Due to a few minor issues, I'm beginning to think I may need to replace my current router, Asus RT-AX3000. While I am open to suggestions, I have come across this
Ubiquiti Dream Router. Does the essentially function the same (providing the wifi network) as my current router? Would I be able to use my current POE switch with it, at least until I can upgrade to a Ubiquiti switch? If I can use this in the same way I currently use my Asus router, then when I do a project this fall to hard wire points in the house, I am considering installing these at those locations (primarily our bedroom ad where the Main TV is located).
The UDR is a nice option and one I installed earlier this year at a friends house. Has a few POE ports to power APs or switches. Only downside is it’s limited to 700MB throughput so if you have 1G fiber you will be capped at 700. But honestly that’s not much of a difference and most wouldn’t notice.
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If you’ve been happy with your Asus router (other than the recent problem it’s developed), I’d go with another one of those if I were you.
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Running Merlin?
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I’ve been having angst over the fact that my Velop is only 1Gb and everything seems to be moving towards 2Gb minimum. We have AT&T fiber and Google fiber is also available now.
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When I last used an asus router, of course I flashed Merlin’s firmware on it 
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Long time Assus fan here, always trying to put up with its quirks. I recently switched to Ubiquiti access points and it feels like an upgrade from a Ford Pinto to a Ferrari 
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I use unifi AP's both at home and in corp enviroments. You can't beat them... Not a fan of the back end stuff. For my router I use a watchguard T35
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I have a full TP-Link Omada setup with (3) managed switches, (4) APs, a router and a controller. The AP's are good, and the router works but it is probably the weakest link. The Four APs provide great 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz coverage throughout the house and back yard.
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That’s part of the issue, I can’t flash this one to Merlin.
i love the gt-axe16000 and 11000 asus running merlin.. no issues and much father and stronger wifi than prevous version.. i can get about the max 1g on the same floor and about 800 meg upstairs..
and if i do a local speed test to my openspeedtest on my nas i can regularly get 1.4gig over wifi if if am close to the router.
very pricy though.
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Another Ubiquiti/Unifi fan here.
I switched after years with a wide range of different consumer routers\APs and these have been the most reliable and the least trouble of anything I've ever owned (as long as you can avoid the temptation to start installing early access firmware). 
I don't have any experience with the UDM. I use an EdgeRouter 12 with my Unifi APs.
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I switched from Asus to Ubiquiti/UniFi as well. Very happy with my decision. While it is not cheap, I have had zero issues with any of the hardware to date. I actually started with an original UDM + a few Access Points and PoE switches. I have since upgraded to a UDM SE, as I wanted UniFi Protect for some 100% local video storage. I really like the platform and the progress Ubiquiti has been making in terms of new features without negatively impacting stability.
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Pfsense Router/Firewall with UniFi Switches and access points. I also use Protect and backup the video to spinning rust on a FreeNAS/TrueNAS VM hosted on Proxmox.
When considering the purchase of a router, there are several things that must be factored into that decision.
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What is the current bandwidth of your ISP service and do you anticipate that increasing in the foreseeable future. For example, I did have a 300 mbps plan, but upgraded to 800 mbps, which meant my old WiFi 5 router was marginal at best.
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How many devices do you plan to operate on the local network? Will these devices be connect through wired Ethernet or through WiFi?
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Do you have any devices capable of using the new 6g WiFi channels provided by WiFi 6e? Do you anticipate purchasing such devices in the foreseeable future?
I purchased a TP Link AXE16000 WiFi6e router earlier this year. There are a couple of WiFi7 routers available from TP-Link and Netgear, and perhaps others, but the official WiFi7 standard has not yet been finalized. Also, unless you need bandwidth exceeding 9.6 GBPS, WiFi7 is not needed by homeowners.
I have upgraded my Ethernet cables to CAT6 and upgraded my Ethernet adapters and switches to 2.5 gbe. While the 1 gbe standard exceeds the capability of my current ISP plan, I know that the ISP will be the limiting factor, not my local network.
Unless your current ISP plan is less than 300 mbps with no plans to upgrade, I would recommend that you consider a WiFi6e router. Most will easily handle 2.5 gbe and have a fast enough CPU and RAM to handle lots of devices.
One thing you might want to consider is that some routers have multiple access points. However, unless these APs have a wired Ethernet backhaul, they significantly reduce throughput. Also, many require you to use the same SSID for all WiFi channels. If you have 2.4 gHz home automation devices, setup is difficult if you have the same SSID for all channels. It can be done, but it is a lot of trouble to do so. That is why I use separate SSIDs for my 2.4 gHz, 5 gHz, and 6 gHz WiFi channels.
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same and i use a wired backhaul to my downstairs asus gt-axe11000 over a gocoax 2.5 gb connector with 2.5g switches.. and a 10g switch in my main office.. i am ready to upgrade to over 1g with my provider when they offer it for a reasonable price for business connections with static ips..
Is it a V2? I think they have a Realtek RTL8367S and there is no Merlin or Fresh Tomato for that.
I think you can load RT-AX58U Merlin if it is a V1.
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@lcw731 - just wanted to note that we're all really enjoying spending your money. Thanks for the opportunity.
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- Do you need a VPN to this location?
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Yes it is. I had a moment of hope last week when I thought I could , but nope.
