(Start 9/15)ASUS RT-AX3000 Dual Band WiFi Router, WiFi 6, 802.11ax, Lifetime Internet Security, support AiMesh Whole-home WiFi, 4 x 1Gb LAN ports w/ Free Shipping $149.99

I bought this a few months ago at Micro Center for $130. I suppose the chip shortage maybe keeping prices up. The router has been solid, I use it as the root node of an AiMesh setup with 3 rt-ac68u nodes. No complaints.

I have an AX-RT86U with an RT-AC68U and RT-AC86U as nodes and I have the same issues with handoff. Otherwise pretty solid, but if I'm moving around it's helpful to turn wifi off and then on to find a closer node.

you've been happy with aimesh? I have had one root and 3 68u nodes and it never worked as I would expect with hand-off, etc.

I have an AX-RT86U with an RT-AC68U and RT-AC86U as nodes and I have the same issues with handoff. Otherwise pretty solid, but if I'm moving around it's helpful to turn wifi off and then on to find a closer node.

Skip this model and buy the AX68U. You'll thank me later if you favor range and decent hardware for the cash.

AX3000 has a low end SoC tied to a decent 5G radio thats been nerfed down to 2x4 config on 5G. This same PCB or a variant of it is used for the AX82U in full 4x4 radio config for 5G. Also cost a ridiculous price that makes zero sense, other than having inflated marketing numbers.

The only benefit you get here on the AX3000 is that 160mhz bandwidth/DFS (inflating spec, surprise!), but it's completely pointless over 15 feet range... Also forces the radio into a lower spectrum which is mostly crowded these days, at least in NA. Higher spectrum/channels wont support it.

The 3x3 Radio in the 68U is newer and performs much better range wise. The main processor is also an A53 and not the crap A7 SoC they use for lower end products.

Some idiot is going to complain about the AX68U not having a "triple core" processor, but they're literally the same config. AX68U is 2 core main cpu (1.8ghz.. faster A53) + 2 Radio cores for 2.4 and 5G (1.5GHZ A7). AX3000/58U is a 3 + 1 design SoC + 5G radio (all 1.5 GHZ A7). 2.4G is on the main chip/soc, but BCM spec sheets make marketing write stupid shit.

This isn't a deal, it's ASUS and alt brands abusing customers cus marketing number goo brrr.


I mean if you're going to turn down this @ 159.99, you're a monkey.

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-WiFi-...Q2YKT?th=1

It's legit an AC86U with a better 2.4G (AX support and faster radio processor) and slightly worse 5G in terms of overall performance. Same main 4096 A53 processor. Dual core variant of the 4098 "quad core" used in top end broadcom products.


Now don't be stupid, I'm literally saving your ass cus I know too much about router hardware.

Skip this model and buy the AX68U. You'll thank me later if you favor range and decent hardware for the cash.

AX3000 has a low end SoC tied to a decent 5G radio thats been nerfed down to 2x4 config on 5G. This same PCB or a variant of it is used for the AX82U in full 4x4 radio config for 5G. Also cost a ridiculous price that makes zero sense, other than having inflated marketing numbers.

The only benefit you get here on the AX3000 is that 160mhz bandwidth/DFS (inflating spec, surprise!), but it's completely pointless over 15 feet range... Also forces the radio into a lower spectrum which is mostly crowded these days, at least in NA. Higher spectrum/channels wont support it.

The 3x3 Radio in the 68U is newer and performs much better range wise. The main processor is also an A53 and not the crap A7 SoC they use for lower end products.

Some idiot is going to complain about the AX68U not having a "triple core" processor, but they're literally the same config. AX68U is 2 core main cpu (1.8ghz.. faster A53) + 2 Radio cores for 2.4 and 5G (1.5GHZ A7). AX3000/58U is a 3 + 1 design SoC + 5G radio (all 1.5 GHZ A7). 2.4G is on the main chip/soc, but BCM spec sheets make marketing write stupid shit.

This isn't a deal, it's ASUS and alt brands abusing customers cus marketing number goo brrr.


I mean if you're going to turn down this @ 159.99, you're a monkey.

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-WiFi-...Q2YKT?th=1 [amazon.com]

It's legit an AC86U with a better 2.4G (AX support and faster radio processor) and slightly worse 5G in terms of overall performance. Same main 4096 A53 processor. Dual core variant of the 4098 "quad core" used in top end broadcom products.


Now don't be stupid, I'm literally saving your ass cus I know too much about router hardware.

Skip this model and buy the AX68U. You'll thank me later if you favor range and decent hardware for the cash.

AX3000 has a low end SoC tied to a decent 5G radio thats been nerfed down to 2x4 config on 5G. This same PCB or a variant of it is used for the AX82U in full 4x4 radio config for 5G. Also cost a ridiculous price that makes zero sense, other than having inflated marketing numbers.

The only benefit you get here on the AX3000 is that 160mhz bandwidth/DFS (inflating spec, surprise!), but it's completely pointless over 15 feet range... Also forces the radio into a lower spectrum which is mostly crowded these days, at least in NA. Higher spectrum/channels wont support it.

The 3x3 Radio in the 68U is newer and performs much better range wise. The main processor is also an A53 and not the crap A7 SoC they use for lower end products.

Some idiot is going to complain about the AX68U not having a "triple core" processor, but they're literally the same config. AX68U is 2 core main cpu (1.8ghz.. faster A53) + 2 Radio cores for 2.4 and 5G (1.5GHZ A7). AX3000/58U is a 3 + 1 design SoC + 5G radio (all 1.5 GHZ A7). 2.4G is on the main chip/soc, but BCM spec sheets make marketing write stupid shit.

This isn't a deal, it's ASUS and alt brands abusing customers cus marketing number goo brrr.


I mean if you're going to turn down this @ 159.99, you're a monkey.

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-WiFi-...Q2YKT?th=1

It's legit an AC86U with a better 2.4G (AX support and faster radio processor) and slightly worse 5G in terms of overall performance. Same main 4096 A53 processor. Dual core variant of the 4098 "quad core" used in top end broadcom products.


Now don't be stupid, I'm literally saving your ass cus I know too much about router hardware.

If money is not an issue, what router would you recommend to go with this modem? >>>> ARRIS Surfboard S33 DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gigabit Cable Modem with 2.5 Gbps Ethernet Port, Approved for Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum & Others.
Live in a 1900 sqft, 3 story townhome with an 800 mbps internet connection.
Thank you for your help!

AX68U sounds like a perfect transition from AC68U, just one clarification, if lowest price was not the criteria and AX86U was available for 180 or so, would it make sense so get AX68U either way or for 20-30 more AX86U would be a better longer term buy. I think I know the answer by reading you posts and threads over at mbreview but a final word on this would help me decide right away. Thanks.

the model you mentioned (AX-68U) does not have the 160 mhz bandwith. I have the
RT-AX3000 and I love that I can use the 160 bandwith. since most of my neighbors dont have this bandwith channel I get less distortion on this channel