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Would an ASUS RT-AXE7800 be a good upgrade to from an ASUS RT-AC86U?

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Riash

New Around Here
The 86U has been a great router, albeit overkill for my use. I don't use any of the advanced features on it besides the VPN server to connect to my network remotely. Still, I'm thinking about replacing it because almost all of my devices are now either ethernet, Wifi 6, or 6e.

I live in a two bedroom 1000sqft apartment in a crowded complex. 2.4ghz is pretty much useless for anything except IoT devices. 5ghz works OK for now on my 300mbps fiber connection, but sometimes it'll dip lower than 200mbps during peak times. My ethernet devices never have an issue. Changing channels only helps for a bit as all my neighbors use auto selection on their own routers. DFS doesn't work in my location, it always kicks me off the DFS channels in less than a day.

I'd like to stick with ASUS as my last two ASUS routers each lasted me 4-5 years. I'm not worried about Merlin because I don't use any of the advanced features other than the VPN server. I'm willing to consider other brands if they are recommended highly enough, though I'd like to spend less than $250. Our primary devices are all either ethernet or 6e capable so I'd also like to take advantage of 6ghz to help with the peak hour wifi congestion if possible.

With all that being said, would the ASUS RT-AXE7800 be a good upgrade choice? It's within my price range and seems to have the basic features I'm looking for.
 
No, it's a poorly thought out model that only has a single 2.5 Gbps port and it's only 2x2 on the 6 GHz band, which makes it somewhat pointless imho.

Keep in mind that if it's the 6 GHz band you want, it has shorter range than the 5 GHz band and it might not be able to penetrate your interior walls, depending on the type of walls you have.

Your best options, in no particular order are the RT-BE92U, RT-AX86U Pro, RT-AX88U Pro, GT-AX6000 and maybe the TUF-AX6000, not that any of them supports the 6 GHz band, but most routers that supports the 6 GHz costs a lot more than $250.
 
5ghz works OK for now on my 300mbps fiber connection

GL.iNet GL-MT6000 is getting popular with OpenWrt base firmware, vanilla OpenWrt support and higher price/performance ratio. It's currently $135 on Amazon US after $25 coupon. Hardware wise it's similar to RT-AX88U Pro with quad-core ARMv8 CPU, 1GB RAM, 2x 2.5GbE ports, etc. In case you are open to Asus alternatives it may be a good option. It will get you full ISP speeded over 5GHz band even in condominium environment.


If you like to continue with familiar Asus GUI and features - RT-AX86U Pro is a good RT-AC86U upgrade option with the same vertical space saving design.

 
Given the OP's needs, which really just amount to adding 6GHz support, why not just get an extender? It has to be significantly cheaper than replacing everything.

This reminds me of the recent deal on Slickdeals.


For just $15-20 a unit, guys have been not only adding 6GHz support, but entire mesh networks! And apparently it can support OpenWRT and DD-WRT. One of the most popular deals I've seen over the past several years. And the deal has come and gone several times.

Granted, that's an exceptional example, but in general, isn't an extender a possibility here? If only to keep the cost down. Esp. if the OP is otherwise still satisfied w/ his current equipment.
 
guys have been not only adding 6GHz support

Linksys MX4300 (LN1301) has 2.4GHz (2x2), 5GHz_1 (2x2) and 5GHz_2 (4x4) radios. No Wi-Fi 6E support on 6GHz band.

but entire mesh networks!

Must be something custom and wired. As per Linksys this model is for stand-alone configurations only. Agree, weird for tri-band.

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GL.iNet GL-MT6000
Seems like a nice device, the only downside is the MediaTek chip. I've had some experience with these chips in the past, and, honestly, never again.

BTW, how does OpenWrt compare to Merlin? Any advantages?
 
I've had some experience with these chips in the past

This is a new Filogic SoC with good specs and not like cheap MediaTek chips used in budget routers.

how does OpenWrt compare to Merlin?

More open source, not locked to the Big Brother upstream, native VLAN support, lots of additional packages. The original GL.iNet UI on top of OpenWrt is quite nice with many advanced features made in user-friendly way. I have a similar firmware GL-MT2500 device (not used in production, got it to see what it is) and with exception of some design quirks (single 2.5GbE port + single GbE port) it works pretty well for under $100 Gigabit capable gateway.
 
According to Openwrt forum, people are encountering many serious problems over time with GL.iNet GL-MT6000...
 
This is normal. Most people come to forums when they have issues and it creates the impression the product is problematic in general. It's a work in progress platform just like Asuswrt with Asuswrt-Merlin on top. Alternative consumer product for whoever wants to explore different territory.
 
What about TP-Link? This morning I found the AXE-5400 and the AXE-7800 and are both within my budget. Does TP-Link compare favorably to ASUS?
 
Does TP-Link compare favorably to ASUS?

TP-Link products are cheaper with shorter buy-use-dispose cycle. They release firmware updates for about 2 years and next. Between the two similar models above though seems like Archer AXE75 is the more popular device for usually around $100 less on sale. Asus has Trend Micro included (AiProtection), TP-Link has it optional with additional subscription (HomeShield). Asus has AiMesh, TP-Link has OneMesh.
 

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