Routers do what they do best, and the Asus RT-AC1750 is built for versatility without compromising its primary function. It boasts excellent hardware and maximum throughput of 1,750Mbps.
Did you know that the company name Asus came from Pegasus, the mythical flying horse? Since the Republic of Gamers (ROG) release in 2006, the company proved successful in its mission of delivering devices with skyrocketing performance.
PROS
CONS
HARDWARE & SPECS
Main Features & Benefits
Maximum Throughput of 1750Mbps
The Asus RT-AC1750 router works on a dual-band frequency with 450Mbps for the 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps for the 5GHz. It is also backed with a 1GHz dual-core processor with enough streams to avoid congestion and keep it working in tiptop condition.
This router works three times better on an AC Wi-Fi standard based on actual speed tests, but the signal is decent on the N and G Wi-Fi standards.
Wide Range and Coverage
The Asus RT-AC1750 works in a large house covering 3000 sq. ft. and connects up to 30 devices simultaneously. With its three antennas, it expands coverage and range. Actual tests showed a slower connection when you move farther from the router, which is also understandable. Nevertheless, it does not drop altogether.
The adjustable antennas amplify AiRadar beamforming, so you have an internet connection anywhere in your house. 4K streaming, online gaming, and cloud file sharing work very well in the 5GHz band while you get only the best experience for web surfing, sending emails, and downloading files.
Easy Installation
For a newbie, having your router working in just a couple of minutes is a must. You can set it up from your desktop PC, tablet, or smartphone. Just open the setup wizard and follow the instruction prompts.
You can also configure your network easily from the AsusWRT dashboard. From there, monitor and control the apps and programs you run on your devices.
Advanced Security Features and Parental Controls
Like other Asus routers, it comes with AiProtection to ward off Trojan viruses, cyber-attacks, malicious websites, and zombie computers. This lifetime protection helps your network from all future attacks without having to worry about renewing subscriptions.
Your guests can access your Wi-Fi service without accessing your network, much like giving someone a key to your home. You can set up a temporary SSID and password for up to 3 guests.
AiMesh Supported
Living in an overly large house or working in an office building, getting the internet to everyone is a must. However, doing that on a single router is impossible. It helps to set up a mesh system to increase your router’s range. The RT-AC66U works with the Asus AiMesh system.
Expandable Cloud Storage
The Asus RTAC66U comes with expandable AiCloud storage. It works with most operating systems, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. Upload your photos and other files to your cloud storage.
Fantastic File Sharing
Even if you are not uploading files to your cloud storage, file transfer from your external hard drive to your computer to share within your network is an excellent addition to a router’s features. It has two USB ports, one a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0.
Gigabit Ethernet LAN Ports
Wired devices such as desktop computers, IPTV, IP cameras, and gaming consoles such as Xbox One and PS4. You can also add ethernet switches if you need more LAN ports for your wired devices. You can choose from 4-port, 8-port, and 16-port Ethernet switches.
Easy Firmware Upgrade
Upgrading your firmware improves your router performance. To upgrade your Asus RT-AC66U, follow the instructions found here.
Cons
While we love the Asus RT-AC66U, we also know that it has its downs. Here are some realistic cons we listed for you.
Flimsy Antennas
The adjustable antennas on this router are great, but they quickly break if you keep adjusting them. The secret, though, is to place your router in an open area in the middle of the house so it does not have any interference or physical barriers.
2.4GHz Band Intermittent Connection Drops
When your router gets hot, the first band affected is the performance of the 2.4GHz band. The best thing you can do before anything is to change your router placement, preferably in an open area. You can do either firmware updates or change channel controls. We don’t recommend tweaking the antennas as in other routers, but it gets broken easily.
Gets Hot Easily
This router gets hot quickly, and it affects the router’s performance. The key here is to keep your router in an open space so it is well-ventilated.
What is the Asus RT-AC66U Router Best For?
Best for Reliable File Sharing
The USB ports can connect to File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and plug-and-play servers. This router has a USB 2.0 port for networked printers for remote printing and file server connections.
Best for Networking
Networking is excellent if you have a good router. Setting up a Mesh system expands your network, letting more people connect to it. If you are in a large or multi-story building with many physical barriers (walls, cabinets, etc.), setting up a Mesh system helps to have a stable connection anywhere in the house.
Best for Freelancers
Virtual Private Network (VPN) keeps your identity by encrypting your data so you can choose your location instead of revealing it. For freelancers who work for overseas clients, keeping your location is sometimes a requirement, so having a VPN-enabled router is helpful.
Flexible Installation
You can mount this router on the wall or put it up on the desk. Wall-mounting your router essentially puts it in the highest part of your house for a better connection. However, putting it up on the desk gives it more ventilation, so it doesn’t get too hot.
What Buyers Say About the Asus RT-AC66U Router
We want to give you an honest review of the Asus RT-AC66U, so we went through the internet to find some verified reviews of this router’s satisfied buyers. We included reviews from customers who bought this router years ago to show you that they work great even after years of use.
I had this router since May of 2015. Would you believe that they just pushed out a beta version for a firmware update on 2/5/2021? Well, they did. I can't recall whether I have had any problems which didn't get resolved by a restart/reset. Parental control is good, and it works. I don't use any of the other advanced features, but it delivers promised speeds from my network provider.
I am really tempted to upgrade at this point, but I am afraid I will miss its reliability.
I bought one of these in July of 2013, and it still works like new, and it worked well when it was new. I have given it a bigger antenna over the years, which improves the already acceptable signal a little in the kitchen, where the refrigerator blocks and diffracts the waves.
Also, Asus keeps the firmware current to help prevent the router from being compromised by the bad guys.
I probably reviewed this thing before but finding that review to update it is pretty much impossible.
We have a large house that needs several wifi networks to cover the entire space. Using three of these routers, we have a seamless system where a device can move from room to room and never lose the signal. The wifi "cell" automatically switches to the strongest signal. I've tried this with less capable routers, and there have been lots of glitches. This one is perfect for large areas.
Conclusion
After careful consideration of the Asus RT-AC66U router, we found robust features that will convince anyone to invest in this networking device. For one, we love its wide range and coverage of up to 3,000 sq. ft. It can also connect up to 30 devices simultaneously.
Security should always be the topmost of the requirements when buying a router. The lifetime free AiProtection Pro that comes with this router is a winner. It also means convenience and lots of savings. To top it all, you need only a couple of minutes to set it up and configure it.
If these attributes do not make this router a winner, then we don’t know what would. So, check out the Asus RT-AC66U the next time you hit your online shop to find a great router.
