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This RT-AX88U Pro vs. GT-AX6000 matchup is to answer all the questions I’ve been getting since the review of the former.
Apparently, my lumping the original RT-AX88U in the review made things harder for folks to figure out which to get out of this particular pair.
Or maybe it’s just hard by default. I can’t say which is better, either. They are two distinctive Wi-Fi 6 routers with identical hardware on the inside.
So the bottom line is this: If you’re not hot on design and aesthetics (or the lack thereof,) pick the one that costs less.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs. GT-AX6000: Different routers of the same specs and features
You’d have no issue telling the RT-AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 apart. They look totally different.
The former has a traditional look of a typical Wi-Fi router, dating back to the beginning of Wi-Fi, whereas the latter tries hard to impress with a bold design and a flashy Aura game light.
And that’s about it. On the inside, the two are virtually the same. The table below will give you the details of how similar the two are, despite their distinctive looks.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs. GT-AX6000: Hardware specifications
Note that the “Pro” features of the two, namely Guest Network Pro and VLAN, are currently available only in Beta firmware but will soon be finalized.
 |  | |
| Model | RT-AX88U Pro | GT-AX6000 |
| Wi-Fi Bandwidth | Dual-Band AX6000 | xx |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) | 4×4 AX: Up to 1148Mbps (20/40MHz) | 4×4 AX: Up to 1148Mbps (20/40MHz) |
| 5GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) | 4X4 AX: Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 4X4 AX: Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Asus’s “Pro” Features (Guest Network Pro and VLAN) | Yes | xx |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | xx |
| AP Mode | Yes | xx |
| AiMesh-ready | Yes | xx |
| Gigabit Ports | 4x LAN | xx |
| Multi-Gig Ports | 1x 2.5Gbps WAN, 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN | xx |
| Link Aggregation | Yes (LAN and WAN) | xx |
| Dual-WAN | Yes | xx |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 3.0 1x USB 2.0 |
| Mobile App | Asus Router | xx |
| QoS | Yes | xx |
| Parental Control | Yes | xx |
| Processing Power | 2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 256 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM | xx |
| Built-in Online Protection | Yes | xx |
| Asus Gaming Features | Yes | xx |
| Aura Game Light | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 in (30 x 18.8 x 6.04 cm) | 13 x 6.6 x 2.6 in (33.02 x 16.76 x 6.6 cm) |
| Weight | 2.23 lbs (1.01 kg) | 2.47 lbs (1.12 kg) |
| Release Date | January 2023 | January 2022 |
| Firmware Version (at review) | 3.0.0.4.388.22250 | 3.0.0.4.386.47629 |
| Power Input | 100 – 240V | xx |
| Power Consumption (per 24 hours) | ≈ 285Wh | not measured |
| Wall-mount-ready | No | Yes |
| US Price (at launch) | $349.99 | $399.99 |
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs. GT-AX6000: Detail photos
In case you need more visuals to identify the two, below are a few photos comparing the two.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs. GT-AX6000: Performance and grading
The two routers are also very similar in performance, and consequently, they are both rated similarly.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro's Rating
Pros
Excellent Wi-Fi, wired, and network storage performance
Tons of useful features, including AiMesh 2.0 and Pro-only Guest Network Pro and VLAN
Two 2.5GbE Multi-Gig ports with Dual-WAN and Link Aggregation support
Universal setting backup and restoration
Merlin firmware support
Cons
Pro-enabled features are still in the Beta
Only 6 network ports (instead of 9 in the previous variant)
No Wi-Fi 6E, not wall-mount-ready
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000's Rating
Pros
Fast, reliable Wi-Fi with excellent coverage
Dual Multi-Gig ports with Dual-WAN, Link Aggregations, and more
Tons of helpful networking features and settings, including AiMesh 2.0 and gaming-related applications
Robust web UI, well-designed mobile app, no login account required
Multi-Gig, WAN/LAN Link Aggregation support
Excellent NAS performance when hosting a portable drive
Bold-looking design, no fan, runs cool
Cons
Lowest Multi-Gig grade (2.5Gbps), there could be more ports considering the router's massive physical size
A bit pricey
Impractical antenna design, bulky, not practically wall-mount-ready
The takeaway
As mentioned, it’s impossible to say which is “better” in this Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs. GT-AX6000 matchup. The biggest thing that sets them apart is their appearance.
Speaking of appearances, a reader recently wrote me that he used the GT-AX6000 but with its antennas removed because the router “simply lacked the wife acceptance factor.”
He then used its antennas on the original RT-AX88U working as an AP and experienced a big improvement in Wi-Fi performance. Something to keep in mind if you’re in the same unusual-yet-maybe-quite-usual situation.
The good news is both are excellent Wi-Fi 6 routers. And you can upgrade either to Wi-Fi 6E via an access point.
So again, pick whichever fits your style, or cheaper if you can’t decide. Or get both and build a Multi-Gig mesh system with them.
For those who keep asking me what I’d pick if I “had to,” for the last time, I’ve already had both—multiple units of each, in fact. Wanna experience that no-nonsense Wi-Fi approach? Upgrading your name to “Dong” would be the first step in the right direction.
Is there any improvement on range with the antennas on the GT? Got the 88UPro but it fails to reach my garage unlike my old Netgear R7500.
Range is complicated, Sol, but it tends to remains the same per band. More here. Note though that newer routers require newer clients to deliver the best performance (and range). So comparing the Wi-Fi 5 R7500 with the new Wi-Fi 6 ones is a bit like apples and oranges. The experience depends on what clients you have.
Thanks for the information.
I’m planning to buy either GT-AX6000 or the RT-AX88U Pro.
I was initially planning to buy the RT-AX88U Pro, since it’s newer than the GT-AX6000.
However, the RT-AX88U Pro seems to be unavailable in my region.
Do you think it’s worth waiting for the RT-AX88U Pro rather than buying the GT-AX6000 right now?
They are practically the same hardware, Philo. The GT has gaming features.
Our slow but acceptable internet ( 100Mbs) works fine but I want to isolate the Solar Panel inverter Ethernet connection into a separate isolated VLAN and upgrade to WiFi6. I can hard wire the backhaul for a mesh system. I am paranoid about router security
It looks like my options are ( would like to spend under $500)
ORBI Pro SXK 30 or SXK80
ASUS ZEN WIFI PRo-XT12 or RT-AX86U Pro
Asus says their support for VLAN is still in the Beta stage. Have you tried it?
I assume all of the routers that describe VLAN are talking about assigning one LAN port to it’s own isolated network, not just isolating a guest wireless network, correct?
If port isolation is what you want, considering your broadband, I’d recommend the UDR. VLAN is just an umbrella term, the connotation can be quite large and the application varies from one device to another.
Thanks, Dong. This is a great site!
I read all the info about the UDR but Ubiquiti’s requirement to set up an account really concerns me, as does Netgear’s continuing changes to the ease of anonymous setup, so I haven’t decided if I should go with what looks to be the simplest setup, the Orbi SXK or take a leap with the AX 86U. The solar inverter has to be hard wired to the router, and I can find nothing about the company’s security features online, and inverters have been hacked, so it really needs it isolated from my PC etc.
{…}
Security is a matter of degree. You generally have to choose what you’re willing to sacrifice.
I’m just looking for new wifi 6 router to replace 9 yr old rt-ac68u as can use for aimesh node, which one suits for 1 gig internet broadband also using usdb hdd as nas. My ac68u router goes max 700 mbps speed , as without router getting 950 mbps.
So speed is dropping due old router? So which router suits, not expensive.
700Mbps is as fast as most Wi-Fi connections can be, unless you use top-tier Wi-Fi 6/6E on both router’s and device’s ends. Anything 500Mbps or above is plenty fast, so you can get any, Dan. More in this post.
It’s not about on wifi as on wireless getting around 480 Mbps. I meant on LAN getting around 570 Mbps via asus router AC. As without router getting higher speed at 950 Mbps on LAN.
You prolly used some traffic-related features on the router. More on testing here.
Lol the wife acceptance factor is so applicable to me. Right now, the GT is cheaper than RT by $40 but I’m hesitant to get the GT because I know what my wife would say. Maybe I’ll hide it under the sofa and change the wifi name to “WifiLoveYou” or something
That might work, David. Good luck!
HI DONG
ASUS GTAX11000 and DSLAX82U NOT GETTING FULL SPEED FROM 5G MODEM.
MY 5G MODEM HAS WIFI 6 SAME DISTANCE FROM ASUS WIFI 6 ROUTER MY 5G MODEM GETS 400 DOWN/120UP.ON MY MAC
MY ASUS GETS 280 DOWN/70 UP.CONNECTED VIA LAN TO WAN.
TRIED JUMBO FRAME,AP MODE ETC. SMALL IMPROVEMENT.SEAMS GETTING SLOWED DOWN ON ASUS.ANY SUGGESTIONS ON ASUS SETTINGS SO I GET FULL THROUGHPUT .ALSO WILL ASUS GT6 BE A GOOD MESH SYSTEM WITH GTAX11000.THANKS MATE
Maybe fix your Caps Lock key and try again? 👀
It clearly shows how much delusional Asus department is where they have 2 same products with roughly same features and SOCs but different exterior appearance. Asus upper management needs to take a note that their router division is releasing same products which are now competing against each other.
This is a clear sign that something is not right in their Router department. There is no co-ordination, no innovation, no price reduction for selling older (Wifi6) tech. People are no fools to buy such expensive junk and those that already have a Wifi6 router have no need to upgrade either.
Lol.
Chill out, you wise one!
Good one Dong 😂😂 The “upgrading your name” part, I mean! 🤣
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