ASUS RT-AC5300 Wireless AC5300 Router
Until 05th Jan 20 23:59
RT-AC5300
Warranty: 3 year
ASUS RT-AC5300 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wireless Gaming Router, Tri-Band & Quad-Stream AC5300, 4 x Gigabit LAN Ports, 2 x USB, 8 x High Performance Antennas, Link Aggregation, Beamforming, Smart Connect, Traffic Analyzer, QoS, VPN, Game Accelerator, AiProtection, Parental Control. 3 Year Warranty
Claim $40 Cashback if purchased between November 15th 2019 - December 31st 2019 (T&C's Apply)
What is your current setup? Are you having issue with coverage. If you are considering getting WiFi mesh, get a proper one. The issue with 2x RT-AC68U in AiMesh setup is one of the 2 WiFi bands is used as the backplane between the router so you ended up with just one band - likely 2.4Ghz band, which has better range, but inferior speed.
Best to get proper WiFi mesh with tri-band setup so both 2.4 and 5 Ghz bands are available with seamless transition.
This router is more for people wanting high performance WiFi (and possibly USB support).
My current setup is 1x ASUS AC-RT87U, which barely reaches the other side of the house, let alone the other level. Sounds like the Orbi might be a better option?
Orbi is worth considering as it has its own dedicated band for backplane. One key advantage of a proper mesh is that you can add more to your mesh network easier.
Automatic hopping across 2.4 and 5Ghz bands works well on proper mesh and you will find your wireless devices (mobile phones, tablets) smoothly transition between bands. Do bear in mind that with just 1 base and 1 satellite package, you won't get better coverage than 1 main router + 1 repeater (though you do get better reliability from Mesh) so if you still have range issue, you will need more satellite(s).
AC-RT87U is only dual bands, not tri-bands. Furthermore, AC-RT87U does NOT support AiMesh. As such, I don't recommend going down AiMesh path. There are tri-band Asus routers (and they all support AiMesh). The problem is two of those costs just as much as a proper Mesh system, if not more. ASUS RT-AC5300 alone doesn't solve your issue.
You can do ethernet backhaul on the RT-AC68U and that would be heaps more reliable than WiFi Mesh third band. I ran ethernet from my AX88U to my old RT68U and I'm getting impressive WiFi coverage, speed and reliability.
Could you please elaborate how to do this?
Thank you
@OzSikh: Run ethernet cable between the two router, it will automatically use ethernet for backhaul. Then you get both bands reserved for devices. Even other triband WiFi Mesh has this option but of course it takes more effort than just plug the mesh into power point and use WiFi backhaul. It does however has much higher reliability.
If you can connect two Wifi routers together through a wired / Ethernet cable, there are a lot of things you can do.
From SmallNetBuilder review of AiMesh on the topic of using Ethernet backhaul:
If you have or plan to deploy wired Ethernet backhaul to your access points, purpose-built wired access points such as Ubiquiti UAP-AC-Lite, TP-Link EAP-225v3 or other APs reviewed in the 2x2 AC Access Point Roundup series are both less expensive and higher performance than AiMesh routers.
Also quoting Eric Sauvageau (author of Merlin firmware for Asus routers):
Note that AiMesh can sometimes be less stable than using a plain router + access point or repeater configuration due to the increased complexity of sharing configuration between the main router and its node(s).
@netsurfer: Interesting - I can connect the two RT-AC68U routers via an Ethernet cable. Thanks for the info, everyone!
Get the mesh
router's obelisks looks like a place where ancient druids would hold a ritual ceremony for human sacrifices.
That, or a dead spider curled up into a ball.
The spider curled up into a ball made me chuckle a little.
Interesting Fact:
Humans have prayed to the wireless gods since 4096 BC (Before Computers)
looks like some tags got mangled.
ozb product page is https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/asus-rt-ac5300
previous best is ~350 so not a bad price.
Really good price but a bit old router now. This does not have WiFi 6 or Multi gigabit internet. But at the speed our NBN is we probably won't get > 1Gbps internet in the next 20 years.
wasn't there some gigabit town that Myrepublic set up?
It was a regional area of course.
Yes, it was in Wollongong, but was only available to users on FTTP. It was basically a publicity stunt and it seems they don't offer gigabit plans anymore.
What I meant is I'm fairly sure this doesn't have WAN aggregate like the AX router does. The AX router has WAN aggregate and can get up to 2Gbps internet.
But seeing as 1Gbps internet is still not widespread (ABB does offer 1Gbps), that's not an issue for the next decade.
People don't just use gigabit for internet, it's network transfer speeds too. Though also many gigabit routers can't actually handle gigabit internet anyway…
Anyone running wireless backups or their own home media server etc would make use of gigabit transfers.
Not many cheap switches that support MultiGig unless you're only going to use this as your switch.
Getting fiber to the building next month assuming everything goes smoothly. Would this be suitable for that?
Maybe a touch overkill unless you do a lot of file transfers between devices in your home. Most routers can handle the speeds of fibre. It is just about spending money on the range you need and device to device transfer speeds. But it is not bad if you want to future proof somewhat. It'll handle a lot of devices and the potential speeds that NBN with increase too.
Yep it's suitable for FTTB. You need a modem too.
So I'm probably better off looking at 2 in 1?
It's up to you. There are more separate routers to pick from.
Looks like a building from the brotherhood of NOD
Will this deter rodents in the house?
After the first ritual sacrifice, yes.
My wife wanted to remove blackspots, so I convinced her to grab one.
I won this router in a competition when it was new, never would have paid this much but easily the best router I have ever owned - solid as a rock
same here, very good router, highly recommended
I’ve always found it needed one more antenna to be optimum.
Have had this router for 3 years, bought it for the included WTfast subscription but it ended up being useless because it only supported like 5 games or something.
Other than that great router, I've made 3 seperate wifi for different users and devices, havn't had much problems.
Turn off 80mz when you run into stability or wifi issues, there is also an rmerlin custom firmware.
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/
Completely agree. WTFast is borderline useless. Merlin is excellent.
I'd buy the newer stronger core Asus routers in favour of this but this price is very impressive.
With Skynet and Adaptive QOS enabled our processor utilisation skyrockets, maximum network transfer speed drops markedly and while transferring files any other devices lose connection or cannot load web pages. Turn QoS off and it's all smooth again. Could be a unique issue to our router though.
Awesome price - I paid the same for a RT-AC88U not long ago!
I need a basic router to run off a powerline adaptor for upstairs (can't use a mesh system), can someone recommend a router? Would just be for the baby monitor, robo vacuum and phones. No streaming or gaming.
Don't know model numbers but look for routers around the AC1200 range. They will be more then enough for now with some future proofing and are also generally in the cheaper price bracket.
Excuse my ignorance but can a kind soul explain why people buy these fancy routers instead of going for the cheaper ones or even the one that is provided by your ISP?
Thanks!
The range on (most) ISP provided routers are terrible
Range is often the marketing pitch but the reality is your Phone/Tablet has to send data back - and this is the weakest link in WiFi.
There is no antenna sticking out of your phone/tablet anymore, right?
No matter how much you beef up the signal, you will not get your phone to send data back faster, so the net result is 0.
The real point of getting a better router is Software and CPU. Better software means more features, like VLAN or VPN (if you don't know what these are, you're already wasting your money).
Having a faster CPU also means your router can handle more concurrent users on the network.
If you do have a problem with your Wifi, the strategy should be to place more WiFi access points of the same brand (that support Meshing) throughout the zones of your house, all linking back to your main router, preferably via Ethernet or PowerLine if running cable is too hard.
In summary:
Hhmmm if I have understood it right, most of these points are not things that I need.
Anyway, Thanks for the detailed explanation.
depending on the isp(tpg based ones have voip encryption meaning you need to use their router), and if you like tinkering/hacking then you can try one of these:
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9vxxl849
they're ex-telstra routers with voip that can be unlocked and are quite good hardware for the money
Needs more antenna's.
Fantastic router, had mine for nearly 3 years and hasn't missed a beat. Coverage is insane.
Supports the Merlin RT firmware for extra features.
Pairing mine with the RP-AC68U bridge to deliver ethernet to other areas of the house.
Got 2 of these routers with Merlin firmware Aimesh setup multiple split tunnels with open VPN and 4G USB failover… Merlin firmware is a must over stock… these are the best routers I have owned since the old WRT-54g with tomato firmware..
Nice found, Op.,
Just bought one in time…. great router and better coverage with multiple live streaming and download….
Thanks
Anyone had theres shipped yet? I called the store and they said theres no ETA and offered to cancel the order. I'm waiting for now but regretting I didn't buy from a different company and submit a price protection claim instead.
Still waiting for mine too. I think it was part of a group buy?
I did mine as click and collect and haven't got any new confirmation of it being ready yet
Purchased on 27 Dec, currently no ETA.
Based on the ASUS cashback form, we have until the 10th Jan 2020 to submit the application.
I'll wait until closer to the date before I cancel my order. I really need one though…
I spoke to them today. ETA for my order (placed late in the evening of 26th) was 5th of February. Managed to find a AX11000 on Gumtree for dirt cheap so I cancelled my order.
Good to know, thanks stirlo
@Koolness: Same boat as above. Purchased 26th Dec, and told that it won't arrive till Feb 6th.
Means we've missed the cashback promotion. Will consider canceling, especially if another router comes up in the meantime.
Got an email tonight that they can't fulfil the order… They're offering me the 'ASUS RT-AX3000' for the same price though. Anyone know how the two compare?
This or 2x RT-AC68U in Mesh setup? (two-storey house)