The purchase of this ASUS AC86U is to replace a previous generation ASUS router, namely the AC66U.
The ASUS AC86U is quite an improvement compared to the AC66U.
The housing of the router again feels solid. It is black with LED indicator lights on the front. The red accents on the front emphasize the gamers line from ASUS.
The installation of the ASUS AC86U is very simple, just like the AC66U. The antennas must be tightened to the router, the necessary network cables connected and the router must be supplied with power. After that, you can go through the user-friendly setup wizard to set up the basic functionalities of the router. The advanced user can easily familiarize themselves with the user-friendly interface provided by ASUS. It also responds a lot faster than the older AC66U.
The first thing you notice is the wireless range. Previously, the wireless connection with us went out when people walked out of the house or walked into the garden. With the ASUS AC86U, that's a thing of the past. 5 meters outdoors and in the garden we still have range via the 2.4Ghz frequency. The router is placed in the most favorable place in the house, namely; the middle floor. one now has both upstairs and downstairs connection on the 5Ghz frequency indoors.
That was not possible with the AC66U on 5Ghz. My PC is also equipped with a PCE-AC88 adapter for optimal speed in combination with. the AC86U. This gives me a more stable connection, which is noticeable while gaming. For example, there is little 'lag/delay' and I get to see all graphic elements (which is sometimes missing with a bad WiFi connection).
In addition, this router is equipped with built-in security software. ASUS calls this functionality AiProtection. This will automatically block many (not all) Internet threats. I've had this turned on for a while now and in the log you see a lot of internet threats that have been averted. These are all automatic processes that reside on the Internet. So everyone has to deal with it. So it's functionality that, after seeing the logs, I really appreciate it!
The ASUS AC86U also features AiMesh functionality. This allows the router to be used in the future to increase wireless coverage if one is going to invest in a new ASUS router (which must also be equipped with AiMesh). This gives the router a second life, should it come to the point where it is replaced by a newer one and still functions. This is something the future will show if I decide to connect a 2nd router that is AiMesh compatible.
With devices that support the MU-MIMO functionality, the router can handle devices at the same time. This means that all MU-MIMO devices can send and receive data at the same time. Instead of each device having to wait its turn (the average user won't notice). In our area there are several smartphones, laptops and a PC connected wirelessly. So far everything works stable and there is no noticeable delay. Not even during our peak hours (evening).
All in all I am very satisfied with this purchase! The router is faster, the WiFi range (for us) greatly improved and the AiProtection is a great asset to the security of the network!
The router is promoted as a gaming router, but I highly recommend it to the non-gamers too!
The ASUS AC86U is a Super Router!
