ReviewFinder Routers

Asus RT-AX86U

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22 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [22]

84
Total expert reviews: 22
  • with a score: 12
  • without a score: 10
Highest score by TechRadar
100
Average score based on 22 reviews
84
Lowest score by Tom's Hardware
60

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster, more efficient, and more stable connection speeds than previous Wi-Fi standards, making it an excellent choice for both basic and advanced users.

The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster, more efficient, and more stable connection speeds than previous Wi-Fi standards. It is optimized for performance with a 4 transmit, 4 receive antenna design, providing exceptional Wi-Fi coverage over a range of up to 5,000 square feet.

The router performs exceptionally well in real-world scenarios such as streaming 4K video and online gaming, making it suitable for large homes and heavy bandwidth activities. The router offers good range and coverage, with the ability to penetrate walls and obstacles. It provides stable and lag-free connections for client devices placed in an area of up to 1,800 Sq Ft, making it ideal for online gaming, file transfer, and 4K/8K video streaming simultaneously.

The router offers a range of features suitable for gamers and families, including Trend Micro's AiProtection software, advanced parental controls, virus protection, and blocks access to malicious sites. The router also has Quality of Service (QoS) features that prioritize performance for specific tasks, such as gaming or streaming video.

It has Adaptive QoS, Game Device Priority, and a mobile game mode for Android and iOS devices. The router also has a VPN option, with a free two-week trial of GPN powered by WTFast, and the ability to set up a VPN server on the router itself. The router is easy to set up and manage, with both mobile app and web browser interfaces that are user-friendly.

The router is compatible with most devices that support IEEE 802. 11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards and provides advanced features and settings that can enhance compatibility with smart home devices and other IoT devices, while also providing advanced security features to protect your network and connected devices.

Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U router is a powerful and versatile router that offers a range of features suitable for demanding tasks such as online gaming, file transfer, and 4K/8K video streaming simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for both basic and advanced users.

Speed

The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router with a 4x4 antenna design, beamforming, MU-MIMO technology, and QoS feature, making it suitable for demanding tasks such as online gaming, file transfer, and 4K/8K video streaming simultaneously.

The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster, more efficient, and more stable connection speeds than previous Wi-Fi standards. It is optimized for performance with a 4 transmit, 4 receive antenna design, providing exceptional Wi-Fi coverage over a range of up to 5,000 square feet.

The router performs exceptionally well in real-world scenarios such as streaming 4K video and online gaming, making it suitable for large homes and heavy bandwidth activities. It also comes with beamforming and MU-MIMO technology, which directs and focuses the wireless signal towards your connected devices, resulting in a faster and more reliable network.

The Quality of Service (QoS) feature in its mobile app can prioritize performance for specific tasks such as gaming or streaming video. Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router that is suitable for demanding tasks such as online gaming, file transfer, and 4K/8K video streaming simultaneously.

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Range

The Asus RT-AX86U router offers exceptional Wi-Fi coverage and stability, making it a reliable and high-performance option for large homes and apartments.

The Asus RT-AX86U router offers good range and coverage, with the ability to penetrate walls and obstacles. It provides exceptional Wi-Fi coverage over a range of up to 5,000 square feet, making it suitable for large houses and apartments. The router offers stable and lag-free connections for client devices placed in an area of up to 1,800 Sq Ft, making it ideal for online gaming, file transfer, and 4K/8K video streaming simultaneously.

The router has been optimized with a 4 transmit, 4 receive antenna design that ensures full home Wi-Fi coverage. Additionally, the WiFi coverage can be further expanded by using the ASUS AiMesh feature, which allows users to link any AiMesh compatible product to form a mesh WiFi system.

Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U router is a reliable and high-performance option for users who require strong and stable Wi-Fi coverage in their homes or apartments.

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Features

The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router with advanced parental controls, QoS features, VPN options, Wi-Fi 6 technology, USB ports, and customizable software, making it suitable for gamers and families.

The Asus RT-AX86U router is a high-performance router that offers a range of features suitable for gamers and families. It comes with Trend Micro's AiProtection software, which provides advanced parental controls, virus protection, and blocks access to malicious sites.

The router also has Quality of Service (QoS) features that prioritize performance for specific tasks, such as gaming or streaming video. It has Adaptive QoS, Game Device Priority, and a mobile game mode for Android and iOS devices. The router also has a VPN option, with a free two-week trial of GPN powered by WTFast, and the ability to set up a VPN server on the router itself.

The router has two USB 3. 2 ports that can be used for printer sharing and connecting USB storage devices. It supports Wi-Fi 6 technology with combined speeds of up to 5700 Mbps, Open NAT, USB expansion, AiCloud, Alexa, and a variety of gamer-friendly settings. The router's software is highly customizable, and it supports Asus' AIMesh feature, which allows you to extend the network range by adding additional Asus devices.

Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U router is a powerful and versatile router that offers a range of features suitable for gamers and families.

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Security

The Asus RT-AX86U router offers a range of security features, including WPA3 wireless security protocol, a built-in firewall, AIProtection Pro malware shield, and advanced parental controls, making it a reliable choice for users concerned about their personal information security.

The Asus RT-AX86U router offers a range of security features that make it a reliable choice for users concerned about their personal information security. The router supports the latest WPA3 wireless security protocol, which offers enhanced protection against password guessing attacks. It also has a built-in firewall that provides protection against cyber threats, including malware, botnets, and zombies.

The router's AIProtection Pro malware shield uses Trend Micro security software to safeguard your network and its computers. Additionally, the router includes a free lifetime subscription to ASUS AiProtection Pro, which offers commercial-grade security and advanced parental controls.

The router also supports additional security features like VPN Fusion and IPSec VPN, which allow secure remote access to your home network. While the technical details of the security settings can be confusing, the router features built-in security and parental controls, making it a good choice for families and individuals who want to protect their personal information.

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Ease of use

The Asus RT-AX86U router is easy to set up and manage, with user-friendly mobile and web interfaces, advanced controls, and a network map.

The Asus RT-AX86U router is easy to set up and manage, according to multiple expert reviews. The router can be set up using either the Asus Router phone and tablet apps or the web browser interface, and both are user-friendly. The mobile app provides a visual interface and includes a dedicated mobile game mode, allowing users to prioritize their bandwidth for mobile gaming in just one tap on their smartphone.

The web interface provides an incredible array of choices, including running it as a router, an access point, or as part of a mesh network, and offers more advanced controls for those who prefer more granular settings. The router also features a network map that displays the names of all connected clients and shows internet and security status, connected USB devices, and Wi-Fi information for the 2.

4GHz and 5GHz radio bands. Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U router is easy to use and provides comprehensive control over its features and settings, making it an excellent choice for both basic and advanced users.

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Compatibility

The Asus RT-AX86U router is compatible with most devices that support IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards and offers advanced features and settings to enhance compatibility with smart home devices and other IoT devices, while also providing advanced security features to protect your network and connected devices.

The Asus RT-AX86U router is compatible with most devices that support IEEE 802. 11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards. However, to get the most out of its advanced features and throughput, connected devices need to be 802. 11 ac compatible. There are no known compatibility issues with specific devices or brands.

The router supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802. 11ax) standard, as well as MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Beamforming, 1024-QAM modulation, and a 160 MHz channel. It is easy to set up and configure with various devices, including smartphones and laptops, using either the Asus Router phone and tablet apps or the Web browser interface.

The router has several features that enhance compatibility with smart home devices or other IoT devices, including Asus AiProtection, which provides additional security features, and ASUS AiMesh technology, which allows you to connect multiple AiMesh-capable routers to create a mesh network.

Overall, the Asus RT-AX86U router provides advanced features and settings that can enhance compatibility with smart home devices and other IoT devices, while also providing advanced security features to protect your network and connected devices.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all routers.

Rank Change Price Router
Laptop Mag
Tom's Guide
Wirecutter
How To Geek
T3
PCMag
Digital Trends
TechRadar
Business Insider
Lifewire
1
- $270
Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8
The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 router is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with excellent speed and range, advanced features such as parental controls and QoS settings, and easy setup and management through a mobile app.
-
-
-
4
-
-
-
1
-
-
2
+1 $446
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 and 6E standards, offering top speeds of up to 11,000 Mbps, and is ideal for users who require high-speed internet for activities such as streaming and gaming.
-
8
-
-
8
-
-
-
3
-
3
+1 $83
TP-Link Archer AX50
The TP-Link Archer AX50 router is a highly recommended Wi-Fi 6 router that offers fast and reliable speeds, supports over 40 connected devices, and has advanced features such as parental controls and antivirus protection.
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
4
+1 $38
Google Nest WiFi
The Google Nest WiFi router is a reliable and efficient solution for families of four who frequently use multiple devices simultaneously and want fast and reliable internet speeds, with parental controls, QoS capabilities, and easy setup and management using the Google Home app.
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
-
Show all rows
Asus RT-AX86U did not receive any endorsements this month.

Highest recommended routers this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. routers below are at the top of our ranking this October.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the router for more details.
Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 TP-Link Archer AX50 Google Nest WiFi
Reviews
In comparison:
Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 rank #1 out of 205.
Go to rankings
7.1
Good
Reviews
In comparison:
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 rank #2 out of 205. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.3
Great
Reviews
In comparison:
TP-Link Archer AX50 rank #3 out of 205.
Go to rankings
7.8
Good
Reviews
In comparison:
Google Nest WiFi rank #4 out of 205. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.4
Great
The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 router is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with excellent speed and range, advanced features such as parental controls and QoS settings, and easy setup and management through a mobile app. The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 router is a high-performance router that supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 and 6E standards, offering top speeds of up to 11,000 Mbps, and is ideal for users who require high-speed internet for activities such as streaming and gaming. The TP-Link Archer AX50 router is a highly recommended Wi-Fi 6 router that offers fast and reliable speeds, supports over 40 connected devices, and has advanced features such as parental controls and antivirus protection. The Google Nest WiFi router is a reliable and efficient solution for families of four who frequently use multiple devices simultaneously and want fast and reliable internet speeds, with parental controls, QoS capabilities, and easy setup and management using the Google Home app.
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