Wi-Fi router: reliable, long-lived, low-3-figure price?

[d00df00d]

10 years ??? Not gonna happen once they deem it EOL (End of life) 3 to maybe 5 years some like TP Link even less. No more security firmware updates it's dead in the water. 10 years is not going to happen unless you like running a router full of security issues.

Good point.

 

[OVERKILL]

I just upgraded my home network:

Added the Unifi Enterprise 24 PoE switch, which has 12x 2.5Gbit ports plus 2x 10Gbit SFP's
UniFi Enterprise 24 PoE - Tech Specs (ui.com)
Added the Unifi U6 Enterprise WAP, which has a 2.5Gbit uplink and a pretty decent radio setup: (2x2 2.4Ghz, 4x4 5Ghz, 4x4 6Ghz)
UniFi U6 Enterprise - Tech Specs (ui.com)

SFP+ connect cable is on back-order, so just using Gig-E uplink for now. Access Point is on Port 5 but the 2.5Gbit ports start at 12, so it screwed up my patching-over, lol:

 

[Brons2]

I want the Wi-Fi router equivalent of a Toyota Hilux. Something I can set up once and never have to touch it again for like 10 years – no mysterious Wi-Fi drops, no needing to reboot it, etc. – even if it's subject to more than normal heat, dust, etc.

Happy to consider commercial/industrial options if necessary, even at the expense of ease-of-use.

Don't care about range or speed because AFAICT even the worst options these days have more than enough for the setup and usage in question. Smallish building, high-demand devices all use Ethernet, never more than one device streaming 4k content at a time (usually zero), range extender covers the Wi-Fi dead spots.

I'm not about to spend thousands on this, but I'm willing to spend a bit more than the typical consumer-grade stuff costs.

Any suggestions for this priority set?

There is no set it and forget it network device if you care about security. You can set some devices to auto-update but that comes with it's own drawbacks, i.e., you get a new firmware that is buggy. And nothing that is going to be supported for 10 years costs in the low 3 digit range. Sorry but that's how it is.

 

[Brons2]

I have a pile of used Ubiquiti APs here if you really want them despite my anti-Ubiquiti rant… I’ll give you a good deal I just have to test them first lol.

What models?

 

[dogememe]

What models?

Sorry, I sold them a long time ago. But I'm VERY happy with my new Aruba Instant On APs and switches.

 

[srfdude]

I got this one...have not touched it in two years

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TGKX9MT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

I also have an extender to cover the rest of the house, and outside.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09N6S5QJF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

Best router I have ever had.

Lol, @OVERKILL will be coming after you for using Chinese spyware ;-)