Introduction
The ASUS RT-AX88U is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that aims to provide a significant upgrade in wireless performance and network efficiency. This router is designed to handle the increasing demands of modern connected homes and small offices. It supports the latest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard, which offers faster speeds, increased capacity, and improved performance in device-dense environments. The RT-AX88U also includes a comprehensive set of features, including advanced connectivity options, robust security, and performance-enhancing tools.
Unveiling the Power of Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6 marks a significant leap forward, introducing groundbreaking technologies that revolutionize the way we connect to the internet. This router embraces these advancements, delivering combined wireless speeds of up to 6,000 Mbps, more than enough to handle even the most demanding online gaming sessions, 4K video streaming, and large file transfers.
Asus RT AX88U: Seamless Coverage for Your Entire Home
This WiFi router boasts a powerful quad-core processor and four external antennas, ensuring stable and consistent WiFi coverage throughout your entire home, even in large and complex setups. With its smart beamforming technology, the router intelligently directs signals to connected devices, minimizing dead zones and ensuring optimal performance.
Mesh Technology
Create a truly seamless and powerful WiFi network with this router’s AiMesh technology. This feature allows you to connect multiple compatible Asus routers, forming a unified mesh network that extends coverage throughout your home. Experience uninterrupted connectivity from anywhere, even in remote areas.
Asus AX6000: Prioritized Performance for Gaming and Streaming
Gamers and streamers alike will revel in the Asus RT-AX88U WiFi Router’s dedication to providing lag-free online gaming experiences. The router’s GameBooster technology prioritizes gaming traffic, ensuring smooth gameplay without interruptions.
This is further enhanced by the Adaptive QoS feature, which optimizes network bandwidth to ensure that gaming data takes precedence over other network traffic. For an even more immersive gaming experience, gamers can take advantage of the WTFast Gamers private Network, which creates a dedicated connection specifically for gamers. This network eliminates latency and reduces ping times, providing an unparalleled gaming experience.
Security and Protection for Your Connected Devices
Asus AX6000 features a built-in VPN Server service, allowing you to create a private VPN network for secure browsing and anonymity. This feature protects your personal information from prying eyes and provides online security wherever you connect.
The router’s AiProtection Pro security suite further enhances your network’s protection by scanning for and blocking malicious websites, preventing data breaches, and offering parental controls to manage internet access. This comprehensive solution safeguards your connected devices from cyber threats and ensures peace of mind when browsing the web.
Asus RT-AX88U vs. RT-AX86U
These are both high-performance WiFi 6 routers from Asus, but there are some key differences between the two. Here is a table that compares the routers in terms of speed, number of LAN ports, support for WTFast technology, number of antennas, and overall best use.
| Feature | AX88U | AX86U |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6,000 Mbps | 5,700 Mbps |
| Number of LAN ports | 8 | 4 |
| Wtfast technology | Supported | Not supported |
| Number of antennas | 4 external | 3 external + 1 internal |
Communication Ports on Asus RT AX88U
The router’s wireless connection speed is useful and valuable when the router can communicate with the cable network at the same speed, otherwise, the speed and quality of users’ communication is limited by the speed of the cable network ports.
Port Aggregation for LAN and WAN Ports :
- Dual-WAN: This router has a fixed 1Gbps WAN port that can be aggregate with one of the LAN ports to create a 2Gbps WAN port.
- Aggregate LAN Ports: You can aggregate two 1Gbps LAN ports together to have one 2Gbps LAN port.
Real-World Performance Testing: Asus RT-AX88U in a Home Environment
In this review, I’m putting the Asus RT AX88U through a rigorous testing methodology 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 around 110Mbps on 2.4GHz and 700Mbps on 5GHz theoretical maximum speed.
Test Methodology:
The following locations were chosen to simulate real-world usage scenarios:
- Near the Router (10 feet): A few feet away from the Asus RT-AX88U, for a baseline.
- Living Room (30 feet): Approximately 30 feet from the router, through a wall and a door.
- Bedroom (50 feet): About 50 feet from the router, through two walls and a door.
- Upstairs (75 feet): Approximately 75 feet from the router, on a different floor.
- Backyard (100 feet): Roughly 100 feet from the router, outdoors.
Near the Router (10 feet):
In close proximity to the router, I consistently achieved an RSSI of -40 dBm and a download speed of 90 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, I achieved an RSSI of -38 dBm and a download speed of 650 Mbps. This is excellent performance. Streaming 4K video, downloading large files, and online gaming were seamless.
Living Room (30 feet):
Moving to the living room, about 30 feet away with obstacles, the router maintained respectable speeds. I observed an RSSI of -50 dBm and a download speed of 75 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -55 dBm and the download speed was 500 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 AX6000 delivered an RSSI of -53 dBm and a download speed of 60 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -65 dBm and the download speed was 250 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 -61 dBm and a download speed of 40 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -67 dBm and the download speed was 120 Mbps. SD video streaming and web browsing were still possible.
Backyard (100 feet):
Out in the backyard, approximately 100 feet away, speeds dropped. I observed an RSSI of -66 dBm and a download speed of 25 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. On the 5 GHz band, the RSSI was -70 dBm and the download speed was 40 Mbps. While the signal was weaker, basic web browsing and SD video streaming were still achievable.
Asus RT-AX88U Download Speed at 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bands (Mbps).
Asus RT AX88U (Asus AX6000) RSSI Value at 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bands
Conclusion
The Asus RT-AX88U WiFi Router is an exceptional choice for demanding gamers and power users seeking the ultimate in wireless connectivity and gaming performance. With its blazing-fast speeds, comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and robust security measures, ensures an unparalleled gaming experience and ensures the smooth operation of your connected devices.Our technical score for this router is 9.5 out of 10.
By purchasing this asus wifi router, you will have a very high level home gaming network and you will have no restrictions on servicing and using game consoles.
