AX58u V1 vs V2 (Same price) - which one should I pick?

[thejokr]

Hi all,

I’m choosing between ASUS RT-AX58U V1 and V2, both available at the same price.

From what I’ve gathered:

V1: Broadcom BCM6750, 1.5 GHz tri-core (3 cores), official Merlin support
V2: Broadcom BCM6756, 1.7 GHz quad-core (4 cores), Merlin via GNUton

Other specs (RAM, WiFi performance, etc.) seem mostly similar, so the main difference is CPU and firmware support.

My priorities are stability, long-term reliability, and Merlin.

For those with experience — is V2 actually better in real-world use, or is V1 still the safer choice?

Thanks!

 

[jksmurf]

I have an RT-AX58U v1 and an RT-AX3000 (exact same FW as v1) both running Merlin. I have no experience with v2, but am more than happy with v1 as Nodes which is what I use them both for now when I upgraded to another main.

The Merlin updates are more frequent for the v1 which is a plus IMO.

 

[thejokr]

I have an RT-AX58U v1 and an RT-AX3000 (exact same FW as v1) both running Merlin. I have no experience with v2, but am more than happy with v1 as Nodes which is what I use them both for now when I upgraded to another main.

The Merlin updates are more frequent for the v1 which is a plus IMO.

I’m planning to use it as my main router. Do you think going with the v2 would give any noticeable improvement in performance or range due to the newer chipset?

Also, I have the option to get the RT-AX86U for about $30–35 more (both are pre-owned). Do you think it’s worth paying extra for that?

My use case involves a ~1,000 sq. ft. home with 10–15 devices connected at peak usage. I need reliable coverage on the second floor (~13–14 ft height) and stable performance for occasional local file transfers.

I’m currently using a TP-Link Archer C9 v1—how much of a real-world improvement in signal coverage and performance should I expect with these options?

 

[jacklul]

I think the chip on the V2 has no build-in acceleration for the WiFi so the 4th core is used exclusively for wireless packet handling.

 

[Tech9]

Also, I have the option to get the RT-AX86U for about $30–35 more

RT-AX86U is much better hardware device and was one of the most popular around few years back. It has better ARMv8 CPU, 2x more RAM, better 4-stream 5GHz radio and smaller footprint being vertical design. I would also avoid devices not supported by RMerlin.

 

[degrub]

I’m planning to use it as my main router. Do you think going with the v2 would give any noticeable improvement in performance or range due to the newer chipset?

Also, I have the option to get the RT-AX86U for about $30–35 more (both are pre-owned). Do you think it’s worth paying extra for that?

My use case involves a ~1,000 sq. ft. home with 10–15 devices connected at peak usage. I need reliable coverage on the second floor (~13–14 ft height) and stable performance for occasional local file transfers.

I’m currently using a TP-Link Archer C9 v1—how much of a real-world improvement in signal coverage and performance should I expect with these options?

Usser experience will not likely change. As it is , you may have too much RF power as it is for such as small space with no real ability to control the RF power.

 

[Tech9]

no real ability to control the RF power

You can change the power on stand-alone ASUS routers. Can't change the power on AiMesh nodes.

 

[Piotrek]

In RT-AX58U V2, both radios (2,4GHz and 5GHz) are supported by the BCM6756 chip; in RT-AX58U V1, the 5GHz radio is supported by a separate, additional chip (BCM43684).

RT-AX86U is a much better and more efficient device (with better radios), but in terms of basic functionality, the user experience may be similar (unless you use demanding features like VPN or QoS on your router).

Remember, these devices are all old – don't count on long-term support.
There's a high probability that in a year or two, they'll end up out of support and go into EoL status.

If you expect long-term support, look for a BE device.

 

[dlandiss]

RT-AX86U is much better hardware device and was one of the most popular around few years back.

It also has a good reputation for range, some reviewers still citing it as the #1 choice when range is important.

 

[thejokr]

In RT-AX58U V2, both radios (2,4GHz and 5GHz) are supported by the BCM6756 chip; in RT-AX58U V1, the 5GHz radio is supported by a separate, additional chip (BCM43684).

RT-AX86U is a much better and more efficient device (with better radios), but in terms of basic functionality, the user experience may be similar (unless you use demanding features like VPN or QoS on your router).

Remember, these devices are all old – don't count on long-term support.
There's a high probability that in a year or two, they'll end up out of support and go into EoL status.

If you expect long-term support, look for a BE device.

Is the ASUS RT-AX58U V1 superior because it has a separate radio for 5GHz?

Also, how would you rate the ASUS RT-AX86S? I understand it has a dual-core CPU and 512MB RAM compared to the AX86U. U and S version have similar range?

More importantly, will the AX86S provide better Wi-Fi coverage than the AX58U?

 

[Tech9]

Is the ASUS RT-AX58U V1 superior because it has a separate radio for 5GHz?

No. Because it has Asuswrt-Merlin support by RMerlin.

Also, how would you rate the ASUS RT-AX86S?

Don't get RT-AX86S for Asuswrt-Merlin. It has <100Mb available RAM after boot.

U and S version have similar range?

Yes.

 

[thejokr]

Don't get RT-AX86S for Asuswrt-Merlin. It has <100Mb available RAM after boot.

How is RAM usage on stock firmware compared to Merlin on the AX86S? I won’t be putting much load on it, just 10–15 devices at most, no VPN or anything fancy, only basic QoS. Will that be fine?

Also, how does Merlin perform on the AX58U in terms of RAM usage, given that both the AX58U and AX86S have 512MB RAM?

Finally, what kind of real-world range and coverage differences can I expect between the AX58U and AX86S on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, especially 5Ghz?

 

[Tech9]

both the AX58U and AX86S have 512MB RAM

Different hardware devices running different firmware taking different amount of RAM after boot. RT-AX86S was the one with least RAM available from what I remember. Just enough for stock Asuswrt or light configuration Asuswrt-Merlin.

what kind of real-world range and coverage differences can I expect

I would say expect similar range without any "Wow!" differences. The range is defined by the clients with much weaker radios. Wi-Fi is 2-way communication. RT-AX86S has theoretical advantage in spatial diversity from 4-stream radio which may eventually translate into better sensitivity, which translates into what is perceived as better range. Not guaranteed to happen in an unknown region and environment to unknown clients. In general RT-AX86U/S "range" is as good as it gets from the technology used and single AP.

 

[jontalk]

In RT-AX58U V2, both radios (2,4GHz and 5GHz) are supported by the BCM6756 chip; in RT-AX58U V1, the 5GHz radio is supported by a separate, additional chip (BCM43684).

RT-AX86U is a much better and more efficient device (with better radios), but in terms of basic functionality, the user experience may be similar (unless you use demanding features like VPN or QoS on your router).

Remember, these devices are all old – don't count on long-term support.
There's a high probability that in a year or two, they'll end up out of support and go into EoL status.

If you expect long-term support, look for a BE device.

BTW, Asus released Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388_24436 for the AX-86U today, 4/17/26..just updated my router without problems

 

[Tech9]

All of the above RT-AX58U V1/V2 and RT-AX86U/S models are still supported by ASUS, not EoL.