If you're a dedicated gamer, you know the value of a reliable and high-performance router. Online gaming requires low latency, fast speeds, and robust security features. Enter the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700) Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router, a powerful solution designed to elevate your gaming experience. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into its features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
WiFi 6 Support: With speeds of up to 5700 Mbps and 160 MHz channels, WiFi 6 significantly enhances your wireless network's efficiency and capacity.
Mobile Game Mode: Prioritizes mobile gaming traffic, reducing ping time and jitter for an improved gaming experience.
2 Gbps Speed: Offers true 2 Gbps wired and wireless speed, ensuring ultra-fast internet bandwidth and backup connections.
AiMesh Compatibility: Create a mesh network with compatible ASUS routers for seamless roaming throughout your home.
AiProtection Pro: Commercial-grade security and parental controls powered by Trend Micro, along with VPN Fusion for secure online activities.
Discounted Price: Available on Amazon India at an 8% discount, making it an attractive deal for a feature-rich router.
Cons:
Bulky Design: Weighing about 814 grams and measuring 242 x 100 x 325 mm, it might require extra space for installation.
Limited 2.5 Gbps Ports: With only one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, users with multiple high-speed devices may need additional switches or adapters.
Compatibility Issues: Some older devices that don't support WiFi 6 or OFDMA may not work optimally with this router.
Elevate your mobile gaming experience with a dedicated Mobile Game Mode that minimises lag and latency on the RT-AX86U Pro.
— ASUS India (@ASUSIndia) September 13, 2023
You also get ultra-fast Wi-Fi 6, Ai Protection Pro and expanded coverage with Range Boost Plus 🚀🛡️
Know more 👉 https://t.co/jFV7kxZMq6 pic.twitter.com/zH4pa2MC3X
New-generation WiFi 6
The standout feature of the RT-AX86U Pro is its support for WiFi 6, also known as 802.11ax. This technology offers speeds of up to 5700 Mbps and 160 MHz channels, vastly improving wireless network performance in congested areas. WiFi 6 delivers four times the throughput of WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and reduces latency by up to 75%.
This dual-band router operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, offering speeds of up to 861 Mbps and 4804 Mbps, respectively. The router also supports OFDMA, ensuring multiple devices can connect simultaneously without compromising bandwidth or quality, ideal for streaming, gaming, and downloading on multiple devices.
Additionally, the router employs MU-MIMO, enabling it to communicate with up to four devices simultaneously, boosting signal strength and coverage.
Mobile Game Mode
What sets the RT-AX86U Pro apart is its Mobile Game Mode, designed to minimize lag and latency for mobile gamers. Activating this mode is as simple as a tap on the ASUS Router app, available for both Android and iOS devices. The app also offers network management features like parental controls and traffic analysis.
Mobile Game Mode prioritizes traffic from your mobile device and optimizes the connection between your device and the router. This results in reduced ping times and jitter, ensuring a smooth and responsive gaming experience. The router also supports VPN Fusion, allowing you to use a VPN service without affecting gaming performance, enhancing both privacy and security.
True 2 Gbps wired and wireless speed
The RT-AX86U Pro boasts true 2 Gbps wired and wireless speeds, thanks to aggregated 2 Gbps WAN connections, 2.5 Gbps wired ports, and WiFi 6 support. The router includes two WAN ports – one Gigabit Ethernet and one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet. You can use both simultaneously, combining two internet connections for double the bandwidth and a reliable backup.
For wired connections, the router provides four LAN ports, one of which is a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, ideal for gaming PCs or consoles. The remaining three LAN ports are Gigabit Ethernet, offering speeds of up to 1000 Mbps each. WiFi 6 ensures wireless devices receive up to 5700 Mbps of speed across both bands, perfect for laptops, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs.
Seamless roaming with AiMesh
The RT-AX86U Pro supports AiMesh, enabling you to create a mesh network with compatible ASUS routers. A mesh network consists of multiple routers working together, eliminating dead zones and enhancing signal quality throughout your home. The ASUS Router app or web interface makes setting up and managing your AiMesh network straightforward.
With AiMesh, you can add any AiMesh-compatible router to your network and enjoy the advanced features of the RT-AX86U Pro, including WiFi 6, Mobile Game Mode, and AiProtection Pro. Smart Connect automatically selects the best band and channel for each device, based on traffic and signal conditions, ensuring a seamless online experience.
AiProtection Pro
Enhancing your network security is AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro. This feature offers commercial-grade security, safeguarding your network from malware, phishing, ransomware, and intrusions. It can also block malicious websites and protect against hackers.
Parents will appreciate the advanced parental controls, allowing them to monitor and manage their children's online activities. Features include setting time limits, content filtering, app blocking, and device-specific reports. The Family Overview feature lets you keep track of family members' online status and locations.
Moreover, ASUS Instant Guard provides one-click shareable secure VPN, enabling a secure connection between your device and your home network. This feature is accessible through the ASUS Router app and can be shared with friends or family members for remote access to your home network.
Conclusion
The ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700) Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router is a feature-packed router designed to cater to the needs of gamers who enjoy mobile gaming. It excels in various aspects, including its Mobile Game Mode for reduced lag, ultra-fast WiFi 6 support, true 2 Gbps wired and wireless speeds, AiMesh compatibility for seamless roaming, and AiProtection Pro for enhanced security and parental controls.
With an 8% discount on Amazon India, priced at Rs 27,568, and EMI options starting from about Rs 1,337 per month, this router offers excellent value for money.
If you're considering purchasing this router or learning more about it, visit the product page on Amazon India or ASUS's official website. We hope this review has provided you with valuable insights into the RT-AX86U Pro's features and specifications. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Unlock your gaming potential with the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro!
FAQs:
1. Is the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700) worth the investment for gaming purposes?
Yes, the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro is a high-performance gaming router designed to provide low latency and fast speeds, making it an excellent investment for serious gamers.
2. What are the key features that make the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro stand out for gaming?
This router offers WiFi 6 support, Mobile Game Mode, true 2 Gbps speeds, AiMesh compatibility, and AiProtection Pro, all of which enhance the gaming experience.
3. Can the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro handle multiple devices simultaneously during gaming sessions?
Yes, the router supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO, ensuring that multiple devices can connect and game simultaneously without compromising performance.
4. What is Mobile Game Mode, and how does it improve the gaming experience?
Mobile Game Mode prioritizes gaming traffic, reducing lag and latency for mobile gaming. It optimizes the connection between your device and the router, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
5. How easy is it to set up AiMesh for seamless roaming with the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro?
Setting up AiMesh is user-friendly, and you can use the ASUS Router app or web interface to create a mesh network with other compatible ASUS routers, eliminating dead zones.
6. Does the AiProtection Pro feature really provide enhanced security for my network?
Yes, AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, offers commercial-grade security, protecting your network from malware, phishing, and other threats.
7. Can I use a VPN with the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro without affecting gaming performance?
Yes, the router supports VPN Fusion, allowing you to use a VPN service for privacy without impacting your gaming performance.
8. Are there any limitations to consider, such as compatibility issues with older devices?
Some older devices that do not support WiFi 6 or OFDMA may not work optimally with this router, so it's important to assess your device compatibility.
9. How does the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro compare to other gaming routers on the market?
The ASUS RT-AX86U Pro offers competitive features and performance compared to other gaming routers, making it a strong contender.
10. Where can I find the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700) and take advantage of the discount mentioned in the review?
You can purchase the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro on Amazon India, where it is currently available at an 8% discounted price of Rs 27,568, with EMI options starting at about Rs 1,337 per month.