If you are looking for a powerful and future-proof Wi-Fi 6 router that can handle all of your gaming and streaming needs, then you may want to consider the ASUS RT-AX86U. This router is designed for high performance and comes packed with features that will make your online experience smoother and more enjoyable.
In this ASUS RT-AX86U review, we will take a closer look at this router's specs and features and see how it compares to other routers on the market.
PROS
CONS
HARDWARE & SPECS
Main Features and Benefits
Lower Latency for Crowded Networks
The ASUS RT-AX86U router uses Wi-Fi 6 technology that combines Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Multiple-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO), and BSS coloring technology. This combination boosts network capacity by up to 4 times while lowering latency in high-traffic scenarios.
Previous generation Wi-Fi 5 could only handle one device at a time on each network channel, which was a waste of resources. OFDMA, which divides each channel into smaller sub-channels, allows several devices' signals to be packed and broadcast simultaneously, resulting in lower latency and a more responsive Wi-Fi experience.
Warp-Speed Wi-Fi with Excellent Throughput
By employing the cutting-edge 1024-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), Wi-Fi 6 technology breaks existing speed constraints. Compared to the previous Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which uses 256-QAM, 1024-QAM packs 25% more information into the signal, resulting in a 1.25X performance boost.
Streaming 8K videos and playing games with friends is such a fantastic experience as the increased speeds can reach up to 11 Gbps. Goodbye lag and high latency!
Enhanced Device Battery with Energy Efficiency
All of your mobile and IoT devices can use a Wi-Fi 6 router to save battery power. When devices are not communicating with the router, they go to sleep. This saves up to 7 times more energy than before, extending battery life significantly. So you can get the most out of your phone or laptop's battery life while still using Wi-Fi 6's faster performance.
Longer Range Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 uses OFDMA technology to create smaller sub-channels for each wireless channel. This will improve your Wi-Fi signal range and coverage in your home. You will have fewer 'dead zones,' and your gadgets will have quicker, more dependable Wi-Fi connections. The RT-AX86 router ensures that your attic, garden, or basement don't have to be Wi-Fi no-go zones.
Gaming Without Limits
Gamer's who expect the finest in terms of speed and performance will appreciate the ASUS RT-AX86 Series dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router. The router has up to 5700 Mbps Wi-Fi rates with "Mobile Game Mode," allowing you to play mobile games with no lag and low latency.
Prioritize Via Gaming Port
Any wired device connected to the RT-AX86 Series dedicated gaming port is automatically prioritized. Use the dedicated LAN connector to connect your gaming PC or console, and you'll have a fast, reliable connection that will always be at the top of the queue.
Prioritize Via Gear Accelerator
Using the RT-AX86U Series online control interface, Gear Accelerator allows you to prioritize devices wirelessly. You may prioritize devices using a simple interface to help them speed up and avoid competing for bandwidth with other devices.
Eliminate Wi-Fi Congestion
Get up to 5.6 times better Wi-Fi speeds than 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi when you link your gadgets to the 5 GHz frequency band, which is often congested. In addition, it has Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS). A feature that allows you to choose up to 15 of the 5GHz band's least crowded channels, giving you even more gaming bandwidth.
Lightning-Fast 2 Gbps Internet
The ASUS RT-AX86 Series was created to help you have the best gaming experience possible. This router can connect to the internet at speeds up to 2 Gigabits per second (Gbps). It also has a 2.5 Gbps wired network port that you can use to share with other devices.
This router lets you use wired and wireless connections to their maximum capacity. You can also use two 1 Gbps internet services to create a 2 Gbps connection with the ASUS RT-AX86U, giving you faster internet access than before.
Removes Network Bottlenecks
By prioritizing network traffic, adaptive QoS (Quality of Service) allows you to keep your network functioning smoothly. Applications such as video streaming or online surfing, as well as gaming, can be prioritized. It's the ideal partner for providing low-latency Wi-Fi across your home.
Whole-Home Gaming
Do you have any Wi-Fi dead areas caused by your router? ASUS AiMesh, a unique mesh-networking technology that uses numerous ASUS routers to form a whole-home network, is supported by the RT-AX86 router.
Thanks to the easy central control and smooth roaming, even non-experts can set it up with any AiMesh-capable router they own. Dead zones on Wi-Fi at home or the office are no longer a problem.
Sleek Body with Stylish Accents
The ASUS RT-AX86U was designed with gamers in mind. It features a sleek black body studded with red accents that make it look awesome. It has a width of 242mm and a depth of 100mm, making it more compact than many other gaming routers. It also has one internal antenna and three adjustable antennas that can rotate to get the strongest signal possible.
Commercial-grade Home Security
If you have many devices connected to the internet in your home, like the "Internet of Things" gadgets, it is essential to have good network security. The RT-AX86U Router has security features that will protect all your devices, and the handy mobile app will let you keep track of what's going on with your network.
Fortified Frontline Network Security
The ASUS RT-AX86U Router incorporates Trend Micro's AiProtection Pro, which protects your network from external attacks with automatic and frequent updates, as well as Infection Detection and Blocking and Protection Against Attacks.
With its AiProtection Pro, which employs Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), this router can prevent security threats from accessing your devices that have no anti-virus software, such as smartphones and game consoles.
Advanced Parental Controls
Viewing or adjusting security settings on each of your family members' devices with Advanced Parental Controls is easy and hassle-free. The ASUS RT-AX86U ensures that your kids are surfing the internet safely.
The parental controls include filters for inappropriate content and the ability to limit internet access to specific times. It also prohibits access to P2P and file transfer sites at no additional subscription fee.
Easy Management Via Mobile App
The ASUS app lets you manage your network from your Android or IOS device. You can see how much data your network is using in real-time. And if you have any problems, the app can help you find and fix them. You can also set up guest Wi-Fi for your friends and family. This will let them use your Wi-Fi without you needing to remember a password.
Cons
No Geofencing and Ping Heat Map
Geofencing and ping heatmap creates a significant change in online games like Dota 2, LoL, Ragnarok, and many more. However, ASUS RT-AX86U does not have geofencing and a latency map of gaming servers to filter and lock in the most dependable servers to help reduce latency times. Which means it may not be perfect for everyone.
Costly for Some Gamers
While $249.99 is a reasonable price for a high-speed Wi-Fi 6 dual-band router with almost flawless design and functionality, the ASUS RT-AX86U may not be for everyone. With many low-cost alternatives in the market, some people may be hesitant to purchase this as they can get excellent performing routers at fractions of the price.
No Option for Wall Mount
Some of us prefer to mount our routers to the wall to save space on the shelf or the table. Unfortunately, the ASUS RT-AX86U lacks the necessary holes for wall mounting and is designed to stand vertically on a stable surface.
What is the Asus RT-AX86U Router Best For?
The ASUS RT-AX86U has been designed to provide you with the best Wi-Fi signal possible and make game night a breeze. Whether you want to stream a movie or play games, this router will deliver the best performance. It's perfect for any household or office with high-speed internet needs.
What Buyers Have To Say About Asus RT-AX86U
Had the special Best Buy version of the AC86U, which has the "upgraded" 1.0ghz dual-core CPUs vs 800mhz, and it was a great router. Had the upgrade bug last year and got the AX88U which wasn't much of an upgrade. Still, it has stability issues, and the first A1 hardware version had heating issues which a lot of other people on small net builder forums will also confirm, the A1.1 version from Vietnam fixed that.
The wi-fi6 has seemed to help with the connectivity issues we were having with 10+ devices connected at a time. I am most impressed with the security features that come with this. Home routers have been lacking in that department for some time, and I certainly didn't think a router focused on gaming would be upgraded security-wise as well.
I am not a bot, nor do I work for Amazon or Asus or am I associated in any way (besides buying the router). This really was worth the expensive hardware.
Conclusion
The ASUS RT-AX86U is an excellent router that it's a top choice for homes and offices because of its reliability, hassle-free customizability, and incredible Wi-Fi speed. There's no limit to its high-speed connection to mobile phones, laptops, and computers.
If you’re a person with a ton of gadgets and who lives with children and multiple family members who enjoy streaming and gaming then this is the best router for you. However, if you’re on a tight budget, this device isn’t for you.
