Asus RT AC68U WiFi Router (AC1900) Review

Introduction

The Asus RT AC68U (AC1900) WiFi router is one of the most popular and highly rated routers on the market, and it’s easy to see why. With its impressive range, high speeds, and advanced features, this router is perfect for anyone who needs a reliable and powerful internet connection. This is a dual-band router , This means that it can broadcast on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, providing a fast and reliable connection no matter what devices you’re using. It’s also equipped with the latest 802.11ac wireless standard, which delivers blazing-fast speeds and excellent range. This router supports built-in advanced security features, which protect your network against online threats and malwares. Parental control helps you to keep your kids safe online, you can rest assured that your home network is secure and safe. 

The ASUS RT AC68U: A Budget-Friendly Router with Big Coverage

The ASUS RT AC68U is a popular choice for budget-minded users who prioritize reliable Wi-Fi coverage. It offers a winning combination of affordability and performance, making it ideal for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and casual gaming. Here’s a closer look at its key features:

Unmatched Coverage for Your Entire Home

The Asus AC68U shines in its ability to blanket your entire home in a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal. This is achieved through a combination of hardware and software features. First, it boasts three high-gain antennas that amplify the signal strength. But that’s not all. ASUS’s innovative technologies, AiRadar and RangeBoost, work together to intelligently focus and amplify the signal towards your connected devices. This ensures optimal coverage throughout your home, reaching up to a remarkable 2,800 square feet. Whether you have a sprawling ranch or a multi-story house, the Asus AC68U eliminates frustrating dead zones and delivers a seamless Wi-Fi experience.

• Smooth Performance for Everyday Needs

While not a top-of-the-line performer, the Asus AC1900 (AC68U) delivers smooth performance for everyday internet activities. Under the hood, it houses a 1GHz dual-core processor and 256MB of RAM, which is sufficient for browsing the web, streaming videos, and even casual online gaming. With multiple devices connected, you can expect a reliable and stable connection without significant lag or buffering.

• A Rich Set of Ports for Wired Connectivity on Asus AC68U

The RT AC68U caters to users who still prefer wired connections. For your internet connection, it provides a single Gigabit WAN port. Additionally, you’ll find four Gigabit LAN ports for connecting wired devices like desktops, game consoles, and smart TVs directly to the router. This ensures a consistently fast and reliable connection for bandwidth-intensive tasks. The router also offers a USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port for added flexibility. You can connect external storage drives or printers to these ports and share them across your network.

• Simple Setup and Management

The ASUS RT AC68U prioritizes user-friendliness with a straightforward setup process. You can quickly configure the router through a web browser interface or leverage the convenience of the ASUS Router app (available for Android and iOS devices). While the app doesn’t support all ASUS router models, it works seamlessly with the Asus AC1900, allowing you to manage your network settings and monitor its status from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet. This eliminates the need for complex configurations, making this asus router an ideal choice for users who value a hassle-free experience.

Brief Test on Asus AC1900

To evaluate the Asus AC86U WiFi coverage, I ran a series of tests throughout a typical home environment using an iphone 12, with a maximum speed of 110 Mbps (155Mbps Theoretical) on the 2.4 GHz band and 710 Mbps (899Mbps Theoretical) on the 5 GHz band. The tests encompassed various locations, including close proximity to the router, the kitchen, a bedroom, the upstairs area, and finally, the backyard.

• Near the Router: Just a few feet away from the router.
• Kitchen: Approximately 30 feet from the router, with one intervening wall.
• Bedroom: Roughly 40 feet away, separated by two walls.
• Upstairs: Approximately 70 feet from the router, with two walls and a floor separating them.
• Backyard: Roughly 100 feet away from the router, outdoors.

Stay Secure with ASUS AiProtection

The ASUS AC1900 prioritizes your network’s security with AiProtection, a built-in security system developed by Trend Micro. This constantly monitors incoming and outgoing traffic, safeguarding your network from malicious attacks and intrusions. AiProtection boasts a valuable Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that intelligently detects and blocks suspicious activity before it can compromise your network. This ensures a secure browsing experience for all your connected devices, giving you peace of mind.

• Unlocking Flexibility with Built-in VPN Server

The RT AC68U goes beyond basic Wi-Fi functionality by offering a built-in VPN server service. Unlike most routers that can only connect to a VPN provider as a client, this asus wifi router empowers you to create your own secure VPN server. This allows authorized users to connect to your home network remotely with an encrypted connection, perfect for accessing files and resources securely when away from home. The router supports popular VPN protocols like OpenVPN and PPTP, and the setup process is designed to be user-friendly for a smooth experience. With this functionality, you can create a secure tunnel for remote access without exposing your internal network directly to the internet.

Conclusion

Tests by reviewers showed the ASUS RT AC68U handled online games well, with minimal interruptions even for 4K streaming. It performed well in both noisy and quiet environments, and reviewers liked its built-in features for gaming. Earning a high score of 8.5 out of 10, this router offers a strong balance of features for the price. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable router that won’t hold back your home gaming experience, the Asus AC68U is a solid option.