Our favorite networking products for 2021
We’ve been using Ubiquiti products for a very long time, but recently we decided to try two different companies due to some Reddit recommendations.
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TP-Link EAP660 HD
The TP-Link EAP660 HD is a wireless dual band multi-gigabit ceiling mount access point featuring increased network capacity by up to 4× versus Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) in high-density environments to connect more devices simultaneously. Leverage multi-user capabilities and upgrade your business like never before.
The Omada Wi-Fi 6 Access Point features the latest 802.11ax technologies like 1024 QAM and Long OFDM Symbol, which allows the EAP to boost overall speeds up to 3550 Mbps (2402 Mbps on a 5 GHz band and 1148 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz band). With 8 spatial streams, multi-user throughput is incredibly increased to drive more applications.
We found the signal penetrated walls far better than our previous Ubiquiti APs, and the speed has been rock solid.
Microtik RB4011
I have been using this new Mikrotik RB4011 for a month now, and it was a much needed upgrade. I have Spectrum 100/10Mbps internet service a my old router did not have the CPU power that this one dose, so no more slow speedtests. I am now seeing consistent higher than advertised results. I have also noticed that pings in online games are lower and website page loads are faster.
This is a device that should be set up though by some one who knows a little about networking, or knows a lot about networking and there is a comprehensive GUI called WinBox or the ssh console to setup this router to do all kinds of things. I have mine blocking known spam/hacker IPs and I block ad servers with the DNS server. I also use the VPN for when I need to get something from home.
I have not use the POE yet but plan on plugging my Mikrotik Access Point into it when I run a longer cable. We have a lot of Mikrotik devices at work and they are solid pieces of equipment. In my photos you can see I have other Mikrotik devices that are old and still work great, but don’t have the CPU for routing like this dose.
This router dose get warm, there are no fans but a big heat sink, even with no load it is warm. The power connector is a big block and has a way to keep from pulling out, but I would have liked to see a C14 computer connector as this is a higher end router.
I was thinking of waiting for the version of this router with wireless, but I didn’t need it because I have the central AP, it is a little more, and wasn’t available yet. I also don’t have a use for the ears but it is nice to have the option.
If you are looking for a good home or small office router this is a great and powerful option.