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 just want to know, remember then free upgrade promotion from TM early this year? i’ve heard a lot of those who got free upgrade from 10 to 30 mbps and 30 to 50 mbps started received replacement router and i want to know is it does perform better? i also happen to received free upgrade but on waiting list and just want to know wether i should get new router myself or accept the free one.
thank you
The replacement router will only be given if you renew your contract. It’s up to you on that.
Hi, I’m unifi user for almost 5years since 5mbps until now 50mbps and never change my wifi router before. Considering to change a new router, which would you recommend? I’m staying at 2storey house arund 4200 ft. Thanks
It depends on your budget. TP-LINK Archer C3150 is worth a look. Asus RT-AC68U is pretty decent as well.
Hi,
I’m staying in high-rise (using cooper) and TM provide me with ZTE (without antenna) modem router.
due to this what modem router can i replace with? which brand and model?
Thanks
This is the ADSL modem and there is another router. Can you confirm there are 2 devices instead of one.
Hi,
Just subscribed to Unifi 10 mbps and they only provided me ZTE modem ( without antenna ). My apartment is 950 sqft. Can you advice on which router that is compatible with my usage?
– 2 laptops
– 2 smartphones always connecting
– Hpptv supported
If it is Unifi LITE, we are not sure how can it be replaced currently.
Recently using tm streamyx plan(300kbps), I’m thinking to change to a new asus router Which one can you recommend?
-single storey house
-1 computer, 4 smartphones always connecting
-budget rm 100 – 180
Asus RT-N12HP.
I live in condo 1650sqft. Currently we just get unifi from Tm, my router is ac1200 and my room can get the wifi with Low signal, sometime the router like not very stable~ any recommendations? Can it trade in and get new router from Tm?
I afraid this is already the best router from TM.
Hi BlackTubi,
I would like to get RT-AC68U from Singapore.
What factor should I take in consideration to check it’s compatibility with Unifi.
Please advise.
Thank you.
No worries, it will be fully compatible.
Recently upgraded to 30mbps from 5mbps, but still using the stock router, I’m thinking to change to a new router? Which one can you recommend?
-2 storey house, router on ground floor, computer on second floor
-3 computers 2 ipads 5 smartphones always connecting
-hpptv supported
-budget around RM500
Asus RT-AC55UHP
hi blacktubi
recently past 2 weeks my ping is real high. im a tech-retard which means i have no idea what is what.
what i notice is, on mobile gaming previously my ms was between 14-80ms which was bearable. now its 199-3xxms.
also webpages load really slowly on my laptop.
it used to be ok til like 2 weeks ago.
could thjs be a router issue? what would you recommend to replace the unifi dlink router? double story house with gadgets less than 30meter apart
thanks
What is your budget and use LAN whenever possible. Don’t put your router near anything that will generate interference (microwave oven).
hi there.
my budget is about 350-500.
ive been recommended asus ac1200g+ by a friend who says its signal is strong and pro is it has dual band.
is it a good choice?
Yes it is definitely better than the current stock TM router.
Currently using default DIR-615 router on 30 MBPS and recently added 5 ip camera and the video appear to be laggy at times & it slows down my internet speed
FYI : 2 storey router on g floor smartdevices on second floor
Kindly advise on whether changing to a better router will help the above issue ?
Thank you in advance !
Definitely, IP camera uses a lot of bandwidth. It is better to get a good router.
Hi, I’m living in a double storey house and I need a router that can reach speeds close to the 50mbps that I have subscribed when I’m upstairs. What router would you recommend me to buy? Budget is within RM500 or below. Thanks in advance.
Asus RT-AC55UHP.
Hi I am looking for a router with wider coverage. My old unifi default router seems like weak after some short distance. Is tp-link AC3150 good enough?
Great choice. The signal from this router is really strong.
Recently upgraded to 50mbps from 30mbps, but still using the stock router rg4332, I’m thinking to change to a new router? Which one can you recommend?
-2 storey house, router on ground floor, computer on second floor
-7 devices, 2 computers 5 smartphones always connecting
-hpptv supported
-budget rm200-rm250
Phone TM and get a new router from them. They are giving our Archer C1200 for free now.
I tried, they said I’m not entitled to… I think is for certain user within certain register period!!!! Btw, where you get this info about Archer C1200 for free?
This is the router provided for all new Unifi installation currently. Maybe you will get a set of new equipment if you renew your contract with them.