Asus RT-AC66U router review
Asus introduced the RT-AC66U router in 2012. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4706 @ 600 MHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Wondering if the Asus RT-AC66U is a must-have? Keep reading!
Table of Contents
- Asus RT-AC66U specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Asus RT-AC66U, please let us know.
The RT-AC66U supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Asus prioritizes network security to keep data safe and secure.
Asus RT-AC66U specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-AC66U |
| Type | RT-AC66U |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2012 |
Body
| Dimensions | 207 x 148.8 x 35.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 450 g |
The dimensions of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Larger routers have more room for internal cooling. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can affect the mounting process.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM4706 @ 600 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Alternative OS | DD-WRT |
| Power supply | 19 V / 1.58 A |
The Asus RT-AC66U router has a Broadcom BCM4706 @ 600 MHz processor. The 256 MB of RAM helps the router manage many tasks concurrently
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | yes, with USB dongle |
| VPN support | PPTP |
The latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. Gigabit Ethernet ports support data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second. A Gigabit WAN port is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. The RT-AC66U router supports 3G or 4G dongles, allowing you to connect to a cellular network.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 3.5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1750 |
| Speed | 450 + 1300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 23 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 2.4GHz band refers to the part of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. The 5 GHz band is less crowded, and the RT-AC66U router is 5 GHz capable. The Wi-Fi router offers fast data speeds. They're good for streaming HD video, online gaming, and large file transfers. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 2 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.
Links
| Official site | https://www.asus.com/ |
|---|
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Asus one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Asus RT-AC66U photos
Asus RT-AC66U comparisons
We've noticed that many of our visitors like to compare the Asus RT-AC66U router with these popular models.
If there’s information about the Asus RT-AC66U that you would like to see on this site, then write to us.
Updated: May 25, 2024
