Replacement for Skinny Router

Stoffel on 09/10/2024 - 07:58

Hi brains trust,

I'm after a new router to replace our old Skinny-issued router. The main reason is I want to be able to schedule wi-fi to turn off at night and I can't do that with our current one. I'm not tech savvy and all the options available overwhelm me. Budget is $300 or less.

Going to Australia for few days next week and considering getting one delivered to the hotel I'm staying at. Potential TRS savings there. Currently Amazon have a Prime deal on the ASUS AX3000P for $133.80 or the AX1800S for $82.59.

Any suggestions on these or other options?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Jizah on 09/10/2024 - 08:01
    +2

    Is turning the router off completely with a smart plug an option? I assume not, but they can be had for less than $20

  • dryburn on 09/10/2024 - 08:36

    I have been running a Fritzbox 7530 for a couple of years and really happy with it.

    Has an app to turn on and off wifi, block individual devices, parental control, schedule wifi on and off times. I really happy with it.

    PSA the orbi doesn't give you this option.

  • Huntakillaz on 09/10/2024 - 09:14

    Since you're in Aus

    Grab one of these over there check comments see what they say
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/Router

    Or get a GL INet travel router

    If you can afford to get a WiFi 6e one as 6e will give you the 6ghz bandwidth as well for the newer devices you'll get now /in future

  • tomb98 on 09/10/2024 - 09:34
    +1

    The ASUS RT-AX1800S will do the job and more and it's a good price, even if you buying from NZ.

  • ace310 on 09/10/2024 - 09:54
    +1

    Highly recommend Asus or tp-link if you are not that tech savvy. Considering you can claim TRS, check out ASUS RT-AX86U Pro AX5700. It is probably overkill for you, but you won't need anything else once you have it. ASUS AX3000P is good as well.

    Stay away from Orbi if you want control like this.

    But provide more context on how big your house is and how many devices are normally connected. Maybe you need a mesh or not?

    • Stoffel on 09/10/2024 - 17:03

      Approximately 200 sqm single level. Coverage isn't a problem with the old router. Just would like to have more controls, particularly for scheduling wi-fi on and off

      • ace310 on 09/10/2024 - 17:13

        Well I have Asus gt-ax6000, but I am pretty certain most of the asus routers have parental controls & time schedules like this. The time schedule can be either Online Schedule or Offline Schedule. This can either be configured via the app or from browser admin dashboard.

        Considering single level house just go with RT-AX88u pro mentioned below. That should be enough.

  • falloutshank on 09/10/2024 - 11:45
    +1

    I would go for the ASUS RT-AX88U PRO AX6000 https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-RT-AX88U-Extendable-Rangeboost-S…

    Or wait for black Friday….

  • Stoffel on 09/10/2024 - 17:04

    Thanks all

  • Detruire on 09/10/2024 - 19:03
    +2

    What Skinny router do you have? The Skinny Smart Modem can disable WiFi on a timer - the option is under WLAN > WLAN Scheduler - it just isn't particularly fine-grained (you can only set it on a per-hour basis).

    • Stoffel on 09/10/2024 - 20:56

      Thanks! I've had a tinker with it and initially it seemed counter-intuitive, ie when I wanted it to be on it turned the wi-fi off and when I wanted it to be off it was on. But it seems to be running ok for now. One thing I can't figure out is it says "Current Time: Not Unavailable". Does yours say the same thing? I've been trying to find out how to remedy this and wonder if this is why it is playing up a bit

      • Detruire on 09/10/2024 - 23:07

        A green square means that WiFi is on that hour, whereas a white or grey square means WiFi is off for that hour. Also, IME when I changed the setting for the current hour it wouldn't always take effect - the system may only check the schedule every hour, or even only when it thinks that the WiFi needs to be enabled/disabled.

        It should show the current time, something like "Current Time : Wed Oct 09 2024 23:03:22". Does the Overview > Network Status page show an actual time above the Connection Status section?

  • Huntakillaz on 09/10/2024 - 22:31

    Anyone want to get this with me? $200 + Shipping from Welly (free pickup if local)
    Mercusys BE9300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router, 320 MHz, 4K QAM, 6 GHz, MLO, 4x Full 2.5 Gbps Ports, 6× Omni Directional Antennas, Gaming & Streaming, Seamless Wi-Fi, EasyMesh, Remote Control (MR47BE)
    https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0CQLHSSCJ/ref=ox_sc_ac…

    Ozbargin comments:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/870276

  • Drcspy on 10/10/2024 - 10:34
    +1

    A smart plug for $20 from Mitre 10 will do this for you

  • Latex Fist on 10/10/2024 - 13:42

    Why not get an access point that you can control remotely, like the TPLINK Omada series?

  • felixfurtak on 12/10/2024 - 12:01
    +1

    Fritzbox 7490 is rock solid. Really full featured with scheduling, guest network, etc. I have 3 of these set up as a mesh network and they work easily as well the more expensive options. You can pick them up for $30-50 on Trademe or Facebook Marketplace. Only Wifi 5 unfortunately, but speed really isn't any issue. I have about 30 home automation devices connected and it's fine.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join