RT-BE86U or RT-BE88U?

[Geraner]

I’m today running a RT-AX86U since 4 years.
Just ordered the RT-BE86U and the RT-BE88U. Will send one of them back to the store.

Have some difficulties to choose which one to use and keep.

When using the BE86U I will not have any empty LAN port remaining. (gaming computer, NAS, IP phone box, Hue bridge)

The processor of both routers is the same.
The BE88U has 2GB RAM vs 1GB RAM on the BE86U.
The WiFi 5Ghz is also the same.
The WiFi 2.4GHz is 4x4 on the BE88U compared to the BE86U. But there are not many devices in my home still using the 2.4 GHz only.

Both are supported by Merlin’s firmware.

Any thoughts which one to keep?
Anything else I’m missing in the comparison?

Are both equal stable or some people have more issues with one model over another one?

/Geraner

 

[muzykcb]

Unfortunately, the RT-BE86U software is not yet perfect, my previous RT-AX86U worked much better, the software was more stable and had more options (e.g. in AiCloud 2.0)

 

[muzykcb]

I do not recommend switching from RT-AX86U to RT-BE86U in 2024. Maybe in 6 months they will improve the software so that it will be more stable and the processor will not be constantly loaded on average 5% without any movement, in RT-AX86U it was max 1%

 

[maxbraketorque]

For either router, keep in mind that ASUSWRT 3006.102 and ASUS Merlin 3006.102 are both a work-in-progress. Merlin has said that the older FW (3004.388) has fewer bugs. So depending on your usage, you may have some issues with both routers.

With regard to hardware capability, the available reviews indicate that both routers have similar excellent wifi performance. However, the cost for either device is pretty insane right now for a dual band router. Unless you got a really good deal or are itching to move over to the 3006.102 FW, I'd return both and wait for the price to come down.

 

[muzykcb]

After two years of use, the RT-AX86U broke down and they replaced it with the RT-BE86U with an additional charge of 35 EURO. That's the only reason I have the RT-BE86U, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.

 

[maxbraketorque]

After two years of use, the RT-AX86U broke down and they replaced it with the RT-BE86U with an additional charge of 35 EURO. That's the only reason I have the RT-BE86U, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.

That's an awesome deal. I'd stick with that.

 

[maxbraketorque]

So I looked again at the Dong Knows comparison between the AC86U, AX86U, and BE86U. There is one important trend in the wifi speed tests that I overlooked - 5 GHz AC performance steadily declines when going from AC86U to AX86U to BE86U. I suspect that this trend persists across all ASUS AC, AX, and BE routers, so if you still have 5 GHz AC devices, speeds may suffer somewhat with the BE86U.

One thing lacking in the Dong Knows comparison is reporting of the 2.4 GHz wifi protocol for the tests. Its just reported as "2.4 GHz". Presumably he ran the AC86U in 2.4 GHz N, the AX86U ran in 2.4 GHz AX, and the BE86U ran in 2.4 GHz BE. So its not out of the question that 2.4 GHz N range may suffer similarly with each newer router, and this could be important because many IOT devices operate on 2.4 GHz N.

 

[Tech9]

After two years of use, the RT-AX86U broke down

AiCloud 2.0

If both your radios were gone after reset - it was probably hit by the recent malware affecting Asus routers with AiCloud enabled.

Malware damaging ASUS routers?

This malware damaging Asus routers has to be described in a sticky thread with a warning sign! Update: Asus is releasing patched firmware for multiple models. Check for firmware updates! The changelog for most firmware releases contains the following: 1. Strengthened input validation and data...

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