ASUS Dual-Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router (AC3100) with MU-MIMO, supporting AiProtection network security by Trend Micro, AiMesh for Mesh WiFi system, and WTFast game Accelerator (RT-AC88U)
I normally don’t write long reviews, but thought due to our interesting networking environment, this review may be helpful for others contemplating this Asus AC88U router in more complex situations.
The short summary is that this router has been very capable and refined out of the box (contrary to what some professional reviewers have claimed as “beta” with some Asus routers and users), with only the slightest of “glitches” that should be remedied as the firmware matures. It was a sufficient enough improvement in a very busy mixed network to replace our old workhorse AC68U. For those with the most active networks, the AC88U is probably the current SOTA and should squeeze every last ounce of performance from it.
We have what is best described as a mixed-protocol, mixed-device, high-activity, network. Much of it is wired gigabit ethernet, but with a heavy supporting load of wireless 2.4 and 5 ghz clients, from legacy G to the latest AC Wi-Fi devices. Our broader network has three laser printers/MFPs (including color models), a Mac running OS X server with outboard RAID stack serving 10+TB of local data, three other Mac clients, three PC laptops, two PC workstations, a LAG-ethernet connected NAS unit for all local backups, six Squeezeboxes (wired and wireless) served by LMS locally, five Apple TVs, two network-managed cable boxes, several other smart TVs, Android tablets and streaming clients (Amazon Fire and Roku), two networked BD players, no less than seven iOS devices running both N and AC Wi-Fi, two gaming consoles, a fully populated Cisco 24-port managed switch with multiple LAG connections, and about 2,500 total feet of gigabit ethernet cable to manage. And a fairly active 2.4 ghz guest network on top of all of it for the regular in-law and neighbor visitors and all their devices. The longest Wi-Fi run is about 65 ft through 5-6 walls and across four levels (I do not believe in local repeaters or APs for security reasons). We run our 175/12 ISP WAN pretty much at its limit, with monthly activity typically in the 300-400+ GB range. At any given time, there are never less than 26-28 active clients on our network. Most activity is multiple-client, higher bitrate HD video and audio streaming, and regular larger data transfers, including multiple TimeMachine, local and off-site server backup routines. With all local data, HD video and audio traffic, Internet and cloud video streaming and data transfers, several RDC clients running, and continuous off-site server backups, our network is typically managing and moving hundreds of GB daily across many streams simultaneously. This is a heavy load for any router.
We were among the first buyers of the AC68U as a result. It has been a stable device since day one, with incremental improvements as Asus has refined its firmware. To date, our old AC68U still does a capable job. It is good-looking, petite, and draws no attention to itself. It just does the job. Consequently, I would continue to recommend this now classic AC router for any but the most intense network environments. Where the 68U can now falter for us is on longer and fringe wireless AC and other 5ghz connections during heavier network activity, where speeds and latency can start to fall off. As a result, we started shifting some devices to the 2.4 ghz band to relieve the AC68U. Under peak network activity, some ethernet transfers would also experience a slight drop off (from 100-105 MB/s to perhaps 75-80).
Enter the AC88U. It has several features that helped wring some additional capacity and headroom out of our busy network. The LAG feature is a legitimate IEEE 802.3ad setup, and allows a 2GB pipeline from our server to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet clients. Previously, a LAG connection was confined to Ethernet-side only. The AC88U’s more robust 5 ghz hardware delivers stronger and more stable fringe connections than the 68U, and with more headroom. We can move all our clients back over to 5 ghz with no speed drop off. The AC88U can support multiple HD video streams on all of them simultaneously without any compromises. Fringe 5 ghz devices previously connecting to the 68U at 125-150 mb are now rock solid at 350-400+ mb. Older 5 ghz clients such as the Intel 6300 AGN series are now holding stable connections at or just under 300 Mbps across much longer distances.
Updating the 88U to the latest firmware was an easy affair, taking under 3 minutes. Migration from the 68U to the 88U was fairly painless, with a settings save and upload between them transferring about 80% of our router settings over to the new router. However, some settings need to be manually re-entered, and all settings should be double-checked. I imagine similar later model Asus routers will have a similar experience.
Based on our testing, the AC88U’s more robust processing and transmitting power has improved all network transfer speeds over the 68U by approximately 10-15%, including for WAN traffic. This may not prove significant over a smaller network and/or with smaller data transfers, but for larger volume data transfers and heavy users with lots of clients, it adds up to a faster, more responsive network experience. As with all these matters, YMMV, and I suspect the 68U to be the the full equal of the 88U in less hectic environments. But the biggest gains for us with the 88U were seen with wireless clients, and in the 5 ghz band, particularly over distance.
The 88U is not without its flaws. It is a large and somewhat garish-looking device (we're older and best described as "mature", but I'm sure anyone under 30 will love it), and requires more real estate and electricity than the trim and classy looking 68U did. Its firmware, while surprisingly polished so early, is not yet mature. Most notably, we occasionally experience some very brief page load delays under Safari (2-3 sec), and very infrequently a slight delay when first connecting to our NAS - but once connected, it flies. I would characterize these more as “glitches” than full blown bugs, and expect that they will resolve over the next couple of firmware revisions. However, the entire Apple ecosystem in our house runs flawlessly under it, with all that implies (Airplay, Airdrop, Home Sharing, TimeMachine, FaceTime, etc), and the PCs, Apples and Androids all get along together nicely. The 88U is also eye-watering expensive, and you are paying to be on the bleeding-edge with it. MU-MIMO is an infant technology, and like most consumers, we are not yet using it. Perhaps later. I’m not a lamp-watcher, but the single LED to indicate all switch activity may bother some.
However, the bottom line is the AC88U is probably the strongest, most powerful home/prosumer router currently available. But its advantages over a more mainstream AC router such as the 68U are likely only going to make economic sense in busier, more complex networking environments. I consider it the top choice in any mixed environment, where ethernet is significantly deployed. The only possible current upgrade over the 88U is the tri-band AC5300, which can support even more 5 ghz clients than we have, and makes more sense in a Wi-Fi dominant environment. But for up to 12-15 5 ghz clients, the 88U is its equal. We expect the 88U to be with us for the next 3-5 years before our technology overtakes it, much as the 68U was. Again, for most homes, the difference between the 68U and 88U is not going to justify the price difference. Unless your 68U is starting to strain or stumble, there is little to be gained with the 88U.
I won’t go into all the other features of the AC88U which are common to all Asus routers, such as AiProtection, etc., except to say they are all work well on the AC88U. Having used many router brands over many years, we continue to prefer Asus for its combination of solid, reliable hardware and relatively useful and stable native firmware, and have not found the need for 3rd-party firmware solutions as with some other brands. The Asus Router App needs some work however, and is currently best avoided.
For a little less money, the AC3100 is just about the same router as the 88U, with 4 less ethernet jacks. However, we appreciate the extra ethernet jacks on the 88U to relieve our big switch from supporting server room devices such as printers and our RAID stack.
Should the operation of the 88U change in future, we’ll update our review accordingly. But after about a week with the 88U, we are confident enough to sadly say goodbye to our trusty 68U (which is still worth about $95 on trade-in).
LONG TERM UPDATE (July 30, 2018):
We still have this great router, and it has worked flawlessly across many firmware revisions since the original review over two years ago.
If anything, our network demands have increased since the original review. In addition to the above network traffic, we now are 'cable TV cord-cutters', have upgraded to full gigabit Internet service with an SB8200 modem, rely exclusively on streaming Internet TV and VOIP services (including plenty of Amazon Prime streaming), and have expanded ethernet into another renovated section of our house with heavy 4k video streaming activity. Our total networked data storage reservoir now exceeds 20TB (we have built up a substantial digital media collection, which is why we finally ditched cable).
Our 88U has yet to stumble or slow under the increasing load. It has been a most impressive router that handles whatever you throw at it. We grew so confident in this router, we even set up a 2.4 ghz band Wi-Fi audio client in our shed/outbuilding nearly 125 feet away this summer. And the 88U reaches it with fair to good signal strength, while accommodating everything else, in stride.
At this point, the firmware is quite mature, and quite stable. The only time we ever reboot the router is for a firmware update, or should a power outage cause some non-UPS clients to have reconnection issues.
In addition, the Asus mobile app has been repeatedly updated and improved, and has become quite usable. We will often access the router from a tablet to periodically 'roll call' which clients are accessing the network, to gauge traffic pressure, and to see if any firmware updates are available.
I do see that some later purchasers are having problems with this router. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to implement hardware revisions through a product's life cycle, and it would not surprise me if Asus may have done this after we bought ours. Sometimes those hardware revisions are not for the better. Ours was a very early production version, and it appears that many similar good reviews were with that initial production. So buyers may want to note the time frame where poor reviews are occurring and avoid the hardware revision for that period. And hunt or wait for revision versions with the best reviews.
Another tip for maximum network stability is to keep any router on a dedicated full sine wave UPS. While transient protection is obvious nowadays, many administrators overlook the impact of voltage sags on networking infrastructure, especially during summer. Mains supply voltage sags can stress some semiconductor circuits and also affect the stability of the device, both immediately and over time.
There are now significantly more powerful routers available, some from Asus. But it would take an extreme level of network traffic to overwhelm the 88U, even in mid-2018. I just don't see that happening in any rational home networking environment. Our network hasn't been able to do it, and I think we present a near-corporate environment load.
So with those observations, and aware that some later production may not be as reliable, I can still unequivocally recommend the 88U. It is as much router as anyone will ever practically need at this time short of a corporate environment. It has been our most dependable and best performing router in the nearly 25 years we have had residential networks.
Although my Apple Time Capsule router (the tower version) was easily outperformed by newer routers on the market, I delayed replacing it in hopes that Apple would come out with a newer model. But with Apple formally announcing the (misguided) decision to end the Airport/Time Capsule product line, there was no longer a reason to wait. After reading WAY too many router reviews, I decided on the RT-AC88U based on its uniformly excellent test results.
My one worry, coming from an Airport Time Capsule, was the difficulty that might be involved in setting up a non-Apple product. As it turned out, there was no reason for concern. Following the simple fast start instructions, I was up and running in no time. Even better, by using the Smart Connect feature on the Asus, I only have one SSID now, and the router decides automatically whether its better to place a given device on the 2.4 or 5Ghz band, based on traffic, interference, etc.
Additionally, I wanted to continue using my Time Capsule router for Time Machine backups, and this turned out to work perfectly, though you do need to follow the instructions I found on the Apple support site. (Those instructions were for an Eero system, but they worked just fine for the Asus.)
My wireless setup now is as follows for RCN Gigabit service: Ethernet cable from RCN modem to the Asus WAN port--I turned off the wireless channels on the RCN modem to avoid interference. Time Capsule connected to one of the Ethernet ports on the Asus--I also turned off the wireless channels on the Time Capsule. iMac is connected to Asus via ethernet. 2 Canon printers, 2 Echo Dots plus 7 other devices are connected to the Asus wirelessly. Everything works flawlessly... so far! Coverage in my apartment is definitely better and connections are faster.
My remaining concern with the Asus is reliability as the failure rate within a year reported in Amazon reviews seems very high. A product with more 1-star than 4-star reviews is worrisome, but I'm hoping for the best. Time will tell. Thank you for taking the time to read my review and I hope you find it helpful in making a buying decision.
Pros: Extremely fast wifi speeds, very good range, tons of settings, easy to use browser interface, guest-mode wifi
Cons: Can get hot, large footprint, pricey
If you're looking for one of the best dual-band routers on the market, then this is the one to get. It's definitely priced like a flagship router, but it comes with a ton of features for pro users and anyone who wants very granular control over their home network. It is one of the few routers that comes with 8 LAN ports, so if you have a lot of wired devices, then it is a huge plus. Because this is a high-end router, it also has a very large footprint, but you can't get away from that, regardless of brand or model. It's one of the more "normal" looking routers, considering how the trend nowadays seems to be to make a router look as much as a UFO as possible.
This is an dual-band AC3100 router, which means it has a 2.4GHz band that has a theoretical maximum speed of 1000 Mbps and a 5.0GHz band that has a theoretical maximum speed of 2167 Mbps, but you'll never see those speeds in real-world applications. You'll see some tri-band AC3200 routers on the market, and those usually have a 2.4GHz band of 600 MBps and two 5.0GHz bands of 1300Mbps each. For most users, a dual-band router is enough, especially if you just have a few devices.
On my old router (a Linksys wireless-N), I was getting a download speed of around 73 Mbps in a room 30 ft away from the router. With this router, I was getting over 300 Mbps, which is the same as my wired connection. Both tests were conducted on the 5.0 GHz band on the same channel. I have a three-level house, and the signal was pretty good on the first two floors. I noticed a weaker signal on the third floor, but it's rarely used, so it's not a big deal.
The browser interface is full of options and is very easy to navigate. It gives power users granular control over their network and has many features like guest-mode wifi, prioritizing traffic, configuring WOL, and many other features. Users of Asus routers will be pretty familiar with the layout.
Like I said earlier, this router is big and can run kind of hot. So far, I haven't seen any problems with it, but make sure it's in a well ventilated area so it doesn't overheat. If you have the money, then this is the router to get. I wouldn't spend $100 more for the AC5300, since there aren't many devices that can take advantage of its features and speeds, and a tri-band router is overkill.
Guys, sometimes it is rewarding to buy more performance than you expect to need! This is one of those times. No, I don't NEED "Gaming Performance", yes I am tired of low speed areas in my home, and yes I NEED MORE THAN 4 Ethernet ports on my router AND dual band WiFi!
The four antennae and the dual band WiFi features of this router have drastically eliminated my dead or weak areas of my home! I am a happy camper! The router software interface is hugely useful and pretty friendly, though I highly recommend you use the default settings AFTER you change the default router User ID/Password. In other words, if you do not understand the purpose of a setting, DO NOT CHANGE IT until you do. If you mess up, then you can always start over by doing a factory reset on the router and start over (thank goodness).
Having said that, I am an old computer technology consultant, retired and can shoot myself in the foot with the best of them (and I did). But, forgetting what I know and just using the default settings resulted in a great performance on my local area network by all devices and my (yuk) satellite internet access service greatly improved, though I do not claim to yet know why. If you are a gaming person, you are going to have some real fun with this router because it has features to drool over in the performance arena! Have fun!
Listen, I don't review products unless their are terrible awful or they are absolutely amazing.
This Router didnit for me. Being a long-time Netgear customer, I finally got fed up with their automatic QoS settings and wouldn't let me control my network.
I read plenty of reputable reviews, and biting my tongue, I went where they all pointed me to: this router.
I'm a cyber security student and have worked in the telecommunications field for a few years. I'm also industry certified. Through my post-entry-level experience, I can tell you this thing has everything a SOHO and gaming oriented networking Admin would need.
Fantastic QoS controls, security minded options, link aggregation, eight Gigabit ports, and such in depth options to eliminate automatic provisioning of overhead items, if you so choose; options you'd usually find on business class equipment.
I absolutely adore this router, and ASUS has me sold as a returning customer.
Feature Product
- 1024-Qam technology - 80% faster 5 GHz at up to 2100 Mbps, 66% faster 2. 4 GHz at up to 1000 Mbps; utilities: firmware restoration
- 33% greater 2. 4 GHz coverage with a 4-transmit, 4-receive (4T4R) antenna design, able to reach our widest-ever coverage up to 5000 square feet
- Expansive connectivity options: with exclusively has 8 x Gigabit LAN ports for up to eight Ethernet-compatible devices to connect simultaneously
- Powerful 1. 4 GHz dual-core processor, faster USB data transfers enjoy up to over 100 MB/s Speed and the router download/UPLOAD speed (WAN-LAN throughput) up to 1. 8 Gaps
- Smart Connect- automatically chooses the best band available for you, Dimensions: 11. 8 x 7. 4 x 3. 3 inch (WDHP)
- ASUS Protection powered by Trend Micro ensures your online experience is safe and secure. By combining automatic vulnerability detection, malicious site blocking and parental controls, Protection keeps everyone safe and sound
Description
Wireless-ac88u Dual-Band Gigabit Router with 3100 Mbps throughput for smooth up to 4K/UHD video playback, support MU-MIMO, AI protection, link aggregation with teaming ports and Smart Connect. The actual performance may vary as a result of network conditions and environmental factors.
I would say 90% of the users that purchase this router give it a poor review because they don't know how to manage a good router. So because they think it's "broken", it's just because they do not know how to properly manage a solid router. I'm an experienced IT guy. But not super savvy network wise. So I'll do my best to explain the parts I thought were the best features of the router. First and foremost, if you have issues with it, call the Asus support line (812-282-2782 #3). There's a BIG ol' card in the package with that phone number on it. You can't miss it. They support staff is great.
Most modems today are actually "Gateways" (a router and modem in one). You cannot connect one router to another without a conflict.
You have to disable the wireless connection on the modem before using this device. When I connected it, the router detected this conflict and tried to resolve it by adjusting itself. This didn't work until about the 3rd time of rebooting the modem and the router.
This router has multiple wireless connections: 2.4, 5ghz and a guest wireless connection which can be completely disconnected from your internal network and only have access to the internet.
What I learned after purchasing this router:
Many modems are finicky about what port you connect your router to. specifically port one. Plug it into port 2.
If you have a preexisting wireless router in place, making the Asus have the same Wireless name and password will make (most) wireless devices automatically connect without any updates on the devices themselves.
radio frequencies can conflict with each other if they are too close together (like a wireless router and a microwave right next to it).
Almost all devices are compatible with the 2.4GHz wireless frequency. Several of my older devices are NOT 5GHz compatible (My IP Cameras and some older iDevices).
2.4GHz frequency vs 5GHz frequency: 2.4GHz has a further range, but slower speed. 5GHz has a lower range but much faster wireless speed.
To me the BEST features it came with out of the box was the parental features. You can isolate specific devices on your network and block out specific time ranges for the week (see pictures). As well as block specific types of sites (see pictures). This works well if you are trying to protect your kids from abusing the internet.
It also scans the entire network for botnet or zombie attacks via a lifetime free subscription to Trend Micro updates.
All in all, this router is absolutely worth it's capabilities and price tag. I hope this info helps others out there that are in the same situation as me!
P.S. I was also able to mount the router to the wall with some simple sticky tape. I just had to remove the rubber pads from it's bottom to make it more flush to the wall. But there were no mounting holes unless you disassemble it. Which I wasn't going to do. :)
UPDATE: 2019-01-27 - Adding one more star to 5 - The unit has been stable for 13 months. Asus needs to launch their products with better firmware. This is like a totally different router than when I purchased it. It shouldn't take a year to get here. I will reconsider an Asus router when I swap this but I will only purchase one that's been highly reviewed and somewhat mature... If you buy this today, it will work with your PC, MacOS, Roku, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and Google Chromecast devices with hardly any issues. I live in the city and with two apartment buildings and a number of brownstones, the router manage to broadcast across our large apartment and outside to our yard. I would recommend it now.
UPDATE: 2018-08-10 - Stars updated to 4 from 1 - The unit has been stable for about 8 months. There were a number of firmware updates over the last few months, which improved stability. The previous issues with the WiFi stopping broadcasting have all but completely stopped and the unit no longer hangs. I would make this 5 stars but it shouldn't have ever happened on something as expensive as this unit. It also shouldn't have taken months to fix with updates. I recommend this unit, just make sure to update your firmware immediately as the older firmware is trash.
UPDATE: 2017-07-24 - The 5GHZ has stopped broadcasting 24 hours after a reboot.... ASUS requested that I send in the router for repair, which could take weeks. I asked them to send me a router and I'll send this back because we won't have proper internet access without a router for an extended period - This is an essential piece of equipment and at this price point they should provide better service considering the high fail rate of the device. *FYI - Something Apple did with my TimeCapsules when they had issues*
BUYER BEWARE. They expect you to purchase another router to serve your home if this fails so they can take weeks to repair it. If I end up buying another router - I don't want this awful thing back.
Heads up ASUS - I am a Director of IT - I will never purchase another essential piece of equipment from you as your customer service has been atrocious for an expensive piece of equipment... I also give my friends and family IT advice and guess what - I'll make sure to steer them clear of you.
UPDATE: Sent ASUS an email per their response to this with the SN of the router and typical of my previous experience not a single response... Buyer beware - You're going to get no support. I emailed them twice and nothing...
I have 16 years in IT so I'm not a noob. The router is 6 months old and it's never been reliable, usually the 5 GHz network would stop working on a monthly basis. You can see it but no traffic would work on it and no device could connect. Only a reboot would work. I woke up today to have both the 5 and 2.4 GHz networks inaccessible. Today was also different because for the first time both networks stopped being accessible even though they are visible. I hard rebooted twice and neither time did the router come up.... After 5 minutes, nothing... So I reset it. (second time) and set it up again before work.... This is unacceptable.
I have reset the router twice. I've set it up with the stock features out of the box save a admin password and wifi password. It still works for about a month then hangs again. Its always been updated to the most recent firmware which doesn't really do anything regarding stability so I'm going to assume this is a hardware instability issue and not software - or they would fix it.
ASUS tech is non responsive. I've sent them an email from the router's support page requesting support and nothing. Asking me to dumb down features and turn things off is insulting as the router should work with all the features you guys market. That being said, it still hangs with only the default features turned on... Totally absurd.
IF this was a cheap product, I'd give you guys 2 stars but for the price, this kind of reliability is pretty awful and I'm not alone, look at how many 1-2 star votes this router gets.... Now I'm expecting the cut/paste default ASUS response with an email address that goes straight into trash asking me to turn off basic features that I've already tried to no avail... It's kind of insulting to sell a product then give them hacks to "make it work".
I spent some time last evening getting everything setup. I finally ended up using asuswrt-merlin's firmware. Once the new firmware was done I made a few other tweaks. I was averaging around 220Mbps to 325Mbps. Once Merlins new firmware was in place and I turned off remote mngt access and UPnP I got speeds over 600Mbps quite often on the 5GHZ and max'd out the 2.4GHZ spectrum easily. I find that remote access tagged the overhead of the router to the tune of 15-20 Mbps and about the same for UPnP. I can easily stay above 600Mbps with those off and usually around 480-520Mbps with them on. Out of the box I was only doing around 255Mbps just so you know. I am now getting better speeds through the AC88U then connecting through the Xfinity router/modem directly. Pics included. I am on a late 2016 Macbook Pro with SSD with 2.6 i7 and 16GB RAM. You will notice the Merlin logo up on the top left of the Asus Routers page.
I've had this router for 1 year. When I first set it up, I enabled "Smart Connect." Its a great idea, but its very flaky. With it enabled, your clients will bounce back and fourth between 2.4ghz and 5ghz and back again, every few seconds. So, its been disabled ever since.
I only just now solved a MAJOR problem with a wifi printer and a RING doorbell chime. When the router was re-booted, the printer would connect and print for a few minutes, and would then be disconnected from the router. Re-booting the printer would not re-connect it or the chime. The only way to print was to re-boot the router, which was VERY frustrating. I connected my chime to a different router in the home which solved the problem with the chime, but could not connect the printer to the other router because of location/distance.
I fixed it by disabling both "Airtime Fairness" and "Multi-User MIMO," and changed the Modulation Scheme to "Up to MCS 9 ..." As the printer and chime connect only on the 2.4ghz band, I made these changes only on the 2.4 ghz band. I suspect that only one of these four settings is responsible for the problem, and if I am right and am able to narrow it to just one of these, I will update the review. After making these changes, I have noticed no downside in the router's otherwise stellar performance. The speed and range of this router are phenomenally better than any of the other router's I have had.
Were it not for having to experiment with the router's myriad settings to solve the wifi printing and doorbell chime problem then I would give it 5 stars.
This was a tough decision seeing how many reviews had very specific problems with but I have not had those issues with this router. It has not shutdown once since I purchased it. It has worked perfectly with the Satellite internet I use and all my devices to include Roku. I gave it a 4 star because it is different on how the GUI works and in order to get to work with certain devices like a Roku you have to change a few advance settings and really know what you are looking for. Definitely not for the NEWBIE getting a router for the First time, its for the more experienced person who can troubleshoot problems and knows Basic networking 101. The 2G signal strength is amazing even with my metal roof, the 5G works great indoors but not so great a few feet outside. Which is too be expected since it is a short range signal at the moment and 2G is great outdoors anyway.
Overall, if you are a NEWBIE to networking and router, I would recommend a model below this one it will probably be easier to setup with things like Roku and Apple TV. If you have Basic Networking 101 skills and know what to search for in advanced menus then this is a great router. Do the firmware updates often and always back it up before and after the updates to restore it should something go wrong and you will be fine.
