Are the new RT-BE96U / GT-BE98_PRO really worth it over my current Asus RT-AX88U?

[JarleH]

So, had my Asus RT-AX88U since 2019, no problems with it as far as I know. But what would I gain from going over to the super expensive RT-BE96U / GT-BE98_PRO models (outside of supporting newer wifi standards)?

The new models seem to hit absurd prices, and I am not sure why. So I kinda have a hard time justifying getting one of them if there isnt a major reason to upgrade.

Any advice from you guys?..

 

[bennor]

Any advice from you guys?..

Post some details about your use case and needs. Without more information about what you need or are seeking all anyone can do is guess and offer general suggestions/comments.

Why do you feel RT-AX88U isn't meeting your needs?
What feature or option do you feel you need or want that the RT-AX88U isn't capable of providing?
Why do you feel you need a new router?
Why do you feel you even need to upgrade when you indicate there isn't a major reason to upgrade?

 

[JarleH]

Post some details about your use case and needs. Without more information about what you need or are seeking all anyone can do is guess and offer general suggestions/comments.

Why do you feel RT-AX88U isn't meeting your needs?
What feature or option do you feel you need or want that the RT-AX88U isn't capable of providing?
Why do you feel you need a new router?
Why do you feel you even need to upgrade when you indicate there isn't a major reason to upgrade?

All good questions; for me is just FOMO, and the router is almost 5 years old.

I have some use for settings up a few things at home (servers/services), to access from outside the house, but not gotten around to do it yet.

 

[bennor]

All good questions; for me is just FOMO, and the router is almost 5 years old.

What (or why) do you fear on missing out on by using the RT-AX88U instead of buying a RT-BE96U or GT-BE98_PRO?

 

[JarleH]

What (or why) do you fear on missing out on by using the RT-AX88U instead of buying a RT-BE96U or GT-BE98_PRO?

Seems strange to me that there has been no good advancement in router features the last 5 years...

Edit: I just checked, I used the model before the AX88U for 6 years before switching to the AX88U.

 

[Tech9]

What ISP plan and how many active devices on your network?

Coming from still capable Wi-Fi 6 router there is a chance a new Wi-Fi 7 router won't improve your Internet user experience much.

 

[JarleH]

What ISP plan and how many active devices on your network?

Coming from still capable Wi-Fi 6 router there is a chance a new Wi-Fi 7 router won't improve your Internet user experience much.

I have a 1GB fiber-line. About 3 PCs, 2 phones and 3-4 tablets, TV, nVidia Shield etc. All are not used at the same time, but about 4-5 devices are used at peak times at the same time.

 

[Tech9]

You're good then, save your money.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Maybe the RT-BE88U is the way to go if you're looking at getting a new, supported router once Asus drops support for your current router?

 

[Tech9]

Existing RT-AX88U will be fine for years. @JarleH doesn't even have WAN access to the network. When they need it - OpenVPN server will be safe enough for quite some time even after firmware support end. Asus ASD and Trend Micro signatures for AiProtection will be still updated.

 

[JarleH]

Existing RT-AX88U will be fine for years. @JarleH doesn't even have WAN access to the network. When they need it - OpenVPN server will be safe enough for quite some time even after firmware support end. Asus ASD and Trend Micro signatures for AiProtection will be still updated.

Do the newer models offer better performance or anything when it comes to VPN to LAN?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Do the newer models offer better performance or anything when it comes to VPN to LAN?

VPN, maybe, due to faster/more modern SoC, LAN, only if it features faster ports.

 

[Tech9]

Do the newer models offer better performance

The performance will be also limited by your clients capabilities.

 

[JarleH]

The performance will be also limited by your clients capabilities.

I were referring to VPN performance etc, not lan/wan

 

[maxbraketorque]

The primary value in changing to a newer router will be the ability to run ASUS WRT 5.0 firmware. The RT-AX88U will not be receiving this firmware, so if there are features in WRT 5.0 that you want, then that would be a reason to change to a newer router, although I would look at routers other than the ones you mentioned. Those are insanely expensive and only have value in certain situations. I don't see much value in their wired networking capability because inexpensive multigig switches are starting to become common. The primary value I see in those routers is that they have a 6 GHz band, which may be helpful in relieving wifi interference in high density living areas, e.g., apartments. If that's not an issue for you, then the new BE88U is a fine choice if you want WRT 5.0 right now.

 

[JarleH]

The primary value in changing to a newer router will be the ability to run ASUS WRT 5.0 firmware. The RT-AX88U will not be receiving this firmware, so if there are features in WRT 5.0 that you want, then that would be a reason to change to a newer router, although I would look at routers other than the ones you mentioned. Those are insanely expensive and only have value in certain situations. I don't see much value in their wired networking capability because inexpensive multigig switches are starting to become common. The primary value I see in those routers is that they have a 6 GHz band, which may be helpful in relieving wifi interference in high density living areas, e.g., apartments. If that's not an issue for you, then the new BE88U is a fine choice if you want WRT 5.0 right now.

Thanks, and I agree. These new routers are in a whole other ballpark expensive, I have a hard time understanding it, like they were whole laptops or smartphones.

Not gonna get any of them at the current prices. And I have no clue if there are any 5.0 changes I really need.

A few years back I used Netgear, for several hardware items. They have nothing similar to Merlin 3rd party improved good fanbase routers?

 

[JarleH]

WHOA! The Netgear Nighthawk RS700 is just as expensive as the new Asus models, the Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is about half the price, but at of course cut features/performance.

Why are these new gen models so expensive?! What happened to routers? Suddenly all chips they use gone up many times in price? Anyone knows?..

 

[TheLostSwede]

WHOA! The Netgear Nighthawk RS700 is just as expensive as the new Asus models, the Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is about half the price, but at of course cut features/performance.

Why are these new gen models so expensive?! What happened to routers? Suddenly all chips they use gone up many times in price? Anyone knows?..

More advanced production nodes for the chips = more expensive to make the chips = extra costs
An extra radio = extra costs
2.5 or 10 Gbps ports = extra costs
Useless RGB features = extra costs
Hotter chips = bigger heatsinks/active cooling = extra costs
More testing to pass certification/regulations = extra costs

 

[jerry6]

I have a 1GB fiber-line. About 3 PCs, 2 phones and 3-4 tablets, TV, nVidia Shield etc. All are not used at the same time, but about 4-5 devices are used at peak times at the same time.

If it works keep it until you get a faster line or it breaks , not worth upgrading yet .

 

[bennor]

Why are these new gen models so expensive?! What happened to routers? Suddenly all chips they use gone up many times in price? Anyone knows?..

In addition to the reasons TheLostSwede mentioned there may be various licensing fees the router manufacturer has to pay for the hardware/features the newer routers may have.

And lets face it, router manufacturers KNOW there are users/customers like yourself who feel they need to upgrade to the newest and greatest despite the fact their current router will work just fine for their current broadband speed and use case. So why not try to capitalize on the user/customer's emotions? Router manufacturers know there are users/customers who will always chase speed and are willing to pay for it.