How long does RT-AX86U have left?

[randomName]

Do I need to be looking for a new router for the RT-AX86U soon? It looks like I will have to start looking for a replacement for an RT-AC86U but if I'm in the market and the option is good enough I might buy 2 (2 different house holds) I've been desperately needing to upgrade my RT-N66U wireless AP, too.

If so, what are some good Routers that will have the longevity of Merlin's support?


Thank you for your time.

 

[ppfoong]

RT-BE86U is the successor of RT-AX86U.

 

[Ripshod]

I second @ppfoong's suggestion. The RT-BE86U is already included in Merlin's latest 3006 release as well - bonus

 

[randomName]

How is the RT-BE88U - BE7200? I don't see the BE86U at my local hardware store

 

[Sander_H]

There is not a really good replacement for the AX86. There is the BE86, BUT ... missing the 6Ghz band. All current BE solutions are kind of underperforming. I am waiting for wave 2 of WiFi 7 devices.

 

[Ripshod]

It's my personal upgrade from my old RT-AX88U. It has a large footprint, and if you're wanting 6GHz channels it's not the one to go for.

 

[randomName]

So the 'WiFi 6" doesn't mean 6GHz channels on the advertising of the RT-BE88U ?

EDIT: Advertisement "WiFi 7 (802.11be), WiFi 6 (802.11ax), WiFi 5 (802.11ac), WiFi 4 (802.11n), 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a"

EDIT2: what's the importance of 6GHz channels?

 

[bbunge]

For now I would not go with a WIFI 7 router (why be a beta tester?). The AX86U will be supported for quite a while. An AX86U Pro may be a better choice as Asus seems to be continuing the firmware development.

 

[OzarkEdge]

So the 'WiFi 6" doesn't mean 6GHz channels on the advertising of the RT-BE88U ?

WiFi6 refers to the standard... the standard defines what that includes.

EDIT2: what's the importance of 6GHz channels?

More open frequency spectrum in the 6GHz band(s) to permit using larger bandwidth for greater throughput in time. However, a higher frequency signal travels less far... penetrates more poorly including air. So, 6GHz is for higher bandwidth applications in close range like VR, medical imaging, distance learning, and other data-intensive cloud applications provided you have a large WAN pipe and connect to a nearby AP. If you don't need it, you won't miss it, imo.

OE

 

[ducky124]

If the RT-AX86U is serving you fine, why worry about updating it. It's not like it going to suddenly stop working when support for it reaches EOL. I still have an RT-AC68P as one of my mesh nodes with no issue. I even have used one on my original Linksys WRT54G routers as an access point in my shed on occasion.

 

[Tech9]

Do I need to be looking for a new router for the RT-AX86U soon?

Short answer - No.

 

[dlandiss]

As the current 2.4GHz range champion, my AX86 will stay right here in my 125-year-old house with thick walls until it dies.

 

[randomName]

Thanks for the replies and input, appreciate it!

Cheers