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, currently i am on 800Mbps Maxis Home Fiber, and router HUAWEI LG8245x6.
The internet is poor & intermittent, only about 400-500mbps with Ookla speed test.
what do you recommend for router for better internet connection for double storey house?
my budget is below rm1k (with mesh)
That’s a very limited budget (ouch). Perhaps get 2 units of ASUS TUF-AX4200 would be the best bang for buck. Might exceed your budget a little but you will need it for 800Mbps.
Hi Blacktubi, what is the recommendation for TP link mesh router that is supporting MAXIS 2Gps package? Thank you.
I recommend at least the Archer BE800/GE800/BE805 for their router mesh or Deco BE85 for their true mesh series.
Hi, any budget recommendation for wifi 6 routers for double storey 2500sqft landed house with more than 20+ devices? My current routers are DIR 842 and 2 M4 deco have been getting random disconnections and packet loss when playing games.
Hi there, consider replacing everything with a mesh Wi-Fi system. Since your house is larger, get something that’s at least AX5400 and above.
Hi Blacktubi,
I am on Unifi 800Mbps package and recently acquired a Unifi TV box. It came with 2 wifi6 AX1800 wireless routers (SR1041Y). I gather they are mesh routers. I presently have a TPLink C3150 router.
Can you provide a guide on how to install these two routers around my double storey house. My TPLink router is in my bedroom together with Unifi’s modem and stuff. The Unifi TV box is downstairs in the living room.
You can only use either the C3150 or the new mesh units from TM. Not possible to use both at the same time.
Thanks for the clarification. What router then, do you recommend to add to my C3150 as a second router for the living room?
If you have wired backhaul, you can reuse the free router from TM. However, if it’s a wireless mesh config, I don’t think the C3150 comes with any mesh feature.
hi Blacktubi, currently using asus rt-ac58u with unifi 300mbps. with upgrade to 500mbps incoming, is the asus router sufficient or upgrade? if there is a need for upgrade, what will be a decent wifi router with good 5ghz wifi strength?
Since you are using ASUS, perhaps you can consider upgrading to RT-AX57 or TUF-AX4200.
these 2 asus routers seems a bit over the budget, apologies for not stating it earlier. I’m looking at rm300 or less, are the routers below this price suitable for 500mbps ? thank you.
At RM300 or less, you might as well just use your old router. You need to spend a bit more to see a signficant upgrade. Things have gotten more expensive these days.
i see, what about other brands like tplink? i read a bit on ax53 and ax55, are these considered as significant upgrade?
Yup, those are Wi-Fi 6 so they will provide a better speed especially when you’re further to the router. However, don’t expect much improvement in the coverage.
Hi Blacktubi
i been using unifi 800Mbps (Turbo Upgrade 2018)
on AC1200 DIR-842 router connecting by LAN to 2 Desktop, a Smart TV, a Tv Box and around 15 wireless device
i have a pair of Mesh WiFi Deco M4 laying around still new in the box
can teach me how to upgrade my setup to get the full speed?
do i change the router or should i go mesh?
Your current system is actually quite weak, I believe you facing frequent slow-down and Wi-Fi problems. Consider upgrading to something at least AX5400 and above for a better performance.
Hello,
I would like to ask I had a D-Link router by Unify which now my plan upgraded from 100mbps to 300mbps, it seems like current Unifi router could not support the speed and fully utilise it, I have a Deco M5 upstair act as range extender, as I have few ethernet cables usage, I couldn’t really utilise Deco, so in this case, is there any good TP Link routers series to recommend with a budget of RM600 ?
My house is double storey, so coverage is really important.
Perhaps you can consider the Archer AX73 model. It should fit your bill.
Hi Blacktubi
Thankyou for your informative reviews.
I’m going to replace my Unifi router.
A friend has suggested I install two Aimesh Asus routers, the RT AX 1800 HP. Cost for two units around RM800.
He said it will provide good cover for my bungalow (20mtr x 12mtr), and also give a signal in the garden.
What’s your thoughts on this?
Thanks 👍
The RT-AX1800HP is a great choice but perhaps I will suggest going for a higher end model like the ZenWiFi XD5 or even the ZenWiFi XT8 for faster speed. The RT-AX1800HP is not that fast especially when compared to the 2 higher end models.
Good Day, with all these speed upgrade. Do i need to upgrade my BTU/fiber optic modem?. Still using the old alcatel lucent I-240G-P but my router is Deco M9plus. Cant seems to get above 200bmps.
Your modem is an older model, perhaps you can give TM a call and complain about it and hopefully they can provide a free replacement without contract renew.
Hi
I have Unifi 100 plan but will change to 300 soon.
It’s very erratic now and streaming is unreliable. I have older Unifi router, Fiberhome SR120.
What should I buy to replace for reliable signal.
House is 1 floor but 4 bedrooms so quite big
Thanks
What’s your budget?
I would like to know if tp-link archer C1200 can use mesh wifi or not? My internet speed is 300mb but unless my device is right next to the router, I can’t get full speed. Is it possible to use mesh wifi with tp-link archer C1200?
I recommend just chaning the Archer C1200 into something newer like the Archer AX53.
hi may need your help for setup router for my house
internet speed 800mbps
double story terrace house; total 4 rooms (staying with family)
Avg 10-12 devices connect to internet (smartphone, tv, tablet, etc)
got 3 laptops connected with LAN cable due to wfh need stable internet connection.
Should i get deco+ switch or 2 wifi 6 router ?
Since you already have Ethernet backhaul at your home, just get Deco X20 and connect them to the existing Ethernet backhaul and they should work pretty great.