Asus RT-AX88U router review
Asus introduced the RT-AX88U router in 2018. It is powered by Broadcom BCM49408 @ 1.8 GHz chipset, 1024 MB of RAM, and 256 MB of flash memory.
Wondering if this router is a hit? Keep going!
Table of Contents
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. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Asus RT-AX88U, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RT-AX88U is a popular router. It offers great networking. This is thanks to its advanced features and cutting-edge technology. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Asus routers are generally known for their user-friendly design and easy setup process.
Asus RT-AX88U specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-AX88U |
| Type | RT-AX88U |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2018 |
Body
| Dimensions | 762 x 188 x 61 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.01 kg |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM49408 @ 1.8 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 1024 MB |
| Flash | 256 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Power supply | 19 V / 2.37 A |
The Broadcom BCM49408 @ 1.8 GHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the RT-AX88U router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 256 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The Asus packages the RT-AX88U router with 19 V / 2.37 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 8 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | yes, with USB dongle |
| VPN support | PPTP L2TP OpenVPN |
Like many modern routers, the RT-AX88U supports many network standards too. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections. This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.
You can connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the USB port on the RT-AX88U router. OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. It uses OSI layer 2 or 3. It extends secure networks using SSL/TLS, an industry standard. The PPTP is an older VPN protocol. It was widely used in the past.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x 4 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Class | AX6000 |
| Speed | 1148 + 4804 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 25 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This includes older ones that may not work with the 5 GHz band. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. This AX Wi-Fi router provides much faster data transfer rates. It is faster than older Wi-Fi standards.
Real-world RT-AX88U router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 2 x USB 3.1 |
|---|---|
| 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. By connecting a USB printer to the RT-AX88U router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your Asus router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your RT-AX88U router. Do this after the initial setup.
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. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. 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
- WPS friendly
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- too weighty
- incompatible with WPA3
Asus RT-AX88U photos
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