ASUS BE Routers question for my setup.

[JoshShep]

Hi, new here so be nice lol.

I don't understand enough about networking so I thought I'd ask on here.

My current setup is a RT-AX86U

I did have a RT-AC86U as a mesh node but unfortunately that has just died.

My internet provides gigabit speeds and the supplied modem provides a 2.5Gb WAN port.

All my devices, consoles, PC etc are hardwired via ethernet

And the wireless devices mainly use 5ghz with some 2.4 for smart speakers, ring doorbell etc.

I don't think I need 6GHz WiFi as I think only a couple newer devices support this like my Pixel 9 pro XL that also supports WiFi 7 I believe and the Fire stick Max gen 2 and it's not too congested on scans depending on the channel I use.

I would like a new main router, would I be better off with a RT-AX86U Pro or should I wait out for the RT-BE86U?

If I was to purchase the new WiFi 7 BE86U would I keep 160Mhz on 5GHz and would I still get the advantages of WiFi 7 with the AX86U as a mesh node?

Or would the BE86U fall back to the WiFi 6 standard due to AX86U node?

Sorry for all the questions but I can't find the answers online, or I'm looking in the wrong places.

Thank you,
Josh

 

[jzchen]

I personally keep 6 GHz on a separate SSID currently. I feel the current ASUS implementation of MLO to tie up one too many bands. Like you I have very few WiFi 7 devices, well if you have 2, I have only 1.

Bottom line is you will reap benefits within the WiFi range of the BE router. The AX router will extend your WiFi range with WiFi 6 service.

I would suggest to get the BE router, but be aware of what to expect speed wise....

 

[ChrisAhlund]

I personally keep 6 GHz on a separate SSID currently. I feel the current ASUS implementation of MLO to tie up one too many bands. Like you I have very few WiFi 7 devices, well if you have 2, I have only 1.

Bottom line is you will reap benefits within the WiFi range of the BE router. The AX router will extend your WiFi range with WiFi 6 service.

I would suggest to get the BE router, but be aware of what to expect speed wise....

I was also interested of the AX86U Pro as a standalone router, mainly because I've read that it has very good Wi-Fi coverage. But since the BE86U cost pretty much the same right now for me would it be a better choice? Just to be clear, when you say "reap benefits within the Wi-Fi range of the BE router" you mean Wi-Fi 7 devices right?

 

[jzchen]

The AX86U Pro was on sale at Micro Center for $179.99 for a while which maybe ended a month ago. I was tempted but held myself back.

Correct you won't have WiFi 7 benefit unless you also have WiFi 7 devices. For the incremental cost difference, or as you note same price, yes might as well get the WiFi 7 BE86U. Unless you're sure you'll never get a WiFi 7 device.

 

[ChrisAhlund]

The AX86U Pro was on sale at Micro Center for $179.99 for a while which maybe ended a month ago. I was tempted but held myself back.

Correct you won't have WiFi 7 benefit unless you also have WiFi 7 devices. For the incremental cost difference, or as you note same price, yes might as well get the WiFi 7 BE86U. Unless you're sure you'll never get a WiFi 7 device.

Thank you so much for the advice! In Sweden the AX86U Pro costs about $245 while the BE86U (with black week sales) costs about $273. Chances are that all of my family's next smart phones purchases will have Wi-Fi 7. My only concern is that the AX86U Pro is listed on the Asus website as for "Very Large Homes" but the BE86U only got for "Large Homes". Like the BE version got weaker Wi-Fi coverage or something, and thier support didn't give me a straight answer about it. Any thoughts on that?

 

[jzchen]

The higher the frequency the less the range. I believe power is proportional to frequency so limits (just in case to protect human health) are the reason behind this. 6 GHz range < 5 GHz range < 2.4 GHz range is the result. 2.4 and 5 GHz should be similar for both models, but maybe they base their Large on the fact that 6 GHz is shorter range...

 

[ChrisAhlund]

But the BE86U only have 2,4GHz and 5GHz, same as the AX86U Pro... The AX86U Pro got something called "RangeBoost Plus", that supposedly improves signal range and overall coverage. So maybe that's why it's labeled for very large homes?

 

[jzchen]

But the BE86U only have 2,4GHz and 5GHz, same as the AX86U Pro... The AX86U Pro got something called "RangeBoost Plus", that supposedly improves signal range and overall coverage. So maybe that's why it's labeled for very large homes?

I'm sorry I did not catch that these models both only have 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. I have just now went to read through the available information from our US ASUS site.

There is a big difference between the two (my opinion,) and for some reason the prices in your country are close. Here the price difference is large, (EDIT $250) vs $330 ASUS standard/suggested pricing.

The antennae are the same configuration 3 external 1 internal, the memory is the same 256 MB and 1 GB. The CPU of the BE is 2.6 GHz vs 2.0 GHz. 2.6 GHz is the same speed as GT-BE98 model. (I checked the BE98 page to make sure I didn't make a mistake again). The BE86U has a 10 Gbps Ethernet port vs 2.5 Gbps port...

There's only one possible scenario I can think of that the BE router has less range than the AX, is that your country lowered the power specification limit between the older model and the newer model, which I hope not? If the price difference here was so little I would simply purchase the BE86U personally, easy choice. (I'd accept any buggy performance as temporary)...

 

[jzchen]

Also I forgot to mention the older model will likely get more price drop during sales, while the newer model may not get a decrease at all here, making the price difference even larger during our similar "Black Friday" sales.

 

[jzchen]

@JoshShep I also have a RT-AX86U. I think the RT-BE86U is a lot better choice.

I do not have it but I do have 3 BE routers. To take advantage of both WiFi 7 and keep compatibility with WiFi 6 and lower two separate SSIDs are created, one SSID_MLO (you name it as you wish of course, I just named it descriptively,) and a Legacy/IoT SSID for all the WiFi 6/5 and lower clients. This does tend to divide up the available bandwidth so a choice has to be made depending on WiFi 7 vs WiFi 6/5/older distribution.

Since you seem ready due to the early demise of your AC router might as well go ahead with a BE router. The Ethernet ports are 10 Gbps and 4x 2.5 Gbps, which you mentioned a lot of wired devices....