Which Wi-Fi router works
Not every router works reliably on the dormitory network. This page explains what matters and which models we recommend.
To connect your devices over Wi-Fi, you need your own Wi-Fi router. Not every device is suited for that.
What your router needs
-
DHCP on the WAN port
The internet connection must be configurable as Dynamic IP / Automatic IP – your router gets its address automatically, not a fixed one. -
Wi-Fi 6 preferred
With many Wi-Fi networks packed into one dormitory, newer routers hold up better.
We only document the models below. Other devices: use the manufacturer's manual, or pick a recommended one — and still connect the router through the WAN port only.
Recommended models
| Model | Speed | approx. price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer AX12 recommended Wi-Fi 6 no DFS |
1 GBit/s | €36 | Cheapest Wi-Fi 6 router with no speed penalty, but no DFS. |
| TP-Link Archer AX53 recommended Wi-Fi 6 DFS |
1 GBit/s | €49 | Best balance of price and performance. |
| TP-Link Archer AX73 available Wi-Fi 6 DFS |
1 GBit/s | €104 | More range, for a shared flat or large apartment. |
| TP-Link Archer C6 available Wi-Fi 5 no DFS |
1 GBit/s | €32 | Slightly better Wi-Fi than the Archer C2, also no speed penalty. Wi-Fi 5 only, no DFS. |
| TP-Link Archer C2 recommended Wi-Fi 5 no DFS |
1 GBit/s | €29 | Cheapest recommendation with full line speed, but only Wi-Fi 5 and no DFS. |
| TP-Link Archer AX18 available Wi-Fi 6 no DFS |
1 GBit/s | €42 | Same tech as the AX12, but pricier. No DFS. |
Approximate prices as of 31 August 2026 (geizhals.de). They change constantly – treat them as a ballpark, not a promise.
Hover over a tag to see the reason behind it.
Not recommended for purchase
We advise against these models. If you already own one, it still works – check the reason badge for what to watch out for.
| Model | Speed | approx. price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Archer C50 not recommended Wi-Fi 5 no DFS |
100 MBit/s | €25 | Cuts your connection to a tenth. |
| TP-Link Archer C20 not recommended Wi-Fi 5 no DFS |
100 MBit/s | €25 | Cuts your connection to a tenth. |
| TP-Link Archer A5 not recommended Wi-Fi 5 no DFS |
100 MBit/s | €29 | Cuts your connection to a tenth. |
| TP-Link TL-WR841N not recommended Wi-Fi 4 |
100 MBit/s | €14 | 2.4 GHz only, no 5 GHz Wi-Fi – replace it urgently. |
| TP-Link TL-WR840N not recommended Wi-Fi 4 |
100 MBit/s | €14 | 2.4 GHz only, no 5 GHz Wi-Fi – replace it urgently. |
| TP-Link Archer AX10 discontinued Wi-Fi 6 no DFS |
1 GBit/s | €44 | Works perfectly, just without DFS. |
| TP-Link Archer C7 discontinued Wi-Fi 5 no DFS |
1 GBit/s | – | If you already own one, it works fine. |
| ASUS RT-AX58U discontinued Wi-Fi 6 DFS |
1 GBit/s | – | Setup is a little more involved than on TP-Link. |
| TP-Link TL-WR940N discontinued Wi-Fi 4 |
100 MBit/s | – | 2.4 GHz only – replace even if you already own one. |
Models tagged discontinued are listed last: they work, but are hard to buy now.
What DFS means
The 5 GHz band has around twenty channels, but most routers may only use four of them. The rest are shared with weather and aviation radar. A router may only use them if it listens in and vacates the channel the moment a radar appears — that listening is called DFS.
What this means for you: in a dormitory, hundreds of devices crowd onto the same four default channels. A router with DFS can move to the others, where almost nobody transmits. That is the most noticeable difference between two otherwise equally fast devices — more than any number on the box.
You do not have to configure anything. Leave the channel setting on Auto and the router picks the quietest channel itself.
Newer devices may need a firmware update from the manufacturer before first use.
Once your router has arrived, continue with Connect your router.