I need some advise and help figure out which to pick or order.

[TheLostSwede]

Could you get a US model and bypass the limitations? Just speculating now since as per my last post here in the thread I explained I already purchased a EU model AX88U pro.

Technically yes, but it could also land you with a huge fine or in jail if you use the frequencies that aren't allowed.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Thanks again, I did actually now google a lot and search here on forum and found out that the AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 seem to share a lot of components (all?). And the AX88U Pro being newer and smaller, were sellign points for me and my wife. So I hope it covers as good as the GT-AX6000.

No, not all, they have different switching ICs and some other minor components that differ that makes the firmwares incompatible.
However, they are quite comparable in terms of how they perform.

RT-AX88U Pro Review: Asus Saved its Best for Last | Dong Knows Tech

The new Asus RT-AX88U Pro is everything the previous model, the RT-AX88U, should have been. It has enough to make Wi-Fi 6 exciting again and is a steal at $350.

dongknows.com

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 WiFi 6 Router Review: Big, ugly, but plenty powerful (with multi-client tests) – MBReviews

Underneath the eye-catching layer of gaming-enhancing features, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 remains one the best dual-band WiFi 6 router that the

www.mbreviews.com

Testing the ASUS RT-AX88U Pro WiFi 6 Router: Is it better than the GT-AX6000? - Luumina.com

The ASUS RT-AX88U Pro offers two multi-Gigabit ports, a more powerful processor than its predecessor and it supports both AiMesh and some of the gaming features which are usually reserved for the ROG series (such as WTFast). That sounds uncomfortably close to the GT-AX6000 and the teardown does...

www.mbreviews.com

 

[glens]

My wife also had some worrying questions when I explained the sheer mass of the AX6000.

Well, I believe you'll find the RT version of the hardware actually demands /more/ shelf space than the GT version does, once you've got antennas and wiring attached...

 

[TheLostSwede]

That may be so, but the absolute range of '5GHz' to '6GHz' WiFi doesn't drop like a rock just because we designate it as '6GHz'.

If the EU is bent on destroying consumer experience, that isn't the fault of the standard. Maybe soon, all these arbitrary limitations will be just a distant nightmare, worldwide.

But it does when the EU only allow low power or very low power devices, whereas the US allow for much higher transmit power.

 

[glens]

I'd like to augment my prior post with the personal opinion that if the GT had antennas as svelte as those of the RT, the GT would be the much better-looking of the two. As it is, one looks like some kind of space alien and the other looks likes like some kind of space ship (or possibly a "transformer").

 

[vinyl]

I'd like to augment my prior post with the personal opinion that if the GT had antennas as svelte as those of the RT, the GT would be the much better-looking of the two. As it is, one looks like some kind of space alien and the other looks likes like some kind of space ship (or possibly a "transformer").

Yes that was one main thing that made me swap to AX88U Pro. I hope it will get shipped soon

 

[L&LD]

Thanks again, I did actually now google a lot and search here on forum and found out that the AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 seem to share a lot of components (all?). And the AX88U Pro being newer and smaller, were sellign points for me and my wife. So I hope it covers as good as the GT-AX6000.

Specs and components do not a router make.

The RT-AX88U Pro is a categorically superior purchase today. Better performance, is more likely to be supported longer, and in most cases, is the same price or cheaper than the 'gamey' GT model.

The GT-AX6000 was a good router for its time (after the initial hiccups), and I'm running one today. But the RT-AX88U Pro is simply the better bang-for-the-buck buy today. Hands down.

 

[L&LD]

But it does when the EU only allow low power or very low power devices, whereas the US allow for much higher transmit power.

Yes, hence my second sentence/paragraph.

 

[TheLostSwede]

The RT-AX88U Pro is a categorically superior purchase today. Better performance, is more likely to be supported longer, and in most cases, is the same price or cheaper than the 'gamey' GT model.

Except the GT model is generally around $100 cheaper in Sweden than the RT model, often even more than that.

The GT-AX6000 was a good router for its time (after the initial hiccups), and I'm running one today. But the RT-AX88U Pro is simply the better bang-for-the-buck buy today. Hands down.

In what way? Also, the RT model has half the flash, so if Asus keeps growing their firmware size, the GT would be the one to have, assuming they keep supporting it.

 

[Tech9]

My AC86U covers my flat pretty well as it is.

In this case you need only one router and I believe you'll like better the compact size RT-AX86U Pro, similar to your RT-AC86U. The second 2.5GbE port you perhaps don't need with your 500/500 ISP is coming with much larger footprint device. Single router works better than AiMesh.

and by law in Sweden

Obviously @TheLostSwede is your source of information. Read through the rest, but do what he says. When you bring the router home and your wife sees it - do what she says. Perhaps GT model version with RGB lights is going straight back before you even plug it in, in original packaging.

 

[L&LD]

$100 cheaper isn't an incentive to buy an inferior model to me.

In the following ways:

And why would Asus 'keep growing their firmware size'? They know the hardware they build and adjust their current and future firmware to that.

Help me Choose between RT AX 86U Pro Vs RT AX 88U Pro

My network is 2.4Ghz heavy due to IoT devices and therefore I prefer the better 2.4Ghz capacity for concurrent client connections. There is no MU-MIMO and Beamforming in N on 2.4GHz. Your IoTs are served one at a time and most one stream only. How many of your IoTs are AX devices?

www.snbforums.com

RT-AX88U Pro v.s. RT-AX86U Pro

I am looking at these two routes and trying to decide which one to get. Microcenter has the AX88U Pro for $219.99 and the AX86U Pro for $249. Which is the better (future proof + other features) router? From the side by side comparison, I see the 88U Pro only has WiFi 6 802.11ax while 86U Pro...

www.snbforums.com

RT-AX88U Pro v.s. RT-AX86U Pro

I am lucky to be in the position to either purchase the 88u pro for $325 + tax or the 86u pro for $242 + tax. The price is a no brainer but is it worth it at the end of the day for being future proof? Thanks for thoughts

www.snbforums.com

why is ASUS RT-AX86u recommended over RT-AX88u?

Why is ASUS RT-AX86u recommended over RT-AX88u? While I can add a switch, just having 8 ports on a single router seems nice and the price difference isn't that big.

www.snbforums.com

And, when the hardware/firmware was still too unstable for me to use:

[ 386.7 alpha Build(s) ] Testing available build(s)

Bricked, no. See my post 273 above.

www.snbforums.com

 

[Piotrek]

I'd like to augment my prior post with the personal opinion that if the GT had antennas as svelte as those of the RT, the GT would be the much better-looking of the two. As it is, one looks like some kind of space alien and the other looks likes like some kind of space ship (or possibly a "transformer").

Yes that was one main thing that made me swap to AX88U Pro. I hope it will get shipped soon

In fact, the GT-AX6000 looks pretty good (without antennas), but the antennas are very shoddy (maybe it would be better if they at least had colorful lights).
The ROG GUI also looks ugly to me.

Except the GT model is generally around $100 cheaper in Sweden than the RT model, often even more than that.

Nothing (except the design) justifies the higher price, just as nothing indicates which model will have longer support (only Asus knows this).

Also, the RT model has half the flash, so if Asus keeps growing their firmware size, the GT would be the one to have, assuming they keep supporting it.

GT-AX6000 and RT-AX88U Pro have the same WiFi, CPU, memory (256 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM), SDK and WiFi drivers (WiFi SoC) but different switch controllers etc.

 

[L&LD]

No, they don't. And if they did, they would be running the same firmware.

There are differences, obvious just by using them side by side. (The RT-AX88U Pro is superior).

 

[sfx2000]

Technically yes, but it could also land you with a huge fine or in jail if you use the frequencies that aren't allowed.

Worst case I suppose - likely it would be confiscated if the incumbent spectrum owner complains.

It's never good to import out of region devices, as this can also cause problems with other devices on the personal WLAN...

 

[coxhaus]

If I owned any size house, then I would want multiple APs so I could have more active talkers at the same time on my wireless network.

 

[vinyl]

In this case you need only one router and I believe you'll like better the compact size RT-AX86U Pro, similar to your RT-AC86U. The second 2.5GbE port you perhaps don't need with your 500/500 ISP is coming with much larger footprint device. Single router works better than AiMesh.



Obviously @TheLostSwede is your source of information. Read through the rest, but do what he says. When you bring the router home and your wife sees it - do what she says. Perhaps GT model version with RGB lights is going straight back before you even plug it in, in original packaging.

Yep, exact same reasoning. And I also cancelled the GT model in favor for the AX88U Pro, which I just installed. It is quite large, but a huge plug is that it can be mounted to a wall. So that is what's happening this weekend!

 

[vinyl]

Thanks for all replies, this AX88U Pro is a keeper! But it is fairly large but can be mounted to wall!
FYI if you are reading this and contemplating AX86U Pro vs AX88U Pro.

 

[Tech9]

but a huge plug is that it can be mounted to a wall

We have discussed this already.

Do you wall mount your routers?

Hi, I found some routers or meshes were designed to support wall-mount like ASUS RT-AX59U, Zenwifi XD5 and Netgear even has wall mount holder kit for its Orbi. I've read some articles saying that mounting the router on wall can have better coverage and improve cooling. But I find lots of...

www.snbforums.com

The best Asus router for wall or ceiling mounting is a different model though - it's RT-AX89X.

 

[glens]

GT-AX6000 would look pretty cool ceiling-mounted. Even better the Eva edition with its lit antennas! Hahaha!

Thanks for all replies, this AX88U Pro is a keeper! But it is fairly large but can be mounted to wall!

Dong Knows (some) early-on said the mount-looking hole plugs weren't filling actually-usable mount holes. Has that since changed?

When I obtained my GT there were some RT boxes nearby. They (the boxes) were substantially smaller, yet when deployed the units command more space. Crazy.

Anyway, congratulations.

 

[MEner]

You should be happy with what you got, no reason to go tri-band really, the 6 GHz band has pretty short range and doesn't penetrate more than one wall at best. There are obviously routers with two 5 GHz bands, but the only reason to get something like that is to split up devices between the bands, it's not really going to get you better performance.
I've just moved to a new place with gigabit internet access and have the GT-AX6000 and it's plenty good enough.

What about if I have 300/20 plan shouldn't be tri band (with two 5ghz) more logical as the 20mbps upload would be on both 5ghz channels? More devices can use faster upload speeds at the same time.