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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.
Table of Contents
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 | Dual-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) | Yes | Yes |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| AP Mode | Yes | Yes |
| AiMesh-ready | Yes | Yes |
| Gigabit Ports | 4x LAN | 4x LAN |
| Multi-Gig Ports | 1x 2.5Gbps WAN-only, 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN | 1x 2.5Gbps WAN, 1x 2.5Gbps LAN |
| Link Aggregation | Yes (LAN and WAN) | Yes (LAN and WAN) |
| Dual-WAN | Yes | Yes |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 3.0 1x USB 2.0 |
| Mobile App | Asus Router | Asus Router |
| QoS | Yes | Yes |
| Parental Control | Yes | Yes |
| Processing Power | 2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 256 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM | 2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 1GB RAM |
| Built-in Online Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Asus Gaming Features | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 100 – 240V |
| 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 networks port (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-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.
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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