Asus RT AX55 WiFi Router Review

Introduction

In a world where seamless connectivity has become an absolute necessity, the Asus RT AX55 WiFi Router emerges as a powerful contender. Offering unmatched speed, extensive coverage, and advanced technology, this router pushes the boundaries of what we expect from a wireless network. If you’re tired of buffering, slow internet speeds, and dead zones in your home or office, join us as we delve into the depths of this state-of-the-art device and explore the exceptional features that make it shine.

Asus RT AX55 Package Content

Upon opening the box, you’ll find the router neatly nestled in a protective foam casing, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition. Alongside the router, you’ll find 1. Power adapter 2. Ethernet cable 3. Quick setup guide 4. Warranty card. The router itself is compact and sleek, with a black and white design that complements any décor. The four external antennas are adjustable, allowing you to optimize signal reception.

Unleash the Power of Wi-Fi 6

At the heart of the Asus RT AX55 (Asus AX1800) lies the revolutionary Wi-Fi 6 technology, also known as 802.11ax. This cutting-edge standard introduces enhancements like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, which effectively handle multiple connected devices and optimize network efficiency.

Unbridled Performance

Our rigorous lab testing revealed this asus wifi router exceptional performance. We achieved blazing speeds of up to 866 Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. The router seamlessly handled multiple connected devices without any performance bottlenecks.

Say Goodbye to Wi-Fi Dead Zones

Enjoy comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage throughout your entire home, even for larger spaces. The asus RT AX 55 boasts four external antennas and supports the AiMesh technology, enabling seamless connectivity with multiple compatible Asus routers to create a unified mesh network. This eliminates Wi-Fi dead zones and ensures a consistent and reliable Wi-Fi experience throughout your living space.

NitroQAM Technology on Asus AX1800

NitroQAM, the advanced modulation technology used by the Asus RT AX55, further enhances the efficiency of WiFi 6. This technology utilizes a higher order modulation scheme, enabling the router to transmit more data per channel. This translates to up to 25% faster data rates compared to conventional Wi-Fi 6 routers. To illustrate this concept, imagine a road with multiple lanes. With conventional modulation, each lane can only carry one car at a time. However, with NitroQAM technology, multiple cars can share each lane simultaneously, effectively increasing the road’s capacity.

Security That Shields Your Digital Life

This router is equipped with AiProtection, powered by Trend Micro™, to safeguard your home network against cyber threats and intrusions. This comprehensive security system detects and blocks any malicious content, ensuring peace of mind while browsing the web. It also includes WPA2-PSK encryption, intrusion detection and prevention, anti-malware, anitivirus and parental control systems.

Manage Your Network with Ease

It is designed for both ease of use and advanced customization. The intuitive web-based management interface and the Asus Router app for iOS and Android make it simple to configure your network, monitor your devices, and adjust settings.

Affordable Excellence for Value-Seeking Users

At an attractive price of around $99, the Asus RT AX 55 WiFi Router appeals to users seeking a Wi-Fi 6 router without significantly impacting their budget. However, the question remains whether this price point is commensurate with the router’s features and performance.

On the one hand, presents a compelling value for money. It packs a range of features, including Wi-Fi 6 technology, four internal antennas, and advanced security features like AiProtection Pro. It also delivers impressive speeds, capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and streaming HD content.

Considerations Before Buying

If you have a large home with many connected devices, you may need a router with more powerful hardware and a wider range to maintain a consistent and reliable Wi-Fi experience throughout the entire space. Additionally, if you prioritize high-speed gaming or demanding online activities, you may want to consider a more expensive router with a higher maximum speed.

Testing the Asus AX1800: A Practical Home WiFi Check

In this review, I’m putting the Asus RT AX55 (also known as the Asus AX1800) through the same rigorous testing methodology I’ve used in my other WiFi router comparisons. My goal here is to assess its real-world performance within a typical home network. As always, I’m using an iPhone 12 as my test device, which is capable of 110 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 710 Mbps on the 5 GHz band (theoretical maximums, of course).

Test Methodology:

The following locations were chosen to simulate real-world usage scenarios:

• Near the Router: A few feet away from the Asus RT AX 55, For a baseline
• Kitchen: Approximately 30 feet from the router, through a wall and a door.
• Bedroom: About 50 feet from the router, through two walls and a door.
• Yard: Roughly 100 feet from the router, outdoors.
• Upstairs: Approximately 75 feet from the router, on a different floor.

Near the Router (15 feet):

In close proximity to the Asus RT-AX55, I consistently achieved an RSSI of -45 dBm and a download speed of 95 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, I achieved an RSSI of -42 dBm and a download speed of 580 Mbps. This is excellent performance for a router in this price range. Streaming 4K video, downloading large files, and online gaming were seamless.

Kitchen (30 feet):

Moving to the kitchen, about 30 feet away with obstacles, the router maintained respectable speeds. I observed an RSSI of -52 dBm and a download speed of 70 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -57 dBm and the download speed was 350 Mbps. This still demonstrates a solid connection. Streaming 4K video remained smooth.

Bedroom (50 feet):

In my bedroom, roughly 50 feet and through more walls, the Asus RT-AX55 delivered an RSSI of -58 dBm and a download speed of 50 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -67 dBm and the download speed was 180 Mbps. HD video streaming and web browsing were still easily manageable.

Upstairs (75 feet):

Testing upstairs, about 75 feet from the router, I was pleasantly surprised to find an RSSI of -62 dBm and a download speed of 35 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -66 dBm and the download speed was 80 Mbps. SD video streaming and web browsing were still possible.

Yard (100 feet):

Out in the yard, approximately 100 feet away, speeds dropped. I observed an RSSI of -63 dBm and a download speed of 20 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -70 dBm and the download speed was 30 Mbps. While the signal was weaker, basic web browsing and SD video streaming were still achievable.

Asus RT AX55 vs. TPLink Archer AX21: Which is Right for You?

The Asus RT AX55 and TPLink Archer AX21 both offer WiFi 6 for larger homes, but cater to different needs. The Asus AX1800 prioritizes security and network control with stronger parental controls, traffic management, and AiProtection. It also supports AiMesh for mesh networking. The TP-Link Archer AX21, while a solid performer, focuses on connectivity with a USB port and OneMesh compatibility for expanding your network. Choose the Asus RT AX 55 for robust security and network management, or the TPLink Archer AX21 for added connectivity and OneMesh expandability.

Conclusion

In our assessment, the Asus RT AX55 Wi-Fi Router emerges as a solid performer, offering a range of features, impressive speeds, and robust security features at an attractive price. However, its limited range and hardware may not be suitable for large homes or users who prioritize high-speed gaming or demanding online activities. Nevertheless, for those seeking a budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 router for smaller homes or apartments, this  Asus router presents a compelling option. Overall, we give it an 8 out of 10 rating, recognizing its strengths while acknowledging its limitations.