• expired

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro AX5700 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Router $299 Delivered @ Amazon AU

590
This post contains affiliate links. OzBargain might earn commissions when you click through and make purchases. Please see this page for more information.

Solid wireless router. Runs Asuswrt-Merlin.

Also on sale: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 $399 @ Amazon Au.

Based on my research: AX86U Pro has VLAN tagging, smaller footprint. GT-AX6000 has dual 2.5G ports. Performance wise, they are similar. GT-AX6000 is likely to have slightly better coverage due to one extra antenna.

Both are ATL I believe.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
This is part of Boxing Day Sales for 2024

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
Marketplace

Comments

  • 6000 just extra 2.5g port?

    actually not gt version ax6000 also dual 2.5g port and $40 cheaper

    • +3

      Most people on SNBForum recommend GT-AX6000 over AX86U Pro, but I think it’s because they can get them at similar prices in for example US market. For $100 difference I would get AC86U Pro for people don’t know their needs specifically and just want a setup and go wireless router.

  • No wifi 6E or wifi 7? Ethernet connection should be solid though.

    • +2

      Still not many client devices supports 6Ghz anyway
      And consider most households max internet speed is only up to 1Gbps (many are just 100 or less)
      probably ASUS RT-AX86U Pro AX5700 is still solid option for couple of years

    • Wifi 7 routers are more than double the price you are welcome to spend that now or wait till its this price in 4 years time when its widespread

  • So. Dual vs triple vs quad band. How necessary is it as we add brick walls and meta quest into the mix?

    I just don't really want to have to spring for 6E quad band, it's expensive. But I don't want to buy something that won't work

  • +3

    Paid 333 at black Friday for the 86u pro. Plug and play pretty much, initial software and asus access window a bit crap. getting 930/48 on superloop. Would have liked it cheaper like this but seems to work ok.

  • +2

    Just keeps getting cheaper after my purchase :-( ……..hands in badge

  • +2

    No issue using Merlin firmware on RT-AC86U. I see no point upgrading does the job. Sure it's not supported by Asus any more but I don't care. Existing mesh setup is of the same type AC wireless Wifi 5, hardly any devices using Wifi 6 and internet is only 250mbps

    • The RT-AC86U has served me well for years, but it looks like Merlin is going to stop updates at the end of 2024 :(

      • Yeah but I'm not forking out money just cause they stop supporting it. In the fact the latest merlin firmware is buggy at least with Ethernet connection I tried had to roll back older version then problem went away

    • I am on 100mbps and a pair of AC68U still.
      Will start looking when I get on 1Gbps link

      • I'm still using one for AiMesh node still works fine just the range not as good

    • +1

      Upgraded from a AC68U and would largely agree with you. Outside of the main case for upgrading ( wireless VR) the main benefit I've noticed is that wifi range was marginally improved.

      • Only marginally, that’s disappointing. I’m in the same situation. Do I upgrade or to I wait for something better

        • If I was you I would just wait it out. Or you can do something like me bought a second hand RT-AC86U. I got one for under $120 which I think was well worth it for my AiMesh setup replaced the main router

          • @neonlight: I got another device that does AI mesh…. An RP-AC1900. It extends the signal but it’s not as stable as I’d like it to be

            • @Skullytor: Then don't give in. Wait around til Wifi 6 stuff gets cheaper. Else replace the lot with TP-Link alternatives at discount 3 units cheaper than one single Asus unit. It's no longer value for money

      • Cheers. I have a RT-AC68U as AiMesh node and 2 x RT-AC86U all running merlin firmware with one of them being the primary for the AiMesh. I can tell you the range is quite a bit better than the RT-AC68U, also I tested the speed as well also improved by at least 20% on 5Ghz

    • Same here… Amazing router with Merlin firmware. No reason to upgrade.

  • Still rocking my 68U though.

    • Wifi range 2.4ghz.
      How much more range will I get upgrading from 68u to 86u ?

      • +7

        18u

        • +1

          Serious question dude

          • @Mydc5r: RT-AC86U range is at least few metres better than your current one

    • I was using the 68U on mesh setup until last week. After i upgraded to fttp 1000 and clearly it was struggle. Ended up upgraded to Mercusys wifi 7 mesh and really happy so far https://amzn.asia/d/9RchoxH

  • Purchase recently from Amazon during black friday but can return till 31jan2025. would Amazon somehow refund difference if we reach out to customer servicem

    • +1

      Should be able to refund difference if the date is not too far. Never hurt to try asking the online customer service live chat haha

  • I thought this must have been a sign after having to restart my 68u again this morning after losing wifi again but it's apparently not deliverable to my address :(

  • is this better than the GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (Flint 2)? Looking to buy a new router for exclusive wifi use but have no idea what is best value. Have 1000/50 Superloop so looking to take advantage of that speed. Currently running the Telstra default router which only gets up to around 300mbps

    • I'm in the same boat as you. I Currently have an ASUS RT-AX 56U set on 80Mhz that gets around 400Mbps through Wifi and 930Mbps through ethernet cable, my pc is in another room and around 10m from the router so using ethernet cable permanently is not really an option.
      I was tossing up the Flint 2 but for the extra $92 i think i will go this ASUS RT-AX86U Pro for the added AI-Mesh feature, My PC has a 6E Wifi card but i can't justify the extra cost for a 6E Router. Could always buy both and return either one or both if they don't perform. I am hoping the160 MHz band will help the Wifi speed.

      • I get around 810mbps on my mercusys wifi 7 (about 350ish for the 2-pack on amz right now) at about 0.5m way. Throughout the house i get between 300-500mbps on mesh setup

  • I was thinking about this earlier today and wondering if it would ever dip below the ~$330 black Friday price.

    Still undecided, do I buy this as an all in one or a Unifi 7 pro AP which can be had around $270 on sale and use my current router, hmmm.

    • My gut feeling is Asus routers are just too pricy. They are not worth the prices we pay locally here. Overseas models of the same from Asus is so much cheaper. It's ridiculous

  • Bit pricey for no multi-gig ports?

  • I have TP-Link modem and connected them to Asus XD5 for mesh, would this modem be a better choice of upgrade from TP-Link?

    We are struggling to get a good speed on the mesh system and keep dropping out, so frustrating.

  • Worth upgrading from my RT-AC68U?

  • Hi all, wouldnt the RT-AX88U Pro from Amazon US store be a better deal than this? I see its listed at 219.99 USD ~ $352 AUD

    • +1

      After shipping and tax, it comes to approximately $458 AUD or $277 USD

  • +2

    After some research into their new routers I decided to pick this up. Yes the new ones have better hardware specs but if you plan on sticking with 1Gbps or below connection, this router is fine considering the price of the newer routers will be around double this.

    • +1

      In Australia Asus routers are priced on higher end. Which is why you have this conclusion. That's the reason why TP-Link is preferred because of bang for buck. The same Deco on three units in a mesh on special is around this price. Meanwhile you can only buy one unit from Asus. Which is bullshit really https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/886666

      The only thing good about Asus is you can reuse the old models as AiMesh nodes which is what I have been doing for the last several years.

      I don't like e-waste and I can reuse my old units that's why I'm sticking with them for now.

      Custom firmware like merlin saved me from throwing them out

      • +3

        I agree. Unfortunately my RT-AC68U is near EOL and I had the option of either getting an AP for ~$250-$300 or picking up this router which I could use as an AP if needed, so it was a no brainer.

        FYI for anyone purchasing this, I do recall a little while ago there was a malware issue with some Asus routers, it was recommended to download the latest firmware offline before setting this router up. When setting up just don't have it connected to WAN, flash the latest firmware before connecting to WAN.

  • As someone whom is really out of the loop with routers, would this even be worth considering over something like ASUS RT-AX3000P (as seen here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/886403)? For pretty basic use, very little online gaming these days, mostly streaming and occasional big downloads (Steam or Xbox) along with some light WFH.

Login or Join to leave a comment