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.
Model WiFi Specification Beamforming MU-MIMO Ethernet Port Price DIR-895L AC5300 ✔ ✔ 4 x Gigabit RM1599 DIR-882 AC2600 ✔ ✔ 4 x Gigabit RM698 DIR-878 AC1900 ✔ ✔ 4 x Gigabit RM518 DIR-867 AC1750 ✔ ✔ 4 x Gigabit RM399 DIR-868L AC1750 ✔ – 4 x Gigabit – DIR-842 AC1200 ✔ ✔ 4 x Gigabit RM289
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’m having a Phicomm FIR304D (made in China) router, I’m not sure bout its firmware, is it possible for me to set it up for my unifi?
I don’t think so.
Dear Blacktubi, using my current Asus DSL-N55U to replace the TMnet router is it possible?
DSL-N55U is not Unifi compatible. It is an ADSL router.
Hi Blacktubi,
Can you recommend a unifi replacement router (for 50Mbps unifi) with quest network functions.
Asus RT-AC68U and above.
Dear Blacktubi,
TM current bundled wireless router is Archer C5. Do you know whether HyppTV STB can connect Wirelessly to Archer C5? Installer said must use wired LAN but it is impossible for me, unless invest in home plug. I did come across articles about setup their older router RG4332, but yet to come across setup WiFi STB towards Archer C5.
Thanks in advance.
Hi, Archer C5 is not compatible with Wireless HyppTV.
Hi Blacktubi,
My company is currently using ASUS RT-N12HP but the internet drop like every 2 weeks.
Can you recommend any reliable router for company use?
Thks.
Vincent
Hi,
Enterprise grade hardware like Mikrotik or UBNT but they are not user-friendly. You can just get a higher end Asus router.
Hi,
Our company is having problems with unstable internet connection with Unifi router (RG4332). Even TM technicians are recommending us to buy a Asus routerl. Please specify a model of a high end Asus router which is suitable to be used in a company with users of about 50.
Get the RT-AC88U or RT-AC68U. They work really well with a lot of users.
Hi, RT-AC88U and RT-AC68U seems too expensive as our budget is very tight now. Pls recommend another Asus router in the RM400-RM600 range. I came acrosss RT-N18U and RT-AC1200+. Which one will be suitable for us ? I like RT-AC1200+ but read somewhere it gets hot easily. Pls advice.
Get the RT-AC55UHP. Best bang for bucks.
Dear Blacktubi,
I’ve recentlly acquired a NETGEAR Orbi and it’s been having trouble connecting to the internet. Came across your article which said routers have to have VLAN tagging in order to use Unifi? Hope to get some clarification on if the router is incompatible and if there’s any hope of using it.
You can refer to this article on how to configure VLAN tagging but I am not sure if the feature is available on the Orbi.
Hi Blacktubi,
I’m planning to replace my stock unifi router which currently give me a lot of headache. WIFI connection always disconnect from my mobile phone and also the TV BOX.
I have go thru your review on the DIR-816L and TP Link AC1750 C7, which one that provide better WIFI coverage for a double storey house?
Thank you
No doubt the C7 is better. It is a more expensive product.
RT-AC1200G+ vs RT-AC55UHP, which one better for Unifi 30?
The RT-AC55UHP is a better router in overall.
Hey blacktubi, would you have any routers without wireless that are compatible with Unifi and provide gigabit ports.
Currently using some existing wireless routers with a TP-Link ER5120 to load balance. Currently, the TP-Link Archer C7 doesn’t have the option to disable wireless.
You are definitely able to turn off the wireless connectivity on the Archer C7.
Thanks for the response. What you say is true. Seems it’s not a software based. but a hardware with a push of the button.
As to my initial enquiry, are there any routers without the need for wireless prebaked?
A lot of enterprise routers do not come with wireless ability.
Noted. Thanks again for the help so far.
Hi Blacktubi, would you recommend the Tenda Fh1202 for Unifi 30? The reviews for this router is very scarce online, and I’m afraid to make this purchase because I’m unsure of its performance. If not, what are the options (RM300 budget). Thanks!
I do not think this router is compatible with Unifi.
I have tried Tenda AC 15 with Unifi 50. It works great. I still need to learn to connect iptv though..
Hi, D-Link 2750E can use as second router? If yes, any special configuration? Tq…
It is an ADSL router for Streamyx. It will not work with Unifi.
Then if use repeater TL-WA855RE, for unifi, need special configuration? Tq.
Nope. But I would recommend a powerline extender.
Hi, thanks for your reply. Actually the location for repeater is Ethernet cable ready, but the area wifi too weak.
If there’s already an Ethernet cable, just get a wireless access point. A lot of repeater can run in access point mode.
Thanks.
I will get a TL-WA855RE repeater for my unifi.
HI,ASUS DSL-N55U CAN USE FOR SECOND ROUTER? If yes, any special configuration? Tq…
It can’t.
Dear blacktubi,
Is
TENDA W309R+ 2x9dBi High Power Wireless WiFi 3in1 Router UniFi / Maxis Fiber / Range Extender
compatible with Unifi 10G package?
It may be compatible but I never try it.
Thanks blacktubi, I’ve bought it and will try to setup, will update you guys the results.