ASUS Announces RT-AX88U Is Now Available (updated)
ASUS announced that the RT-AX88U WiFi router is now available. Featuring the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard, which includes a variety of new technologies that improve Wi-Fi speed and network capacity, RT-AX88U enables users to get cuttingedge, future-proof performance from their home Wi-Fi network.
In addition to the latest Wi-Fi technologies, RT-AX88U features a powerful 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core processor to ensure smooth and responsive performance as well as two USB ports and eight Gigabit LAN parts to provide users the flexibility to expand and configure their network the way they want.
RT-AX88U also features powerful built-in software, including adaptive QoS and Gamers Private Network (GPN) powered by wtfast® to accelerate online gaming, AiMesh for creating a whole-home mesh Wi-Fi system simply by adding compatible routers, and AiProtection Pro, commercial-grade network security powered by TrendMicro to keep users and all their connected devices safe from online threats. Many households and small businesses upgrade their Wi-Fi router infrequently, so current purchasing decisions can affect network performance for years to come. By upgrading to a new Wi-Fi router, such as RT-AX88U, when a new network standard becomes available, users can maximize network performance now and get the longest lifespan out of their Wi-Fi network.
With the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi, ASUS RT-AX88U supports 160MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM to provide ultrafast Wi-Fi speeds of up 6000Mbps — 1148Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 4804Mbps on the 5GHz band — 2.3X faster than 802.11ac 4x4 dual-band routers. In addition to boosting Wi-Fi speeds, the 802.11ax standard offers a number of other improvements and optimizations that address the massive increase in the number of connected devices in recent years. RT-AX88U features a revolutionary combination of OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology that provides up to 4X better network efficiency and capacity. With OFDMA, the data channel is separated into smaller sub channels, so data from different devices can be bundled together to ensure no bandwidth is wasted. This means that one channel can transmit data to several devices at the same time, improving efficiency and reducing latency. These smaller sub channels also enable RT-AX88U to provide up to 80% greater coverage than previous-generation routers. The 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard also helps to improve battery life of connected devices. A new technology called Target Wait Time (TWT) allows transmissions to be scheduled, so connected devices can sleep for longer periods, delivering up to 7X better battery life. 802.11ax is fully backwards compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards, so users can connect any Wi-Fi device to RT-AX88U and enjoy a seamless networking experience.
ASUS RT-AX88U comes with eight Gigabit LAN ports to provide maximum flexibility for users who need or prefer wired connections. Additionally, two USB ports enable connection of an external hard drive or printer to create network storage or wireless backups and printing. One of the USB ports is located on the front of the router for easier connectivity. To handle the data from the increased number of connected devices supported by 802.11ax as well as from the eight LAN ports and two USB ports, RT-AX88U comes with a 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core CPU that provides enough processing power to keep even the busiest networks running smoothly.
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Senior Member
Posts: 7688
Joined: 2005-08-10
I have an RT-AC87U for almost 2 years now and I have to say it's good stuff. It's also the first router I've ever owned, since I always went with the internet cable straight to my desktop rig (as that was the only place I needed it). But with all the smartphones, TVs etc. etc. I had to step up. This one seems to be a direct upgrade to mine, though honestly, strictly visually speaking, I prefer the black finish with the blue LEDs on mine to this. ASUS' ROG coppery orange was always a bit meh to me, this gold one is not much better.

Don Vito Corleone
Posts: 44313
Joined: 2000-02-22
A review unit is in so we'll be testing your claims

Member
Posts: 47
Joined: 2004-11-02
Because 99% of the people just use whatever the provider gives them.
Member
Posts: 64
Joined: 2003-07-26
Would a kind soul please explain how one can know if this kind of router is usable for them?
I'm asking because there's a real lack of concrete info in the form of which connection types (ISPs) a router supports.
In a month's time, at my location there will be fiber optic connection available, but I'm pretty sure the ISPs will still ask for standard authentication (via username, password, custom DNS servers and such). Till now I've only been able to use vDSL via a router the ISP has lent me.
Would I be able to use this router in particular when connecting via a fiber optic connection?
Thank you!
Senior Member
Posts: 1307
Joined: 2011-01-11
I love this router. Worth every penny too.
Stepped up from a netgear wndr-4500 draft N from years ago and WOW this thing screams. And the range is pretty epic too.
Not one issue and everything on it works like it should right out of the box.
Another positive check mark in my book from Asus and their products have always done me well in my twenty plus years of building and using PC peripherals.
Anyone who wants a killer router look no further as price to performance is right on the mark with this one. Will be around for years to come that's for sure.