

That's not to mention the fact that it effortlessly expanded our network's reach while maintaining rivaling speeds. And it supports three frequency bands with the addition of the 6.0Hz one.ĭuring testing, it delivered impressive performance, giving our devices located in the same room as the router up to 150Mbps speeds on the Ookla test and 19MB/s on Steam - the top speed our home office broadband allowed. While it doesn't belong to Asus' family of gaming routers, it looks like one with its six external antennas that you can also retract for portability. It's a little on the pricier side compared to many Wi-Fi 6 routers on the list, but it's great value if you want one that supports the latest Wi-Fi technology. You can future-proof your network by getting a Wi-Fi 6E router like the Asus RT-AXE7800 whose top speed reaches 7.8Gbps. So you're getting really great value for your money. As a bonus, you get good parental controls without having to pay extra, unlike other expensive routers. And despite being powerful, it's actually very easy to set up and use, thanks to its intuitive app. During testing, with one Asus ZenWifi XT9 connected to our router and the second located halfway along our corridor, we are able to get smooth, steady speeds of 150Mbps and 19Mb/s for Ookla and Steam - even on the slower 2.4GHz band.ĭesign-wise, it won't feel like it's encroaching in our space or your aesthetic with its slim and compact design and black and white colorways. This might be overkill for most people, but it is worth its steep price for that can maximize its range and speeds. Much like its predecessor, this is a powerful Asus router with an expansive range, making it perfect for large homes and spaces.


GOOD ROUTERS FOR GAMING UPGRADE
While it may not be a massive upgrade to its predecessor, the Asus ZenWifi XT8, the Asus ZenWifi XT9 does provide a few key improvements that will make a difference in your daily network needs - including its upgrade to a 7.8Gbps top speed - while staying at relatively the same price point. We wouldn't call it the most attractive option of the bunch, but its compact design, great port selection and expandability makes it a formidable choice. And its signal never faltered during our use either. You’re not going to get top-of-the-range speed, it's proved capable of handling anything that our 150Mbps office broadband can threw at it as well as expanding our current network's reach during testing. However, it does more than enough to see you through your online browsing and streaming needs - exactly what families are looking for. It's a dual-band only option, which is why although it isn't a cheap buy, it's still a pretty affordable one. While the Asus RT-AX59U may be a little basic in terms of features, this Wi-Fi 6 router still has a lot going for it that makes it an easy recommendation, especially if you're looking for a future-proof router that you might want to expand later on as your family grows and you move into a bigger space. It also can be used with other Asus routers as part of a more extensive mesh Wi-Fi network, in case you need to expand your network later on. The Asus RT-AX55 may be simple to use for most users, but a web browser interface is also on hand for more experienced users who need more than the basic features provided by the app. Even its 2.4GHz band performed fast enough for streaming video and routine web browsing.įeatures about as well. But, it’s still a good Wi-Fi 6 upgrade for web browsing, streaming music and video, and even casual gaming.ĭuring our tests, we found its 5.0GHz band delivering top Wi-Fi speeds of 100Mbs with Ookla and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads to an area in our space that struggles to get decent connection. It isn’t the fastest Asus router out there – at least not compared to some of the more expensive Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market. The Asus RT-AX55 is an impressive piece of kit if you’re looking for something even more affordable. If you’re looking for the best Asus router for most people, this is the one for you. And, those that do have young kids will also enjoy the benefits of its good parental controls. That’s excellent news for multi-user, multi-device medium households. Meanwhile, our back office, which often gets neglected by a typical router, enjoyed a steady and reliable speed of 58Mbps. When used in the same room as our existing 802.11ac router, it was able to squeeze a little extra Wi-Fi speed, increasing it from 55Mbps to 59Mbps. One other thing that makes it an excellent choice for most people is that it’s easy for less tech-savvy folks but also offers a web browser interface for more advanced users. This is an affordable option that delivers a fast dual-band Wi-Fi 6 performance, and it’s just the ticket for the average consumer looking to upgrade their network. The Asus RT-AX58U is a cut above other Wi-Fi 6 routers in terms of value.
