Very confused, ASUS RT-AX88U Pro, AX86U, BE86U, BE88U, BE92U

Powerlines2000 · 28 Jul 2025 at 13:52

Hi all

Need a little help and advice, I am currently updating my aging network. My RT-N66U (bridged with a second unit) has done me proud for a long while, but is starting to struggle.

I know that tbh any router is going to be better than the outdated N66U, but im trying to future-proof slightly while keeping under a £300 budget, and there seems to be some conflicting argument over the routers I have narrowed it down to.

Im going with Asus due to using AsusWRT and wanting to use the Aimesh. I understand that Wifi depends on lots of factors, im just trying to narrow it down to a happy medium.

So im trying to work out which is going to be the best for my situation:
7 devices that need decent Wifi, 4 that need a wired connection in a UK 3-bed terrace (1800's brick).

RT-AX88U Pro
AX86U
BE86U (seems to be an oditty)
BE88U (More expensive than the 92?)
BE92U (Is it worth it?)

Thoughts?

ChrisD. · 28 Jul 2025 at 13:53

Personally, I wouldn't buy any of them. Have a search for Asus in this section.

AtaRo · 28 Jul 2025 at 18:17

Post in snbforums they got a dedicated place for asus routers on there.

Avalon · 28 Jul 2025 at 20:45

I'd suggest doing some reading before buying anything ASUS, the only thing they do well is market and pay people to market for them. You can do better.

SpellowHouse · 31 Jul 2025 at 10:31

Powerlines2000 said:
Hi all

Need a little help and advice, I am currently updating my aging network. My RT-N66U (bridged with a second unit) has done me proud for a long while, but is starting to struggle.

I know that tbh any router is going to be better than the outdated N66U, but im trying to future-proof slightly while keeping under a £300 budget, and there seems to be some conflicting argument over the routers I have narrowed it down to.

Im going with Asus due to using AsusWRT and wanting to use the Aimesh. I understand that Wifi depends on lots of factors, im just trying to narrow it down to a happy medium.

So im trying to work out which is going to be the best for my situation:
7 devices that need decent Wifi, 4 that need a wired connection in a UK 3-bed terrace (1800's brick).

RT-AX88U Pro
AX86U
BE86U (seems to be an oditty)
BE88U (More expensive than the 92?)
BE92U (Is it worth it?)

Thoughts?

Asus have a lot of routers. They bring them out quickly, which often means that older models are still around, and still relevant.

They all pretty much run the same software, so I would think the main consideration here is hardware. Which better suits your current and future needs?

Hardware is changing very fast at the moment, with the sudden inclusion of 10gbps, 5gbps, and 2.5gbps ports in consumer units. If that sort of thing interests you, then often the very latest have the best selection. Of course, it also depends whether you use a switch in your home network or not and how fast your broadband service is.

As for the WiFi, well, again, its best to just determine what your needs are, and go with one that best meets that need.

I would wander over the the SNBforums.com where there are a lot of ASUS users who can better answer your questions.

Snapshot · 2 Aug 2025 at 08:29

You'll find the various AX86s are well thought of at SNB.
The jury is still out on whether Wi-Fi 7 is worth it yet so read carefully before going for a BE model.

FWIW I've been using an RT-AX86U for four years without problems but I am aware of the caveats and might well look elsewhere when it's time to change.

SpellowHouse · 3 Aug 2025 at 15:20

Powerlines2000 said:
Hi all

Need a little help and advice, I am currently updating my aging network. My RT-N66U (bridged with a second unit) has done me proud for a long while, but is starting to struggle.

I know that tbh any router is going to be better than the outdated N66U, but im trying to future-proof slightly while keeping under a £300 budget, and there seems to be some conflicting argument over the routers I have narrowed it down to.

Im going with Asus due to using AsusWRT and wanting to use the Aimesh. I understand that Wifi depends on lots of factors, im just trying to narrow it down to a happy medium.

So im trying to work out which is going to be the best for my situation:
7 devices that need decent Wifi, 4 that need a wired connection in a UK 3-bed terrace (1800's brick).

RT-AX88U Pro
AX86U
BE86U (seems to be an oditty)
BE88U (More expensive than the 92?)
BE92U (Is it worth it?)

Thoughts?

Oh and I forgot to say that if I was you, I would go for the RT-BE88U. Despite it's price it's very highly spec'd and very fast.