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As mentioned in the post about when it's time to replace a Wi-Fi router, the Asus RT-AC86U was one of the few Wi-Fi 5 routers I've kept in operation, even in 2024.
However, today, it's no longer. After having had the location's broadband upgraded to 2Gbps, it instantly became dated. So, after over five yearsโit was put to use right after the reviewโI decided to replace it with the RT-BE86U.
I've replaced many routers before, but this time, it proved to be such a cool experience. You'll find out why when through this post, which is somewhat of a matchup between these two models of the same hardware design that spans three generations of Wi-Fi.
There's not much new, but this is a worthy read in case you want to be distracted from the U.S. general election. Let's dive in!
Asus RT-AC86U vs. Asus RT-BE86U: Three generations of Wi-Fi apart, yet so similar
First released in early 2018 as a high-end Wi-Fi 5 router, the RT-AC86U was Asus's original model to feature the vertical I-am-a-Wi-Fi-router design, as opposed to the similar but horizontal look of the RT-AC88U. It's a relatively compact and practical hardware box for those wanting to place their Wi-Fi router on a surface.
Additionally, the RT-AC86U was special because it was the first to get Asus's now-popular AiMesh, which virtually all subsequent routers have supported.
When Wi-Fi 6 arrived in 2020, Asus released the RT-AX86U of the same design, which later had the RT-AX86S and RT-AX86U Pro variants, making it the RT-xx86U the company's most crowded lineage.
And then, just last month, we had the RT-BE86U, which is the newest in the family. Apart from Wi-Fi 7, this latest comer is also unique because it doesn't have a 6GHz band, like the case of the RT-BE96U or many other Wi-Fi 7 routers. Instead, it remains a dual-band machine like the rest of its older cousins.
The table below shows the specs of the original RT-AC86U vs. the latest RT-BE86U with the RT-AX86U in the middle to show how Wi-Fi and networking have evolved through this branch of hardware.
Asus RT-AC86U vs. RT-BE86U: Hardware specifications
| RT-AC86U | RT-AX86U | RT-BE86U | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Dual-band AC3000 | Dual-band AX5700 | Dual-band BE6800 |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) | 3x3 AC: Up to 750 Mbps (20/40MHz) | 3x3 AX: Up to 861 Mbps (20/40MHz) | 3x3 BE: Up to 1032Mbps (20/40MHz) |
| 5GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) | 4X4 AC: Up to 2167 Mbps (20/40/80MHz) | 4X4 AX: Up to 4804 Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 4x4 BE: Up to 5764Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| Operation Mode | Router Access Point Repeater Media Bridge | ||
| AiMesh-ready | Yes | ||
| Gigabit Port | 4x LAN 1x WAN | None | |
| Multi-Gig Port | None | 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN | 1x 10Gbps WAN/LAN 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN 3x 2.5Gbps LAN |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | No | Yes | |
| VLAN and SDN | No | Yes | |
| Link Aggregation | Yes (LAN and WAN) | ||
| Dual-WAN | Yes | ||
| USB Port | 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 | 2 x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 |
| Mobile App | Asus Router | ||
| QoS | Yes | ||
| Parental Control | Yes | ||
| Built-in Online Protection | Yes (AiProtection) | ||
| Asus Gaming Features | Yes | Yes (with Gaming port) | |
| Processing Power | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 512MB RAM | 1.8GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 1GB RAM | 2.6GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 1GB RAM |
| Dimensions (with antennas) | 9.52 x 3.93 x 12.79 in (242 x 100 x 325 mm) | ||
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (814.5 g) | ||
| Release Date (US market) | September 22, 2021 | August 11, 2020 | October 2024 |
| Firmware Version (at review) | 3.0.0.4.384.20308 | 3.0.0.4.384.9283 | 3.0.0.6.102_37022 |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V | ||
| Power Consumption (per 24 hours in real-world usage) | โ 210 Wh | โ 215 Wh | โ 280 Wh |
| U.S. MSRP (check current price) | $200 | $280 | $330 |
Asus RT-AC86U to Asus RT-BE86U upgrade: A straightforward process
Despite being two completely different routers in terms of hardware specs, these two routers share a lot in common. Most importantly, they can take the setting backup files of each other.
Specifically, in my case, I exported the RT-AC86U's setting to a file and then loaded it onto the RT-BE86U, and the network's settings remain.
This universal backup and restoration make upgrading the Asus router from one model to another extremely convenient, especially for those with lots of IP reservations and port-forwarding entries.
Since both are dual-band routers, the RT-BE86U picked up the existing setting without any significant issues. Generally, if you don't have older-than-Wi-Fi-5 clients, chances are you won't need to tweak the new router at all.
A feasible AiMesh pair
While I only needed a single broadcaster for the location, I decided to try out AiMesh between the two, and the RT-AC86U worked without a hitch.
I first added it to the system via a wireless connection, which took just a minute and then used it for over 24 hours without any issues. Still, it's best to use the pair via wired backhauling and keep in mind that mixing Wi-Fi standards in an AiMesh combo can be problematic.
A few major changes among many militaries
Being so far a part in terms of firmware versionsโthe RT-BE86U features AsusWRT 5.0 while the RT-AC86U is stuck at the 386 buildโthere are some noticeable changes between the two in terms of features and management.
The RT-AC86U features four SSIDs per band, one main SSID, and three optional Guest network SSIDs, while the RT-BE86U has Guest Network Pro and manages all of its additional SSID via a new VLAN-based feature called software-defined networks (SDN).
Additionally, the RT-BE86U has much better VPN support, and its other features, including online protection (AiProtection) and Parental Controls, have also been improved.
However, the two routers share a similar web user interface with a familiar, comprehensive set of standard features. The two also share some of the Asus Router mobile apps.
That's to say, there's no learning curve if you move from one to another.
Huge improvement in performance
The most significant change is the improvement in performance. The RT-BE86U, apart from the support for Wi-Fi 7, is a full multi-Gigabit router. With one 10Gbps and five 2.5Gbps ports, it has many times the bandwidth of the aging cousin.
Additionally, when hosting a portable SSD, it's currently one of the fastest on the market to work as a mini NAS server. Despite all that, the RT-BE86U didn't use that much more power in my testing, as noted in the specs table above.
The final thoughts
Upgrading your router can be a hassle. However, if you have an Asus Wi-Fi machine and decide to stay with the same brand, the process can be relatively uneventful. (The same thing can be said about Synology and Ubiquiti's hardware.)
Most importantly, while faster is always better, you'll need to wait a couple of generations or some significant changes in your networking needs to find the upgrade gratifying. That's because if you still have sub-Gigabit broadband, chances are the 5-year-old Asus RT-AC86U still suffices today, and the RT-BE86U will make little difference.
Excellent review Dong! Thank you.
I’ve read your reviews for both the BE88U (June 2024) and the BE86U (October 2024). I know the BE86U scored better overall in your tests, but I also recall you noting that this may have been due to the newer firmware vs the BE88U.
I’m curious why, in your particular situation, you chose the BE86U. You wrote about the ease of transition from your old router, and I’m guessing this had a lot to do with it.
Thanks again for all these reviews and tutorials. I’ve learned a lot ๐
Yeap, in those 6 months, there were a lot of changes in Wi-Fi 7 support, both I firmware and firmware driver, Chris. Both are great routers in their own rights.
Hi. How does this compare to the – ASUS – RT-BE92U BE9700 Tri-Band. A lot of devices now have Wifi 6E. So would this be a better or slower one using wifi 6E.
Thanks Dong!
I haven’t tested the RT-BE92U, but it’s likely similar to the RT-BE96U. Just not as fast.
Dong,
Do you force channel bandwidth during testing? Any differences in channel bandwidth settings when under test when changing wi-fi standards or frequencies? Based on your previous comments about DFS, I would guess that you test 5Ghz at 80Mhz. However, I know it’s not safe to assume. Thanks!
Here’s how I do my testing, Justin.
Great article. I still have a couple of AC86U used in mesh around the house, and resisted the AX86U for a couple of years.
Now that I have 3GB broadband, the move to a BE86U seems timely!
I noticed a small typo in your specs table. It says the RT-BE86U came out in 2022, when it should say 2024. Thanks.
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