have Ethernet connected to my Xbox from the router does upgrading router improves wired connection aswell ?
Yes that will be a huge upgrade considering the Archer AX73 offers better coverage and a faster CPU which should help overall performance.
I’ve been using D Link’s, DIR-882 with unifi’s 100mbps for a good 3 years now and seeing the performance of download and upload speed is deteriorating in a tremendous state recently. The WiFi signal is constantly up and down for 2.4ghz. The stability of it is a nightmare for now but LAN connection is still doing me good. Just wondering is it about time for me to change a newer one? Or what is the usual service duration for routers these days if they were to operate 24/7?
It’s probably a good time to move over to 5Ghz. Wireless 2.4Ghz has gotten worst lately with more and more smart gadgets operating on this channel.
I live in a 5100sqft house with a 500mbps maxis plan. I certainly do have ethernet backhaul on each floor. The question is, would you recommend me ZenWifi XT8 or are there any other options you can suggest? Cause I saw you mentioned about AX3000 is being more reliable There are about 16 devices on my house currently with 5 of them being wifi 6
I will recommend the ZenWiFi XT8 mesh WiFi system as it will deliver a better performance.
I might be stupid to ask this but pls bear with me since I have so little knowledge about wifi, would an Xt8 plus a Ax3000 a better combo or 3 Ax3000 for each floor? Since I dont know if AiMesh and Zenwifi works the same or not?
If you want ZenWiFi series, go full ZenWiFi and don’t mix them around. While they are able to work together, the stability is unknown.
Can this also be used for Celcom Fibre? I’m using currently the default one given but i tried using the wifi. even when im really near to it still the speed is unbearable like need to wait maybe 2s to load. I have a 300mbps speed btw. Should i upgrade my router?
Yup, you should buy your own router for Celcom Fibre.
Hi, I just purchased a new dual band router. Brand is Totolink AX1800. I followed TM old router setting for Pppoe but could not detect Internet. Any idea what else is missing from setting?
I’ve not used a Totolink router before. Maybe you can look around and search whether there’s a VLAN option.
My house is a normal size two storey landed house, and wifi is super weak (LAN is ok). I understood that my router is too old (3years+) and the unifi technician say can come and fix and will bring the NETIS AC1200. Is this brand ok? I was expecting DLink or TPLink 🙁
My unifi plan is that 100mbps
It doesn’t matter. All free router from TM is just not good enough for a bigger house. If you want good performance, getting your own router is a must.
Hi, I plan to upgrade unifi fibre to 100mbps package, but the allowed devices just 5, just wondering if I change router, can increase the devices connected?
I am pretty sure TM does not limite the amount of WiFi devices.
According to to advertisement, they put number on the devices allowed. Not too sure on this.
Hello, I’m using a Unifi provided router D-link DIR-850L,the issue is Poor WiFi coverage the room upstairs at the back could only receive 1/5 wifi bar or 2/5 or none. Current router and modem placement is at Living room downstairs at the front. Unifi Package is 100 Mbps. So I’m going to buy a wifi mesh It was Tenda Nova MW5C 2-pack, is it good? If it doesn’t good, What WiFi Mesh/Router should I bought? My budget is RM300
I will suggest the Deco E4 from TP-Link instead. It is actually a better product than Nova MW5C.
Okay Thank you for the reply, is it compatible with D-Link DIR-850L?
Pretty much everything that cost over RM200 is better than DIR-850L.