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Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Identical Twins that Look Completely Different

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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 Box 1
An Asus RT-AX88U Pro, next to a ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 still in its retail box.

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.

Asus RT AX88U Pro The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 Gaming router
ModelRT-AX88U ProGT-AX6000
Wi-Fi BandwidthDual-Band AX6000Dual-Band AX6000
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)
YesYes
Backward Compatibility802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/b/g/n/ac
AP ModeYesYes
AiMesh-readyYesYes
Gigabit  Ports4x LAN4x LAN
Multi-Gig Ports1x 2.5Gbps WAN-only,
1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN
1x 2.5Gbps WAN,
1x 2.5Gbps LAN
Link AggregationYes 
(LAN and WAN)
Yes 
(LAN and WAN)
Dual-WANYesYes
USB Ports1 x USB 3.0 1x USB 3.0
1x USB 2.0
Mobile AppAsus RouterAsus Router
QoSYesYes
Parental ControlYesYes
Processing Power2.0 GHz quad-core CPU,
256 MB Flash,
1 GB RAM
2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 
256MB Flash, 
1GB RAM
Built-in Online ProtectionYes Yes
Asus Gaming FeaturesYesYes
Aura Game LightNoYes
Dimensions11.8 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)
Weight2.23 lbs (1.01 kg)2.47 lbs (1.12 kg)
Release DateJanuary 2023January 2022
Firmware Version
(at review)
3.0.0.4.388.222503.0.0.4.386.47629
Power Input100 – 240V100 – 240V
Power Consumption
(per 24 hours)
≈ 285Whnot measured
Wall-mount-readyNoYes
US Price
(at launch)
$349.99$399.99
Hardware specifications: Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000

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 Plugged in Asus ROG Rapture GT AX6000 Top 1
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: You’d have no problem telling these two apart. Note the latter’s Aura game light.

Asus RT AX88U Pro with hand Asus ROG Rapture GT AX6000 Hand
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Both routers are quite large. That’s the same hand — mine.

Asus RT AX88U Pro vs GT AX6000 Ports Asus ROG Rapture GT AX6000
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Both routers have removable antennas and share the same number of network ports, including two 2.5Gbps Mult-Gig ports. The GT-AX6000 has an extra USB 2.0 port.

Asus RT AX88U Pro Underside Asus ROG Rapture GT AX6000 UnderSide
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: On the underside, it’s quite clear that the former is not wall-mount-ready — the rubber pieces near the antennas only cover its chassis screws, not the placeholder for the mounting holes.

Asus RT AX88U Pro Multi Gig Wired AiMesh Setup with an RT AX89X Note Asus GT AX6000 Multi Gig Wired AiMesh Setup with an RT AX89X Note
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: While having different interface themes, the two share basically all the features and settings, including the ability to host a Multi-Gig wired AiMesh system when coupled with each other or another Multi-Gig AiMesh-ready router, such as the RT-AX89X as shown in the screenshots.

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

8.8 out of 10
Asus RT AX88U Pro Router
Performance
9 out of 10
Features
10 out of 10
Design and Setup
8 out of 10
Value
8 out of 10

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 RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: The two share similar performances.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: The two share similar performances. I tested them over a year apart, and the gap in their Asuswrt firmware versions alone could be enough to account for their performance differences.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000's Rating

9 out of 10
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000
Performance
9.5 out of 10
Features
9.5 out of 10
Ease of Use
8 out of 10
Value
9 out of 10

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-mountable

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.

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16 thoughts on “Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Identical Twins that Look Completely Different”

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  1. 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?

    Reply
    • If port isolation is what you want, considering your broadband, I’d recommend the UDR. VLAN is just an embrella term, the connotation can be quite large and the appication varies from one device to another.

      Reply
      • 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.
        {…}

        Reply
  2. 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.

    Reply
  3. 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

    Reply
  4. 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

    Reply
  5. 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.

    Reply

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