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Asus RT-AX88U vs. RT-AC88U is an interesting comparison since they are of two different Wi-Fi standards.
Right off the bat, it seems the former, the Wi-Fi 6 version, is a straightforward replacement of the Wi-Fi 5 counterpart. But is that the case? Find it all out in this post.
Table of Contents
RT-AX88U vs RT-AC88U: Similarities
Just take a good look at them. They are almost identical. Indeed, these two routers share the same design, dimensions, weight, number of network ports (eight LANs and one WAN), and antennas. And there’s more.
On the inside, they both have the same set of features, including gaming, online protection, QoS, and so on. The two can also work together to create an AiMesh Wi-Fi system. (In this case, it’s best to use them via a wired backhaul.)
Most importantly, you can put Merlin firmware on both and turn them into much better Wi-Fi machines than what you get out of the box. The support for Merlin is among the main reason I’d consider these two.
Asus RT-AX88U vs RT-AC88U: Hardware specifications
| Name | ASUS AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router | ASUS AC3100 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router |
| Model | Asus RT-AX88U | Asus RT-AC88U |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) AX6000 | Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) AC3100 |
| Chipset Manufacturer | Broadcom | Broadcom |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs | 4×4 Wi-Fi 6: up to 1148 Mbps | 4×4 Wi-Fi 5: up to 1000 Mbps |
| 5GHz Wi-Fi Specs | 4X4 Wi-Fi 6: up to 4833 Mbps | 4×4 Wi-Fi 5: up to 2167 Mbps |
| Supported Wi-Fi Standards | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| AP Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh-ready | Yes (AiMesh) | Yes (AiMesh) |
| Channel Width Support | 20/40/80/160 MHz | 20/40/80 MHz |
| Gigabit LAN Ports | 8x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN | 8x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN |
| Multi-Gig Ports | None | None |
| Link Aggregation | Yes (LAN 1 and LAN 2) | Yes (LAN 1 and LAN 2) |
| Dual-WAN | Yes (WAN + LAN/USB) | Yes (WAN + LAN/USB) |
| USB | 2 x USB-A USB 3.0 | 1x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 |
| Mobile App | Asus Router | Asus Router |
| QoS | Yes (Excellent) | Yes (Excellent) |
| Built-in Online Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Parental Control | Yes | Yes |
| Merlin Firmware Support | Yes | Yes |
| Gaming Features | WTFast Gamers VPN, Automatic Port-forwarding and QoS | WTFast Gamers VPN, Automatic Port-forwarding and QoS |
| Processing Power | 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 1GB RAM | 1.4 GHz dual-core CPU, 128MB Flash, 512MB RAM |
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches (30 x 18.8 x 6.04 cm) | 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches (30 x 18.8 x 6.04 cm) |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (945 g) | 2.1 lbs (945 g) |
RT-AX88U vs. RT-AC88U: Differences
The most significant difference between the two is the fact the RT-AX88U is a more powerful router. For one, it uses Wi-Fi 6. It also has a faster quad-core CPU and doubles the amount of RAM and flash memory.
The RT-AX88U also has two USB 3.0 ports (instead of one 2.0 port) and, in my testing, delivered much faster network storage performance when hosting a portable SSD.
In many ways, the RT-AX88U supersedes RT-AC88U as it’s intended to be. However, the lack of a multi-gig port means, in reality, you likely won’t see much difference between the two in terms of network Wi-Fi performance.
RT-AX88U vs RT-AC88U: Performance and ratings
It’s expected that the RT-AX88U would outdo the RT-AC88U, and, for the most part, it did in my testing. However, having no multi-gig port, it wasn’t that much faster when working with Wi-Fi 5 clients.
By the way, I initially tested the RT-AC88U using only Wi-Fi 5. There was no Wi-Fi 6 when I reviewed it, and it doesn’t have support this standard anyway. (Wi-Fi 6 clients do work with Wi-Fi 5 broadcasters).
But like all Wi-Fi 5 routers, it works with Wi-Fi 6 clients, or the other way round — Wi-Fi 6 clients work with Wi-Fi 5 broadcasters.
In any case, for this post, I did some additional tests using 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 clients, which connected to the router at 867 Mbps of negotiated speed. That’s the ceiling speeds of 2×2 Wi-Fi 5.
By the way, both routers can host network storage via a portable drive. But of the two, only the RT-AX88U can work as a mini NAS server. It had much faster NAS speeds, as shown here, thanks to the higher hardware specs.
Asus RT-AC88U's Rating
Pros
Fast Wi-Fi performance with excellent coverage
Tons of valuable features, including the ability to guard the network against online threats
Eight LAN ports with Dual-WAN and Link Aggregation
Excellent support for Asus's AiMesh
Merlin firmware support
Cons
Awkwardly placed USB 3.0 ports
Slow network storage speed when coupled with an external hard drive
Asus RT-AX88U's Rating
Pros
Fast Wi-Fi performance
Tons of useful features
Eight network ports with Dual-WAN and Link Aggregation
Universal setting backup and restoration
Fast network-attached storage speed when coupled with an external drive.
Merlin firmware support
Cons
No multi-gig network port
Buggy firmware (at review)
Which to get
In many ways, the RT-AX88U is better than the Wi-Fi 5 counterpart. But it’s also much more expensive while sharing the same feature set.
So if you’re still having a lot of Wi-Fi 5 and legacy clients, the RT-AC88 is a better choice. Put the Merlin firmware on it, and you’ll be amazed by what it has to offer.
And then, when you’re ready to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6, keep it. It’ll still work great as an AiMesh node, especially if you have wired your home with network cables.
The RT-AX88U is also a great router. But unfortunately, the lack of multi-gig network ports means you won’t almost see its full potential. For that reason, you should consider the more affordable yet multi-gig-ready RT-AX86U instead.
Looking for more Wi-Fi solution matchups? Check them all out here.
My ISP supplied 802.11ac modem/router only achieves 866Mb/s (raw) to my Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 card. I want to upgrade the router to get >= 1766Mb/s, and am looking at both the Asus RT-AC86U/AC88U & the Asus RT-AX92U. I understand that 802.11ac supports 160MHz bands, but am unsure if the combination of AX210 + AC86U/AC88U will do so?
You won’t ever get sustained speeds over 1.5Gbps out of any existing Wi-Fi 6/E adapter, Trevor. It’s called Gig+ for a reason. So no combo will give you that. Also, you need routers with Multi-Gig ports, else the speed caps at 1Gbps.
Hi Dong, thanks for the quick response – perhaps I’m not expressing myself correctly.
I appreciate that the speeds I am referring to are the ‘theoretical maximum’ or connection speeds that you quote in your router reviews (i.e. 866.7Mbps for 256-QAM, 2×2, 80MHz chnl width), & that applications often only see 1/3-1/2 of these in reality. I want to use the 160MHz chnl width to increase my (th. max) throughput to 1733Mbps, & if using wifi6 then also 1024-QAM modulation for further gains (to c 2400?).
To support this my NAS & workstation connect using 10GbE, and link agregation would allow the WiFi router to connect at 2Gbps (probably using a Netgear GS110MX 8-Port Gigabit Switch w/ 2x 10GbE Ports).
So I guess my question boils down to the issue of whether a wifi 5 router (i.e. AC86U/AC88U) can support a (2×2) link with 160MHz channel bonding to the AX210 card? I know that wifi 6 can, but wi-fi 5 support seems difficult to determine. Sorry if you’ve already answered this somewhere, I’m reading you’re excellent posts as fast as I can!
You’re making assumptions and picking and choosing the specs of the hardware. For example, the router is 4×4 so you need a 4×4 Wi-Fi 5 adapter to get the speed the specs suggest. The Intel card is 2×2. That’s just one example.
Hi Dong – the pitfall of my incomplete understanding of this technology is that I’m forced to make certain assumptions (based on reviews and specification documents), which I’m attempting to verify here.
For example – the assumption you refer to above comes directly from your review of the RT-AX92U, (https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax92u-review/) where you state “Specifically, as a single router, current 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 clients can expect to connect at 2.4Gbps..”.
I was hoping you’d be able to help but I’m sorry to see I’m unable to get an answer to my basic question of whether a wi-fi 5 router (AC86U/AC88U) supports 160MHz channel bonding here. Thanks anyway for your reviews, they’ve been very helpful.
I understand, Trevor. Paying attention is the key. I spelled out “Wi-Fi 6” for a reason since that router also has a Wi-Fi 5 band.
Hi Dong,
I’m considering getting a AX88U since I’m upgrading to a 1Ghz internet. I am not 100% since I’ve seen other posts where you recommend the AX86U instead. AX86U is not in stock and is a bit cheaper than the AX88U here in Australia, but AX88U is available if I buy it now. Should I wait and buy the AX86U or that won’t make any difference?
Ps:. local file transfer via wireless is not a requirement. Wi-fi range and speeds are priority.
If you want full 1Gbps Internet then you need the RT-AX86U, Charles. But if you can live with slightly lower than that, the RT-AX88U will work out just fine. More in this post.
Hi Dong,
I’m having a hard time deciding between the ax88u and ac88u at a 100$ difference.
I was pretty well set on the ac88u largely because of I read about how much you liked it 🙂 and don’t think I need wifi 6 just yet but I’m hesitant now after realizing it’s a 6 year old model. Do you think it’s possible Asus and/or Merlin stop supporting the ac88u anytime soon?
Apart from longer software support the only other benefit I could think of with the ax88u is possibly better Synology nas speed due to the cpu/ram bump and maybe wifi 5 devices battery life improvements due to wifi 6 efficiency. What do you think?
Thanks for all the great articles.
The NAS speeds mentioned are not of a NAS server but the routers’ USB ports when hosting a portable drive, Chris. I’d go with the AC88U. It’ll last you for years to come.
AC88U wifi coverage range better than AX88U? I’m trying to determine which one of these have better WiFi range before making a purchase.
No, they are about the same, Lee. If anything, the AX88U is better.
At > $450 and limited standardization (at this point) among clients, AXE still seems to be a pipe dream. I’m considering a move from the AC88U to the AX88U for $250 RN on Amazon.
Good call!
In your hardware specification chart on the Wi-Fi Compatibility line, it indicates that both routers support 802.11ax…is this true? Also, the link aggregation of Lan 1 & Lan 2 are dynamic (LACP) and might not work if someone wants to connect to a device that uses static link aggregation only.
Yes, Bill. Wi-Fi standards are generally backward-compatible so old hardware is forward-compatible. More here. And no, the chart can’t hold ALL the details, which are where the devil is in.
asus RT-AX88U router will it aFFect a new smart TV with AC {802.11ac} wi-fi
No, Ron. More here.
Although there are only currently 2×2 WiFi 6 clients, which makes testing their throughput limited, there’s another way to test the peak WiFi 6 capability of WiFi 6 routers.
What to do is to use two WiFi 6 routers, and one of them in router mode and the other one repeater/client/media-bridge mode. So one router transmits and the other one receives. Assuming both routers have a multi gig port, you can connect computers to the multi gig ports and test lan transfers. I did exactly this, one WiFi 6 router in the main room, and the other one about 50 feet away. Using 80 MHz channels, the routers connect to each other at 2.4 Gbps. And iperf3 shows a cool 1.6 to 1.7 gbps transfer speed which is pretty damn good. No need to run a wire, although performance would be better (on wireless clients of the repeater if it has dual 5 GHz radios… just use one for backhaul).
I tried using 160 MHz channels to test but that was a disaster. One router detects radar on the upper 160 MHz channel (the other one doesn’t detect any radar) and then when I use the lower 160 MHz channel the situation is reversed. So I had to stick to 80 MHz. But 1.7 gbps on 80 MHz isn’t too bad at all.
You can do the same thing using multiple 2×2 clients at the same time and adding the numbers up, Joey. I do that for some of my reviews. The issue is the repeatability of the tests which allows you to apply to all routers so that a fair comparison is valid.