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#11
I think that what this thread shows above all else is that the whole market is a very vibrant affair, some of this is due at least in part from the quality of the devices supplied by ISPs, (can only talk of the UK in this). ISP supplied routers and general infrastructure devices are built (modified) down to a price and not up to quality. A lot of these run specially written "dumbed down" software so as not to Confuse customers (or perhaps it's the ISP helpdesk staff )
If you are looking at any of the main names in the business you can be sure that you will see a dramatic improvement over the devices supplied with the service by the ISP. Over the years I've used a lot of different Network devices, Am currently using a TP-Link set-up based around an Archer C7 ( I can sit in the car around 200 - 300 feet from router, and the phone connects and works perfectly on Both bands), and a couple of Switches but go to any of the well known manufacturers as others do here, and you should be good for a few years it's a very volatile market with competing technical specs. get the best you can afford, not sure if waiting till after the Holiday period will improve Pricing where you are, but I often see a huge drop in price as new devices are released so "last year's model" could be good value.
There are these days numerous smartphone apps for setting up the network , check local band usage and select a quiet area in the spectrum can improve things no end (Remember to check both bands on a dual band set-up), and can also highlight bad reception areas and suggest where repeaters ( or ethernet or PowerPlugs) are needed.