ASUS Announces RT-AX88U Is Now Available (updated)

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 01/04/2019 08:37 AM | source: | 18 comment(s)

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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Enticles
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#5600071 Posted on: 10/25/2018 04:07 PM

slyphnier
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#5600095 Posted on: 10/25/2018 05:09 PM

I used to own an ac88u and it was terrible. QoS was nonexistent. Then the 2.4ghz radio died and my note 8 phone kept dropping on the 5ghz. This AX88U looks almost identical too.

Thankfully Amazon replaced it and I went for a Linksys router and VDSL modem and had no issues. So be warned people, I find ASUS products trash, had my old ROG Centurions die twice after 2 RMAs. Only ASUS thing that is still working is my PG279Q and my Crosshair VI (Which has bad sensor readings).

Hopefully, they will have resolved these issues with this model.

for asus-stuff i guess u just get bad lottery
for PC parts, i believe many using asus CPU and mobo without issue whatsoever
i also use their router + soundcard now for few years without issue

abit OOT and probably u not care about this anyway
linksys used as great product back when owned by cisco, i used lots products router,switch, even adsl modem
but ever since belkin buy them, never find their product strong in market
then now i heard belkin going to sell it to foxcon ?
while i am not using their product, but i cant see their product have better quality compared to asus or netgear
then i also not feel assured when the company keep handed over to new owner

but if it work for you then its good then

tsunami231
Senior Member

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#5600109 Posted on: 10/25/2018 05:44 PM

people been saying asus stuff it terrible and there support is even worse, in 15+ years of using asus HW i have yet to have issue with anyof them my AC66U is still going strong too then again as far as Asus Routers goI been using Merlins FW.

On topic this look to be big brother successer to the AC86u ?

Matt151b
Senior Member

Posts: 438
Joined: 2007-06-09

#5600204 Posted on: 10/25/2018 10:37 PM

I have an AC88U and I like it. QoS seems to work fine for me, I have prioritized the ROKUs over the other devices and netflix never buffers.

Interesting that Dynarush_333 had trouble with a Samsung phone, as we have a Samsung phone (S5) in the house and it has terrible speeds. So terrible in fact that I had to return my old Belkin router to service to supply signal to the S5. I don't know if it is a Samsung or Asus issue...

Sad I can't justify an AX88U seeing as my AC88U is running strong, but nothing else I own uses AX, so I'll be ok.

Fox2232
Senior Member

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#5600266 Posted on: 10/26/2018 06:40 AM

My DSL-AC68U is doing just fine. No problems, and I am using lowest power state for wifi. I do run both 2.4 and 5GHz wifi as I have some older devices too.
Everything gets its connection without problem.

But those routers are getting kind of expensive. And very few people actually need such bandwidths at home.

And for ASUS as an device brand. I am not particularly fond of their notebooks and netbooks. Engineering behind them is insufficient and there is always something I happen to dislike. +Both devices I had were dead within 2 years from purchase.

Spider4423
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#5600296 Posted on: 10/26/2018 08:20 AM

Astyanax
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#5600376 Posted on: 10/26/2018 01:02 PM

Well, I found out after the RMA that the AC86U is actually a better router than the AC88U. It's very common the radios dieing on the AC88U but it served me right for not researching enough past the reviews!

I have a Linksys WRT32X and it's way better for gaming. Not sure how it compares to your router though.

Rubbish and nonsense, don't associate your experience to commonality, there were a batch of bad units which were subsequently fixed and have remained so.

Astyanax
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#5600379 Posted on: 10/26/2018 01:04 PM

Astyanax
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#5600568 Posted on: 10/27/2018 01:41 AM

See

there were a batch of bad units which were subsequently fixed and have remained so.

The A5 batch included a faulty 2.4ghz radio from broadcom that had issues with firmware versions over 382.x.x

The same issue has happened with netgear, tplink, dlink etc at various times in history.

Revisions A1, - A4 and A6 have had near zero functionality issues.
Yes reports do exist of issues on these, but they are not common.

Great White Shark
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#5623504 Posted on: 01/04/2019 10:11 AM

I never understand why there is such a lack of ADSL style routers. That is, routers with built in modems for UK or Europe. Its a big market.

DeskStar
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#5623567 Posted on: 01/04/2019 02:51 PM

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.

Solfaur
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#5623594 Posted on: 01/04/2019 04:37 PM

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. :rolleyes:

Hilbert Hagedoorn
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#5623595 Posted on: 01/04/2019 04:39 PM

Anyone who wants a killer router look no further as price to performance is right on the mark with this one.

A review unit is in so we'll be testing your claims

Ice-Tea
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#5623601 Posted on: 01/04/2019 05:05 PM

I never understand why there is such a lack of ADSL style routers. That is, routers with built in modems for UK or Europe. Its a big market.

Because 99% of the people just use whatever the provider gives them.

GPz
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#5623779 Posted on: 01/05/2019 10:40 AM

I never understand why there is such a lack of ADSL style routers. That is, routers with built in modems for UK or Europe. Its a big market.

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!

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