Author's Note: The original review can be found at my blog - Asus RT-AX88U Review @ JayceOoi.com.

Welcome to the future! Check out Asus RT-AX88U Wireless Router with Wi-Fi 6. Enjoy ultrafast Wi-Fi speed up to 6000Mbps. Powered by 1.8 GHz quad-core processor. Having 256MB Flash and 1GB of RAM. 4 X 4 wireless connection. 8 LAN ports and 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Loaded with OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology for faster and lower latency. How does it perform? Let’s find out…



Check out also AiMesh Wi-Fi 6 AX Performance with 2 Asus RT-AX88U Wireless Routers



That’s it for now. Thanks for watching. Peace…

This post has been edited by JayceOoi: Jan 6 2019, 11:19 AM

This post has been edited by JayceOoi: Dec 27 2018, 09:38 AM

Reserved...

Awesome work as always! Damn this thing is a beast.

Review is up. Save your money to get one soon!

AiMesh performance review added for those wish to use back existing router.

Finally, WiFi 6 performance unleashed on latest firmware 3.0.0.4.384.5951!

this is not cheap to say the least

Thumbs UP!!

RT-AX88U owners, have you updated?

Version 3.0.0.4.384.7756 2019/11/25

ASUS RT-AX88U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.384.7756
- Enhanced the Wi-Fi 6 performance with Apple® iPhone11, Samsung® S10.
- Supported WPA3
- Supported OFDMA
- Supported 802.11k and 802.11v
- Fixed Let's encrypt register related bugs.
- Fixed connection issues between Android and RT-AX88U IPSec VPN server.
- Improved system stability.

ASUS RT-AX88U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386.41249

1. AiMesh 2.0
- System optimization: one click in AiMesh to optimize the topology
- System Ethernet backhaul mode, all nodes will only connect by ethernet, all bands will be released for wireless clients.
- System factory default and reboot.
- Client device reconnect, make the device to offline and online again.
- Client device binding to specific AP.
- Guest WiFi on all Mesh nodes (all node need to upgrade to 3.0.0.4.386 firmware)
- Access nodes USB application.

Connection priority and Ethernet backhaul mode introduction
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1044184

How to setup ASUS AiMesh or ZenWiFi Mesh Ethernet backhaul under different conditions
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1044151/

2. New Family interface in ASUS router App.
ASUS Router App for iOS must greater or equal to iOS v1.0.0.5.75
Android version greater or equal to v1.0.0.5.74

3. The unit of the WiFi time scheduler goes to 1 minute.

4. 2.4 and 5G on the network map could be configured in the same tab.

5. Captcha for login can be disabled in administration -> system.

6. Printer server port can be disabled on the USB app page.

7. Clients which connect to the guest network can be viewed in the network map -->view list --> interface

Hi Jayce,

I subscribe to 300Mbps Maxis Broadband package (jumped from unifi 100mbps) in Mid Dec 2020, and initially the speed (with Asus Ax88u) was able to achieve around (using Speedtest, connect to 'Subang') 300-310Mbps for the first 2 weeks. But.... it suddenly dropped till 90+Mbps after that, even after I restart and reset router few rounds. Then, I complained to Maxis, who requested me to change revert back to their tplink router, and then they sent Maxpert to my house to investigate. The Maxpert came and reset the maxis Tplink router, right after that, the speed was around 230-250mbps with TPlink Router. After the Maxpert left, I switched back to Asus Ax88u router, reset it, and able to get 300mbps. But, 2 days later, the speed dropped (again!) to 95mbps despite few round of reset (on Asus router) and restart (both router and modem). Since then, I get around 90-95mbps.

Pls allow me to provide the brief system schematic as follow:
- Maxis Modem (aka BTU)
- Router is Asus RT-AX88u, firmware 3.0.0.4.386_41249 (replaced Maxis Tplink) that connects to Modem/BTU via Cat 5E ethernet cable, with QoS, IPv6 & DDNS (cloudfare) configured. (tested speed with and without these setting, outcome still same)
- Home Intranet (to different rooms/space) with Gigabit Switch via Cat5E ethernet cable.
- Mesh Node (Asus AX82u firmware 3.0.0.4.384_10177) at upper floor, with Ethernet backhaul via Cat5E cable, that connected directly from Ax88u (not thru Gigabit switch). (tested speed with and without MESh configuration, outcome speed same)
- Wifi 2.4GHz and 5Ghz are separated with different SSID.
- about 20+ nodes connected to the network (70% connected via 5Ghz) at anyone time.

The speed (both wireless and hardwire LAN, at both Ax88u and AX82u end) was around 300mbps before it drop to 90-100mbps. The speed testing was performed using speedtest.net, Nperf and fast.com from Dell XPS Laptop (with WIFI6 AX200 module), thru both WIFI6 (5Ghz) and Ethernet Cat5E cable connection.

Currently, with these set up (Asus Router and Asus Mesh), the speed is running around 90-94mbps now. And for the past 2 days, my users (including me) are experiencing lost- connection (both Ethernet and Wifi) intermittently (for few seconds) during MS_Team & google_class session, not mentioning 'video loading' slowly. FYI, I never experienced 'video loading problem' during my unifi-time (with 100mbps only, and the same AX88u set up).

What surprised me was that, when I switched back to Maxis-Tplink router (again & again), the speed can reach up to the range of 250-270mbps without fail. Given these heavy investment in Asus router & AiMesh, I must say I'm frustrated/disappointed with this outcome.

Pls share your thought.

Try local benchmark see. Please refer this guide - https://youtu.be/j_XwkBtRz5Q
See the problem is caused by Maxis or Asus router itself.