Asus RT-AX86U router review
Asus introduced the RT-AX86U router in 2020. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4908 @ 1.8 GHz chipset, 1024 MB of RAM, and 256 MB of flash memory.
Want to know if the RT-AX86U is a game-changer? Keep following along!
Table of Contents
- Asus RT-AX86U 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-AX86U, please let us know.
The RT-AX86U supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Asus has received awards and recognition for its excellent networking products.
Asus RT-AX86U specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-AX86U |
| Type | RT-AX86U |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2020 |
Body
| Dimensions | 325 x 242 x 100 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 814 g |
If you live in a small apartment, the size of the router is crucial to deciding whether it will fit. The weight of the router is not typically a critical factor for most setups.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM4908 @ 1.8 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 1024 MB |
| Flash | 256 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Power supply | 19 V / 2.37 A |
The Broadcom BCM4908 @ 1.8 GHz CPU affects the router's performance, working with RAM and firmware. You cannot expand the router's memory (1024 MB). When selecting a router, it's essential to think about the RAM specifications.
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 L2TP OpenVPN IPSec |
The RT-AX86U router is compatible with IPv6. IPv6 offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network. A Gigabit WAN port is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. A 3G/4G USB dongle provides portable internet access. It connects to cellular networks, letting you stay online even without Wi-Fi.
OpenVPN is popular for VPNs. This is because it's strong, flexible, and works on many devices. IPsec provides a robust and standardized framework for securing IP communications.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 4 dBi fixed |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Class | AX5700 |
| Speed | 861 + 4804 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 25 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPA3 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The RT-AX86U AX router typically offers improved range and coverage. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) is the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. 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 | 1 x USB 3.2 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. A USB print server lets you connect a printer to your network. Then, computers can print to it without a direct connection. The RT-AX86U router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
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
- plentiful flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- 802.11ax certified
- lightning-fast Wi-Fi connection
- WPA3 compatible
- WPS friendly
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- none
Asus RT-AX86U photos
Asus RT-AX86U comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
