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 Blacktubi,
I’m currently using the Asus RT-N12 D1 router but the signal is not able to cover front and back room upstairs. Would upgrading to a more expensive router help extend the range of coverage? Any recommendation if possible?
I’ve tried using TP-Link homeplug but I only get 1/6 of the 30Mbps from it. Thanks in advance for your help!
It will help but maybe you can try placing your router at a better place first or try playing with different plug for the homeplug.
Hi Everyone, I have a Ubiquiti USG (Unifi Security Gateway) that I was going to try and configure its PPOE settings to work with TM to replace the D-link that I was given. But it doesn’t seem to work.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Perhaps I can do it via the CLI interface of the USG. But it is very confusing as I can’t seem to find a doc that specifies any extra settings that are needed. For now would be happy to get at least internet working over PPOE but that doesn’t work.
Thx.
Unifi requires VLAN 500 for the internet. Check the VLAN on the PPPOE page and use 500.
great thanks for that. I have done that and internet works.
As for the TV device that needs a second vlan. so I think somehow i need to setup a second VLAN. has anyone done that?
It is possible for sure but you have to set up a bridged VLAN network to the HyppTV LAN port. I think it needs to be done via CLI.
Hello Blacktubi, I was told that Asus N12-HP can only support unifi up to 20mbps. Is that true?
Yes and no. It is an entry level device, getting 30Mbps when near the router shouldn’t be an issue but on further distance it may drop.
I need a router that can work for wider coverage, i.e can cover a radius of 30metres and still can stream IPTV. This is a coverage for 2 units in a condo at the same floor.
Any recommendations for Maxis Fibre Home router replacement?
It is not recommended as the room at the end of the unit may not receive the signal at all and you may need repeaters to extend the coverage. I recommend something high power such as the RT-AC55UHP.
Hi Blacktubi,
I am not so familiar with this stuff. Are you recommend that I use RT-AC55UHP then at the same time I also get a repeaters at other unit to strengthen the signal?
Thanks for the guidance.
Yup, try the router upgrade first and grab some repeaters if the signal is not strong enough.
hi blacktubi,
im using TP Link TL-WR841N router. what im noticed im not able to watch hypptv after switch to this router. Do you know any setting that can fix it.
*before this im using dlink router provided by TM, with this router I can watch hypptv very well but the wifi connection is unstable especially with android device. thats why im switching to TP link.
Do you connect your HyppTV to the correct port?
Hi Blacktubi,
Any idea if any of the new mesh wi fi routers work?
What specifically do I need to look out for in a router if I buy it overseas for it to work with Unifi (I am on the 50mbps package)
Thanks in advance!
Hi, for a mesh wireless AP implementation, you need to retain the current Unifi router as I believe the mesh wireless systems are currently incompatible with Unifi. But you can still use them by retaining your existing Unifi router as a bridge.
Thanks for the info Blacktubi. Another question – noticed you use openWRT on your router. What settings do I need to have to ensure openWRT connects to unifi? Was thinking of installing it on my router. Thanks!
You just have a set up the VLAN for the Internet interface and it differs among router due to how the Ethernet bridge is configured. You have to trial and error.
Hi Blacktubi,
Currently using standard unifi router, which router recommend to changed to have better connection?
TY
Probably something with Wireless AC.
Hi Blacktubi,
Need you advice. Currently i am using Mikrotik RB951G-2HnD with 20MB/ 20MB unifiy connection. Lately my local LAN load getting more and the router not able to support (especially after install NAS and DVR)
I have VPN phone, Juniper remote access, IP cameras, IPTV, Network Storage, Digital Video recorder, Laptop, Desktops and etc. What will be best upgrade router?. Appreciate.
Since you are already familiar with Mikrotik, you can always get a higher end Mikrotik router.
hi backtubi i am using asus RT-N12 D1 but my unifi connetion is very not stable what i can do?can you help me?
I believe the issue is with TM rather than the router itself.
hi blacktubi,
our company have more than one unifi ip address.
starting from 175.x.x.101 end with 175.x.x.106
how to configure it on archer c7 (buy it last week after read your review)? the problem is;
1. the router didn’t have start and end ip address.
2. switch and firewall didn’t recognize the connection.
it’s working good while setting up on pc but have problem when connecting to our company environment. (more than 200 user)
please email me the setting if any. tq
Currently, only routers provided by TM are able support more than 1 IP address. You need an enterprise grade router for that if you want to use a non-TM router.
hi.
i am using Maxis Homefiber stock wifi router Thompson … what will be the best after market router which can support my home wifi demand which consist of the following devices;
5 x cloud base cctv (tp link)
1x chromecast
up to 6 mobile phone/tablet
tq
If you don’t use the included phone, you can just use any Unifi compatible router and get according to your budget. I recommend something with strong wireless as you have quite many wireless devices and stability is important for wireless CCTVs.
TPLink TL-WR941HP vs ASUS RT-AC55UHP
which is best in terms of signal strength and stability for Unifi 30
Asus RT-AC55UHP is far ahead of TL-WR941HP.
Dear Blacktubi,
Recently I bought a new router from Internet – XiaoMi Router 3 AC-1200. But it’s seem like not work for Unifi.
Do you have any idea and how it’s work?
Thanks in advance.
It will not work.