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.

 

[Spartan]

I ended up taking a risk and buying 2x ASUS RT-BE92U and set them in AiMesh (Wired Backhaul) despite reading the negative reviews about overheating. I've been getting insane speeds wirelessly on both my laptop and my Pixel 9 Pro, the same speeds I would get when connected via LAN and haven't had one disconnection or issue; this is with Smart Connect, MLO, and 160hz enabled for the 5GHz band, no AiProtection.. This router is a steal for a WiFi 7 router with a 6 GHz band which the BE88U/BE86U lack.

I've also been reading about random WiFi disconnections on the BE88U thread. There is something about this 88 model number, I had an AC88U in the past that had the exact same random wireless disconnection issues no matter what firmware I ran, it's the exact same comments I'm seeing in the BE88U thread.

 

[Tech9]

Good to hear the new setup is working well for you. Enjoy!

 

[Spartan]

Good to hear the new setup is working well for you. Enjoy!

Thank you. I find it really strange how ASUS did not include a 6GHz band on the BE88/BE86U which are supposed to be more premium than this entry level router which costs half the price

 

[Tech9]

I find it really strange how ASUS did not include a 6GHz band on the BE88/BE86U

About 2/3 of the World's population lives in places where 6GHz band is currently unavailable.

Regulations Enabling 6 GHz Wi-Fi

CountryStatusSpectrumAndorraAdopted

www.wi-fi.org