• out of stock

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro AX5700 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Router $373.04 Delivered @ Amazon AU

890
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Cheapest yet on Camels for AU stock. Less than the $399 boxing day deal.

Specs thanks to Twix:

Processor
2.0GHz quad-core processor

Memory
256 MB Flash and 1 GB RAM

I/O Ports
RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for WAN x 1
RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for LAN x 4
Five (5) 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports + one (1) 2.5G/1Gbps multi-Gig port (configurable)
— LAN: 4xGbE (2x port aggregation LAN)
— WAN: 1 GbE
— WAN/LAN: 2.5G/1Gbps multi-Gig port (configurable)
— Multi-Gig: Ability to aggregate two Gigabit LAN ports and two Gigabit WAN ports (configurable) concurrently.
USB 3.2 Gen1 x1, 2.0 x1

Full list of tech specs

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +1

    Decent router for home use. Apparently a lot better with custom firmware but havnt tested yet.

    • +6

      That's my main reason to buy these - the Merlin custom firmware.

      https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/

      • +2

        As a regular home user, what kind of advantages does the Merlin firmware give?

        • Installing an ad blocking service at the router level alone is a big deal. That said, I just use a glinet security gateway that does it and more at my home.

          • @CocaKoala: Is ad blocking genuinely useful ?
            I just ignore them and they don't seem to impact my day to day.

            • @scottb721: Ad blocking exists as a feature because heaps of people find it useful. If it doesn't bother you, it's not for you.

              I personally have an ad blocking service running on my security gateway and additionally take other measures to prevent tracking, and to block adverts (uBlock origin, brave browser, updated hosts file, etc).

              It must be noted that in addition to blocking adverts, these measures also offer additional protection by blocking connection to known dangerous websites that proliferate malware, ransomware, etc.

              • +1

                @CocaKoala: Thanks for the reply :)

              • +1

                @CocaKoala: This is very interesting to me, does it help block youtube ads? My LG TV drives me nuts when it comes to youtube ads.

                • +2

                  @gogo1234: I've got YouTube premium so I don't see ads on YouTube anywhere. If you want to block YouTube ads on a pc you could use brave browser with uBlock origin plugin. If you're using a phone, just open m.youtube.com on brave browser and it should pretty much block ads.

                  The rules on your gateway will block a lot of tracking and targeting stuff, but but YouTube ads (for example). You may be able to side load and app that streams YouTube content without the ads. I'd suggest doing some more research on that or even creating a thread here about it as I don't know what apps help with this.

                • +2

                  @gogo1234: See if your TV can install homebrew, open this website on your TV browser https://rootmy.tv both of my LG tvs it worked with and I uninstalled YouTube app then installed the Adfree Youtube from the homebrew store. Works great and even has sponsorblock built in! Click through to their documentation as it has a table of TV years and WebOS versions, as long as you haven't been updating your WebOS it's probably likely to be supported but double check the version number first.

                  • @Agret: Thanks, not sure about homebrew my tv hah. Ive been reading you can do a similar thing with a NV shield and install a ad free youtube app.

                • @gogo1234: look up smarttube for use on your google TV.
                  you'll wonder how/why you didnt install it earlier ;)

              • @CocaKoala: I usually just use uBlock with Microsoft Edge (I use Edge mostly for streaming services. It seems that most streaming services play their highest quality with it and are hit and miss in other browsers) or Chrome.
                What is the difference between Brave and other Chromium based web browsers? I'll have to have a look at Brave as I've heard good things about it before.

                • @Ice009: Brave just has the adblocker built into it, you are fine using edge or chrome with ublock origin. Edge is quite good for anything.

      • +1

        I have the merlin on my same looking wifi 5 modem, but dont know what to do with it.

        • +1

          For most of us Merlin probably makes little difference.

      • I tried once, seemed to break something with my IoT. Can't remember what. Also tried beta firmware, also stuffed.
        Now back to default. Guest wifi are broken tho.

      • After you flash with Merlin firmware, can you install original Asus firmware if you want to rollback?

  • Great modem at a great price.

    • Am on wifi 5 AC modem which is great too, think I will skip to 7 directly. Dont see the need to upgrade to 6 tho.

      • If the current modem meets all your needs then you don’t need to upgrade.

        I previously had the modem that I got from Aussie Broadband. After a while I started experiencing frequent drop outs and I had to restart modem every few days. I switched to Superloop and noticed the same issues and I then realised that it’s the modem that the issue and not ISP. I then bought this modem and absolutely no issues since then.

        • Same here, switched to AC version of the same modem and my dropout issues resolved. And I didnt even buy a new one, picked up an old beaten up one for 80 bux 2 years ago from marketplace. Works like a charm(touchwood).

        • Can I ask if you need an additional modem with this router with Aussie broadband nbn?

          • @jayzzzzz: If your current router is also doing your modeming then yes assuming FTTN.
            Any old Telstra modem should be fine. Mine's +5yrs old I think.

          • @jayzzzzz: I have FTTC connection. I don’t need additional modem. I have an NBN box and this Asus router.

  • +12

    Will owning this router improve my chances with the ladies?

    • +18

      Sure. Faster wifi means faster swipes. At this rate you'll burn through the list.

    • +16

      I think your name is already a hit in ladies 🤣🤣…jokes

      • +1

        Needs to be maxi iPad

        Most girls are into apple fanboys

    • +1

      Surely you jest. With a username like that, one would think you're fending them off with a stick.

    • +5

      Not as fast as forklift certification, but a decent runner up.

    • Needs more antennas for that.

      • You meant need more dongles?

    • I see the confusion. You're pronouncing it wrong. "Router" rhymes with "shouter", not "shooter".

      • +2

        rhymes with shouter in America, shooter in the UK. But Australians tend to take the American pronounciation.

  • Does anyone have any recommendations on what to buy to extend current wifi signal around the house?

    Currently just using the router Superloop supplied me, any benefits in upgrading it? Thanks

    • +8

      mesh network

    • +1

      If the range is there but poor something like a Ubiquiti 6 LR (long range) would improve things over a supplied router's wifi.
      You can disable the wifi radio in the router and plug this in as your new wireless.
      Powerline adapters are a cheap option that may be good enough if it's just one area of the house, look at the netgear ones with built in wifi.
      A mesh wifi system could be good, I don't have any experience with these but look to be affordable.
      Best performance and relatively cheap would be to run a long ethernet cable (if you can) from your existing router to the part of your property with the bad coverage an connect something like an Ubiquiti AP at the other end, ideally you would do the ethernet run as fixed datapoints.
      Which ever way you go make sure to set the wireless name/SSID and password the same as your existing router so all devices will connect automatically.

    • +1

      Do you have the ZTE modem/router all-in-one or the eero 6+ router?

      Check here if you have FTTN, FTTB, FTTC, FTTP, HFC or fixed wireless?

      • I just have the ZTE modem/router all in one and we are connected to NBN via FTTP.

        Just wondering if an upgrade in router will improve wifi speed and coverage, or alternatively if going mesh is a good idea as the signal tends to decrease towards the back portion of the house. FYI our property is on a 550sqm block and the router is positioned towards the front of the house.

        Cheers.

        • +1

          Yeah a new router can improve your Wi-Fi range and Wi-Fi speed assuming your device is capable of Wi-Fi 6. I would get a 2 or 3 pack mesh bundle. You can pair multiple Asus RT-AX86U Pros or look at the Asus ZenWifi systems.

          Any new router gets plugged into the nbn NTD.

        • If running a cable through the walls or under the house is possible maybe ethernet backhaul with a cheap second hand router turn into Access Point could work if youre on a budget

          • @omgilia: Yeah, old Telstra modems are awesome for that, and easy to setup.

  • +1

    Have had this router since July last year. Rock solid stability, fantastic WiFi range and speeds.

    Have had it running on Asuswrt-Merlin since day one.

    • +2

      Are you using Virtual Desktop? If so what bitrate are you getting?
      Just interested to compare to my Ubiquiti 6lite
      I've heard the upgrade to 6e (which this doesn't have) isn't worth it unless you have a lot of congestion and need the dedicated 6GHz band.

  • Yeah ASUS routers are good especially if u have a quest 3 best for wireless VR

    • Excuse my confusion with Quest 3..

      If I run Q3 + VD at 400mbit/AV1 encode/Godlike…

      What is the point of a Wifi 6/2400mbps over wifi 6/1200mbps?

      Is there any point with the speed increase since you're not capping out the VD encoding anyway?

      • I was mainly aiming at people that don’t have a good router that have latency issues

  • Is it the same as this as it seems cheaper than price in title!!

    • +5

      Buying stock from EU (Germany in your case) can mean lower wifi power. Better to buy AU stock as per this post to ensure wifi capability is suited to AU.

      • Don't most routers have a drop-down on the wifi config page so you can pick what country you're in? I remember on some old routers I would have to pick a certain overseas country to enable the use of channel 13 as it didn't display for Australia on those ones.

        • +1

          Asus allows you to change the region. Changing the region doesn't get around local Wi-Fi Tx power limits. It's hard coded at the factory.

    • +5
    • Thanks for nicely pointing that out, really good to know that.

      • -1

        it is configurable. (via GUI for most of the cases or for whatever reason if the GUI is not available you can do it via command line)

  • Dang, just bought this 10 days ago for $399.

    • +1

      Buy this and return it under the old order

  • This vs the GL.iNet flint 2?

    • +1

      Flint 2, 100x over. Full openwrt support. This means sqm_CAKE and other features broadcom routers like asus dont have.

      Asus is "the best" for people who want the ISP style set and forget, with a friendly interface.

      • +1

        This router and many of the other Asus ones support Merlin which also has CAKE and a whole host of other features that openwrt has too
        https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/features

        • Ah cake was added to HND models, good to know.
          I used to donate and contribute where I could to that project, but since moving to OpenWrt, so did my funding.

    • +2

      Had the Flint 2 but returned as it was still buggy as hell. Wanted to improve my Wi-Fi stability as I had just bought a playstation portal but it was unplayable (worse than ISP supplied routers).

      People kept saying itll improve with future updates, but to my knowledge there's still issues with wifi stability with this unit.

      Bought the 86Upro instead, and it's been perfect. Asus is my vote.

      • New update which is now in beta has fixed the wifi issue on the flint 2. Great value router, loving mine.

  • +2

    AX6000 seems to be cheaper at around 335. Better deal?

    • From a quick search the AX6000 seems better so I'm really confused.

    • TUF or Rapture?

      • Looks like TUF

    • +7

      Na, that TUF AX6000 only has 512 MB of RAM. The RT-AX86U Pro is the better router.

      • +1

        I would say it depends on your needs (eg. number of devices at home, features in the router like VPN, bandwidth optimization, anti virus etc.)
        512MB might be enough for most people to be honest
        and TUF AX6000 also have some future proof features such as Dual 2.5G port (eg. one for WAN, and one for high speed LAN such as NAS)

        If you only have a few devices at home, its quite likely there's no difference between 512MB or 1GB RAM in router itself

  • Still expensive. Don’t have gigabit at home nor 1000mbps plan. Hold.

    • For some it's not always depend on your internet plan. Many have there homelab/local media server which can be benefited with extra bandwidth, high throughput and stability. Also, advanced features which are really great.

      • Yeah but if you have a NAS you can just use a Gigabit switch. Unless you access your NAS via VPN/internet which again depends on your internet connection. Old Routers already support 1Gbps ethernet if you are wired.

        Not all devices are Wifi 6 capable at this point

    • Price has held for years now. Impressive

      • I think its cause of the Aussie tax. This router overseas much much cheaper in TW or China, if you forgo warranty and of course different wattage

        • Agreed! In China, Asus routers are so much cheaper, does anyone know if there is a catch? or just they are selling it at a premium here?

          • +1

            @lookgg: The extras that we pay for its the power adapter, warranty and shipping/freight etc with the local versions

            • @neonlight: Thanks for the explanation! For day-to-day usage… Would there be any limitation(s) if we buy one from China and use here? Does the Asus apps works or we need any tweaks to make it work?

              • @lookgg: Not really sure, but they would run on Chinese interface by default but if the Router allows you choose a language in this case my Asus RT-AC68U old model allows me to choose after reset, shouldn't matter.

                For Specs you need to check whether it supports all the wireless bands of the same model available here, if that's what you want

                As for the Voltage/Wattage, if your adapter can convert the correct wattage to the unit. it should just work. The power adapter might already handle 240V, but seeing from China usually 220V. Some adapters can handle all the way to 240V, otherwise not sure if you can get a universal one that has a plug for Asus routers….Never tried it. Or perhaps get a second hand one if you know it fits. Good luck with it.

                • @neonlight: Thanks! Will definitely look for wireless bands before (if) I buy one from China.

                  I think Voltage/Wattage shouldn't be an issue these days as mostly are 110-220/240?

        • -4

          If the modem fails couldn't you just buy another one from a retail store. Swap it out with the failed one and maybe swap over the stickers and refund locally?

          • @donman92: I guess the serial number won't match, so it is less possible.

            • @lookgg: hence the careful sticker swapping - helps if you buy a dodgy modem and your warranty Just runs out and the company doesn't want to honour the statutory warranty rights in AU

        • +1

          If you can get it cheaper then you should. Forget about the warranty, it’s worthless. My RT-AX88U recently died after only 2 and a bit years. ASUS don’t wanna know about it and keep telling me to contact the seller. I bought it off Amazon but Amazon say to contact the seller which was Harris Technology. HT don’t want to get involved because they say it’s out of warranty and tell me to contact ASUS. ASUS reluctantly told me I can post it to them for assessment, but said I will need to post for shipping the item to them and will also need to pay for the return shipping back to me. And even then they won’t guarantee that they’ll fix it or supply me with a new one. ASUS make great routers, but their warranty support is so terrible. I spent $600 on something that only lasted 2 years and now I’m left with no router.

          • +1

            @PleasureMe: Thanks for sharing and sorry for your bad experience…
            I also had bad experience with sellers on amazon. I just realized that Amazon doesn't include tax invoice for goods that we buy there but not sold by them. I tried to contact the seller per Amazon's advice, guess what, the seller ignored me at all.

            • +1

              @lookgg: Yep! I mistakenly thought it's Amazon so it's safe. But you're only really covered properly if the seller is Amazon, not just the marketplace. If it's a 3rd party seller then things are not as easy.

        • You need to upgrade if you want to use VLANs.

            • @[Deactivated]: A VLAN will isolate your cameras. For PoE you need a PoE switch or PoE injector.

                • @[Deactivated]: Yeah it's router to PoE switch to your cameras. Setup the VLAN in the Asus settings menu.

  • This or the AX6000 for $335?

    • -1

      If you don't care about the second USB port (that port is only USB 2.0) on AX86U Pro, have zero plan to run custom firmware (Merlin) ever, but you have devices that actually support 4x4 on 2.4Ghz band (if you don't know what 4x4 is, then you most likely don't have a device that supports that), then you could consider AX6000. Or, if your budget is tight and don't care about the custom firmware support, you may consider AX6000.

    • Can't find it for $335 got a link?

  • How is this compared to the RT AX58U, is it worth upgrading?

    • Also wondering that. This has been rock solid, but always wonder!

  • Is it good enough for a double storey home?

  • +1

    Im a big Asus router running merlin firmware fan but… only gigabit network ports in 2024?(yes it has one 2.5g lan/wan)
    That and no wifi7, I'd wait before upgrading.

    • +2

      Why yes, there is a Asus router with Wifi 7 and quad 2.5G ports all for a bargain price of $1,529 but it’s currently on back order and the cheaper RT-BE96U is not yet available.
      The technology is there but whether people are willing to pay excessively for bleeding edge technology is a different story (I personally wouldn’t for Wifi 7 at this stage).

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