Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is the latest wireless networking standard that offers significant improvements over Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and 6E such as faster speeds, wider channels, and better low-latency performance. However, you must have a Wi-Fi 7-capable device to fully utilize its benefits. If you already have some or are planning to future-proof, then you can start considering getting a Wi-Fi 7 router like the ASUS RT-BE88U.
One of the things I like about the ASUS RT-BE88U is the design. It’s like a combination of an office and a gaming router. And it looks good! It’s all black with gold accents and sharp angles to exude its gaming chops. It comes with four removable and adjustable antennas, an ethernet cable, and a power adapter with three different plugs. It’s large and hefty, so make sure to have ample space for it.
Setting up ASUS routers is easy using the ASUS Router App. Discovering the router is easier as we just need to scan the QR code under it. From there, just follow the instructions such as creating an SSID and a password. You can also start creating dedicated networks dedicated for IoT devices, guests, and your kids’ devices.
Looking behind the router, we can find dual 10Gb ports: a 10 Gigabit SFP+ port and a 10 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ethernet port. These support both fiber and copper 10 Gigabit connections for future-proofing; additional 8 WAN inputs including a 2.5 Gigabit WAN/LAN port; and a USB port for 4G and 5G mobile tethering.
Performance-wise, the ASUS RT-BE88U is powered by a 2.6GHz quad-core CPU which the company says offers 30% faster performance compared to the RT-AX88U Pro and boasts a range of 3,000 sq. ft. The router can generate a lot of heat given its capabilities and uses a large aluminum plate to help with heat dissipation.
No 6GHz
One of the main features of Wi-Fi 7 is the 6 GHz band. It offers higher speeds but a shorter range. However, the ASUS RT-BE88U excludes that band primarily due to regulatory constraints in the countries where the router will be released. An argument can be made that it’s not a big deal considering most consumers nowadays don’t have devices that can take advantage of the 6 GHz band, yet.
That said, the ASUS RT-BE88U operates using the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands but comes with features to ensure good wireless performance. There’s Dual-band Multi-Link Operation (MLO) which intelligently manages traffic and aggregates bandwidth across both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to reduce congestion and maximize throughput. You can activate this in the app under Wireless Settings. There’s also 4K-QAM that improves data transmission rates by up to 20% for faster downloads, streaming, and uploads.
During our time with it, the ASUS RT-BE88U performed perfectly. We were able to get the full speed of our internet plan (600 Mbps down) with a low and stable sing-digit ping even though we’re in a separate room from the router, which is great considering that I’m getting around 400Mbps with my old router–and indicator of better coverage and a more stable connection.
If you’re into gaming, the ASUS RT-BE88U also features a Mobile Game Mode that prioritizes the network traffic of your mobile. You can activate this on the ASUS Router app. In addition to that, the router also has the software features found in other ASUS routers like AiProtection, dedicated VPN network or VPN Fusion, QoS, and support for AiMesh devices to expand your WiFi coverage.
A supercharged router
The ASUS RT-BE88U is a powerful router for those who want to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7 standard. The disadvantage, though, is the lack of support for 6GHz. Then again, this shouldn’t be a concern if most of your gear and appliances run on WiFi 6. But let’s say you do and you want to future-proof your network, this router is one of the best options, for now.
The ASUS RT-BE88U is priced at around PHP 28K. See the listing here: https://s.shopee.ph/1B3zi1oMWm.
