In today’s world, online gaming has become more popular than ever, with millions of people around the globe engaging in fast-paced gaming battles with friends and strangers alike. But a high-quality router is essential for a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience if you’re an avid gamer. That’s where the ASUS RT-AX86U Gaming Router comes in. This router is specifically designed to cater to the needs of online gamers, with advanced features and technology that promise to deliver fast and reliable connectivity. In this review, we’ll look closer at the ASUS RT-AX86U Gaming Router, exploring its features, performance, and overall value for gamers.
Asus RT-AX86U Specs
| Specification | Details |
| Wireless Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Wi-Fi Speeds | Up to 5,700 Mbps (tri-band) |
| Wireless Frequency | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2 |
| Antennas | 3 x external antennas |
| Ethernet Ports | 1 x 2.5Gbps WAN, 4 x 1Gbps LAN, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 2.0 |
| Processor | 1.8 GHz quad-core processor |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Flash Memory | 256 MB |
| MU-MIMO | Yes |
| Beamforming | Yes |
| VPN Support | Yes |
| Parental Controls | Yes |
| Guest Network | Yes |
| Gaming Port | Yes |
| QoS | Yes |
| AiProtection | Yes |
| OFDMA | Yes |
| Smart Connect | Yes |
| Alexa Compatible | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.02 x 9.02 x 2.44 inches |
| Weight | 2.14 lbs |
| Security | WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS |
| Warranty | 2-year manufacturer’s warranty |
These specifications highlight the ASUS RT-AX86U’s capabilities, from its tri-band wireless speeds and powerful processor to its advanced features like MU-MIMO, beamforming, and QoS (quality of service). It’s clear that this gaming router has been designed with gamers in mind, and the inclusion of parental controls and VPN support make it an excellent choice for families. With its compact size and sleek design, the ASUS RT-AX86U is a powerful and versatile router worth considering for anyone needing a reliable and high-performing gaming router.
Asus RT-AX86U Review
The Asus RT-AX86U is an exceptional gaming router that offers fast and reliable connectivity, advanced features, and excellent security. With its tri-band Wi-Fi speeds of up to 5,700 Mbps, 1.8 GHz quad-core processor, and 1 GB of RAM, this router can handle multiple devices and intensive gaming sessions without lag or interruptions. Its advanced features like MU-MIMO, beamforming, QoS, and OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) provide optimal performance for each connected device.
At the same time, Ai Protection and WPA3 security ensure safe and secure browsing. Additionally, the Asus RT-AX86U is easy to set up and use, with a user-friendly interface and Alexa compatibility for hands-free control. The only drawback may be its higher price point than other gaming routers. Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U is a top-tier gaming router with exceptional performance and features for serious gamers.
Wireless Speeds & Suitability
The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router is designed to deliver exceptional wireless speeds, with a tri-band setup that supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and provides speeds of up to 5,700 Mbps. This means that users can enjoy smooth and uninterrupted gaming experiences and fast and reliable internet speeds for streaming, browsing, and more. The router’s advanced features, such as MU-MIMO, beamforming, and OFDMA, also help to optimize wireless connectivity and ensure that each device connected to the network receives the best possible performance.
Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U is a great choice for serious gamers and users who require high-speed internet connectivity for demanding tasks. Its tri-band setup and Wi-Fi 6 support make it a suitable option for households with multiple users and devices, while its advanced features help to ensure optimal performance and reliability. However, if you don’t require such high speeds or advanced features, more affordable options may be available that can still provide reliable wireless connectivity.
Wi-Fi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router boasts excellent Wi-Fi coverage and device capacity, making it an ideal choice for households with multiple users and devices. The router’s tri-band setup and advanced features such as beamforming and OFDMA help to optimize the wireless coverage and ensure that each connected device receives the best possible performance.
Regarding device capacity, the Asus RT-AX86U can support up to 256 devices connected to the network, which is more than enough for most households. This means that users can connect multiple smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, and other devices to the network without experiencing any lag or interruptions.
Additionally, the router’s user-friendly interface and parental controls make it easy to manage and monitor the network, ensuring that users can easily control which devices are connected and how they are used. Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U is an excellent choice for households with multiple users and devices, offering great Wi-Fi coverage and device capacity while providing advanced features that help to optimize the network’s performance.
Design & Wired Connectivity
The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router boasts a sleek and modern design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Its compact size and black finish make it easy to fit into any home or office setup, and its three external antennas can be adjusted to optimize wireless coverage.
Regarding wired connectivity, the Asus RT-AX86U offers several options for users. It features 1 x 2.5Gbps WAN port, 4 x 1Gbps LAN ports, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and 1 x USB 2.0 port. This allows users to connect multiple wired devices to the network, such as desktop computers, gaming consoles, and printers, while also providing support for USB devices, such as external hard drives or printers.
Additionally, the router’s gaming port helps to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce lag, making it an excellent choice for serious gamers. The router also offers QoS (Quality of Service) controls that allow users to prioritize network traffic based on the type of device or application being used, ensuring optimal performance for each connected device.
Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U offers an outstanding balance of wired and wireless connectivity options, making it an excellent choice for users requiring both connectivity types. Its sleek and modern design also fits any home or office setup.
Security Features
The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router offers advanced security features to help protect users and their devices from online threats. One of its key security features is AiProtection, powered by Trend Micro, which provides comprehensive protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats. This feature helps ensure that all devices connected to the network are safe and secure while providing real-time threat monitoring and automatic firmware updates.
The Asus RT-AX86U also supports the latest security protocols, including WPA3, which provides improved encryption and protection for wireless networks. Additionally, the router offers parental controls that allow users to restrict access to certain websites or apps and control the amount of time children can spend online.
Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U offers a wide range of advanced security features that help ensure users’ and their devices’ safety and security. Its support for the latest security protocols and comprehensive threat monitoring make it an excellent choice for users who prioritize online security.
Asus RT-AX86U Setup
Setting up the Asus RT-AX86U gaming router is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
- Connect the router to a power outlet using the provided power adapter.
- Connect the router to a modem using the provided Ethernet cable.
- Turn on the router and wait for the power light to turn solid.
- Connect a computer or mobile device to the router’s network using the default SSID and password provided on the router label.
- Open a web browser and navigate to the router’s IP address, typically 192.168.1.1.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the router. This includes selecting a network name (SSID) and password and configuring the router’s advanced settings if desired.
- Once the setup is complete, disconnect the computer or mobile device from the router’s network and connect all other devices to the network using the new network name and password.
Overall, the setup process for the Asus RT-AX86U is fairly simple and can be completed by users with basic networking knowledge. The router’s user-friendly interface and intuitive setup wizard make it easy to configure and customize the router’s settings.
Hardware & Other Features
The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router is packed with advanced hardware and features that help to optimize performance and provide a seamless user experience. Here are some of the key hardware and other features of the router:
- CPU and RAM: The router features a powerful 1.8GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM, which helps to ensure fast and responsive performance even when multiple devices are connected to the network.
- Tri-band Wi-Fi: The router uses a tri-band setup, with one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands, to optimize wireless coverage and reduce interference.
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO: These advanced wireless technologies help to increase the router’s capacity and improve the performance of multiple devices connected to the network simultaneously.
- Gaming features: The router features a dedicated gaming port that helps to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce lag, as well as QoS. These controls allow users to prioritize network traffic based on the type of device or application being used.
- User-friendly interface: The router’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to configure and customize the router’s settings. At the same time, its mobile app allows users to manage the network from their smartphone or tablet.
- Advanced security: The router offers advanced security features, including AiProtection powered by Trend Micro, support for the latest security protocols, and parental controls.
- Other features: The router also features VPN support, IPv6 support, and support for Alexa and IFTTT, allowing users to customize and automate their network.
Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U gaming router is a feature-packed device with excellent performance and a wide range of advanced features to optimize the user experience. Its powerful hardware, advanced wireless technologies, and user-friendly interface make it an excellent choice for serious gamers and users who require fast and reliable connectivity.
Asus RT-AX86U: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tri-band WiFi for improved coverage and reduced interference
- Powerful hardware with 1.8GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB RAM
- Dedicated gaming port and QoS controls for optimized gaming performance
- Advanced security features including AiProtection and support for WPA3
- User-friendly interface with easy setup and customization
- VPN and IPv6 support for advanced networking capabilities
- Alexa and IFTTT support for customization and automation
Cons
- Large physical footprint may not be suitable for small spaces
- Relatively expensive compared to other routers in its class
- Mobile app may be less robust compared to the web interface
- Limited range compared to some other high-end routers
- No USB-C port for faster file transfers
Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U is a high-performance gaming router with a range of advanced features, making it a great choice for users who prioritize fast and reliable connectivity. While it may be relatively expensive compared to other routers, its powerful hardware, tri-band Wi-Fi, and advanced security features make it a solid investment for severe gamers and demanding users. However, it’s large physical footprint and limited range may make it less suitable for users with smaller living spaces or larger homes with a greater distance between the router and devices.
Conclusion
The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router is a top-of-the-line device with excellent performance, advanced features, and a user-friendly interface. Its tri-band Wi-Fi, powerful hardware, and advanced wireless technologies make it an ideal choice for serious gamers and demanding users who require fast and reliable connectivity.
Additionally, the router’s advanced security features, including AiProtection and support for WPA3, help to ensure the safety and privacy of users’ data and devices. While the router may be relatively expensive compared to other models, its range of features and capabilities make it a solid investment for users who require the best possible performance and customization options from their networking hardware. Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-performance gaming router with advanced features and a user-friendly interface.