Network issues - Recommend a cost effective gaming Modem and Router

So we've been having issues with our wireless devices dropping or getting terrible speeds (not able to steam to TV without buffering) and random drops in internet that is fixed with resetting the router/modem. I've had the Mediacom tech out multiple times and they ran new lines from the pedestal to our house which helped and they did some other work in our neighborhood but we were still having major issues with wireless and occasional issues with speed on my gaming PC which is connected directly to the router with cable.

I had another tech out yesterday and he did all his checks and couldn't find any problems. He happened to be a gamer though and as an aside told me that the router/modem that I was renting from the company was junk.
https://www.amazon.com/TECHNICOLOR-T...

He suggested purchasing my own modem and router which would help a lot with the wireless and streaming issues. He recommended an ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 and NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S - AC2600.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016PE1X5K...
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Night...

Those two together would be $304.32. My knowledge in networking is not strong and I've always relied on out of the box solutions so not sure exactly what I need. Do I need what appears to be some of the top end equipment or would I be happy with like the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1750 which is almost $100 cheaper and the ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 which is $25 cheaper? We don't have a ton of wireless devices, maybe 12 at most including TV, printer, tablets, phones, and laptops. We don't have separate cable for our TV (we cut the cable!) so we do stream everything over wireless for TV which is one of our major issues cutting out and stuttering. Our modem/router is located in our basement and we live in a 2 story house. We don't have major issues with signal to the 2nd floor and we get an ok signal to the yard.

HELP!

I think a step down on both modem and router would be find for you.

It's entirely possible just a new modem will do you wonders, it did for us.

Edit: Wait, are you saying you don't currently have a router and are instead relying on the the modem's built-in wifi? If so, then you'll want a router and modem, but I don't think you need to go with the $300 nuclear option and would be fine spending <$200.

garion333 wrote:

I think a step down on both modem and router would be find for you.

It's entirely possible just a new modem will do you wonders, it did for us.

Edit: Wait, are you saying you don't currently have a router and are instead relying on the the modem's built-in wifi? If so, then you'll want a router and modem, but I don't think you need to go with the $300 nuclear option and would be fine spending <$200.

Correct, the modem we are using is also our router/wifi.

Just read some bad reviews on the Nighthawk AC 1900 router in regards to security and customer support. Apparently Netgear only offers a few months support and then you have to pay for it. I find that very uncool.

What do you think of this router?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUSDVBQ...

A few years ago I got a SURFBOARD modem and a TP-link wireless router. My router isn't as nice as the ones you're looking at, but all of my gaming is done on a wired connection, and we have fewer wi-fi devices than you do, but it's been fine for the most part. I've got no idea about security or customer support though.

Ugh, I'm so confused now. Just had another buddy tell me I should get this router for the newer MU-MIMO technology especially since I have kids now that are starting to use more wireless and play games on tablets.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...

Well, if the company is charging for support past a few months on the 1900, then they'll likely do the same thing with the 23. I'd just avoid them completely.

I'd probably stick with the tech's opinion on the modem to use. He deals with that stuff every day, and has a better position to know what's right or wrong with them than almost any layperson would. But the router can be pretty much anything you want; that's just Ethernet, and that's easily testable with standard cabling and software test suites. Those things can be beaten up and quantified quite well.

Smallnetbuilder.com has a good set of rankings and tests you can use to at least get an idea of what to look at. From a quick scan of their currently-benchmarked goodies, the TP-LINK Archer C5 V2 AC1200 looks quite decent, offering solid performance for a lot less money than the competition. It's not as fast as they are, but you won't be able to take advantage of the really high speeds unless you've got very recent wireless clients. If your laptops and devices aren't brand-new, probably released this year, a great deal of the speed in the high-end routers won't be available to you anyway.

Whatever you pick, I'd strongly suggest buying from a place with a good return policy, so you can verify that it works okay in your setup.

Oh, and then another note: wired networking is always better. If you run Ethernet, it will always work. Wireless is inherently unreliable, and it can be interfered with by your neighbors, so a perfectly functional setup can suddenly stop working, through no fault of your own or that of your equipment.

edit to add: Wireless is a lot easier, but if you want to solve the problem permanently, take the time to run Ethernet. Actual physical outlay shouldn't be much worse than a good router. If you're willing to do the work yourself, and assuming Cat 5e is sufficient for your needs (it'll support ten gigabit out to 50 meters, which should be enough unless you live in a mansion), you should be able to wire a house for a few hundred bucks and a couple days of labor. You'll have to spend an hour learning how to wire and crimp cable ends and outlet boxes, but that's just a color code.

Having it done professionally is easier, of course, but costs a hell of a lot more.