POLL: Sub $200 ASUS router models with AiProtecion

[L0nkFromPA]

Let me start by saying that I understand that requesting people's opinions is going to result in biased answers, etc and there are pros and cons for every router model / architecture, etc.

My issue is that in years past, there seemed to be far fewer choices when it came to wireless routers with open source firmware support. Some models that I can think of that were well supported by various firmware projects were the RT-N16, RT-N66U, RT-AC66U. These are all MIPS R2 routers. Before AsusWRT, open source support seemed more important to actually get a decent firmware. Now that they've based it on the Tomato firmware, I am less concerned about that.

So, this is the basis of my poll; what in your opinion is the current best choice in Asus router, considering price, reliability, architecture, radios, build quality, speed, range, third party firmware project support, etc.
I would like to put a particular emphasis on price, since many people don't want to pay $200+ for a router, even though in my opinion it is well worth it. I've been relatively inactive in monitoring forums and firmware development for the last several years.

I picked a few models that I consider to be good candidates below, but if you feel I'm off track, you can also pick a model not listed. In the models that I've chosen, I've only included routers with AiProtection and external antennas, since I consider these to be important features.

The models are in order of ascending price on Amazon.

 

[bbunge]

Let me start by saying that I understand that requesting people's opinions is going to result in biased answers, etc and there are pros and cons for every router model / architecture, etc.

My issue is that in years past, there seemed to be far fewer choices when it came to wireless routers with open source firmware support. Some models that I can think of that were well supported by various firmware projects were the RT-N16, RT-N66U, RT-AC66U. These are all MIPS R2 routers. Before AsusWRT, open source support seemed more important to actually get a decent firmware. Now that they've based it on the Tomato firmware, I am less concerned about that.

So, this is the basis of my poll; what in your opinion is the current best choice in Asus router, considering price, reliability, architecture, radios, build quality, speed, range, third party firmware project support, etc.
I would like to put a particular emphasis on price, since many people don't want to pay $200+ for a router, even though in my opinion it is well worth it. I've been relatively inactive in monitoring forums and firmware development for the last several years.

I picked a few models that I consider to be good candidates below, but if you feel I'm off track, you can also pick a model not listed. In the models that I've chosen, I've only included routers with AiProtection and external antennas, since I consider these to be important features.

The models are in order of ascending price on Amazon.

I have a RT-AC66U B1 which is like the RT-AC68U. Has dual core processor and USB 2 and 3 ports. Does not have removable antennae. Runs the stock Asus firmware very well or the Merlin for the RT-AC68U. Think I spent $119 for it at New Egg.
Also have two RT-AC68U running Johns fork in a small business.

Sent from my P01M using Tapatalk

 

[RMerlin]

The RT-AC66U_B1 is a very good deal. The RT-AC86U is a much better device, but it will depend on what you actually need out of your router - the B1 is a good price/feature balance.

 

[L0nkFromPA]

Thanks for the replies. I'm guessing the main reason why the 86U is much better is because it's clocked at 1.8? Expanding on that, at the high end, the GT-AC5300 has a quad core broadcom processor @ 1.8, as opposed to the 86U's dual core. Does this firmware actually use 4 cores effectively, or is there going to be little difference?

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks for the replies. I'm guessing the main reason why the 86U is much better is because it's clocked at 1.8?

It's not just a higher clock, it's a new CPU generation. Kinda like comparing a Core 2 Duo with a Core i7 - there are performance improvements in the architecture itself.

 

[RMerlin]

Does this firmware actually use 4 cores effectively,

Not really, because almost nothing running on the router is multithreaded.