Which Wi-Fi 7 router to replace my RT-AX86U Pro?

[Spartan]

My current setup is an RT-AX86U PRO connected to the main ISP router and an AX-6000 in AiMesh mode (Wired backhaul).

I want to upgrade the RT-AX86U Pro with a WiFi 7 router, must be ASUS.

I have these 3 options, the first is cheap but I'm wondering if it would do the job as the other two are twice the price

ASUS RT-BE92U = 244 USD​

ASUS RT-BE88U = 516 USD​

ASUS RT-BE86U = 481 USD​

 

[jzchen]

Do you see how the different specifications may or may not work for you? Usually the higher the number the higher the WiFi specs. I'd advise the RT-BE92U...

 

[bbunge]

Save your money and keep the AX86U Pro. Unless most of your clients support WIFI 7 you will not gain anything.

 

[Spartan]

So after doing more research, I found that the ASUS RT-BE92U has overheating issues and the ASUS RT-BE86U and ASUS RT-BE88U don't have a 6GHz band making them an "incomplete WiFi 7 router"

I see the RT-BE96U is the better option now and the GT-BE98 is way too expensive.

I wish there was an option around the price of 500 USD that supports 6GHz

The RT-BE96U looks like a good option but the one from Amazon.ae that I see is being imported from the US, meaning it would come with a US power cord and I live in Dubai (we use a UK plug) and it wouldn't have warranty here in Dubai so the only choice is for me to wait until it's available locally unless there is another model that I missed

@Tech9 @L&LD

 

[Tech9]

Sorry, I can't help you with this. I personally plan to skip Wi-Fi 7... for now. It can go fast, but too many conditions have to be met for this to happen and too many issues still exist with current generation hardware. I recently invested in new Wi-Fi 6 hardware, my ISP lines are up to Gigabit, wireless clients get about 800Mbps, coverage is excellent, software is excellent for what I need it to do, run 2 centrally managed and connected networks already and planning another one. So far uptime 100%, nothing to complain about. I prefer reliability over specs and eventual speed. None of my existing and perhaps future wireless clients need >Gigabit speed anyway.

 

[uwish]

Sorry, I can't help you with this. I personally plan to skip Wi-Fi 7... for now. It can go fast, but too many conditions have to be met for this to happen and too many issues still exist with current generation hardware. I recently invested in new Wi-Fi 6 hardware, my ISP lines are up to Gigabit, wireless clients get about 800Mbps, coverage is excellent, software is excellent for what I need it to do, run 2 centrally managed and connected networks already and planning another one. So far uptime 100%, nothing to complain about. I prefer reliability over specs and eventual speed. None of my existing and perhaps future wireless clients need >Gigabit speed anyway.

Yeah it sounds like a solid set up no need to change it yet.

 

[Tech9]

no need to change it yet

It's actually new equipment installed in late 2024.