Upgrading Router from VM3 Hub

RobbieH

Hi all
I have a VM hub 3 and am looking into setting it into modem mode and installing a new router.
I'm looking at this because I have occasional issues with Lag and connection with certain smart lights e.g. Yeelight ceiling light which for some reason just wont connect to the router. The manufacturer askes me to change the DNS setting but this isn't possible on the hub3 and occasional lag with my ring2 doorbell and gaming machines.
Speed wise it's doing ok. I'm on vivid 200 and can get upto 220mbs so speed isn't an issue.
I've looked at the netgear nighthawk range specifically theR8000 X6 and the R7000.
I'm thinking maybe these could be a little overkill for what I need but also don't want to have to replace it in 2/3 years time so any advice would be appreciated.
Here is a list of things currently connected to my Hub 3
3 smart tv's that all stream Netflix. 1 connected via Ethernet
3 Gaming machines ps4 and Nintendo that online game via wifi
Sky Q via ethernet
5 iphones via wifi
2 kindle fires via wifi
3 laptops via wifi
Ring2 doorbell via wifi
2 Amazon echo via wifi
3 smart wifi switches via wifi
Nest Thermostat via wifi
And 1 smart light that can't seem to connect to the router at all.
Any advice is greatly appreciated as I'm getting brain ache
Thanks.

psychopomp1

The Netgear R7800 is probably your best bet, its the # 1 rated router on smallnetbuilder.com for wifi. However the R8000 is also very good as well if you need a tri-band router. If you do decide to got for the R8000, then go for the R8000P as the P version is newer and has a beefier CPU.

RobbieH

Thanks for your reply.
I see the 7800 has very good reviews. There's not much with price difference between the 7800 and 8000, less than a tenner through Amazon. Unfortunately the 8000p is just a little too much at over £200. The price of the 8000 at £170 was pushing it for me. I was hoping for no more than £150 but I don't mind pushing a little more if it's worth it.

psychopomp1

Ok in that case go for the R8000 as the extra radio is very useful when you’ve got a shed load of Wi-fi clients.

maf1970

Have to point out that changing your router will not necessarily solve your problem.

psychopomp1

True but as the OP is planning to buy from Amazon it’s a risk free purchase as he has a 30 day hassle free money back guarantee.

RobbieH

Oh ok. Can you elaborate on that please.
From what I’ve read the issues I do have have been certain limitations with the virgin hub 3. I’ve gone from the reviews from other hub 3 users who have had similar issues and when replaced with routers I’ve mentioned those issues have mostly resolved.
As been said I will get it from amazon so after a few days trial if there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference I’ll send it back.
I appreciate all the feedback.

maf1970

That's a fair point to make and I am aware of their policy. My thinking is it would be better to have some idea what the OP is trying to fix rather than buy blind and then spend time trying to get it to work without knowing if it actually will.

So my first question would be which band on the wifi does each item connect ?
I have seen on the hub 3 that connectivity issues can be alleviated by limiting mixed mode on the 5Ghz band to  802.11ac.

RobbieH

It’s only since I purchased a smart light that wouldn’t connect that highlighted the hubs limitations. The manufacturer said to alter the DNS settings but when trying to do this it became apparent that’s not possible with the virgin hub. My boys when gaming have mentioned a few times about not connection or occasional lag when playing games. I’ve not took much noticed as I’ve brushed it off as the game servers being busy or we’ve just rebooted the router.
I’ve experienced quite a bit of lag with my ring doorbell. Sometimes the notification will come through straight away but quite often it’s delayed.
I’ve never really experienced a speed issue quite the opposite. Most of the time it’s reached what it should be or slightly better.
It’s just the lag or connection issues that I’ve just brushed off in the past.
Most connections  all work on 2.4ghz. Laptops, iPhones and kindles are on 5ghz
I’m just wandering if we’re pushing the hub to its limits with the things connected.

maf1970

VM limited the hub 3 so you can't alter the DNS settings. Virgin is also know to have issues with lag at certain times due to over subscription in certain areas. Have you tried connecting the consoles via wired and see if the same issues are reported ?