🛒
ASUS just recently quietly made available the ZenWiFi BD4 to presumably rival the TP-Link BE3600 (which is a stripped-down version of the Deco BE25), at least in terms of cost.
At $129.99 per single router or $299.9 for a 3-pack, it’s one of the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 systems on the market. And like the Deco counterpart, it’s inexpensive for a reason.
This brief take will help you understand what to expect from this new Wi-Fi system and when to consider it. CES 2025 is around the corner, and there will soon be a lot more to take in, but for now, the gist is that the ZenWiFi BD4 is basically the dual-band version of the higher-grade full-band ZenWiFi sets, such as the BT8 or BT10.
ASUS ZenWiFi BD4: The bare-minimum Wi-Fi 7 ZenWiFi
Like the case of the TP-Link BE3600 (a.k.a Deco BE23), the ZenWiFi BD4 is minimal in Wi-Fi 7 specs. With a total theoretical bandwidth of 3600Mbps, it’s actually less than many Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E sets. The ZenWiFi XT8 and ET8, for example, each have 6600Mbps of total Wi-Fi bandwidth.
First dual-band Wi-Fi 7 ZenWiFi
The low bandwidth results from the fact that the BD4 has only two bands—5GHz and 2.4GHz—instead of three, unlike the BT8 or BT10. Additionally, its Wi-Fi hardware also has entry-level specs.
If you’re curious, per ASUS’s naming convention, “BD4” means the hardware features dual-band Wi-Fi 7 with four streams in total. The cabinet below will give you more details.
ZenWiFi naming convention
Asus has a good selection of ZenWiFi models, such as CT8, XT8, XD4, ET8, XT12, ET12, BQ16, etc.
Dissecting the ZenWiFi model names
These model names include two letters and a number. Here is what they mean.
- The first letter indicates the Wi-Fi standard:
- The second letter indicates the number of Wi-Fi bands:
- D means dual-band—each hardware unit has two Wi-Fi bands.
- T means tri-band. This is for a system where each hardware unit has three Wi-Fi frequency bands.
- Q means quad-band, indicating that the hardware features four Wi-Fi bands, with either 5GHz or 6GHz band split into two sub-bands.
- The last digit indicates the number of Wi-Fi streams each broadcaster has.
An example: The ZenWiFi ET8 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E system, with each hardware unit having eight streams (including a quad-stream (4×4) 6GHz band, a dual-stream (2×2) 5GHz band, and a 2×2 2.4GHz band).
By now, this sans-6GHz approach has become familiar. There has been a lot of dual-band Wi-Fi 7 hardware, including ASUS’s RT-BE88U or RT-BE86U routers. However, this is the first ZenWiFi set that has gone dual-band, and chances are it won’t be the last.
Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 is a testament to the fact that the 6GHz band is complicated. The cabinet below includes some details about how this band is being adopted around the world.
How the 6GHz band is regulated around the world
The 6GHz band has a total width of 1200 MHz, ranging from 5.925 MHz to 7.125 MHz, and is divided into 59 channels of 20 MHz each. These channels are grouped to create “sub-bands,” which also vary from one region to another.
In the U.S., the FCC has designated four sub-bands across the entire 6GHz spectrum, including UNII-5, UNII-6, UNII-7, and UNII-8, for Wi-Fi use, though portions of the band may be reserved for other applications.
The E.U. Commission allows only the UNII-5 equivalent part of the frequency for Wi-Fi use, which is 480 MHz in width from 5925 MHz to 6425 MHz. Some other parts of the world are somewhere in between, with the UNII-5 portion adopted and the rest being considered. In the rest, this band may not even be available for Wi-Fi at all.
Generally, Wi-Fi 6E needs a 160MHz channel to deliver the best performance, and Wi-Fi 7 requires double that, 320MHz. Due to spectrum availability and other reasons, real-world hardware tends to use narrower channels in most cases.
Overall, the use of the 6GHz frequency is complicated and is the main reason a Wi-Fi broadcaster made for one region might not work in another.
The table below shows its current adoption worldwide. The “Considering” portion is generally slated to be finalized eventually, though that varies from one region to another.
| Country | Adopted Spectrum |
|---|---|
| United States | 5925-7125 MHz (entire band including UNII5, UNII-6, UNII-7, and UNII-8) |
| Albania | 5945-6425 MHz (UNII-5) |
| Andorra | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Argentina | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Australia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Austria | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Azerbaijan | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Bahrain | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Bangladesh | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Belarus | 5945-6425 MHz |
| 5945-6425 MHz | |
| Belgium | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Brazil | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Bulgaria | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Burkina Faso | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Canada | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Chile | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Colombia | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Costa Rica | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Croatia | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Cyprus | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Czech Republic | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Denmark | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Dominican Republic | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Egypt | 5925-6425 MHz |
| El Salvador | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Estonia | 5945-6425 MHz |
| European Union | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Faroe Islands | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Finland | 5945-6425 MHz |
| France | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Georgia | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Germany | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Gibraltar | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Greece | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Guatemala | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Honduras | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Hong Kong | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Hungary | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Iceland | 5945-6425 MHz |
| India | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Ireland | 5945-6425 MHz 6425-7125 MHz |
| Isle of Man | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Italy | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Japan | 5925-6425 MHz 6425-7125 MHz |
| Jordan | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Kazakhstan | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Kenya | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Latvia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Liechtenstein | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Lithuania | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Luxembourg | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Macao | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Macedonia | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Malaysia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Malta | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Mauritius | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Mexico | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Moldova | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Monaco | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Montenegro | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Morocco | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Namibia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Netherlands | 5945-6425 MHz 6425-7125 MHz |
| New Zealand | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Norway | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Pakistan | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Paraguay | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Peru | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Philippines | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Poland | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Portugal | 5945-6425 MHz 6425-7125 MHz |
| Qatar | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Romania | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Russian Federation | 5925-6425 MHz |
| San Marino | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Saudi Arabia | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Singapore | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Slovakia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Slovenia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| South Africa | 5925-6425 MHz |
| South Korea | 5925-7125 MHz |
| Spain | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Sweden | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Switzerland | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Thailand | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Togo | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Tunisia | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Turkey | 5925-6425 MHz |
| Ukraine | 5925-6425 MHz |
| United Arab Emirates | 5925-6425 MHz |
| United Kingdom | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Holy See (Vatican City State) | 5945-6425 MHz |
| Vietnam | 5945-6425 MHz |
Compact design, only two ports
The ZenWiFi BD4 shares the same design as previous Wi-Fi 7 hardware in the family but is significantly smaller. In return, it has only two auto-sensing network ports, both of which are 2.5Gbps, making it similar to the dual-band Deco sets.
Considering the entry-level Wi-Fi specs, which generally have Gig+ real-world sustained rates, these low-end Multi-Gig ports make sense. The table below shows how the ZenWiFi BD4 is stacked up against the dual-band Decos.
Hardware specifications: ASUS ZenWiFi BD4 vs. TP-Link BE3600 vs. TP-Link Deco BE25
| ASUS ZenWiFi BD4 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | TP-Link BE3600 DecoBE23 Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | TP-Link Deco BE25 BE5000 Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Model | ZenWiFi BD4 | Deco BE23, TP-Link BE3600, Deco WB10800 | Deco BE25, Deco BE5000 |
| Pre-Synced Hardware | Yes | ||
| Possible Dedicated Backhaul Band (default) | None | ||
| Wired Backhaul | Yes | ||
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 5.51 x 2.76 x 5.51 in (140 x 70 x 140 mm) | 5.91 × 5.91 × 2.44 in (150 × 150 × 62 mm) | |
| Weight | 1.21 lbs (549 gram) | 1.12 lbs (508 gram) | |
| Processing Power | Quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 128MB Flash | undisclosed | |
| Wi-Fi Bandwith | Dual-band BE3600 | Dual-band BE5000 | |
| 1st Band (2.4GHz) | 2×2 BE: Up to 688Mbps (20/40MHz) | ||
| 2nd Band (5GHz) | 2×2 BE: Up to 2882Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 2×2 BE: Up to 4324Mbps (20/40/80/160/240MHz) | |
| Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) | N/A (only applicable to the 6GHz band) | ||
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | Yes | ||
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11ax/ac/n/g/a/b | ||
| Guest Network | Smart Home Master via ASUSWRT 5.0 | Yes (one SSID assigned to one or both bands) | |
| IoT Network | Smart Home Master via ASUSWRT 5.0 | Yes (one SSID assigned to one or both bands) | |
| Mobile App | ASUS Router | Deco | |
| Web User Interface | Comprehensive | Simple (status only, no local management) | |
| AP Mode | Yes (as a router or a mesh) | ||
| USB Port | None | ||
| Gigabit Port | None | 2x Auto-Sensing | None |
| Multi-Gig Port | 2x 2.5Gbps Auto-Sensing | None | 2x 2.5Gbps Auto-Sensing |
| Dual-WAN and Link Aggregation | No | ||
| Firmware Version (at review) | Not yet tested | 1.0.13 Build 20241108 Rel. 48139 | |
| U.S. Release Date | December 2024 | November 19, 2024 | |
| Power Specs | Input: 100-240V Output: 12V 1.5A | Input: 100-240V Output: 12V 0.8A | |
| Real-World Power Consumption (per 24 hours) | TBD | ≈ 195 Wh (router) ≈ 135 Wh (satellite) | |
| U.S. Launch Price | $299.99 (3-pack) $229.99 (2-pack) $129.99 (single router) (buy now!) | $199.99 (3-pack) (buy now!) | $299.99 (3-pack) $199.99 (2-pack) $129.99 (single router) (buy now!) |
A familiar ZenWiFi system
Despite the dual-band specs and low-performance grade, the BD4 remains a variant of the ZenWiFi family. As a result, you can expect it to be similar to, if not the same, the rest of the family in terms of hardware configurations, network settings, and features applicable to its hardware specs and ports. Specifically, it’ll have:
- The MLO feature: The hardware comes with MLO out of the box. In fact, by default, it’ll use an MLO link as the wireless backhaul, a.k.a. “Smart Haul”.
- Pre-synced hardware: When you get a pack, the identical hardware units are pre-synced. As a result, all you need to do is pick one unit to set up as the primary router—one likely has a removable label suggesting that it’s the “Main Unit”, though you can pick any—and the rest will be part of the system when plugged in.
- ASUSWRT 5.0 firmware and core features:
- Multiple SSIDs via the “Smart Home Master” feature.
- Safe Browsing with DNS filters via specific servers.
- Useful Parental Controls and advanced VPN feature set, which includes VPN Fusion and Instant Guard.
- Advanced QoS and online protection (via AiProtection) to keep your network and devices safe.
- A comprehensive set of network settings and features managed via the web user interface or the (optional) ASUS Router mobile app that requires no login account or subscription.
If you’ve used an ASUS router before, the new ZenWiFi BD4 will be a familiar experience. And like most ASUS hardware I’ve tested, chances are you can even load the setting backup files of other ASUS routers onto it, making it an easy replacement.
In terms of performance, you clearly won’t get more than 2.5Gbps out of the hardware due to its port. That said, generally, you can have Gig+ Wi-Fi performance out of it, making it a reasonable system for those with Gigabit broadband. Finally, like all dual-band systems, it’s best to use it in a home already wired with network cables since you’ll get the best performance via wired backhauling.
ASUS ZenWiFi BD4's PRELIMINARY Assessment
Pros
Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 with two 2.5Gbps ports; affordable
ASUSWRT 5.0 has lots of customizations and free-for-life high-end features (VPN, Parental Controls, Online Protection, Smart Home Master, etc.).
Robust web user interface and helpful optional mobile app; easy-to-blend-in design
Compact with no internal fan
Cons
Only two network ports; entry-level hardware specs
Not wall-mount-ready
The takeaway
Considering the Deco BE25 (and its variants), the new ZenWiFi BTD 4 is an eventual development from ASUS. Chances are you’ll find a few other variants in the near future. While the new hardware is not earth-shattering, it has enough to deliver Gigabit-class real-world performance, especially when used in a wired home. That, plus the comprehensive set of features known among ASUS’s ZenWiFi hardware, will make it a formidable contender among the dua-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh crowd.
There’s more to come, but if you’re in the market for Wi-Fi 7 that won’t dig a hole in your wallet, consider a set today!
Hi Dong,
Thanks for the review and keep up the great work your are doing!
I need a cheap AImesh node for my main router RT-BE86U.
I have a separated vlan (sdn) (192.168.53.xxx) for the IOT devices and some scripting in the jffs partition for all to work.
I have some devices with low wifi signal in the garage, so i was wondering if adding a BD4 node i can sync the IOT vlan (sdn), in context of guest network Pro (if it supports it).
I´m planning using a wireless backhaul, because i just need to connect this devices and they don´t use much bandwidth.
I tried adding and old RT AC86U (not WRT 5.0) has a node and it didn´t sync the IOT vlan.
Thanks
For a wireless setup, you need multiple RT-BE86U units, Tiago. More here.
Thanks for your answer.
My second choice was to buy a RT BE92U , it´s cheaper.
It’s more expensive if you need two units. A single RT-BE92U doesn’t have the same Wi-Fi coverage as a 2-pack ZenWiFi set.
Getting my first mesh system and considering this. We are a family of 6 with young children, but with all the smart home items these days, we have currently 67 devices connected to our Wi-Fi.
We only get 1gig inbound, and nothing we do demands a ton of bandwidth. Mainly just a couple of TV’s, XBOX, etc. My PC is wired to a switch.
Do you feel these units can handle that many connections reliably?
That depends on what type of devices you have, Spencer. If most of them are Wi-Fi 5 or older, you’ll need to set up the SSID accordingly, etc. So there’s no simple answer to that question, but if you pay attention and set things up properly, it’ll work well. Good luck!
Dong, thank you very for this review and in general for all the content you have here, really top-class material.
Meanwhile, I’d like to ask your help/advise on something. Currently I’m trying to choose a good and solid mesh system, capable of delivering speed and with good coverage. I have a 1Gbps service and I’m thinking on buying a system with 2 devices and although I want be prepared for the future (most of my main devices are already compatible with wifi 6e) I don’t want to spent much more than 250 euros.
Currently I’m divided between the ZenWifi BD4 (155 euros) and the Deco XE75 (230 euros). What would you recommend for me? As I can’t have a LAN Backhaul, probably the Deco, using the 6GHz channel for backhauling am I correct? or would you advise me any different?
Kind regards,
Miguel Roberto
You can’t count on the 6GHz band as backhaul, Miguel. I’d go with the BD4 and running a network cable to link the units.
Hi Dong, Currently on an extended garden leave sponsored by my employer before early retirement I have a lot of time on my head, which to a large degree I spent reading.your great articles and reviews. Thank you in first place for your work and also making all these topics more approachable. Spending more time in my house I now feel like something could be improved, first looking at our WIFI at home. While my son wondered why I am browsing product pages and reviews about routers and mesh systems, because he considers our WIFI good, I am bugged by the low security standard in our solution (WPA), which my iPhone nags me about, and sometimes it takes time until my devices connect. Currently we have Airport Extreme (6th generation, i.e. AC) in the basement and ground floor (as your call it in Germany) and two Airport Extreme 5th generation (N) in the first floor in two different rooms, since with one the signal is not good enough in the opposite room. All configured in bridge mode with wired connection to our DSL router. Would you recommend the BD4 set of 3, one for each floor, as a reasonable update to our Apple Airport setup? We mostly use Apple devices in the house, TV and Playstation are anyway wired through one of the Airports. Ethernet from Router to switch and wiring supports 1GB. Looking forward for your valuable feedback. Best regards Lukas
Thanks for the kinds words, Lukas, and congrats on the early retirement!
It’s impossible for me to answer your questions since I’ve never been to your place. If I were you, though, I’d use the ZenWiFi XD5 (you can get a 2-pack or a 3-pack depending on the coverage need). It’ll be a great upgrade to your current system and Wi-Fi 6 is currently the best standard to get and it will be applicable for years to come.
Good luck!
Hi Dong,
Thanks for your fast reply. The XD5 was also in my consideration, I just tended to the BD4 because it would only cost me one latte more here (256 vs. 252 Euro for the 3-pack) and spec wise (based on Asus’ webpage) they seemed to be very similar, with the BD4 offering Wifi 7 on top. But I also agree with your take on sticking to proven and reliable technology. Then I would probably go with a XD6S (2-pack for 177 Euro) and extend it eventually as needed by another node. Your review of the XD6 sounded more excited and the XD6S only lacks the additional LAN ports, memory of the XD6S is equal to the XD5.
Keep the great work and take care
Lukas
The XD6(S) will do, too. I recommend Wi-Fi 6 because you’re using apple products of which the new ones are generally behind in Wi-Fi support and the old ones simply don’t work with broadcasters the latest Wi-Fi standard. So, among those you mentioned, I’d say get the most affordable. They are all likely the same in real-world usage in your case anyway.
👍
Hi Dong,
do you plan to review the BD4 outdoor unit? Is this the online outdoor unit Asus is selling?
Thank you and greetings from the other side of the pond 🙂
Both the BD4 and BD5 have outdoor variants, Claudio. I haven’t reviewed any but if I do, I’d just pick one since they are similar. We’ll see.
Hi! Just wanted to say thank you for the information and all the comments and answers below. I know nothing about this stuff and still felt like I’ve got great deal of knowledge about it all and could keep up somehow. So yeah thank you.
Would you say this a good deal for a standard router setup, when compared to something like the Asus RT-AX52 (when similarly priced)?
It’ll work as a standalone router, Ila. Good deal or not is subjective. 🙂
Indeed regional pricing & discounts vary drastically. The RT-AX52 is half the price of BD4 in other places, but similarly priced here. Thank you for the response.
I recently got the ASUS RT-BE92u, but ended up moving to a new house, which is much bigger and the router cannot cover the whole house. So I am looking into an AiMesh setup.
My question is, do I sell my RT-BE92u, and get a full mesh setup out of the box, or can I pair my router with 2 or 3 pack of ZenWiFi BD4? Will it work well? It will have to be a wireless backhaul, since wiring is out of the question.
You can get one or two more units of teh RT-BE92U. If not get the ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro, a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 set, or a UNII4-enabled Wi-Fi 6 set, like one of these. If you like the RT-BE92U, the ZenWiFi BD4 or any dual-band set won’t cut it unless you have wired backhauling. Good luck!
What would be the more value option in your opinion? I’m not exactly a power user, and don’t wanna spend 800€+ on a wifi setup.
Thank you so much for your reply tho! Appreciate the food for thought.
Then get one of those UNII-4 Wi-Fi 6 options I mentioned, Rafa. It’s now the best time go buy Wi-Fi 6 hardware.
Looks super interesting for a basic 2 or 3-node setup combined with a 2.5g switch and NAS. Price is very tempting to pick up and experiment with myself.
Assuming there are plans for a more in-depth review to come?
Yes, Robert. Either this one or the BD5, which is similar. I’d say your assessment is correct and it’s safe to get it. Good luck!
Amazon just dropped the 2-pack down to $199.99 and the 3-pack to $269.99. I was considering going a completely different route, but dangit, for $200, a set of 2 of these would sure make things a bit simpler…
Is it possible to use Ethernet backhaul for my Asus mesh system through an unmanaged switch while also connecting other Ethernet devices to the same switch? Specifically, one port of the mesh node is used for WAN, and the other available port should connect to a switch that allows multiple devices and another satellite mesh node via Ethernet backhaul. Would this setup work?
Unsure what node you’re taking about, this post will help. Check out the related links, too.
Thanks, Dong.
I asked about using Asus BD4 with Ethernet backhaul via a switch since it has only two 2.5G ports. One is for WAN, leaving only one for LAN devices and another BD4 satellite unit.
Yes you can use a switch. The previously linked post will explain more in detail. Give it a good read!
Thank you again. Much appreciated!
Has anyone seen the BD4 outdoor version in the wild? I can see adverts but no offers for sale….
More info on that one will be available at CES.
Thank Dong. I have a CD6 x 3 units in a modest 3 bedroom home (UK). Works well for us. However, I’ve just noticed about a week ago that it’s end of life re support. A lot of of UK companies are still selling this as if it current!
I was thinking could I “front end” with a unit like this and benefit from updated security, whilst keeping the CD6 satellites. Our browsing needs are modest.
Many thanks for any advice as I always enjoy and respect your insight.
I’d not worry about “end of life”, Ray. The current hardware should still work for a long time. If you are still concerned, get a Wi-fi 6 AiMesh router as the primary unit. Mixing 7 and 5 is not a good idea.
Thank you Dong. A very helpful reply 😊.
👍
Hey Dong,
Been a long time fan since the old CNET days and am always happy to hear your thoughts on equipment.
Thanks for the honest and practical advice, as it’s saved me a lot in helping avoid succumbing to the FOMO over WiFi 7 (especially when my home network has been running smoothly for the past 2-3 years and prices will inevitably come down).
👍
I’ve been looking at the BD5 which is sold through Best Buy. I’ve was hoping you’d do a review and as usually it helped me make the decision. According to Asus website they have the same specs except the BD5 has BE5000 performance of 688+4323 Mbps. They are only $50 more. I’m going to use them with BE88U to extend around the house via wired backhaul. This is an upgrade to my AX86U and XD4s which I’ve had good luck with for a few years.
Your observation is correct, Jeremy. The BD5 is more like the Deco BE25 than the BD4 which is more like the Deco BE23 (not yet announced but a BE3600 grade). It seems Asus won’t officially announce the BD5 until CES.
I get so lost here. Why is this 5000 one offered with advertised speeds surpassing the 2.5g port ability? What am I missing as to how this is relevant or why this would be worthwhile versus the WAN capability?
That’s why it’s called “advertized” speed, Rory. More here.
Not sure if you’re able to say but, which in your opinion is the “bang for buck” for Gig+ service between these (sale prices): BE63/65 ($450), this BD4 ($300), BE25 ($250), X55 Pro ($190). I bought the 3 Decos on Amazon (yet to arrive) in a panic before deals expired… and now an affordable Asus. Please help an indecisive consumer!
I’d take the BD4 over the BE63 and the X55 pro over the BE25. So the X55 Pro is the best b4b by far in terms of connectivity. But Asus has *much* more in features, all free. So, it’s your call. Make sure you read the reviews for the little details.
I have 3 x ET12 (one ET12 as the router) and 7 x XD4 in my apartment as all the walls are constructed with concrete blocks. All have the latest firmware with AsusWRT 4.0
In 2025 Asus will be upgrading the ET12 to Asus WRT 5.0 but not the XD4. Will WRT 5.0 and WRT 4.0 work together or will I have to eventually replace the XD4s (with Wi-Fi 7 devices such as the BD4)? I was looking forward to the IOT Network, but I imagine this won’t work?
Yes, the two versions generally work with each other. But mixing hardware is always tricky.
Do you have insight if XD6 will get Asus WRT 5.0.
I too suffer from concrete blocks, XD6 two deices unable to service 50sq.m (duplex 100sq.m) unit.
Likely not, Yasin. But i don’t know fo sure. In any case, AsusWRT 5.0 won’t help with range. Run a netwok cable.
Yes, sure I will add new nodes (asuswrt 5.0) for coverage.
Having asuswrt 5.0 could help old nodes as backup WAN links and extend same parental/security feature of new nodes.
👍
Added EBR63 as node to existing XD6.
I don’t really see the point of these as compared to WiFi 6E units. What advantages does WiFi 7 offer on such hardware?
Close to nothing if you compare to Wi-Fi 6e. But all Wi-Fi 6e hardware of the same price point doesn’t have two Multi-Gig ports.
Can this handle up to 60+ connections with TV/game streaming? I’ve been using ZenWiFi 8 AX for the past few years without any issues with dropping. Thanks!
It’s impossible to tell, David, but if the XT 8 is working well, I’d recommend not replacing it just yet. That’s generally the case with all things Wi-Fi.
With this system does it include the Router and then 2 satellite or do I have to purchase a router separately?
ZenWiFi generally includes identical units, Devon, they are all mesh routers, as mentioned in the post. So you get 3-pack or 2-pack according to your needs…
You can also add any AiMesh-ready router to the mix.