RT-3100 or RT-AC86U

[Ian Q]

Any opinions if one of these are a better choice than the other, for example known issues, current support, regular updates, etc?

I can see both have firmware updates available from September, and I see many posts on the 86U, but not much on the 3100.

Feature-wise they are pretty close to being the same router, albeit the 86U has more flash memory and a slightly faster processor.

Price-wise they are with $20 CAD of each other.

I have a GT-AC2900 that I am returning due to ASUSWRT hangs, and figure I will give ASUS one more shot before moving on to another manufacturer (which I know all have issues too).

Any thoughts appreciated...IanQ

 

[OzarkEdge]

Any opinions if one of these are a better choice than the other, for example known issues, current support, regular updates, etc?

I can see both have firmware updates available from September, and I see many posts on the 86U, but not much on the 3100.

Feature-wise they are pretty close to being the same router, albeit the 86U has more flash memory and a slightly faster processor.

Price-wise they are with $20 CAD of each other.

I have a GT-AC2900 that I am returning due to ASUSWRT hangs, and figure I will give ASUS one more shot before moving on to another manufacturer (which I know all have issues too).

Any thoughts appreciated...IanQ

86U is a more current build.

OE

 

[Grisu]

and much faster if you use VPN on router (onboard encryption chip), probably longer support too as much newer.

 

[Val D.]

I have a GT-AC2900

GT-AC2900 is just a fancy more expensive version of RT-AC86U. If you are happy with the performance of GT-AC2900 and just the original ASUS firmware is causing issues, then RT-AC86U will give you the same performance + Asuswrt-Merlin custom firmware support. Asuswrt-Merlin firmware offers configuration options not available (yet) in original ASUS firmware, making RT-AC86U the better router compared to GT-AC2900. RT-AC3100 is an old model router based on much slower hardware and older radio modules.