Bargain! Cheapest ever! Great price and spec. Just bought one as a sub-router.
Was $89 on Black Friday.
Edit: Limit of 1 per Amazon account
Edit 15:20 23/Dec: it's back in stock but price goes up back to $89.
CamelCamelCamel.
Yes it can.
From the Amazon page
"Better Partner with Mesh System – Compatible with ASUS AiMesh WiFi system for seamless whole-home coverage"
Yeah i just watched the video. That's great, aimesh.
Limited to speed of ethernet Port keep in mind (1Gbps).
Limit of 1 per customer
Multiple accounts
hand back ur ozbargain memebership cardS
Thanks OP
Great value to work as a AiMesh node
Just in time to replace my 8 years AC68U
Personal experience is better to use a more powerful router as AiMesh primary router (eg. AX86U / AX88U)
But for mesh node this is good enough
I now use my 68u as the secondary mesh. Is it worth replacing it with this?
https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-Dual-Band-Supported-Archer…
Is this worth the extra money if you only want one router?
“Extensive coverage 6x antenna”
If you're looking for coverage, I would invest in a decent mesh WiFi system rather than relying on a single access point. Sure, the coverage could be great but you'll likely end up with dwindling speeds in the far corners of your house compared with a mesh system though could still pump through near full signal. Just my 2 cents
This has quite good range and quite suitable for a medium house, and you can combine it with their onemesh if needed.
If you had a massive house, mesh system likely the best option from the get go
Cheap for meshing with other asus mesh compaitable device and its wifi 6 as well.
What modem goes with this?
This is a router that doesn't has modem feature
Some NBN connection types requires using ISP supplied modem/router while others can just wired up from NBN modem to router
which you may need to set the ISP supplied one to bridge mode
Are you sure? I got this from the spec sheet
WAN
Internet connection Type : PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP, Automatic IP, Static IP
Dual WAN
3G/4G LTE dongle
Port triggering
DMZ
DDNS
Let's Encrypt
a router with modem feature will usually have specific input (plug)
eg.
ADSL 2 modem router will have RJ11 (telephone) input
HFC NBN / Cable modem router will have a Coaxial cable input
FTTP NBN modem router (aka NBN Connection box) will have a optic cable input
This Asus router only have a WAN input (RJ45 ethernet), which takes internet signal and share to internal network (LAN)
the Internet connection type will allow the "login" to particular connection
which you will still need to use a separate modem get the signal from external
Then set the ISP modem/router as "bridge mode", and pass through the signal to the Asus router
Practically speaking, you cannot use this router without a NBN modem (if connecting to NBN)
@littlesoldier: I have a nbn hfc box that has ethernet to connect to the routers wan, though all nbns are like that.
@Bangerbargain: that NBN HFC box is the modem
and as you have done, it connect to the WAN of the router
A modem router means you only need 1 device instead of modem + router
Besides, there might also use-case where you would like to use ISP router in bridge mode before connecting to your own router WAN
eg. if you still need a land line requires the RJ11 output (Voip port) from ISP router
@littlesoldier: I have HFC nbn with the small black box connected to Telstra smart modem gen 2. Can I replace the Telstra modem with this Asus router since the black box is the modem?
@Bangerbargain: There is eight different kinds of nbn connections. What you get depends on where you live.
@Twix: Didnt know you could get the nbn line straight to a modem router bypassing the nbn box, couldnt find a modem router like that for hfc…
@Bangerbargain: nbn line to a VDSL2 modem router is only possible on FTTB and FTTN. nbn don't give you a VDSL2 modem for that.
On every other kind of nbn connection you can't bypass the nbn box. Plug in a router to the nbn box.
@Bangerbargain: Not at all. FTTN can be one of the slowest. FTTN speeds come down to;
Above in comments someone mentioned buying two of these, or would it be better to buy a better main asus router first before committing to mesh compatibility?
depends on your house size and budget.
a better main router of course is better
but if you are not that fussy, 2-3 AX53U are also great.
I was having lots of drop out issues when I was using AC68U as primary AiMesh router (when Asus just introduce AiMesh)
Since upgrading the primary router to AX88U and turn the original AC68U to mesh node
never have drop out issues since then
So totally agree its good to invest more on the main one
This is so cheap I bought one as a secondary
If you've got a capable quad core main router eg. AX56U, AX68U, AX86U, GT-AX6000 as your main AIMESH router then that should be fine
If you've got an alternative main router and your AIMESH network is a secondary then this would be fine as a primary AIMESH only with no routing but it'll push the CPU high at max speed
My AX56U gets up to ~25% on quad core at full speed as AIMESH primary only so I'm using that as a basis for comparison the AX53U being dual core
OP posting an ASUS router deal…Username doesn't check out….
Oh..wait!
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09RSXNGTB?smid=ANEGB3WVEVKZB
Would this and AX53U be overkill if I can only get max 50mbps in my area atm?
Definitely overkill
Even an old AC66U is fine for 50-100mbit, AC68U up to 250mbit but they lack newer features
AX56U as main router is a good middle ground to tide you over until NBN upgrades
AX53U is a bit limiting but it'd work
Personally I think the $100 for fluffing around with the AX53U as a main router rather than AX56U is probably not worth it plus AX56U supports Merlin whilst AX53U doesn't
What asus modem router would you recommend for a 1gbps plan?
If you need all the bells and whistles
GT-AX6000
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/746936
Otherwise AX86U
If you're on a budget AX56U is crazy value but it struggles with full gigabit so I've been using the Telstra gateway to get full gigabit
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/746934
I've bitten on this GT-AX6000 deal due to all the features it offers with the new firmware etc.
(You said modem but I assumed if you're on NBN you can use a router with connection box?)
my googling has failed me. can this thing control/restrict certain IP addresses? trying to keep my kids off the internet past their bed time
Looks like only Client MAC Address can be setup for Time Scheduling (page 33)
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AX53U/E20292_…
yes, according to the product page
It does have "Parental Control Customized Internet schedule"
try a hose
A belt would do the trick also
Take their devices away?
Mum taking away my keyboard 20 years ago didn't stop me. A lot you can do copy pasting single letters at a time with a mouse
That would have been fun talking to people on icq
You never figured out the on screen keyboard?
@Wallenius-01: Nope 😂 my young mind never imagined such wizardry might exist
Made MSN Messenger a slow experience that's for sure
that's the current thing :)
I got a cheap like $30? I think Netgear AC1200 / R6220 router at office works somewhere near glen Waverly!
It's served me well, but the issue is I trialed 1 month of 1000mbps gigabit internet from Aussie broadband and it wouldn't get those speeds, I've had this router ever since I got the nbn thou so it's been atleast 5yrs maybe the router is worn? It would reach like 300mbps on a good day or 250 otherwise, plugging the Ethernet directly to my PC instead of router is get the actual 800-900mbps so yeah!
Gone back to 100/40 though but I'ma buy this to future proof for when one day I get faster speeds!
Big help s3n thank you.
So you can buy two of them and make a mesh?
just confirming this would work with HFC?
Yes. You'd just plug Ethernet from HFC box to wan port on this router and do whatever protocol configurations your ISP needs onto this device.
Bought this to mesh with the ax56u acting as the main router. Thanks OP.
Buying this to replace a NetComm NF18ACV which has dead 2.4Ghz. Will be nice to sync my kindle again without using my phone hotspot.
This is suited as an addition to your AiMesh and at this price it’s a steal.
How does this compare with xiaomi ax1800?
This has OpenWRT support.
I use VR too, so router processor matters, i think the xiaomi has quad core + npu, and this one?
this has "dual-core 880MHz Mediatek MT7621AT" apparently.
I am looking to upgrade my old TP-L 1600 but i need to create a wifi backhaul to the garage which is 3 floors away in my unit. I am unable to run a cable. I know theres external factors to consider, but does anyone know if this device would be even remotely plausible in this situation using the mesh?
distance wise i suspect its about 20 meters.
Why not get two :)
Whoops limit one per customer.
Just ordered but my mastercard hasnt been charged yet and its been a few hours? Hopefully my order goes through
Amazon only charges when they ship the item
how does this compare to google nest WIFI router?
What's the VPN speed performance like? Any hardware acceleration?
Bought. Not sure what to do with it.
Novice question: is there any benefit of running this off a gateway max 800vac? I currently run a file server from the gateway that I want to maintain or improve functionality.
Farrrk paid $120ish from Centrecom a while back for this and I thought that was OK…
Anyway I can recommend highly for this price if you havent got a WiFi 6 router. It's fast as.
Tempting, no issues with the AC68U though
I'm in the same boat. I really want to upgrade and that's about what I paid for ac68u (t mobile edition, unlocked and overclocked to 1.2ghz). But I need 4 gigabit ports and USB3. And I don't really need wifi 6. That price for an ax86u and I'll upgrade.
Anyone know if this router can be setup to reboot itself overnight? Have had a look through manual but wasn't mentioned (or I missed it)
Worst case just slap a timer on it and have it turn off sometime in the night for 15m or whatever the smallest interval is. Just a suggestion.
is this miles better than my current router which is RT-N56U?
AC (wifi 5) is the main hardware jump which introduces beam forming and makes a huge difference to wifi stability
After that AC to AX (wifi 6) is just incremental ie. protocol
Does this work as a primary router in the network?
Primary router or it can be configured only as a Wi-Fi 6 access point.
how does this compare to google nest WIFI router?
Bought one recently and put openwrt on it to make a wireless bridge over DFS channels as stock Asus firmware wouldn't connect to DFS.
Has been stable for me, speeds not as high as I was hoping/expecting, but not sure why.
Noob question but hope someone can help… with Fibre to the Premises, do I need a modem or can I connect directly with this router?
Connect directly to fibre box via WAN port.
Thanks
Who does it compare with tp link Archer AX72?
Cheers purchased OP :)
sold out now just as i was purchasing. daymn.
OOS * sad face *
Next time I’ll buy it before it sells out - then read everyone’s comments.
Says 1 left in stock for me!
you still cant buy.
Do you still need a router if you already have the mesh system ?
Is this better than the Asus AX-55? AX-55 has extra port.
When i did my research - yes slightly better due to inproved range
FYI - This can contact a space station in mars with those antenna's.
Also doubles as a router ender man when you flip it upside-down.
Bugger, this would have been perfect for my needs. Missed it.
I have a d-link dir-850Lwhich has been fine for our family of 5 in our medium mixed house but have noticed device coverage can fade out the back or upstairs. I don’t feel the need for mesh but would this improve coverage substantially above the d-link.. I cannot work out what any of the tech specs practically would mean for me
And it’s gone … if anyone has any advice on the above I’m still keen to know so I can keen an eye out for the next similar deal
AiMesh is a great implementation for set and forget and it's so flexible and extendable by adding new devices, the alternative being Unifi if you're a tinkerer
A beefier main router (quad-core ax56u, ax86u, gt-ax6000) followed by cheap aimesh (dual core) satellites like ax53u even second hand ax56u is a good setup
Which is the pick of to the beefier routers?
Can 2 of these be meshed. One as main router and other connected by ethernet cable as range extender to otherside of house for example. Same SSID.