ASUS Announces RT-AX86U and RT-AX82U

[Mutzli]

A couple more WiFi 6 routers from ASUS. Considering that WiFi 6E needs new hardware it seems strange that they release this many WiFi 6 routers when WiFi 6E is just around the corner.

 

[Gar]

Marketing, what a concept...

 

[jsz]

82u looks like it uses the TUF gaming AX3000 PCB which means the 2.4ghz is likely amplified externally. 58u/AX3000 aren't

TUF-AX3000 for reference:
https://image.koolshare.cn/attachment/forum/201910/01/185220oat3zobtpvbhm2oo.jpg

+Skyworks amplifers on 2.4g
+Metal RJ45 connectors.

Might be higher priced that I expected.. $250? Granted, I think this should really sell for $200 max.. but RGB... lol

86U should be around $280, but could be higher to fill market gaps.

I can see

82u 220-250?
86u 280-300?
88u $350 MSRP

Competitor AX5400 router from netgear has a MSRP of $300.... which is kinda overpriced relative to the AX6000 from TP link or AX88U from ASUS.. Granted those prices are also ridic in my book lol

 

[Kener66]

Rt-ax86u probably to release very quick here in the Netherlands this will be my replacment for the AC3200
Firmware 384.9173 and GPL (made a copy) already found on https://www.asus.com/nl/Gaming-Networking/RT-AX86U

Also Asus announces the XD4
https://www.asus.com/Networking/ASUS-ZenWiFi-AX-Mini-XD4/specifications/

 

[jsz]

Best Buy Canada listed the 82u for $350 CAD. Release date is July 27th.

Potentially 250~ USD.. which is a yikes. Guess 86u is closer to $300 USD

 

[lucluke]

82u looks like it uses the TUF gaming AX3000 PCB which means the 2.4ghz is likely amplified externally. 58u/AX3000 aren't

TUF-AX3000 for reference:
https://image.koolshare.cn/attachment/forum/201910/01/185220oat3zobtpvbhm2oo.jpg

+Skyworks amplifers on 2.4g
+Metal RJ45 connectors.

Might be higher priced that I expected.. $250? Granted, I think this should really sell for $200 max.. but RGB... lol

86U should be around $280, but could be higher to fill market gaps.

I can see

82u 220-250?
86u 280-300?
88u $350 MSRP

Competitor AX5400 router from netgear has a MSRP of $300.... which is kinda overpriced relative to the AX6000 from TP link or AX88U from ASUS.. Granted those prices are also ridic in my book lol

I think 2.4 GHz AX3000 is amplified externally AX58U isn't: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ax56u-vs-rt-ax58u-vs-rt-ax3000.63912/#post-580858

AX82U details http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AX82U , internally looks about three same as AX3000, I'm guessing the main difference is unlocked 4x4:4 vs 2x4:2 on AX3000/AX58U

 

[jsz]

I think 2.4 GHz AX3000 is amplified externally AX58U isn't: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ax56u-vs-rt-ax58u-vs-rt-ax3000.63912/#post-580858

AX82U details http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AX82U , internally looks about three same as AX3000, I'm guessing the main difference is unlocked 4x4:4 vs 2x4:2 on AX3000/AX58U

AX58U and AX3000 are the same, just made in different locations for US market. AX-3000 is a Vietnam made model. AX58U is made in China or Taiwan depending on region. AX58U and AX3000 performance fall into tolerance level of general performance comparing the 2.4g side by side.

I'm the one who posted on MarkB's site about the TUF gaming PCB and he misunderstood what I wrote and eventually corrected it.

The 82U, 58U, AX3000, AX3000 TUF all share the same FCC ID and general design with small changes more apparent on the TUF gaming AX3000. I'm assuming the 82u is using the TUF gaming's PCB design for pricepoint/upgrades.

But yes, 82u is 4x4:4. The rest are 2x4:4 according to thiggins.

Regardless. $250~ is a little too much. Rather spend a little more on the 86U (assuming $300 now) at that point for actual hardware upgrades (much better cpu/ram) unless ASUS prices it very close to the AX88U which would be very weird for the sake of an upgraded 2.5g port (with less switch capacity). also downgraded 3x3 2.4g.. yeah idk..

 

[KevTech]

82U now listed in Asus store.

 

[Gar]

Cheaper than I expected.

EDIT: I would have guessed $400/300.

 

[jsz]

Cheaper than I expected.

EDIT: I would have guessed $400/300.

It's literally a variation of the AX58U PCB with diff ID and RGB.

I was guessing anywhere from $220-250 which seems valid factoring my local tax. $247.24 shipped


AX86U is pretty much confirmed $280-300 price point.

 

[Darcy]

82U now listed in Asus store.

View attachment 24694

AX82U is awesome looking


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HofstraJet]

Anyone have an educated guess whether there will be a range difference between the two and whether either will have better 2.4 support (have a lot of small sensors that are 2.4 only)?

Minor speed differences, extra ports, etc. don't matter in my setup - just need maximum range and good 2.4 support.

Or would one of the older models better serve me? Need to replace a dead AC3100. Have several mesh nodes and this will be the main mesh server connected to the WAN.

Thanks!

 

[dfunked]

Anyone have an educated guess whether there will be a range difference between the two and whether either will have better 2.4 support (have a lot of small sensors that are 2.4 only)?

Minor speed differences, extra ports, etc. don't matter in my setup - just need maximum range and good 2.4 support.

Or would one of the older models better serve me? Need to replace a dead AC3100. Have several mesh nodes and this will be the main mesh server connected to the WAN.

Thanks!

/edit
Ignore me - clearly a little uninformed!
AX82U seems to just be an AXx58U in a new shell, so should have pretty much identical range to that (which I found a bit disappointing compared to an older AC68U) - you should be able to check reviews of the AX58U to see how it fares (or just go straight for the AX58U which will probably be cheaper if you don't care what it looks like/have no use for RGB)

AX86U seems to have fairly decent range from any reviews I've read, so I'll probably be going for that myself.

 

[jsz]

AX82U seems to just be an AXx58U in a new shell, so should have pretty much identical range to that (which I found a bit disappointing compared to an older AC68U) - you should be able to check reviews of the AX58U to see how it fares (or just go straight for the AX58U which will probably be cheaper if you don't care what it looks like/have no use for RGB)

AX86U seems to have fairly decent range from any reviews I've read, so I'll probably be going for that myself.

its a fully enabled 4x4 radio on the AX82U. Range should be a lot better than the AX58U, especially on AC clients.

 

[Paapaa]

1. Any guess how much cheaper RT-AX86U will be compared to RT-AX88U?
2. Any guess if Merlin will support RT-AX86U?

 

[Jbennett360]

1. Any guess how much cheaper RT-AX86U will be compared to RT-AX88U?
2. Any guess if Merlin will support RT-AX86U?

In the UK.

AX86u Is £229
AX88u is £299

 

[dylanmitchell]

Hard to justify spending $280-$300 when wi-fi 6E will be out soon. I do like the AX86U but it doesn't have have a lot of benefits our AC86U with our 300Mbps/ 30Mbps down. We might see a small increase in range or performance but can probably get another year out of the 86U and wi-fi 6E will be sorted out by then.

 

[dfunked]

Yeah, it's a hard sell when 6E is so close, but for me I already have 4 AX ready clients and the potential of running a 2.5Gb/s connection to my NAS, so feel like now is the right time to jump.
I can always upgrade a year later and use the 86U as an AP/sell it if needed. It'll still be a huge upgrade from my AC68U in the here and now.

Definitely not a compelling upgrade for the AC86U though.

 

[dylanmitchell]

AC68U to AX86U is an easy choice and a nice upgrade. Expect the AX86U one of the top routers until 6E is mainstream.

 

[jsz]

Hard to justify spending $280-$300 when wi-fi 6E will be out soon. I do like the AX86U but it doesn't have have a lot of benefits our AC86U with our 300Mbps/ 30Mbps down. We might see a small increase in range or performance but can probably get another year out of the 86U and wi-fi 6E will be sorted out by then.

My GT-AC2900 (AC86U Rebrand) does 480mbps like nothing at 30 feet range (ISP speed from wall). I'm pretty sure it can hit around 600mbps at this distance for my 2x2 AX200 client.

Don't really see the point of spending double the amount unless you're "future proofing". Granted WiFi6E MIGHT cost more due to requiring a 3rd radio (Similar to current Wifi 6 Tri-band pricing).

I have a feeling 2x2 designs and "MESH" might be more prevalent to drive cost down. Manufacturers can also abuse the marketing number scheme to make it seem better than it really is.