Excellent router and now priced below $370.
Thanks to 3 camels for the alert.
Enjoy!
CamelCamelCamel.
Last time it went below $370 was August 2021.
Me too. Resisting
New Wifi 7 coming save up, big difference between. Huge step up from wifi 6.
Will I need all new devices which specifically support wifi 7?
Yep you need new devices with Wi-Fi 7 to take advantage of all the benefits.
@serpserpserp: Wi-Fi 7 will be backward compatible, so will work with any device, however to actually utilise the benefits that 7 will offer, will require newer devices.
@serpserpserp: Don't wait.
There is always a new standard just around the corner. And when wifi 7 routers are out they will be close to a thousand dollars (6E routers we're around USD550 for 6-12 months after introduction).
For that amount of money, I think it's be better to get something that's not a POS disposable consumer box, but that takes a bit of time and tinkering.
The benefits will be marginal for the vast majority of home users who are just streaming or browsing the internet. And imo the big benefit arrived with 6E anyway and not with 7- the additional spectrum for high density living. Which isn't relevant for most people in Australia.
You're basically going to need a Z990 wifi motherboard, Samsung S25/Iphone 18, a Playstation 6, a 2026 Smart TV, maybe even an Nvidia Shield Pro 2026.
Future proofing for things that won't exist for years is kind of dumb if you need something now.
Wifi6 will likely still be good even in 5 years time.
noooo why wait for wifi7 if you can wait for wifi8
Some WiFi 7 routers already listed on Asus website
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-7/all-serie…
More expected this year.
Beyond that anyone's guess.
I know this is the default troll reply when anyone suggests even waiting a week for anything tech related, but yeah, WIFI 7 routers are literally like a month away.
I'd wait unless I legitimately needed a router this week but YMMV.
@Binchicken22: Freaking heck. Those things (link above) look like they're locked and loaded to take over the neighbourhood. Overkill for me tbh.
@Binchicken22: Maybe a week away, but how much do you think Wifi 7 routers will cost when they come out?
Been in my cart for 6months just waiting
But have to resist due to current situation
Exact same situation here. Moving into a new house and need to prioritise what's actually needed atm budget wise.
Thanks bought one!
How does this compare to the nighthawk xr1000?
Thanks OP, was just looking to purchase this exact router, great timing!!!
Question regarding family protection system. IPad has an annoying feature of changing Mac addresses after every 24 hours. It renders every parental control system useless. Only way is to enforce quarantine on firewall and forces kids to disable Mac address change feature.
Any other recommendations?
Not sure what level of control you need, but for example you can create an account with NextDNS, create a profile and use the parental control feature to not only block ads on kids iPads, but there's a heap of other features too. Configure each iPad to run the NextDNS App and that specific profile that has parental control.
No need to use the router for it anymore.
Do you actually have this router? I find the parental control very basic and hard to customize. It is either accept their whitelist of sites, or not. You can't just make your custom list to block or customize their whitelist to your liking. Very frustrating.
Just turn it off: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/ipad/ipad5f03c96d/ipad… and restrict settings change.
Yep, this, just turn off the "Private Address" in the settings of the particular access point on the iPad.
I need to restrict online time + content filtering.
I've got pihole to take care of ads.
Thx, I'll look into this setting.
@Seni0r El Cheapo: You can sort of do content filtering with pihole, there's lists out there to block adult sites, social media etc.
Are you sure it's mac address change? It's pretty hard to do that even if you want to.
Yes it's a common feature of mobile devices for privacy on public networks. That said, it's also typical to disable it for private networks as it's a common enough requirement to have static mac addresses.
Good price. If I want to pair this with another router to create AiMesh with wired backhaul, does it matter which other Asus router I get? Is this a good combo with ax56u?
Absolutely. Great combo with ax56u. Highly recommended with wired backhaul.
Generally mesh is recommended between AX -> AX or AX -> AC (not other way).
I got a Google Wifi Gen 2 setup which sucks for wifi range. Is this a good option to replace my setup?
Can I still add my 2 wifi/mesh things to it?
I'm in the same situation but with gen 1, please let me know if this works
Asus RT-AX86U replaces the Google Wi-Fi. Add more Asus AiMesh compatible routers to expand your network.
Thanks. Becomes a bit pricey then, but may be worth it as I’m kind of over the nest wifi.
Is your nest wifi range poor or don't like it anymore?
@nightqueen: It’s got pretty weak wifi range. Almost to the point that I’m starting to wonder if I have a defective unit. I had to lay some lan cable down to my office which is only maybe 15m(direct distance, with walls etc) from the router and there is even a mesh extender in between there and was still getting dropouts. Yet almost the same distance but one story up it works fine. So could just be my setup, I don’t know. The garage which is maybe 10m from the router and 5m from the extender and almost no walls is even worse. Seems like I’m not asking for too much but no matter how I tried to set them all up, I just couldn’t get it to have a half decent signal.
@zubzub: Yes same for me, I had to connect all 3 units with LAN to get decent wifi strength. Maybe the minimalist design means the antennas aren't great for spreading out the WiFi signal
Hi Twix,
I directly connected my TP-LINK Deco X68 with the NBN box and it works fine per your advise from last ASUS route post.
Do I need this AX86U? or what will be improved if I have this device? thanks
You don't need the RT-AX86U if the Deco X68 is working fine and has everything you need. If you swapped from the Deco X68 for the RT-AX86U you get 2.5G ethernet for WAN/LAN, USB ports and more customization (VPN fusion/client/server, dual WAN, DDNS client and more). The Deco X68 is tri-band and the RT-AX86U is dual-band for Wi-Fi.
Had this router for years. Never missed a beat. Installed Merlin on it and never looked back.
Is it still reliable if you don't apply Merlin firmware?
Of course, but all Merlin does is make it more performant and add features so I’m failing to see why you wouldn’t.
Do you run an aimesh setup?
I haven't changed to Merlin yet as I've read connecting additional routers into the mesh is hit or miss.
What features, mind sharing? Asus GUI is already one of the best.
@Deal Or-No Deal: And that's acknowledged by Merlin using the same GUI and just adding a few things to it and squashing a few bugs. You can't tell the difference at a glance.
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/
"This is an enhanced version of Asuswrt - the firmware used by all recent Asus routers.
The goal of this project is to fix issues and bring some minor functionality adjustments to the original Asus firmware. While some features do get added, this is not the main focus of this project."
@Deal Or-No Deal: I'm using YazFi for an "internet of things" SSID that I can connect into from main network, but not the other way.
Also using custom DDNS support in Merlin (duckdns) but I'm not sure if thats in mainline now.
I've been running merlin for that long I dont even know whats in stock. :)
This is a good starting point:
https://diversion.ch/amtm.html
And I'm also running Aimesh, main router has merlin, the mesh node is stock firmware. Only problem I recall is disabling auto channel in wifi, that cause some dramas when it was channel hopping (with devices going offline and not reconnecting to wifi). I dont think thats Merlin related.
Does Merlin void warranty tho?
AX or wait for wifi 7
Wait, Wifi 7 is a Computer Nerds Wet Dream seriously.
Even if your paying more then, your saving now for it and it's a worth investment for wifi cause it's high band.
This is a good modem though, I researched into it, but waiting for the 7. I currently have 6 stuff but was just checking around the details of others..
What wifi 7, don't talk nonsense , not only do you need to save for a new modem but you have to buy every single new appliance that will run on wifi7 , it's years away
wifi 7 will be backwards compatible so you don't really need to buy new appliance but yes to take advantage of wifi 7 then you would lol As ozbargainers, you buy when it's cheap bits by bits :)
Wi-Fi 7 has not been approved in Oz yet. ACMA take their time approving things.
I love it when people start talking about a new tech that is just around the corner. Then when it is finally (as in FINALLY) released, the comment goes, will wait until the price drop (insert to almost nothing here because when it does drop another year later they keep on saying not enough) before they'll start buying it (which means never). In the meantime, they could have enjoyed the bargain they could have had over a year before the new tech arrives at a much cheaper price and lost none of the enjoyment they could have had.
LOL, the Wifi 7 standard format has not even been formally released as a document, it's planned for 2024, I expect to see devices from late 2024/2025 onwards supporting it
I'm a computer nerd. Most my circle are computer nerds. None of us care about Wifi 7, after a certain stage then the standards are not relevant for normal use cases.
Spending that much money on newly emergent consumer gear is imo a waste. Go for cheap and older standard, go for wires, or go for long term reliable corporate gear with a defined support cycle.
Is your current wifi solution suitable? Is it breaking from age/poor coverage/ overloaded by new devices?
Every tech purchase should be set around:
Of note: They'll arrive in early 2023 with support for Wi-Fi 7, despite the fact that Wi-Fi 7 isn't due to launch until 2024. (https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/tp-link-wi-fi-7-routers-a…). So you need to the router and then start getting devices that also have wifi 7 (or replacing wifi chips/cards)
There will always be the next version that is better. case for skipping 6 and going to 7 is just as viable as getting 6 and then waiting for WiFi 8 in a few years, it all depends on your NEED.
TLDR: If you have to ask if you should wait, you should wait. You don't need it yet.
Excellent price! Don’t procrastinate as I doubt it will last very long.
Wondering who uses the VLAN feature in the Pro model? Does anyone use VLANs to segment off NBN voice calls? I’m wanting to buy but noticed this one omits the VLAN feature.
That sort of feature is something I've been pining for and didn't realise ASUS now offers it. Had long considered the regular AX86U as my next router but it got bumped in favour of the Synology RT6600ax because of what it can do isolation-wise without having to stuff around with custom scripts. If the Pro version of the AX86U has it baked in, that makes it a contender. Just have to sort out which is better!
1). By creating a Guest network pro, a VLAN will be created as well in VLAN settings.
2). VLAN supported models:
RT-AX86U Pro, RT-AX88U Pro,
GT-AX11000 Pro, GT-AXE16000, GT-AX6000,
ZenWiFi_Pro_ET12, ZenWiFi_Pro_XT12,
ExpertWiFi Series.3). Support firmware version 9.0.0.6_102_4856(Beta Version). This is an early stages beta. This version can be downgraded via web GUI only.
Thanks for this. Never realised the AX6000 supported VLANS. It also has the 2 x 2.GbE ports, which the AX86U misses (it has one only), and whilst a compromise compared to 10GbE is a huge improvement over 1GbE. I deal with 500GB+ transfers, and that takes me around 2 hours over 1GbE.
I’ve heard reports regarding Netgear and other 10GbE models overheating and shutting down. I wonder if there’s any such issues with these Asus 10GbE models.
Safest option for best speed wired speed could be AX6000.
Can you use Vlan to isolate suspect devices like IP cams which are needed but not 100% trusted.
Yep you can do that.
Thanks.
Good router, I retired my R7000 for this and the range and reliability is so much better!
I've been considering replacing my R7000 and bit the bullet on this. Good to hear your feedback!
For homes, would it be better to get a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter plus an access point?
Probably not, but depends on your definition of better and your requirements. You'll have this up and running in five minutes, ubiquiti will take a fair bit more time than that to configure. This will probably be faster in most home use cases too.
If this doesn't have fusion VPN I wouldn't bother, just pay little extra for ax 6000, it's amazing
There was a firmware update that added VPN fusion.
VPN Client L2TP
VPN Client OVPN
VPN Client PPTP
VPN Client WireGuard
VPN Server IPSec
VPN Server OVPN
VPN Server PPTP
VPN Server WireGuard
VPN Fusion
What does VPN fusion do?
VPN Fusion allows you connect to multiple VPN servers simultaneously and assign your client devices using different VPN tunnels as needed. It also provides VPN connectivity to home network without installing VPN software. Mobiles, Notebook, even Smart TV, Game consoles can simply use this feature to achieve multi-VPN connection, without interrupting the original internet connection.
I have two of these connected to an RT-AX88U as the master - awesome bit of gear, never had an issue. Regular firmware upgrades, very easy to apply. An interface that finally knows what's plugged in and what's on WIFI (so many other brand GUI's get this wrong).
Asus Firmware support is probably the best in the business.
Thanks OP!
But my AC68U is still good…
beads of sweat on forehead
my netgear D6300 adsl 2 router is still good
Do it, do it.
Keep it. The AC68U is still a solid bit of equipment in 2023.
I use my old AC68U as additonal wifi access point at the back of the property paired with the AC86U (house).
Bought as an upgrade for my AC68U. Thanks OP.
Can someone recommend a wifi 6 card for my Dell XPS 9570? Is it even worth doing?
What's the likelihood for this to go $299 over the next few months? (Nice number for tax purposes)
Was thinking the same. I wonder if we can just claim $299 (even though it costed $369)
Definitely not legit. You need to use the depreciation method for anything above $300.
Can't you say that the router is only used 80% for work purposes = $295?
Huge thank you OP! I had been waiting for this to drop in price.
I want it for the 2.5 GHz port (since my mobo has one) but wtf am I gonna do with that?
Yeah that will work well on your 50/20 NBN plan
I figure if I ever buy a Quest VR headset then it'll help, but otherwise yeah, my 100/20 isn't going to matter.
NBN- the national network that's so shit that it doesn't matter what hardware you run for performance :(
I currently have one of those newish Telstra smart modem 3 boxes. Would you guys suggest I replace that with one of these?
Is your net working fine , streaming well , range ok , if yes then no
It works okay most of the time but every now and then my desktop will just randomly cut out and then reconnect shortly after. Sometimes our consoles(xbox/Nintendo Switch) will have latency issues when playing cross platform co-op games.
Doesn't happen too often but enough that it's noticeable.
Good price definitely. Wouldn't mind grabbing this to make it my main router in my mesh setup. MUST RESIST.