The best Asus router 2024: top routers from Asus for gaming and beyond
Game on with the best Asus routers
Going for the best Asus router is a good decision if you’re seeking a reasonably-priced powerful device for your internet connectivity. Known for its productivity and gaming laptops and peripherals, the brand is a well-established name in the tech world. But did you know that they made great routers as well?
While many of the company’s routers are geared towards gamers and their priorities, there’s a lot of overlap with those with general Wi-Fi needs, meaning they’ll work just as well for you. And many of its offerings are among the best wireless routers so you can rest assured of their quality and performance.
Whether you need to download very large files or need the best gaming router to give your favorite esports game the necessary bandwidth, the best Asus routers are more than capable. You’ll get rock solid performance and blazing-fast speeds for the kind of internet signal you’ve been looking for. There are also more basic options as well as those that handle many devices at once.
We’ve tested our fair share of routers over the years, our router experts putting them through their paces so we know which ones to recommend. So, we’ve applied our expertise and figured out the best Asus routers to consider for every type of user.
While we think just about any entry here will more than meet your needs, if you need to cover an especially large area, check out our best mesh Wi-Fi system list instead.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Asus RT-AX58U is a cut above other Wi-Fi 6 routers in terms of value. This is an affordable option that delivers a fast dual-band Wi-Fi 6 performance, and it’s just the ticket for the average consumer looking to upgrade their network. One other thing that makes it an excellent choice for most people is that it’s easy for less tech-savvy folks but also offers a web browser interface for more advanced users.
On test, it performed impeccably. When used in the same room as our existing 802.11ac router, it was able to squeeze a little extra Wi-Fi speed, increasing it from 55Mbps to 59Mbps. Meanwhile, our back office, which often gets neglected by a typical router, enjoyed a steady and reliable speed of 58Mbps.
That’s excellent news for multi-user, multi-device medium households. And, those that do have young kids will also enjoy the benefits of its good parental controls. If you’re looking for the best Asus router for most people, this is the one for you.
Read our full Asus RT-AX58U review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Asus RT-AX55 is an impressive piece of kit if you’re looking for something even more affordable. It isn’t the fastest Asus router out there – at least not compared to some of the more expensive Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market. But, it’s still a good Wi-Fi 6 upgrade for web browsing, streaming music and video, and even casual gaming.
During our tests, we found its 5.0GHz band delivering top Wi-Fi speeds of 100Mbs with Ookla and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads to an area in our space that struggles to get decent connection. Even its 2.4GHz band performed fast enough for streaming video and routine web browsing.
Features about as well. The Asus RT-AX55 may be simple to use for most users, but a web browser interface is also on hand for more experienced users who need more than the basic features provided by the app. It also can be used with other Asus routers as part of a more extensive mesh Wi-Fi network, in case you need to expand your network later on.
Read our full Asus RT-AX55 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
While the Asus RT-AX59U may be a little basic in terms of features, this Wi-Fi 6 router still has a lot going for it that makes it an easy recommendation, especially if you're looking for a future-proof router that you might want to expand later on as your family grows and you move into a bigger space.
It's a dual-band only option, which is why although it isn't a cheap buy, it's still a pretty affordable one. However, it does more than enough to see you through your online browsing and streaming needs - exactly what families are looking for.
You’re not going to get top-of-the-range speed, it's proved capable of handling anything that our 150Mbps office broadband can threw at it as well as expanding our current network's reach during testing. And its signal never faltered during our use either. We wouldn't call it the most attractive option of the bunch, but its compact design, great port selection and expandability makes it a formidable choice.
Read our full Asus RT-AX59U review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
While it may not be a massive upgrade to its predecessor, the Asus ZenWifi XT8, the Asus ZenWifi XT9 does provide a few key improvements that will make a difference in your daily network needs - including its upgrade to a 7.8Gbps top speed - while staying at relatively the same price point.
Much like its predecessor, this is a powerful Asus router with an expansive range, making it perfect for large homes and spaces. This might be overkill for most people, but it is worth its steep price for that can maximize its range and speeds. During testing, with one Asus ZenWifi XT9 connected to our router and the second located halfway along our corridor, we are able to get smooth, steady speeds of 150Mbps and 19Mb/s for Ookla and Steam - even on the slower 2.4GHz band.
Design-wise, it won't feel like it's encroaching in our space or your aesthetic with its slim and compact design and black and white colorways. And despite being powerful, it's actually very easy to set up and use, thanks to its intuitive app. As a bonus, you get good parental controls without having to pay extra, unlike other expensive routers. So you're getting really great value for your money.
Read our full Asus ZenWifi XT9 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Asus TUF Gaming AX5400 was a little expensive when it first came out, it's actually a lot cheaper now, which means it's a better value for your money. Part of the gaming line of Asus' routers, this dual-band option delivers Wi-Fi 6 for your more demanding online gaming needs. During testing, not only did it match our network's top speeds but it also expanded its reach, comfortably maintaining 100Mbps in the Ookla test and 12.5Mbps on both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands.
It supports Asus’ AiMesh technology, which means you can combine it with other Asus routers to expand your area of coverage, and despite its intimidating look, it is very straightforward to setup with the help of the Asus Router app. Plus, if you've got kids at home, it comes with a set of parental controls that you won't have to pay monthly for, allowing you to do things like schedule internet usage and filter out adult content.
Read our full Asus TUF Gaming AX5400 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Asus ZenWiFi AX Hybrid XP4 solves a common problem many older homes and buildings face. By combining conventional mesh Wi-Fi system with wired powerline connectivity, it allows you to extend your network to cover a larger space riddled with thick walls and other obstacles.
Rather than being connected by a Wi-Fi signal, the Asus ZenWiFi AX Hybrid XP4 routers can use powerline technology to transmit data over your existing main wiring in your building. On test, both routers performed impressively, maintaining a smooth and steady 100Mbps with Ookla and 12.5MB/s with Steam.
It isn’t the fastest mesh system around. However, it has its place in the world and is perfect for users experiencing network blues due to thick walls and other obstacles. Just bear in mind that the initial setup process might be a little complicated. That’s especially with the QuickStart guide throwing around a lot of jargon.
Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX Hybrid XP4 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
You can future-proof your network by getting a Wi-Fi 6E router like the Asus RT-AXE7800 whose top speed reaches 7.8Gbps. It's a little on the pricier side compared to many Wi-Fi 6 routers on the list, but it's great value if you want one that supports the latest Wi-Fi technology. While it doesn't belong to Asus' family of gaming routers, it looks like one with its six external antennas that you can also retract for portability. And it supports three frequency bands with the addition of the 6.0Hz one.
During testing, it delivered impressive performance, giving our devices located in the same room as the router up to 150Mbps speeds on the Ookla test and 19MB/s on Steam - the top speed our home office broadband allowed. That's not to mention the fact that it effortlessly expanded our network's reach while maintaining rivaling speeds.
Setting up is incredibly easy and straightforward as well. And you're getting enough ports to see you through your day, including three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports plus a USB Type-A port that you can port an external storage drive to in order to allow the rest of the devices in your space access to the same files.
Read our full Asus RT-AXE7800 review
How we test Asus routers
Why you can trust TechRadar
Testing Asus routers is fun as a majority of them are gaming routers, which means we have to play online games to see how well they can handle them. Of course, it's not all fun and games. We also check the range and strength of coverage, perform the usual Ookla speed and file download tests, and of course, test them against real-world scenarios like having multiple devices connected at once.
We take a look at the design as well, naturally. We make sure that there are enough ports for wired connectivity, see just how easy (or hard) initial setup is, and check that the overall look doesn’t turn off the target market.
We then take all that information we’ve collected from each Asus router we test and set it against the price to determine whether or not the router is a great value to consumers. That’s when we finally decide whether or not it’s worth our recommendation.
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Michelle Rae Uy is the former Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor at TechRadar. She's a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She's an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives.
- James HollandFreelancer