AC86U vs AC68U

[gabzprime]

Currently I'm using Asus RT-N18U. Been using this router for 5 years. It has great range and from what I read before its similar to 68U but only single band(2.4Ghz) and single core.

I'm shopping for a new router. Available routers in my country are mostly Linksys, DLink, TPLink and Asus. Currently looking at AC68U(150USD) and AC86U(200USD). The old router is still working great. There are some place in the house that has a weak signal. Would like an upgrade on that.

My concern is range(should at least be as good on what I have right now) and stability(hard to exchange things here or go to service center).

From what I read here, the AC68U seems to be more stable? My apprehension to the AC68U is that it might not provide more range as per my previous research the n18u is based on it. My research might be wrong though.

I read some issues regarding AC86U months ago. I don't know if it was fixed by a firmware upgrade or if it was hardware problem. But in terms of range it seems to be a better choice.

 

[bbunge]

Any electronic device can have problems. I recently went with an AC86U and have not had issues. This is the third Asus router for me. The two prior were N66U and AC66U_B1. I selected the AC86U because it has a 64 bit OS. Also has more radios than the cost comparable AX series. The newest firmware has dual band smart connect which works well for me!

 

[distilled]

I have both, and the 86u has considerably better range (in my specific circumstances). Also, if you use a VPN on the router, you will notice great improvement in speed with the 86u.

IMHO it is worth the extra money.

 

[L&LD]

@gabzprime the 2.4GHz band comparison to your current Asus RT-N18U will be favorable for the RT-AC86U and the RT-AC68U too. What won't be equal is the 5GHz performance and the overall network performance that the RT-AC86U will provide.

What is your ISP paid-for speeds? Are you planning or anticipating an upgrade in the next few months to a year? While the AC class routers will both be an upgrade, the RT-AC86U will be supported for far longer than the now elderly RT-AC68U.

Paying an extra $50USD today will not only give you more usable years (as the main router) out of the RT-AC86U, but it will do so while providing more performance over that time too.

 

[K-2SO]

What is your ISP paid-for speeds?

This is the most important question. @gabzprime is currently using 2.4GHz N router.
RT-AC86U is definitely better, but only if it has something to do with it's CPU and RAM.

 

[gabzprime]

@gabzprime the 2.4GHz band comparison to your current Asus RT-N18U will be favorable for the RT-AC86U and the RT-AC68U too. What won't be equal is the 5GHz performance and the overall network performance that the RT-AC86U will provide.

What is your ISP paid-for speeds? Are you planning or anticipating an upgrade in the next few months to a year? While the AC class routers will both be an upgrade, the RT-AC86U will be supported for far longer than the now elderly RT-AC68U.

Paying an extra $50USD today will not only give you more usable years (as the main router) out of the RT-AC86U, but it will do so while providing more performance over that time too.

Our internet is [bad] here. No anticipated change on that. My concern is more of range + stability as there are some places in the house with weak signal.

 

[K-2SO]

My concern is more of range + stability

2.4GHz is about the same on both, 5GHz is better on RT-AC86U.
I would buy RT-AC86U in 2020. RT-AC68U is a 2013 router model.

 

[L&LD]

@gabzprime specifying the actual speeds you pay for and can achieve via a wired to router connection may help here.

 

[gabzprime]

@gabzprime specifying the actual speeds you pay for and can achieve via a wired to router connection may help here.

Its only 15Mb dsl.. IF fiber comes to our area I might see 100Mb so shouldn't be a problem on any routers today.

 

[K-2SO]

Its only 15Mb dsl.. IF fiber comes to our area I might see 100Mb so shouldn't be a problem on any routers today

I would buy 2 x RT-AC66U_B1 routers for around $200 instead of 1 x RT-AC86U.

What you get:
- RT-AC68U performance equivalent routers, dial-band
- AiMesh capable routers, better coverage than any single router
- AiProtection for your network
- Adaptive QoS, may help with your current DSL line
- simple, proven reliable and with Merlin support
- good for much faster ISP, significantly improved Intranet
- 8 x LAN ports for your wired devices

 

[L&LD]

With the 15Mbps ISP service, the RT-AC66U_B1 (just one) will be a good upgrade for your current network for a long, long time.

Yes, the RT-AC86U will be a better hardware spec'd router, but the performance it can offer won't be noticeable with your service plan.

If, after testing fully, the RT-AC66U_B1 isn't enough of an upgrade for you, then possibly consider the RT-AC86U (and return the 'AC66U_B1). but either way, two routers don't seem to be a necessity for your network right now.

 

[K-2SO]

RT-AC66U_B1 (just one) will be a good upgrade for your current network

I'm seriously in doubt RT-AC66U_B1 has better 2.4GHz coverage than RT-N18U - https://www.asus.com/Networking/RTN18U/
There will be no improvement in weak signal zones with one router. Existing RT-N18U may be re-used as extra Access Point though.

 

[L&LD]

You're really comparing an N class router from 2011 to an AC class router that is a few years and a few revisions newer?

Buying two RT-AC66U_ B1's was not the best thought out advice you gave. Using the existing RT-N18U is a better option, but will only be necessary for 'very' weak signals (if it can't be wired).

 

[K-2SO]

You're really comparing an N class router from 2011 to an AC class router that is a few years and a few revisions newer?

Check your facts. Numbers don't lie.

RT-N18U - FCC 07.2014
RT-AC66U_B1 - FCC 08.2016

I'm pretty sure this RT-N18U is no worse than RT-AC66U_B1 on 2.4GHz and @gabzprime will end up with the same weak zones.

 

[L&LD]

Sorry, I can't even say I mistyped. I just mixed it up with another router.

Still don't think any N router is in any way better than an AC class one. Particularly one based on the RT-AC68U which has proven to be a solid design from the beginning.

 

[K-2SO]

Still don't think any N router is in any way better than an AC class one.

What about this?

RT-N18U - BCM4360 radio
RT-AC66U_B1 - BCM4360 radio

I expect exactly the same performance in 2.4GHz.

 

[L&LD]

What firmware is running on them? What drivers are available on each?

The RT-N18U is running mad old firmware 382.xx while the RT-AC66U_B1 has 385.xx available.

Specs don't matter much. Either do 2.4GHz performance (I've already said they'll be the same).

 

[K-2SO]

What firmware is running on them? What drivers are available on each?

Agree. We are offering security upgrade advice here for $100. @gabzprime may not be interested.
RT-AC66U_B1 router + wired RT-N18U access point sound like the best cost effective upgrade solution to me.

 

[gabzprime]

Agree. We are offering security upgrade advice here for $100. @gabzprime may not be interested.
RT-AC66U_B1 router + wired RT-N18U access point sound like the best cost effective upgrade solution to me.

Hahaha!

We don't have ac66u here. Phased out.

 

[gabzprime]

With the 15Mbps ISP service, the RT-AC66U_B1 (just one) will be a good upgrade for your current network for a long, long time.

Yes, the RT-AC86U will be a better hardware spec'd router, but the performance it can offer won't be noticeable with your service plan.

If, after testing fully, the RT-AC66U_B1 isn't enough of an upgrade for you, then possibly consider the RT-AC86U (and return the 'AC66U_B1). but either way, two routers don't seem to be a necessity for your network right now.

We can't return after we buy unless it doesn't work. If I can return, I would have just bought and exchange if I don't like the performance.

Below the ac68u, there are only non-mainstream asus routers(ac1300 etc).