AC66U vs. AC68U- Which is the better Asus router?
Over the years, there have been numerous technological advancements in the industry of home networking solutions. Let us take a look at the AC66U and the AC68U routers, two of the most popular Wi-Fi routers with the latest technology available on the market, and discover what makes them stand out.
When you invest in a good quality wireless router, you should get seamless internet connectivity for multiple devices and at fast and stable speeds. Whether you intend to use the router at home or in your office, its network coverage should extend to a favorable distance, and, if possible, across multiple floors.
Asus is a leading router manufacturer known to produce premium quality devices. Both the Asus AC66U and the AC68U are considered classic in the home networking world. Let us examine the key features of these two routers and find out which is the better Asus router.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between AC66U and AC68U?
Model name |
Asus AC66U |
Asus AC68U (Winner) |
Processor |
600MHz single-core processor |
1GHz dual-core processor |
Speed |
450Mbps-2.4GHz
1300Mbps-5GHz |
600Mbps-2.4GHz
1300Mbps-5GHz |
USB ports |
Two USB 2.0 ports |
Two USB ports (USB 2.0 and USB 3.0) |
AC66U vs. AC68U- How do they compare?
Design
At first glance, it is not easy to spot any differences between the AC66U and the AC68U from Asus as they both have similar designs. The AC66U features a sleek design with its top covered with a diamond-like pattern and a carbon fiber feel. With a mass weight of 22.4 ounces and dimensions 6 by 8 by 1.4 inches, it is quite compact and has three external antennas that stick out from its back. A detachable base allows users to place it flat on a surface, lay it semi-vertically, or mount it on a wall.
Similarly, the AC68U follows a similar pattern as the AC66U, with the only difference being that it has a non-detachable base. As a result, you can only position this router upwards. This router measures 6.3 by 8.6 by 3.3 inches and has a mass weight of 22.4 ounces.
The AC66U is, therefore, more compact and better looking than AC68U.
Hardware
Asus AC66U houses a single-core Broadcomm BCM4706 Chipset of 600MHz and runs on 256MB RAM and 128MB of flash memory. As a result, it delivers improved speeds, the latest AC technology, and a stable and less crowded 5GHz frequency. The router also has a Broadcomm BCM53125 switch, Broadcomm BCM4360radio SoC for its 5GHz frequency, and Broadcomm BCM4331 radio SoC for its 2.4GHz. More so, its 5GHz radio Soc has the Skyworks SE5003L 23dbm power amplifier for better connectivity and coverage.
On the other hand, Asus AC68U has a 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex A9 processor, 128MB flash memory, as well as 256MB DDR RAM. This device runs on the Broadcomm BCM4360 (3*3 MIMO) SoC on both its bandwidths.
The AC68U is, therefore, a more powerful router because it has a much more robust processor.
Speed
AC66U from Asus delivers a maximum speed of 1750Mbps, with 450Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 1300Mbps on its 5GHz band. According to our tests, this router gave 134Mbps at 15 feet and 65Mbps at 100 feet using its 2.4GHz band.
Alternatively, AC68U from Asus has a total speed of 1900Mbps as it delivers 600Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 1300Mbps on its 5GHz band. Upon thorough testing, we found that this router offered 205Mbps at 15 feet and 170Mbps at 100 feet using its 2.4GHz band.
The AC68U is, therefore, a better performer since it delivers faster speeds than the AC66U.
AC66U vs. AC68U- A comparison review
Asus AC66U
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If you are looking for a budget-friendly yet efficient router, the Asus AC66U is a perfect choice. It is a dual-band router with an overall speed of 1750Mbps and features the 802.11ac wireless performance. The router comes with Alradar with Beamforming technology, which aids in positioning and fining the best location of its three detachable antennas to ensure all the connected devices receive maximum network coverage.
Another attractive characteristic of this router is that it comes with Alradar Cloud Access, which allows you to access your local network virtually. It also comes with two USB 2.0 ports that enable you to connect and share files conveniently with other external devices, such as a printer or a storage device, across your network.
The router also has 4ethernet LAN ports and one WAN Gigabit port for your wired devices. It also has adaptive Quality of Service features that ensure you are receiving high-performance wireless connections on multiple devices without any interruptions.
Pros
- It comes with four LAN ports for wired connectivity
- It is easy to install and use
- Reliable malware and firewall protection
- Durable build with a sleek design
- Impressive monitoring tools
Cons
- It only comes with USB 2.0ports
Asus AC68U
- Dual band with the latest 802; 11 AC 3x3 technology for combined speeds of up to 1900 Mbps
- 1 GigaHertz dual core CPU enables smart multitasking by dedicating separate lanes for Wi Fi and USB data;...
As one of the fastest and most reliable routers available on the market today, the Asus AC68U has the excellent build quality and design. The brand seems to have paid attention to details when designing this router as it has a unique visual appeal and can withstand the test of time.
With an overall speed of 1900Mbps, this dual-band router delivers 600Mbpson its 2.4GHz band and 1300Mbps on its 5GHz, ensuring you have speedy wireless connectivity at all times. The router comes with in-built USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports that allow you to connect USB-enabled devices, such as an external storage drive or a printer.
Powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, this router ensures that all connected devices do not receive any interruptions while on the network. Therefore, you can smoothly and quickly enjoy uninterrupted HD video streaming and online gaming without any hassle. The router is integrated with advanced beamforming technology that extends Wi-Fi coverage, enhances stability, and immensely increases internet speed.
Its ASUSWRT user interface gives you access to an easy to install web-based procedure as well as numerous other advanced options. This router also features AiProtection powered by Trend Micro, which provides users with a multi-stage protection database against online threats.
Pros
- It comes with four LAN Gigabit ports
- Exceptional short and wide range performance
- Easy to manage parental controls
- It comes with advanced configuration settings
Cons
- It is somewhat bulky
Conclusion
With several home devices, products, smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, and other mobile devices that play a crucial role in our lives, we need a powerful wireless router to handle all the increased demand for Wi-Fi connectivity. Asus is a famous brand that delivers exceptional products consistently. Both the AC66U and the AC68U offer a great list of features, but which is the better router?
Final verdict: So, which is better, AC66U and AC68U?
The AC68U is a better and more powerful Wi-Fi router than the Asus AC66U as it was designed as its upgrade. It has higher speeds and a more powerful processor for seamless wireless connectivity. It also comes with two USB ports, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, for connecting your USB-enabled devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Asus AC66U have a USB 3.0 port?
No, the AC66U dual-band router only comes with two USB 2.0 ports.
Is the AC68U wall-mountable?
The AC68U model is not wall-mountable since its connections come from its back panel.
