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ASUS RT-AC86U, AC2900 Router $239 (RRP ~$295) Shipped @ Amazon AU

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Working from home but you keep losing work because your connection keeps dropping off? Video call quality patchy and inconsistent?

I reckon this is a pretty good deal for this 802.11ac router, and it seems like:
- Historically decent low price on camelcamelcamel
- lowest local price per staticice

hope this helps someone have better connectivity while working from home!
I personally would have gotten this at this price point, but pulled the trigger on a Netgear that was on special last month instead, as this was a little too pricey at that time.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • I think you should mention that it is “@Amazon” in the title. Cheers.

  • Note this may be international version

    • +1

      Sold and shipped by Amazon AU. Australia version

  • I was told by a network engineer that billion routers are best. Does anyone know about billion routers.

    • Yeah I had 2 Billion routers in the adsl days, they were solid.

      • +29

        That's a lot of routers….

        • Seems just the right number, bond 2 billion NBN connections together and you can get workable speeds.

    • Ive had Billion for ADSL and yes they were good but if you have NBN it probably won't matter much unless you're on FTTN. Good price but might consider a router with wifi6 for future proofing.

    • I owned two billion modem/router back in the day of ADSL2+, paid around $250 mark for each

      They had good speeds but slowed down after 1-2 years significantly.

      I switched to an asus modem/router and it hasn't slowed down one bit for 3 years now. It's also working on nbn HFC

      • -6

        That’s a lot of routers…

    • I'd say that applies to the ADSL/VDSL (FTTN) modem routers. For anyone on the other technologies that just needs a router the good Asus ones are about as good as they come.

  • +1

    Have this router and it has been rock solid for me. I have it paired with the 68U to extend the signal upstairs.

    100% would recommend this router.

    Also if you can avoid it… never buy a modem/router combo. I had so much issues with the AC88U that I had to take it back within warranty period to get the 86U and a separate modem.

    • Hi mate, can you confirm this the AC88U is the DSL-AC88U and not the RT-AC88U?

      Also anyone know the difference between RT-AC86U and RT-AC88U?

      • Yes the DSL one, that was a Harvey Norman exclusive.

      • +5

        AC86U (faster 1.8Ghz dual core CPU) is newer but lacking the robust design of AC88U (slower quad core I think 1.2Ghz CPU). AC86U is the upgraded version of AC68U, with 4 LAN port whereas AC88U has 8. AX88U is the newer version of AC88U with much faster CPU (quad core 1.8Ghz CPU), more RAM (1GB) and WiFi 6.

        AX11000 is the upgraded version of AC5300.

        AC68U < AC88U < AC5300 -> AC86U < AX88U < AX11000

        • Very clear - thanks mate!

    • Second to that.
      Got RT-AC86U at home. Quite solid. Thinking about adding a AC68u to make up Aimesh

      • Works a treat. Should do it when you can. Basically have full strength all over the house with seamless coverage.

    • Rock solid?

      I've had to restart mine perhaps six or seven times in the time that I've owned it because either network stopped working or admin web server interface wasn't responsive. It's a reasonably rare occurrence but rock solid it aint'.

      • Its likely a heat issue.

        Install the Merlin firmware and see what your temps are.

        If you're a nerd; you open them up, bend the heatsink tabs up a bit, replace the silicon thermal pad with some good thermal paste, and bam, you drop 5c.

        I added a fan, and dropped 35c (not joking).

      • Mine has been rock solid since I bought it. Never had any issues with network stopped working. Don't know about the admin portal as hardly go int there once I had set up the router with all the rules to forward the relevant ports etc.

        Using 3.0.0.4.384_45149 firmware if that helps.

  • any reason to choose this over an UAP-AC-PRO-V2? other than price?

    • +1

      Yeah, you don't already have the unifi system with poe switch

    • Maybe Merlin firmware, VPN, gamer network, and extra high speed CPU for full speed VPN.
      The Asus is a highly specced router and overkill for those just wanting a stable connection.

    • +1

      They aren't the same type of device: AC Pro is a (better) wifi access point without routing.

      In other words you will require another device for routing with the AC pro.

      This can be another router like this one or a virtual router like pfSense.

      • i did not realise it not a router - good info

    • Wanted to know as well.

      This or unifi dream machine?

  • +1

    Any recommendation for a basic wifi 6 router?

    • +1

      The whole reason to get WiFi 6 is speed and coverage, which "basic" router aint going to cut it. Might as well just get a solid WiFi 5 router which usually cost the same price.

  • I have this router running Merlin firmware and its fantastic.

    • I should upload photos of my mods of the dsl version.

      Ran at 96c before mods; now runs at 54c.

      Cut a hole in the back, added an 80mm fan at 5v (usb; slow and silent) and replaced the thermal pads with a mix of 75/25 jbweld/noctua thermal paste.

      It clearly looks diy, but the outcome was amazing.

      • Yes, if you get time please upload some photos, I'm interested to see what you've done.

  • -1

    I've got a DSL-AC3100 with FTTN and it seems however that the device is not AI-Mesh compatible. If I get this router and use it as the primary router, would I be able to connect my original router as a repeater?

  • Still available if you are happy to wait, just check other sellers. Just purchased, thank you OP just what I needed.

  • Can you use these for nbn/telstra specifically?

    • With a modem you can. Just plug the modem cord into the WAN port.

  • +1

    Thank you OP, I received mine yesterday and was easy to set up with NBN HFC (TPG). It has much better range and seems to easily handle multiple devices which my existing router struggled to do.

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