ASUS has done a brilliant job at refining its already-good router tech to produce one of the very best consumer-grade AC routers out there in its RT-AC88U. This serious-looking device not only comes with all the trimmings expected of a router in its price range, but it also sets itself apart from its peers with link aggregation technology and eight gigabit LAN ports – four more than the average router in its class.
This, on top of excellent WiFi performance that’s faster than wired Gigabit connections, and WiFi signal quality that just doesn’t quit.
The AC88U uses a 4×4 antenna design and MU-MIMO (Multiple User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), an antenna technology that allows simultaneous communication with several devices at once, as if each device was connected to a router dedicated to it, and only it. This allows the router to maintain the speed and quality of the WiFi signal when talking to multiple devices, and is a large part of why the AC88U is just so fast and reliable.
How fast is that WiFi, you ask? Well, the rated speed of “up to 3167mbps” is fast enough to stream 4K video content to multiple devices at once, and that’s a big deal as 4K video files are enormous. Wired performance is excellent as well, especially when making use of the AC88U’s link aggregation feature, which combines the throughput of two gigabit Ethernet ports into a single logical 2gbps Ethernet port for astoundingly fast wired data transfers.
On top of all this goodness is ASUS’s excellent user interface that makes operating the AC88U really simple. It’s nicely laid out with all options available with just a few clicks, and setting everything up and squeezing the most out of it is a breeze.
So with its striking looks, exceptional performance and cleverly-designed user interface, there is not a lot to fault the AC88U on. In fact, it’s the best router ASUS has brought out in years, one that will serve small businesses and homes reliably with the fastest WiFi outside of a test lab.
Very easy to use user interface
Striking looks
Link aggregation” negatives=”Its looks might scare your children
More expensive than other routers”][rating title=”WiFi Performance” value=”5″ range=”5″]
[rating title=”LAN Performance” value=”5″ range=”5″]
[rating title=”Looks” value=”5″ range=”5″]
[rating title=”User Interface” value=”5″ range=”5″][/review_summary]
