With StarHub and Singtel now offering 10Gbps fibre broadband plans in Singapore, you may be thinking of an upgrade. But getting the most out of these 10Gbps plans requires more than just the optical network router (ONR) provided by the ISP. Ideally, you'll want your home to be wired with plenty of Ethernet LAN points. Your desktop PCs will need a 10Gbps network card (around S$100 each). You may also want your own Wi-Fi router with 10Gbps ports (typically in the US$500 range). They all add up to a hefty price if you're starting from scratch. In addition, wireless speeds using Wi-Fi 6 will not even approach 10Gbps, even on paper.
In short, these plans may work out if you have the right infrastructure, devices, and a certain level of networking expertise. Your household will also need to consume a lot of bandwidth to justify the cost — StarHub's plan starts at S$99.90 a month (promotion price) while Singtel charges S$193.80 a month. Else, it's probably better to upgrade your Wi-Fi router for a cheaper, but equally significant speed boost. Here are five Wi-Fi routers that will improve your home internet experience.
Asus ZenWiFi XD6
The Asus ZenWiFi XD6 (from S$299 for 1-pack) is still one of the best mesh routers you can buy, despite being launched all the way back in 2021. And I believe it will remain the case until Wi-Fi 7 becomes widely available in 2024. Besides its excellent wireless speeds, the ZenWiFi XD6 also has four Gigabit ports, and Asus' handy AiProtection Pro security suite to block malicious internet activity.
Linksys Atlas 6
The Linksys Atlas 6 (S$369) is a good entry-level mesh router that's more suited to smaller homes compared to its higher-end Pro sibling. But it still has the same number of Ethernet ports (3 LAN and 1 WAN), and supports 160MHz Wi-Fi channels. Performance is good for its price, while the app, and setup process is polished, and user-friendly.
TP-Link Deco Voice X20
I'm a fan of devices that combine multiple functions. Which is what the TP-Link Deco Voice X20 (S$229) does — it's both an Amazon Alexa smart speaker and a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system. I would have liked the Google Assistant, but Alexa is functional enough, and the Deco's microphones work really well. The sound quality, and download speed are average, at best. But the X20 does a decent job of eliminating Wi-Fi blind spots.
Mercusys AX1800 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router
If you're upgrading from a decrepit router, a basic no-frills Wi-Fi 6 router can still do wonders for your home internet. And it's hard to beat the pricing for the Mercusys AX1800 (MR70X), which is available for as low as S$59 (on Lazada). This router offers decent performance, albeit with some flaws. But there's now an app (there wasn't one yet when I tested it) that addresses some of its downsides.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000
If you can afford to splurge on the bells and whistle, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 (S$669) is right up your alley. It offers plenty of enthusiast-level features, and customisation, including two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports. Wireless performance is rock-solid, and consistent, though its range isn't quite as good as a mesh router system. It's also fairly pricey, which is expected for a premium gaming-centric router.
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