Author's Note: The original review can be found at my blog - Asus RT-AX56U Review @ JayceOoi.com.

Meet the most budget Wi-Fi 6 router from Asus. RT-AX56U is powered by 1.5GHz quad-core processor. Supports both MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology. Loaded with AiProtection Pro network security powered by Trend Micro. And compatible with ASUS AiMesh WiFi system. It comes with 4 Gigabits LAN, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. 2 X 2 wireless connection. Having 256MB Flash and 512MB of RAM. How does it perform? Let’s find out…

This device price is only about 30% from AC86U price when first start selling in Malaysia

I see the video it seem the function exactly the same with AC86U except that this have wifi 6. Is there anything better or worse that this model have compare to AC86U?

With AC86U i can transfer over LAN to the attached USB 3.0 HDD at 70MBps speed, the video show AX56U only about 45MBps. Even though 1.5Ghz boost only vs 1.8Ghz boost for AC86U, I believe having extra 2 cores sure will be better when there's more connection that it need to handle.

Yup, the performance of this router is very good. I do recommend it. Wifi 6 is very fast if you have devices that support Wifi 6. I got it for a good deal online.

Should i get this RT-AX56U or AX3000 for AiMesh?

Using AX3000 Main router, 2 RT86U (AiMesh).

For wireless backhaul, AX3000 is preferred as it supports 160MHz. AX56U only 80MHz just like RT86U.

Thanks for sharing

Hi , my house double storey around 2300 sqft.
Router currently located at ground floor , my package is 100Mbps but I'm only getting around 30-40 Mbps in my first floor room.

Deciding between AX56U or AX3000 would have better improvement for my situation. Tq

Your current router is? UniFi bundled one?

Still requesting to get a unit of AX3000 to review. But I believe performance is about the same as AX56U or slightly better.

Hi Jayce, thanks for the reply.

Yes I'm currently using TM Provided D-Link Router without anthena , would you recommend me AX3000/AX56U or 2 Deco / Asus Mesh unit should be better for my situation, tq

You should getting at least double performance in your room with AX56U. Or even more. AX3000 should be arrived next week for review. Wait for it.
Personally, I prefer 2 powerful router setup than mesh units. Easier to upgrade in the future.

Jayce, i want to get a new router to replace my DIR-868L. I am looking at the ASUS AC59U and the AX56U. Can you advice if there is any significant difference between the AC59 (RM2xx) and AX56(RM4xx). Price difference is about 50%. If not much difference in performance, i will get the cheaper router. Thanks for your help.
Alternatively, i am open to any recommendation for other models.

This post has been edited by mavricluvman: Jul 17 2020, 01:01 PM

Never try AC59U. So no idea about the coverage and performance. But since you are going to replace a new one, get AX version is better now. AX56U has Download Master, USB 3.0, AX WiFi 6, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, more RAM and storage...

AC59U specs:
CPU - Single core 700MHz
RAM - 128MB
Flash - 16MB
MIMO - 2.4GHz @ 4x4 | 5GHz @ 2x2
Technology - Wireless A, B, G, N & AC

AX56U specs
CPU - Quad Core 1.5GHz
RAM - 256MB
Flash - 16MB
MIMO - 2.4GHz @ 2x2 | 5GHz @ 2x2
Technology - Wireless A, B, G, N, AC & AX

Ignore that 4x4, because you don't have any device to support it anyway. Only 3rd party desktop PCIe wireless receiver can support 3x3 & 4x4
All devices nowadays only supports 2x2. Even the highest end gaming laptop that costs RM25K only supports 2x2

That being said, you'd be stupid to buy the AC59U. Just wait a few months so you can save enough money to buy the AX56U instead of holding on to the AC59U just because it's cheaper

I bought an Asus AC59U Ver 2 during the 7.7 sales in the anticipation of using it as an aimesh when I upgraded my current router to AX86U later, which I don’t actually know when or even if.
It worked fine if I used as an access point (which was mainly used at night) when connected to Tenda AC18. It also works ok when pair up with RP-AC55 as a node.
Don’t expect too much from this router as the processor is a single core with 128 MB RAM and I find it struggles a bit when more than 12 devices connected to it. The Asus Router apps will lock up and hypptv will lag when two or more of connected devices run a speed test.
Since the current router (Tenda) has been acting up lately – lots of DC, I am using it as my main node connected to RP-AC55 and this set up works for me, at least for now.

Jayce and Shawty. TQ very much for the feedback.
I went to the PJ digital mall earlier to view/get info on both these routers. The IT consultant there told me not to get either of the router. According to him, my download speed on wifi will only max to about 300-400Mb (i have 800Mb Unifi at home). He said only on LAN can i get 800 download speed.
I have tried Tplink AC1200/Tenda 7000R/ Tenda 3002RU. All 3 routers has very low signal on my 1st floor(double storey house). I only get about 30Mb speed. My current Dlink Dir 868L, i can get about 150Mb.
Reason i want to get a new router is because my 868L intermittently wifi disconnects. I have tried changing CH. no improvement.
I then tried Power Lan TPlink. But my wifi ifs getting better and stronger signal than my Power LAN.

The IT Consultant told me if i wanted 800Mb wifi speed and better coverage, then i need to get high end routers like AC2600 or 3500, etc.
These are too expensive for me.

what is your advice. Thanks

He is correct. But didn't tell you whole story...

First of all, 800M UniFi is overkill for most WiFi clients. Unless you have a lot of 4x4 devices, else you won't utilize all 800M on wireless. Most devices are 2x2 and can reach 600M when near to router. 4x4 can get 1200M. Go further, 2x2 can get 300M usually. Double for 4x4. So the best budget plan is 300M UniFi for wireless. 800M is mainly for LAN fast download usage.

So if you have a lot of 4X4 devices, go for 4x4 router like he told. Else a powerful 2x2 router like AX56U will suit better for budget.

What other info do you need? We've already given you all the necessary information required
Again, already answered this question
Forget about getting 800Mb/s through wireless

Unless the router and your mobile device supports WiFi AX, you will never get 800Mb/s on wireless
No devices nowadays supports anything more than MIMO 2x2. Take the RT-AX56U because anything else above that is above what you can afford and none of your devices will be able to support it anyway

Thanks Jayce and Shawty.
I went to IT mall before I got your responses.
Anyway, ,now I am a little bit more knowledgeable.
I will get the AX56
I also noticed the new Huawei and Xiaomi routers. Cheap but unfortunate we can't use it with Unifi.
Thanks for your help.

I been using unifi bundle Dlink DIR-850L router since 3 years ago and finally, I had a change to Asus RT-AC59U and overall wifi coverage and performance is better. My router is at first floor, and usually, I could not get a good wifi signal at ground floor (1-2 bar), especially smart tv. Now it can be easy to connected by changing the router. Asus is indeed a reliable brand for router even RT-AX59U sound is a low-end router, however, it's function and performance is much much better than other brand router like TPLink and DLink. RT-AC59U also need to price about RM279 and if compare to other brand of AC router, it still consider expensive than others. The 5.0 coverage also can go further. So basically DLink DIR-850L is a no no router.

As for Wifi 6 or AX router, I think most of our devices is only up to Wifi 5. To me, it is still too new to get a Wifi 6 router since it is stil not so stable. Also, there will be no different if your device are only can support wifi 5. Maybe another few years is time to get it. Furthermore the price for AX router is now still expensive. It depends and see whether you are willing to spend same amount of money to get a higher end AC router or to get a lower end of AX router.

I will be getting another RT-AC86U to see the result and by then I will move my RT-AC59U to ground floor as a node. Not because my ground floor don't have coverage. Just to pattern pattern so I will get better coverage for ground floor and also outdoor for IP Camera. If any of you not go for MU-MIMO, RT-AC68U might be the best choice as well. It should be price at RM4XX by now for single unit. Old mode, but still a legend of Asus.