World's first 4x4 MU-MIMO antenna design with AiRadar universal beamforming for unrivalled multi-device performance and wireless signal coverage up to 465 m² (around 5,000ft²)1
Ultra-fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi router with a combined dual-band data rate of 2334 Mbps for smooth up to 4K/UHD video playback, ultra-fast file-sharing of large files and low-latency online gaming.
Built-in USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports for up to 10-times faster data transfers to USB storage devices2, printer sharing, and 3G/4G dongle support.Enhanced media server (AiPlayer app compatible)
802.11ac tri-band Wi-Fi router boosts speeds up to 3200Mbps for low-latency online gaming, smooth 4K UHD video playback and extremely fast file-sharing.
Tri-Band Smart Connect automatically selects the fastest of the three available frequency bands for each device, based on the device's speed, signal strength and how busy each band is.
High performance antennas with AiRadar universal beamforming for unrivaled Wi-Fi range
AiProtection with Trend MicroTM for triple-strength network security, plus robust Parental Controls and privacy protection
USB 3.0 port for 10X-faster data transfers than USB 2.0; also includes one USB 2.0 port
Intuitive ASUS Router App lets you control your network anywhere, without needing to boot up a PC
Ultra-fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi router with a combined tri-band data rate of 5334 Mbps for low latency online gaming
Smooth 4K streaming and extremely fast file-sharing
Broadcom NitroQAMTM technology boosts two 5 GHz data rates up to 4334 Mbps and 2.4 GHz up to 1000 Mbps
The ASUS RT-AC5300 delivers bandwidth and coverage for all your gaming devices, from consoles to PCs to mobile devices*, and supports every operating system, including Windows®2, Mac OS®3 and Linux
Just a wee bit more solid (it's got a Broadcom chipset and there's probably a good reason the chap that develops the Merlin firmware doesn't seem particularly fond of the AC87).
rev6 to CaptainSocks
11 Sep 17#7
Broadcom. "Shudders
CaptainSocks to rev6
11 Sep 17#28
?
Broadcom chips in the AC5300.
The same Broadcom chips in the AC3200 chips are used in pretty much all the equivalent AC routers by other manufacturers as well.
Solid as in my experience. You must have got a bad one.
rev6 to CaptainSocks
11 Sep 17#29
It's generally bad to go with a Broadcom router if you need custom firmware.
CaptainSocks to rev6
11 Sep 17#30
Is it?
You've the choice of Tomato, DDWRT and Merlin for most of these.
What else is there?
rev6 to CaptainSocks
11 Sep 17#31
LEDE. These support 5GHZ? I know DD-WRT has special access to source but don't know about the rest.
CaptainSocks to rev6
11 Sep 17#32
Gotcha.
The Broadcom BCM43602 is supported in the mainline Linux kernel for LEDE but it's not been developed by anyone yet as far as I know.
Someone *might* develop LEDE for that. Perfectly possible (but also sort of unlikely now I'd have thought).
Tomato, DDWRT, and Merlin all work flawlessly on the AC3200 mind.
Had the AC87 but sent it back early on (it was sort of a work in progress up until a few years ago). Think it's a lot more solid now but no idea how stable all the respective firmwares are on that.
Really no point touching that router now the AC3200 is pretty much the same price.
Not sure I could justify spending twice as much again for the AC5300.
As others have said... if gaming is your thing than an ethernet connection needs to be your thing as well!
lynchnigel to CaptainSocks
13 Sep 17#35
Have a RT-AC68U and have Merlin on it as its not altered just enhanced and love the router with switch and AP connected to it fab
CaptainSocks to lynchnigel
13 Sep 17#36
AC68 is probably the best bang for your buck router going once you've Merlin on it tbh.
Can't see you needing to upgrade for a while yet...
RabbiDreed to CaptainSocks
11 Sep 17#24
Can you point me to any forums posts that the developer has commented on this? I have been struggling to decide between these routers. Ta!
Geenation
13 Sep 17#34
Just brought the ASUS RT-AC5300, as it's OOS, just waiting for an update :smile:
vclaw
11 Sep 17#21
If you are serious about gaming, the best option is an ethernet cable. Obligatory xkcd. xkcd.com/654/
johnthehuman to vclaw
11 Sep 17#22
"serious about gaming"
LUL
Like I've said (until I'm blue in the face), of course Ethernet is the optimal solution, BUT in ideal conditions (i.e no massive thick walls) with a decent WiFi card in your PC, gaming is perfectly fine over WiFi
MagicBoy to johnthehuman
11 Sep 17#26
Depends if the old lady upstairs makes her bedtime Ovaltine at 10pm in a 1980s Microwave and your WiFi drops out for 5 minutes due to all the interference as happened to me a few years ago.
2.4GHz is unregulated and way too crowded for a reliable low latency signal in most urban areas now. I'll web browse on wireless, but gaming and media streaming is etherneted now.
johnthehuman to MagicBoy
11 Sep 17#33
So most new routers have 5Ghz band(s). I wouldn't game on 2.4 GHz, but 5Ghz for me is as reliable as Ethernet.
Daves_mate
11 Sep 17#27
Why do all the top routers look like they're designed for 12yr olds? Don't get me wrong im a gamer, i'm all good with modding pc's etc but when it comes to my router which will likely be in a central/visible location in my house I want it to look discrete and blend in NOT look like a bloomin' transformer!
Asus really should at least make these in a white colour.
yoshi
11 Sep 17#25
gone for the AC5300 - cheers - seems a good price
jimbo001
11 Sep 17#23
Heard bad things about the ac3200 but good things about the ac2400 - still abit dear though.
Have a look at the warehouse deals with an extra 20% off, managed to get the d link for 890 for 95!
Very good router so far
bignigglet
11 Sep 17#20
i'm very much a novice when it comes to routers and always see post's with similar looking routers. I'm just wondering if anyone can a give a simple pro and con to these over my virgin media router? cheers :smile:
v8griff
11 Sep 17#8
Could anyone advise if one of these would be an upgrade from the BT Smart hub for fibre optic broadband?
johnthehuman to v8griff
11 Sep 17#10
Depends what your Smart Hub is struggling with?
TheVoice to v8griff
11 Sep 17#12
Ideally you'd want one with a DSL modem built-in.
callum84 to v8griff
11 Sep 17#13
A potato would be an upgrade over the BT Smart hub.
Pick up an openreach modem and one of these routers and it will do you for years.
johnthehuman to callum84
11 Sep 17#14
What does your Smart Hub struggle to do, out of interest?
Just curious, since mine works flawlessly.
ollie87 to johnthehuman
11 Sep 17#15
Same. I do have the latest version though.
The only frustrating thing is lack of custom DNS.
callum84 to johnthehuman
11 Sep 17#16
DHCP problems, dropping Wi-Fi, orange light, constant resetting and 2 weeks of sheer frustration.
Back to my N66U with merlin and rock solid again. Just need an upgrade to AC now.
v8griff to johnthehuman
11 Sep 17#17
To be honest it works "ok". It's just that I was expecting a significant improvement over the 4 year old Hub it replaced. Subjectively it doesn't seem much quicker, perhaps my expectations are too high.
johnthehuman to v8griff
11 Sep 17#19
Quicker at doing what? It's not going to make your broadband faster.
Only genuine concerns I've seen about the Smart Hub are concerning the range, which you can overcome with repeaters.
I never thought I would game over Wifi, but with the Smart Hub (and an Archer T9E, an 802.11ac Dual Band wifi card, in my PC) I get rock solid ping during online gaming, and I can stream 4K games from the PC to the TV.
The Smart Hub is great, but you need to have ideal conditions. Buying a new expensive router isn't going to solve your problems is your home is massive, your walls are thick, or your devices have old slow wifi cards.
iDealYou to johnthehuman
11 Sep 17#18
I got the latest BT hub. It works well but doesn't reach as far my previous VM router even though it is placed in the same location. I'm on the hunt for another router[or range extender] that reaches the back of the house.
shirishtiwari01
11 Sep 17#11
ASUS RT-AC5300 or google wifi? Opinions please.
MagicBoy
11 Sep 17#9
"Gaming" and "4K UHD" video support. I'd like to see them back that up in court!
118luke
11 Sep 17#6
I have the RT-AC3200 - fab router and has been rock solid stability wise.
delboyd
11 Sep 17#5
Grabbed an RT-AC87U on Prime day and am really impressed so far. Boosted my range by a fair bit and the speeds are pretty damn good. The VPN function is also cracking, super useful when away from home. Can stream a 720p movie to my phone, but 1080p and above gets a bit flakey.
jai47
11 Sep 17#3
Great find, shame I only recently purchased my router :-/
phoenix029
11 Sep 17#2
The ASUS RT-AC5300 has done well in tests and is recommended as a top gaming router but the other 2 aren't great value for the speeds they throughput. Better off with the WRT3200 than the cheaper two.
itsvimal
11 Sep 17#1
ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless Router, Access Point Mode, Dual-Processor + Dual-Core CPU, USB 3.0, Time Machine, 3G/4G Dongle Support ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri-Band Wireless Gigabit Router with USB 3.0 and 3G/4G Dongle Support - Black ASUS RT-AC5300 Tri-Band 4 x 4 Gigabit Wireless Gaming Router (AiProtection, Trend Micro, Free WTFast Game Accelerator, Link Aggregation, Adaptive QoS, Router App Support, Dual-WAN 3G/4G Support) - Black
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400 Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless Router, Access Point Mode, Dual-Processor + Dual-Core CPU, USB 3.0, Time Machine, 3G/4G Dongle Support
£127.99
ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri-Band Wireless Gigabit Router with USB 3.0 and 3G/4G Dongle Support - Black
£139.99
ASUS RT-AC5300 Tri-Band 4 x 4 Gigabit Wireless Gaming Router (AiProtection, Trend Micro, Free WTFast Game Accelerator, Link Aggregation, Adaptive QoS, Router App Support, Dual-WAN 3G/4G Support) - Black
£265.99
Features Comparison for all 3 Routers
Latest comments (36)
AC3200 is well worth the extra £12 over the AC87.
Just a wee bit more solid (it's got a Broadcom chipset and there's probably a good reason the chap that develops the Merlin firmware doesn't seem particularly fond of the AC87).
Broadcom chips in the AC5300.
The same Broadcom chips in the AC3200 chips are used in pretty much all the equivalent AC routers by other manufacturers as well.
Solid as in my experience. You must have got a bad one.
You've the choice of Tomato, DDWRT and Merlin for most of these.
What else is there?
The Broadcom BCM43602 is supported in the mainline Linux kernel for LEDE but it's not been developed by anyone yet as far as I know.
Someone *might* develop LEDE for that. Perfectly possible (but also sort of unlikely now I'd have thought).
Tomato, DDWRT, and Merlin all work flawlessly on the AC3200 mind.
Had the AC87 but sent it back early on (it was sort of a work in progress up until a few years ago). Think it's a lot more solid now but no idea how stable all the respective firmwares are on that.
Really no point touching that router now the AC3200 is pretty much the same price.
Not sure I could justify spending twice as much again for the AC5300.
As others have said... if gaming is your thing than an ethernet connection needs to be your thing as well!
Can't see you needing to upgrade for a while yet...
Obligatory xkcd. xkcd.com/654/
LUL
Like I've said (until I'm blue in the face), of course Ethernet is the optimal solution, BUT in ideal conditions (i.e no massive thick walls) with a decent WiFi card in your PC, gaming is perfectly fine over WiFi
2.4GHz is unregulated and way too crowded for a reliable low latency signal in most urban areas now. I'll web browse on wireless, but gaming and media streaming is etherneted now.
Asus really should at least make these in a white colour.
Have a look at the warehouse deals with an extra 20% off, managed to get the d link for 890 for 95!
Very good router so far
Pick up an openreach modem and one of these routers and it will do you for years.
Just curious, since mine works flawlessly.
The only frustrating thing is lack of custom DNS.
Back to my N66U with merlin and rock solid again. Just need an upgrade to AC now.
Only genuine concerns I've seen about the Smart Hub are concerning the range, which you can overcome with repeaters.
I never thought I would game over Wifi, but with the Smart Hub (and an Archer T9E, an 802.11ac Dual Band wifi card, in my PC) I get rock solid ping during online gaming, and I can stream 4K games from the PC to the TV.
The Smart Hub is great, but you need to have ideal conditions. Buying a new expensive router isn't going to solve your problems is your home is massive, your walls are thick, or your devices have old slow wifi cards.
ASUS RT-AC3200 Tri-Band Wireless Gigabit Router with USB 3.0 and 3G/4G Dongle Support - Black
ASUS RT-AC5300 Tri-Band 4 x 4 Gigabit Wireless Gaming Router (AiProtection, Trend Micro, Free WTFast Game Accelerator, Link Aggregation, Adaptive QoS, Router App Support, Dual-WAN 3G/4G Support) - Black