asus rt-ac5300 wifi range worse than my old 100$ router ??

[catdog]

the range is much worse than my old dlink850l even in the 2.4g band
the speed is fine though when connected im getting 50/10 on both 2.4g , 5g

i have used android wifi analyzer app to chose best channels.
the router running firmware 3.0.0.4.380_7743

Am i messing something here ?
is there any setting that can help?

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Asus routers have poor range IMO ever since they dummied all the power down in fear of the FCC. However as you have found out others still have excellent range the netgear 7000 and the 7800 both smoke Asus routers in 5 Ghz range.

 

[RMerlin]

Asus routers have poor range IMO ever since they dummied all the power down in fear of the FCC.

Every single review from Tim would disagree with that declaration. Range has shown to be on par with all of their competitor's high-end models, sometimes even exceeding it.

However as you have found out others still have excellent range the netgear 7000 and the 7800 both smoke Asus routers in 5 Ghz range.

The router ranker says otherwise. 1st (tied), second and fourth (tied) position on the ranker for 5 GHz range are Asus routers.

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/router/ranking/AC/rev10/421

 

[catdog]

Every single review from Tim would disagree with that declaration. Range has shown to be on par with all of their competitor's high-end models, sometimes even exceeding it.



The router ranker says otherwise. 1st (tied), second and fourth (tied) position on the ranker for 5 GHz range are Asus routers.

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/router/ranking/AC/rev10/421

Every single review from Tim would disagree with that declaration. Range has shown to be on par with all of their competitor's high-end models, sometimes even exceeding it.



The router ranker says otherwise. 1st (tied), second and fourth (tied) position on the ranker for 5 GHz range are Asus routers.

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/router/ranking/AC/rev10/421

but my test says otherwise too.

 

[RMerlin]

but my test says otherwise too.

Tim tests routers in a very controlled environment. Too many variables in an open air test like yours to be considered valid data, sorry. For starter the fact that both routers are running at the same time implies they're not in the same location.

 

[MichaelCG]

Also to note, just because a router can yell/blast its signal out there well, doesn't always mean it can hear/listen to the response from the client. Those basic apps only tell you the signal strength as reported by the client, but not what the router hears back from the client.

 

[catdog]

Tim tests routers in a very controlled environment. Too many variables in an open air test like yours to be considered valid data, sorry. For starter the fact that both routers are running at the same time implies they're not in the same location.

not really the point.

im an average user and to me this is the result.this 400$ can't match a 100$ router.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Every single review from Tim would disagree with that declaration.

Well i have had many Asus routers as well and the R7000 and the R7800 in real world testing shows with no doubt the 7000 and the 7800 have a better signal then any Asus router i have had on the 5 Ghz band since the new regs took place hands down. Same exact location same channel same devices that have not moved. The data is clear.

The problem is Netgear firmware sucks. And you are the primary reason i stick with Asus routers.

 

[maxbraketorque]

not really the point.

im an average user and to me this is the result.this 400$ can't match a 100$ router.

I think Merlin has a very good point. First, you shouldn't rely on the indicated signal strength as a comparison for range, and second, device location does matter, especially for range testing.

I'm in the process of doing a comparison between three different routers, and I put them in the exact same location and orientation, and when testing is being performed, only the router being tested is turned on. And I'm making my comparisons by testing file transfer speeds over the local network so that I can avoid possible variations in internet speeds and latency that are beyond what can be controlled by the router.

With that said, I suppose its possible that your Dlink has an old firmware that's running the radios at a power level above the FCC limits.

 

[sfx2000]

the range is much worse than my old dlink850l even in the 2.4g band
the speed is fine though when connected im getting 50/10 on both 2.4g , 5g

Not seeing a problem here...

WiFi performance is more on the client, not on the AP.

 

[catdog]

so please delete the post

didn't think before posting that this fourm was filled with asus fanboys

 

[Trentors]

so please delete the post

didn't think before posting that this fourm was filled with asus fanboys

It has nothing to do with it. This is the forum for SNB - A site known for thorough and professional testing of network equipment. You are making a simple conclusion that goes against this site's testing and the experience of many of its users and expect to be met with uncritical accept of your personal findings?

So what is most likely: Your findings are more correct than SNB's or that we are all fanboys??
(Poor Tim investing in so much equipment and using so much time on testing when Wifi Analyzer is still free...)

 

[Murtaza12]

so please delete the post

didn't think before posting that this fourm was filled with asus fanboys

Have you tested it on more than one device or just your phone?

 

[aloha]

Have you tested it on more than one device or just your phone?

seriously

of course i did

 

[Kavy]

I have a X8 and a Ac5300 and i get my 5g2 channel on my ac5300 at the end of the block and the X8 doesn't reach my garage. I agree there is multiple values involved in this but I have seen great distance out of my ac5300 versus my old Nighthawk 7000 and X8. I am not a fanboy as you can tell I was all netgear before this ac5300.

Op i am running firmware
Current Version : 9.0.0.4.382_19612-g01e94f5

 

[srios2018]

It has nothing to do with it. This is the forum for SNB - A site known for thorough and professional testing of network equipment. You are making a simple conclusion that goes against this site's testing and the experience of many of its users and expect to be met with uncritical accept of your personal findings?

So what is most likely: Your findings are more correct than SNB's or that we are all fanboys??
(Poor Tim investing in so much equipment and using so much time on testing when Wifi Analyzer is still free...)

Sorry guys.. New here.. I have the RT5300 since don't remember but probably 2015 or early 2016.. I have it on the same position all these years and there is no difference in network equipment at home or at neighbor. Truth is.. my Router worked perfect.. I bought it since I have a huge house.. and before had 3 routers (the macs expenssives that work flowless).. however, I saw many revews.. AC was new at that time.. (i just bouth an iPhone 7 at that time).. and saw several videos that range was awesome!.... and to be honest.. YES IT WAS!... well this december 2018, I decided to rest at home and maintain the equipments... Firmare was 2016¿?¿? maybe.. never touch it ( Dont need to touch!.. it worked excelent)... but I have 3 weeks now with the last firmware update.. and my Perfect-Awesome-spectacular.. etc.. router now is a fracking Brick!.. I read the title of this thread.. and I said.. "yes!.. that is exactly what I think... a 700U$.. (since in my country every thing imported is MUCH MORE EXPENSSIVE).. is NOW worse than an apple express!.. (a 100U$)...

I read your comments and I only see people that defend ASUS RT5300.. but have you thought that this guy could have some truth in their words??.. of course, Router testing must be methodological and ordered to be impartial.. and fair... BUT.. I'm telling you. OLD firmware .. excelent.. new one... WC.. (I did monitor my network, no noise, no interference.. etc.)... but range Terrible .. constant signal drops in AC band... after 1 or 2 days must reboot the router since is so slow ..

So.. I saw the second comment.. the guy that says that beacause of FCC .. range is now not good... "I thought.. yes! this must be a plausible reason-..."... but you attacked that guy.. but for me.. yes.. it is a possible reason!... and even worse.. now I saw an imesh...stuff.. so now IF I BUY more ASUS ROUTERS.. they can work together.. WHY!!... my router was fine.. Now with this new FW.. is not.. and YES.. NOW I DO NEED a NEW ASUS ROUTER TO EXTEND THE RANGE!... CRAZY! AND CONVINIENT BUT NOT FOR CUSTOMERS!

SO PLASE.. DO YOU - THE VERY EXPERT PEOPLE.. KNOW.. WERE I CAN FIND I NICE LINUX BASED ROUTER FIRMWARE TO REPLACE THE ONE I HAVE!¿?¿?¿?

Thanks!

 

[catdog]

back

yep the problem from the asus firmware. i just installed kong build after I wrote this thread and the range is amazing and no problems i don't use any range extenders anymore.

the downside i don't use any vpns or advance features in kong build. as far i know i restart the router like once a month/ qos working using ip/mac .

 

[Joe Niemand]

back

yep the problem from the asus firmware. i just installed kong build after I wrote this thread and the range is amazing and no problems i don't use any range extenders anymore.

the downside i don't use any vpns or advance features in kong build. as far i know i restart the router like once a month/ qos working using ip/mac .

Hello, could you please tell me which firmware you downgraded to with your AC5300 which would give it the better wifi range?
The oldest firmware on the asus site that i can see is Firmware version 3.0.0.4.384.21140

if yours is older do you perhaps have a link to were i can find the older firmware?

 

[jerry6]

Tim tests routers in a very controlled environment. Too many variables in an open air test like yours to be considered valid data, sorry. For starter the fact that both routers are running at the same time implies they're not in the same location.

Thanks , I Just bought an AC 5300 would not be happy if it had less range than my 3200 IT'S replacing , just hope it can handle the multiple vpn connections better than the 3200 as well as the 3200 struggles with the vpns running

 

[L&LD]

Thanks , I Just bought an AC 5300 would not be happy if it had less range than my 3200 IT'S replacing , just hope it can handle the multiple vpn connections better than the 3200 as well as the 3200 struggles with the vpns running

It should be on the order of 40% better for the RT-AC5300 (which has the same CPU as the RT-AC3100 too) with its 1.4GHz dual-core vs. the '3200's 1GHz dual-core.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asus_routers