I am looking to purchase a router to go along with my Gigabit service, but not sure which router will work best with my devices. I have Zigbee, Z-Wave, matter and Wi-Fi devices. So which router do you all suggest?
I use the Alien from Ubiquiti (Amplifi.) It is, basically, a residential version of their commercial router/wifi. I have two that easily cover a 1/3 acre area, two stories. I’ve been pleased.
That won’t work, as I have over 1gb and need tri-band.
you may want to provide more details (requirements) in what you are looking for… price range? router and wifi or router only? gigabit service provider and do they provide a router? how many wifi devices do you have? how many wifi cameras, etc? what is your current router and wifi system?
A router? Or a router with WiFi access point capability as well? People call everything a “router” just as they call the internet “WiFi” so its hard to tell what question you might be asking.
1 Like
OK, I have 65 Zwave and Zigbee devices, 10 WiFi switches and 9 cameras also connected. This doesn’t count the two iPhones 1 iPad, one fire tablet, two wireless printers and at least 6 voice assistants. Oh, and not to forget 2 TVs and 4 wireless speakers. My Modem Router is a Xfinity XB8. The 6 computers are direct wired via Ethernet. I might be forgetting a few items.
SmartThings won’t play much in the discussion of what router and WiFi support you need. Its a low bandwidth hub that uses a 100mb ethernet connection.
Zwave won’t matter.
Zigbee can interfere with 2.4Ghz WiFi, you just need to try and select a channel that won’t overlap. You can pick a Zigbee channel via the Advanced SmartThings web app.
My own personal preference is a standalone router with multiple wired access points, but depending on your home size and layout you may not need or want all that. I’m partial to Ubiquiti or Tp-link Omada. Others may prefer an all-in-one router/wifi access point, especially if it can be centrally located. Mesh products that use a 3rd band or hardwired backbones are also good options, I’ve used Eero in the past but retired it a few years ago.
You don’t really have a high WiFi load (switches on 2.4, the tablets and phones on 5.8) to worry too much about WiFi 6E or higher at this point.