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 there, currently using a Skyworth RN685 Mesh router from Celcom, 300mps plan. I also have a pair of AX1800 Deco X20 mesh wifi from TP Link. However after changing to RN685, I have been having the occasional packet loss while on zoom calls and sudden loading while streaming or watching movies. I did not experience this with my previous router when I was using Unifi’s plan (Zyxel AX1800). I don’t know which routers are compatible with the Deco mesh or if I have to only purchase mesh routers. Maybe looking at upgrading to 500 mbps. Any advice on what… Read more »
Actually you can try to connect the Deco X20 directly to the modem from Celcom, bypassing the Skyworth router. But, the configuration is a little tricky. I will sugggest calling TP-Link support.
Hi, i have unifi 30mbps plan. Currently using DIR 842 router. The signal is bad when im upstairs(double storey house). My router is downstairs. Mesh is not an option. If i buy tplink ax72 would it solves the problem.
Yes, the Archer AX72 is a lot more powerful than the old DIR-842.
Hi there, I just bought a new Asus AX5400 Tuf Gaming router. However, when I set up the new router, it seem like not able to connect to internet while use back the old router can. Do we need to call unifi to reboot or something from their end?
Contact ASUS support, they will guide you the proper setup process.
Hi, I’m at my parent’s house and apparently they have subscribed to the Unifi 500mbps plan. However, they have been using the Asus RT-AC55UHP router and the internet connection (using Ethernet cable) is stuck under 85mbps. Obviously, I am planning to ask them to upgrade to mesh wifi but the internet connection seems very low even for the router that they’re using. Do you think it could be a problem with the ONU/FTTH or is it just the capability of the router that’s the problem? Thanks!
It’s actually a problem with RT-AC55UHP not supporting faster speed. Changing to a better router should fix that issue.
Hi, I am planning to buy a mesh wifi as the I live in a double storey house and the wifi keeps on disconnected when I’m inside my room, but I am unsure which one should I choose. Currently using DLink DIR-850L with unifi 100mbps plan. Which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance!
For 100Mbps, I will recommend something like TP-Link’s Deco X20 or Mercusys H70X. Both of them will be more than enough for your speed.
Hi, im planning to change the ori TIME router when they come install next few weeks, 500mbps plan in a 1200sqft apartment, tp link ax55 vs ax72 vs ax73, which would be ur recommended choice?
Tqvm
Get the best one, Archer AX73.
Helo, I’m currently on 800Mbps plan but only got half the speed since I’m using the standard router provided by TM. The question is, what is the cheapest router that I can buy to be able to use full speed?
I will recommend getting at least the TP-Link Archer AX72. But you do need to ensure your own devices can support Wi-Fi 6 technology as well.
D-LINK DIR-X5460 can also or still its has to be AX72? If some of the devices can’t support Wi-Fi 6, what will happen?
The D-Link DIR-X5460 is also an AX5400 but I have not tested it. I prefer TP-Link these days as their firmware is much better and the security is better than D-Link.
Hi, recently I signed up for unifi for my 3 storey home and they provided 2 units of D Link X1860Z mesh router. Should I use this router or use my previous router which is Deco M9 plus (3 pack)?
The Deco M9 Plus performance should be better than the X1860Z due to it is Tri-Band AC2200 and it have more mesh capacity than the D-Link AX1800 system.
i’m using Unifi 300mbps. Just now wifi router suddenly not functioning. Is it reliable if i buy TP-Link Archer AX50 to replace it?
The Archer AX50 is really a good bargain now since it offers lifetime free HomeCare features if you’re into that.
Hi Blacktubi,
i am using Unifi 100mbps (maybe in future will upgrade to 300mbps) and staying at apartment of 900sf , i am thinking of Archer C6/ A6 , is it a good choice?
many thanks.
I wouldn’t recommend these models anymore as they are getting pretty old. Consider something like the Archer AX20 or the Mercusys MR80X instead.
Thank you so much.
Hi Blacktubi, Thanks for the fruitful information! Would like to seek your advice, I am staying at a 4000 sq feet double storey house with Unifi 500mbps plan. I am currently looking at:- 1. TP Link AX73 + 2x Deco M4 (which I currently owned); or 2. TP-Link Deco M9 Plus (2 units). I am setting budget of around RM1000. I prefer to have a good wireless internet speed and coverage. I don’t mind to top up some extra if it could speed up the internet speed and wifi coverage. Which option do you recommend or probably you have a… Read more »
I would suggest either the Deco XE75 or ASUS ZenWiFi XD6. Both models offer really good performance and can be bought at a price of around RM1300 with sale. Both models mentioned will perfom much better than the combination you suggested.
Thanks a lot Blacktubi! Will be getting one of these 2.
Hi Blacktubi,
I bought Deco XE75 already. Just relocate my unifi and the unifi contractor helped to install the Deco XE75.
However they mentioned that it cannot be used a wireless router and advise me to get a new wireless router. They also mentioned Deco XE75 cannot connect directly to unifi modem but must through a separate wireless router.
If I am not wrong Deco XE75 can also be set as a wireless router to connect directly to Unifi modem right?
Many thanks.
Sim
Yes the Deco XE75 can connect directly to the Unifi modem. You can refer to this video from TP-Link. It’s for another model but the setup procedure is the exact same. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMTCp77PAAs
Hi Blacktubi,
Im considering to update my router preferably to wifi 6 router..currently using RT-AC86U..Is Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 still a good buy in September 2022 considering that the model has been launched in 2018 and not a wifi 6 router?
Or perhaps could you suggest any other wifi 6 model with good specs (nothing less than my current router model) and within midrange price?
Thanks.
At the current sale price of GT-AC5300, it’s even cheaper than ASUS TUF-AX5400 but you get a tri-band product and a much more powerful CPU. In my test, unless your Internet speed is faster than 500Mbps, the GT-AC5300 will always be faster than a similarly price range Wi-Fi 6 router at the same test.
Thanks Blacktubi.. Last question if you dont mind.. Im on unifi 500mb and considering to invest in a router that will still relevant and compatible in the next 3-4 years..i have 1 laptop and 4 ipad connected to the internet most of the time..laptop for work and ipad are for online games I have narrowed down my option to GT-AC5300 (reasonable price and good cpu speed) and RT-AC86U (much higher price and wifi 6 router). Do you think RT-AC86U will not benefited me a lot since im just using 500mb internet or it does have better performance against GT-AC5300 on… Read more »
Are you referring to the RT-AX86U? The RT-AX86U is still a superior product over the GT-AC5300 in every way possible.