RT-AX86S vs RT-AX86U vs RT-AX86U Pro

[L&LD]

Glad you got something of value to you.

I don't do eBay, I don't do fake 'pro'. I don't bet my money on possible satisfaction.

You do, and today, it worked out fine. Enjoy!

 

[aitor_mtb]

Unfortunately my RT-AX86U is failing and Amazon tells me to return it. I bought the RT-AX86U Pro for a lower price. Can I load the configuration file from one to the other or since it is a different version, is it better to start from 0?

 

[bbunge]

Unfortunately my RT-AX86U is failing and Amazon tells me to return it. I bought the RT-AX86U Pro for a lower price. Can I load the configuration file from one to the other or since it is a different version, is it better to start from 0?

Start over. The settings files are different for each router.

 

[vlord]

Start over. The settings files are different for each router.

This is definitely the safer approach. I've had success moving from one router model to the next but you never quite know if the gremlins you are experiencing are from that or something else so it's better just to bite the bullet now and start over.

 

[Jbennett360]

Has anyone transitioned from the 86S/86U and seen a difference in coverage/signal strength at all on the 86U pro or the 88U Pro?

 

[vlord]

86U pro 86U regular and 86s all have relatively the same WiFi coverage.

 

[CaptainSTX]

Has anyone transitioned from the 86S/86U and seen a difference in coverage/signal strength at all on the 86U pro or the 88U Pro?

I have not noticed any difference in WiFi between my 86S and my AX88 Pro but I live in a relatively small one story home with an open floor plan. What I have observed is that VPN speeds are faster and the AX88 Pro is more reliable and it stays up and functions correctly until I decide to reboot. Takes after early generation N66 and AC68s and just works.

 

[Tech9]

86U pro 86U regular and 86s all have relatively the same WiFi coverage

Confirmed. I had all three in my hands to run some tests. All good devices for single router home needs. Some U versions come cheap used after recent malware attack. Perhaps the best buy for used device at the moment.

Has anyone transitioned from the 86S/86U and seen a difference in coverage/signal strength

They both have exactly the same radios running on exactly the same drivers and power levels.

 

[Jbennett360]

Confirmed. I had all three in my hands to run some tests. All good devices for single router home needs. Some U versions come cheap used after recent malware attack. Perhaps the best buy for used device at the moment.



They both have exactly the same radios running on exactly the same drivers and power levels.

Thanks for confirming @Tech9 - UK user here and I've not seen any decent deals on the 86U Pro yet (£219.99 at the minute)

Do we know about the AX88U Pro at all? Same, better, worse?

The Flint 2 betters the AX86S in terms of coverage, but I just can't keep it (Wi-Fi issues are stressing me out!!) Happy to keep the Ax86S and the RP-AX58 running for the time being, just thinking longevity and the potential 'Next step'

 

[Tech9]

just thinking longevity and the potential 'Next step'

RT-AX86S is still supported by Asus model and on more mature 3004.388 firmware base. Think about replacement only when the time comes, perhaps in 1-2 years. Don't fix things in advance, you're only spending extra money and taking home new issues.

 

[Jbennett360]

RT-AX86S is still supported by Asus model and on more mature 3004.388 firmware base. Think about replacement only when the time comes, perhaps in 1-2 years. Don't fix things in advance, you're only spending extra money and taking home new issues.

Yeah, I fully get that. Curiosity got the better of me really. Fingers crossed the AX86s holds out

 

[Tech9]

Don't overpay for futureproofing. All consumer products are in disposable hardware category. In few years time you may have better options for less money, Asus or other. Futureproofing device is more like a nice switch with the needed number of ports and PoE - your network core device with options to power APs, IP Cameras or other PoE wired devices as your network expands and your demands grow with it. You can run the entire network on it if you want to with cheaper Gateway and APs following the needs.

 

[Jbennett360]

Don't overpay for futureproofing. All consumer products are in disposable hardware category. In few years time you may have better options for less money, Asus or other. Futureproofing device is more like a nice switch with the needed number of ports and PoE - your network core device with options to power APs, IP Cameras or other PoE wired devices as your network expands and your demands grow with it. You can run the entire network on it if you want to with cheaper Gateway and APs following the needs.

Yep. Will make a decision when the AX86s either fully dies or becomes EOL.

Who knows what'll be available by then

 

[OzarkEdge]

the AX88 Pro is more reliable and it stays up and functions correctly until I decide to reboot.

I would mostly agree, except mine fell over big time when I played with it... I enabled WiFi Agile Multiband and Target Wake Time (I was bored), and then all hell broke loose with my custom VLAN WLANs... clients could not connect and signals were not stable. I tried to simply revert the change and then the router rebooted(?) and presented a simplistic 'upload firmware file' screen I've never seen before. I thought about what to do with that for a few minutes and then decided to proceed... I uploaded the same firmware successfully and then the router rebooted to its setup wizard (QIS). Weird. I configured minimally to get into the webUI, Hard Reset, and re-configured from scratch. Back to a solid normal ever since.

If yours is working with guest networks, don't mess with it until they release better firmware... which will likely be another rough ride given they seem to be re-engineering the VLAN stuff and don't seem to mind releasing very defective firmware.

OE

 

[jontalk]

RT-AX86S is still supported by Asus model and on more mature 3004.388 firmware base. Think about replacement only when the time comes, perhaps in 1-2 years. Don't fix things in advance, you're only spending extra money and taking home new issues.

I recently upgraded from the AX68U to the AX86S and couldn't be happier..far better coverage and reliable though I've yet to have problems with any of the Asus routers I've owned

 

[Tech9]

Never had RT-AX68U for tests. It was dead on arrival hardware configuration model with long firmware issues and short life span. Never got popular and this is a good thing. All four devices on the market ever released with BCM6710 serving 5GHz band are discontinued now, Asus model was the last one standing. Not router manufacturers fault though - Broadcom flop upstream.

 

[jontalk]

Never had RT-AX68U for tests. It was dead on arrival hardware configuration model with long firmware issues and short life span. Never got popular and this is a good thing. All four devices on the market ever released with BCM6710 serving 5GHz band are discontinued now, Asus model was the last one standing. Not router manufacturers fault though - Broadcom flop upstream.

Yes I can understand that..I had originally purchased the AX68U on Ebay and after sending it in for repair, it was replaced with a brand new factory sealed unit that worked flawlessly and still does. And since the AX86S has better range, I'll put it up for sale since it was rock solid