![]() The only real downside of the RT-AX1800S is that it doesn't support the WPA3 security standard, a feature you often find on more expensive Wi-Fi 6 routers. And with a quick firmware update, you can also easily link up two or more routers for wider network coverage using AiMesh. On the back, you'll find a gigabit WAN port and four gigabit LAN ports for any devices that require a wired connection. The router is relatively understated in design, although you still get four adjustable antennae to help direct signal where needed. That makes the network more stable and less prone to fluctuation, which is essential for a good online gaming experience. It also supports OFDMA and 1024-QAM, Wi-Fi 6 technologies that intelligently allocate bandwidth based on the application. Nonetheless, Adaptive QoS does help overcome the lack of MI-MIMO, so it's still a helpful feature to have, even if it can't be utilized fully.įirstly, there's MU-MIMO, which allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, reducing bandwidth bottlenecks. Since it's adaptive, it doesn't need your input beyond enabling it, although it's certainly puzzling why they would include Adaptive QoS and not pair it with MI-MIMO. It also supports AiMesh in case you want to do a mesh upgrade to your system at some point down the line, although keep in mind it only works with other ASUS devices that support AiMesh.Īnother interesting feature is something that ASUS calls Adaptive QoS, which is essentially their take on QoS that allows the speed to be assigned based on the priority of what you are doing, such as gaming or streaming a movie. For example, the whole thing can be controlled through your phone or web client if you prefer, and it even has a built-in network protection suite from Trend Micro. On the bright side, the RT-AC66U B1 has some pretty great administrative controls that are both easy-to-use and pretty granular. ![]() Sadly, it is missing out on MI-MIMO technology, so you might get some performance and latency hits if you're planning to connect several devices. What's probably helping with the speed is the supported beamforming, which boosts performance. Finally, it also has support for MU-MIMO, which means you can connect to several devices simultaneously without experiencing weird latency or lag. The AX55 also has support for Wi-Fi 6, which lets it reach such high speeds, even at a range of 40 feet. Unfortunately, you do lose the external memory slot that the AX50 came with, but it's definitely worth what you get in return.Īs for general connectivity, you have the same four-gigabit ethernet ports in the back, four nice big antennas with beamforming, and a USB 3.0 port. Other additions are denial-of-service (DoS) protection through Homeshield as well as DNS relay. You also get OneMesh support, which means that you can pair it with routers and Wi-Fi extenders that support TP-Link's standard. The most important new addition is the support for WPA3, which is excellent for security. Interestingly, though, the AX55 swaps out the internal Intel chip for a Qualcomm one, which, while operating within a smaller frequency, manages to be much more stable as a result.Īs for features, you'll find everything in the previous iteration and then some. Going from 600Mbps to 700Mbps might not seem like much, but that extra 100Mbps might give you a bit of a longer range to work with.įirst, in terms of real-world speed, 5GHz can hit 500Mbps at around 40 feet, whereas 2.4GHz is likely to only get you around 100Mbps at the same distance. It will make a difference if you can get a slightly better router or speeds by spending an extra $10 or $15. ![]() One thing we will suggest is to try and push your budget as much as you can. Another is Quality of Service (QoS), which allows you to set bandwidth priorities for different devices and is incredibly useful in a busy household.Īlternatively, if you have a single gaming PC or 4k TV, then Wi-Fi 6 and beamforming technology can help reach speeds and stability that serve both those needs. While there's certainly a lot of overlap with non-budget routers, having a good understanding of what features are necessary and what features are "nice to haves" will ultimately dictate how much you will save.įor example, if you plan to connect many devices to your router, then MU-MIMO is a core feature you'll want to have. The name of the game when it comes to picking a budget wireless router is balancing cost against features. What to Look For in a Budget Wi-Fi Router in 2023
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