Asus RT ac86U vs. Asus RT ac68U – Which one is better?

The Asus RT ac86U and Asus RT ac68U are excellent routers for mid range transmission. They feature great speeds for average internet users and are also able to support gaming. So which one of the two is better?

If you have a middle sized home that has a few rooms, there is no need to go for a router that transmits internet over wide ranges. It would be something of overkill to install a high speed and wide range router you have no need for.

Asus is known for making good quality routers, and these two are no exception. They have the capacity to adequately transmit internet to multiple devices over moderately sized spaces. They have a number of similarities, but they also differ in several aspects.

Let’s do an in-depth comparison to see which one is better.

 What is the difference between Asus RT ac86U and Asus RT ac68U?

Asus RT ac86U vs. Asus RT ac68U – How do they compare?

Design and Build

When it comes to first looks, the Asus RT ac86U strikes you as a sophisticated looking device, but it still maintains a balance of simplicity. It is a square like router that measures 8.7 inches long by 6.3 inches wide by 3.3 inches deep. This makes it a moderately sized router that can be installed up on a wall or set on a desk. The great thing about it is that it does not take up so much space. This router has three external antennas that work to transmit internet and boost coverage over a middle sized home.

The Asus RT ac68U router is also quite sophisticated, but it is not as elaborate as the Asus RT ac86U. It is also square in shape, and measures 8.66 inches long by 3.28 inches deep by 6.3 wide. It is moderately sized, and you would not notice the difference in sizes between this router and the Asus RT ac86U. It can be mounted on a wall or set on a desk top, whichever your preference. This device has three external antennas that are great for internet transmission for mid-range houses.

The Asus RT ac88U is the better looking router since it looks more sophisticated but it maintains simplicity.

Performance

Even though it is a mid-range router, you are going to love the fact that the Asus RT ac86U router transmits at impressive speeds. It has a 1.8GHz dual core processor, along with a 512 MB RAM and 256MB flash memory. It is a dual band device that transmits at two bandwidths. A 2.4GHz bandwidth transmits at a 750Mbps speed while a 5GHz bandwidth transmits at 2167Mbps. Seeing that it has 3 external antennas, it is able to adequately supply a middle sized house with internet without any dead zones. It can also efficiently support streaming across several devices without much lag.

The Asus RT ac68U is also a mid-range router, but I have to say that it is no match for the Asus RT ac88U. It has a dual core processor that works alongside a 256MB RAM and 128MB flash memory. It is also a dual band device that transmits at 2 different bandwidths. At 2.4GHz bandwidth, it delivers 600Mbps and at 5GHz bandwidth it transmits at a 1300Mbps speed. Its three external routers act as excellent transmitters that boost speed and range to ensure minimal dead zones.

The Asus RT ac86U stands out as the better performer since it is able to transmit at much higher speeds than the Asus RT ac68U.

Ports and Connectivity

The Asus RT ac88U comes with one WAN port and 4 LAN ports that are ideal for Gigabit transmission. These ports are meant for Ethernet connections. It also has 2 USB ports that support type A cable and device connections. It is an easy router to install and control since it comes with a mobile app that you can install on your phone for this purpose.

There isn’t much difference between the Asus RT ac88U and the Asus RT ac68U as far as ports go. The Asus RT ac68U also comes with one WAN port, 4 LAN Gigabit ports that support Ethernet connections. It also comes with 2 type A USB ports. A mobile app that you can download n your phone also helps you to set it up and control it comfortably.

There is no difference between these two devices in this category, and one is as good as the other as far as ports and connectivity go.

Asus RT ac86U vs. Asus RT ac68U Overview

Asus RT ac86U Overview

ASUS AC2900 WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC86U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, WTFast Game Accelerator, Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, Adaptive QoS

• Connector Type : USB
• Dual-band (2.4 plus 5 GHz) AC2900 wireless router with the latest 802. 11AC MU-MIMO technology for data...

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This router is a modern looking device that has a predominantly square shape. It measures 8.7 x 6.3 x 3.3 inches, making it a moderately sized router. It is easy to set up and can easily sit on your desk or be mounted on the wall. It has three external antenna that work to boost transmission across a middle sized house.

It has a 1.8GHz dual core processor that, together with a 512MB RAM and 256MB flash memory, works to transmit internet. It is a dual band router that delivers speeds at two bandwidths. A 2.4GHz bandwidth transmits at 750Mbps while a 5GHz bandwidth transmits at 2167Mbps.

It comes with 1 WAN port, 4 LAN ports and 2 USB ports and an app for easy control.

Pros

• It is great for middle sized homes
• It is easy to install
• It transmits at two bandwidths
• It has many ports for connectivity

Cons

• It is expensive

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Asus RT ac68U Overview

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This device is quite simple, and measures 8.66 x 3.28 x 6.3 inches. It does not take up much space, and can be placed on your desk or mounted on the wall. It has 3 external antennas that facilitate fast transmission.

This device uses a 256MB RAM and 128MB flash memory, and it transmits at two separate bandwidths, with a 2.4GHz bandwidth transmitting at 600Mbps and a 5GHz bandwidth transmitting at 1300Mbps. It comes with one WAN port, 4 LAN ports and 2 USB ports. It also has an app that helps with installation and control.

Pros

• It is ideal for middle sized homes that do not have may devices
• It transmits at two bandwidths
• It is small and easy to install
• It comes with an app that ensures easy control

Cons

• It does not have fast internet speeds

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Verdict: So, which one is better – Asus RT ac86U or Asus RT ac68U?

The Asus RT ac86U is the winning device in this comparison since it has the capacity to transmit at higher speeds than the Asus RT ac68U since it is an 802.11ax standard router. It also boasts a better processor and bigger RAM, and can transmit over wider ranges.

FAQs

1. Can I use the Asus RT ac86U in my office?

If you have an office that is not too big and that does not require lightning fast speeds, there would not be much reason to keep you from using this router.

2. Can the Asus RT ac68U support gaming?

Yes, it can, but you will find that it may not be as fast and efficient as proper gaming routers.