I was looking for router upgrading from AX10 and found that AX73 was ATL in GG commercial.
Can be stacked with the $30 instore voucher if you ask the sales to price match their price on commercial website:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/904043
And Afterpay new user promo:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/903944
And pay with 10% off ultimate gift card as usual.
I'm guessing the default router has an older wi-fi standard that while slower, will penetrate walls better.
Nope, same wi-fi standard. The ASUS one I bought to replace it has the same protocols and works perfectly.
Did you buy it off Amazon? No way they sell EU junk in actual Ozzie store
@bAps: This is why I've ordered a US version for a router. AU and EU are restricted on mW transmit power.
@bAps: I was a bit suprised, so that is why I asked. Where you able to return it? Shouldn't they only be selling AU region versions?
Amazon I could understand having a different region version, but wasn't expecting Officeworks to.
Can I ask, does the Router only have Open VPN client, or does it also have the option for Wireguard? All good if you don't know/use either of these features.
I really don't know if I should just buy another brand as all the Asus model routers I'm looking at are out of my price range, but I think this old Asus Router (RT-AC68U) I have is holding back my new 1Gbps connection I got a few months ago.
@Ice009: Yeah the RT-AC68U is holding you back.
Asus RT-BE58U ($270 with JB Hi-Fi Perks)
Instant Guard.
VPN Client: WireGuard, PPTP, Open VPN, L2TP.
VPN Server: WireGuard, PPTP, Open VPN, IPSec.
TP-Link Archer AX73
VPN Server & VPN Client: OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP.
GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Flint 2 ($207 from GL.iNet via Amazon AU)
WireGuard and Open VPN.
@Twix: Yeah, thanks. I need to get a new router sooner than later.
Definitely would prefer something with at least two 2.5Gbps ports too and also want something that has OpenVPN and Wireguard VPN client support.
I was just looking at the RT-BE92U German model, but just not sure about those lower WiFi power levels.
I would prefer something from the RT-BE88U, RT-BE86U or RT-BE92U as they also have Merlin support (looks like the BE92U is going to get it which I didn't expect).
Maybe I need to get a stopgap router for now. What's the cheapest price the BE58U has been?
Also, any idea if an older model such at the RT-AC86U (I know it's definitely a better overall router) would be better than the AC68U to handle the 1Gbps connection? I can get a secondhand one for dirt cheap for around $50. Was thinking of using that as a stopgap if it's going to at least handle the 1Gbps connection better than the AC68U. I did actually have an AC86U couple of years ago, but it failed. I was happy with the performance of it (yeah, it's missing features I want, but for $50 I can at least wait for better deals as I'd prefer to stick with Asus), but I only had a 100Mbps connection. A few months ago is the first time I've ever had a 1Gbps connection.
I was going to get the Asus TUF Gaming AX4200 a couple of months ago as a stopgap as it was just $169 on Amazon, but I couldn't order it, as it wouldn't ship to my location. Someone said it was for metro only areas which I don't understand as I'm not somewhere remote or anything, just not in the city. For this price, I was going to buy it and give it a go, but couldn't order it unfortunately.
Edit:
Maybe your search skills are better than mine, but is there anything on Ebay that is a decent price? I have a $100 voucher (got it due to a stuff up on Ebay's part) that expires tomorrow night. I was all set to use it on shaving gear, can maybe use it on a router, but I can't find any decent routers there where the prices aren't overinflated, so the voucher would only bring some of them down to similar prices to what Amazon have normally.
@Ice009: RT-BE58U was $259 however it only has one 2.5GbE WAN port.
RT-BE86U $399 @ Centre Com. Ends tomorrow 11pm.
RT-BE92U was $449. Now $529 @ Bing Lee.
RT-BE88U was $474. Now $549.
I can't remember how well the RT-AC86U performs and there isn't any good Asus Wi-Fi 7 router deals on eBay.
@Twix: Thanks. The RT-BE86U is making me think about stretching my budget, but being in WA, postage is going to be about $20. Not sure if I want to go that far. I'd rather wait and get the BE88U at $474 if I were to spend $420+. Under $400 is very tempting for the BE86U if it wasn't for the postage cost.
Are those prices you wrote the lowest each one has been at? You think any other deals will pop up by tomorrow, or not likely if any of those other routers are not on special already like the RT-BE86U is?
I guess I need to ask someone that has a 1Gbit connection that might be using the RT-AC86U how it handles it. Any idea where I could likely ask this question (even if I have to signup on a forum/elsewhere to ask?)? With the AC68U, I'm just getting inconsistent speeds (I don't think the CPU can keep up/handle it).
Thanks for checking Ebay. I'll use the voucher for something else by tomorrow night as I don't want to lose it/waste it.
@Ice009: RT-BE86U $399 + $20 delivery to WA is still good. Amazon had the RRP as $549.
Do you need the extra ports from the RT-BE88U?
Yeah that was the lowest each model has been. Wi-Fi 7 routers from Asus are still new so it depends how long you want to wait. The next lot of sales is EOFY in June. No clue if EOFY router prices will be as low as the previous sales.
Mother's day sales started early so I doubt it.
Search for Asus RT-AC86U Gigabit speedtest and you should find a review with the results.
@Twix: I don't know what is going on here at OzB, but I'm not getting any notifications to new replies to my posts. I missed your post and only just read the one below where you mentioned RT-BE86U at $399 delivered from Amazon AU :(. I would have read it last night if I got a notification of a reply. I do have it subscribed to notify me of replies to my posts, so I am not sure what is going on here as the last notification I got was on 10/05/25 20:41. Not sure if notifications are working for you guys?
@Ice009: Notifications were broken since about 10pm Saturday to Sunday afternoon but they are fixed now.
RT-BE88U $474 deal is back @ Amazon AU
@Twix: When did Amazon start doing this. If I put in a Perth postcode, I can buy it for $399, but if I put in my postcode (country WA), doesn't even have an option to buy it. It shows now stock. Why TF are Amazon doing this? If you're in Australia and not remote, why can't you order certain items unless you're in the city/metro area? That's not really fair. I don't know why I'm paying for Amazon Prime if I can't get these deals.
@Ice009: I think a few months ago. No idea what the reasoning is. Can you get it delivered to a mates or family members?
@Twix: Thanks. I thought it was new as I don't remember seeing this before. When someone posts a deal, I can normally get it if it isn't sold out, but these deals, they don't seem to deliver to my postcode, or postcodes outside of Perth. As soon as I put in a Perth postcode it's available to buy and there is stock. I don't understand why that would be. I have one person I could get it delivered to, but then he'll have to go to the trouble to go to the post office to repost to me, which is likely another $20-$25.
Do you think it's worth me going to Amazon support/chat and asking why, or am I likely to not get a proper answer? Basically, I want to put in a complaint saying why should I pay the membership if you guys are going to start doing this.
@Ice009: I was able to return it, no questions asked by Officeworks.
From my understanding, EU routers have a much lower signal range due to most people living in smaller apartments in those countries. They also don't operate on certain frequencies.
I didnt set up open vpn or wireguard while I was trying to get it to work, sorry can't help you there.
Weirdly in Aus we pay big prices for ASUS routers, compared to the other big brands. From memory I paid $299 (on sale on amazon) for my ASUS RT-AX86U Pro and its been pretty much flawless. The app and frequent firmware updates are really good.
I was able to return it, no questions asked by Officeworks.
From my understanding, EU routers have a much lower signal range due to most people living in smaller apartments in those countries. They also >don't operate on certain frequencies.
Yeah, this makes sense. I guess there not spread as far apart as we are here in a lot of places, so I guess they don't need the higher power levels?
I've really been thinking of trying the German version of the RT-BE92U as it's on for a good price right now.
I didnt set up open vpn or wireguard while I was trying to get it to work, sorry can't help you there.
All good, thanks.
Weirdly in Aus we pay big prices for ASUS routers, compared to the other big brands. From memory I paid $299 (on sale on amazon) for my ASUS >RT-AX86U Pro and its been pretty much flawless. The app and frequent firmware updates are really good.
I would have bought the RT-AX86U Pro when it was $299, but with it only having 1 x 2.5Gbps port, I passed on it. Really crap decision for them to only have the one port. It has everything I wanted apart from only the single 2.5Gbps port :(.
Did you get the AX86U Pro after you returned the TP-Link router? I would have thought retailers here aren't allowed to sell overseas models, but I guess make it's OK if the power levels are less? Apparently my RT-AC68U is a US version (a member at Whirlpool told me how to check it late last year) and I bought this from PCCasegear years ago.
Don't buy wifi routes that are not 6e+, they will obsolete in a few years.
they will obsolete in a few years.
No they won't.
That's not how IT works, everything gets obsolete in a few years. If you have money, get this, then few years, get whatever the best you can buy for your budget :)
73% of NBN users have their speed limited to 50 Mbps or less. Wi-Fi 5 offers the same 5 GHz as Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 may be useful if you have a huge house, which most people don't. WiFi 6e and 7 are real advancements when they offer 6 GHz and therefore avoid congestion on 2.4 and 5 GHz.
You can't use the $30 voucher for the Good Guys Commercial website.
You also wouldnt be able to take advantage of the Afterpay promo either as the 'commercial' site is not listed on Afterpay.
Sorry mate. I updated to ask their sales to match the commercial price.
That would be great, cheers.
How do you get access to Good Guys Commerical, and what brand routers do they sell?
A long time ago I signed up with G'day Rewards, which gave access to TGGC. I don't remember if I had to pay anything at g'day. Google search Good Guys Commercial sign up - there's other unions and companies they partner with.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/gdayrewards.com.au
https://www.gdayrewards.com.au/partners/g-day-rewards-partne…
I was actually with one of the Superannuation companies that had access, but it seems they don't anymore. I was going to signup through my Superannuation, but when I went to look a few months ago, seems their members don't have access anymore :(.
you can sign up with ART for free. takes about 5 mins.
What does ART stand for?
Good deal for Jeffrey.
while wifi 6e+blah is not a necessity… for slightly above this price range I'd be looking for a 2.5G port or two:
https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-mt6000/
2.5G is not a necessity either. I would say 1G is already overkill for the majority of people.
maybe.. but would argue that people shopping for a router on OzB are not 'the majority of people' ;)
wifi 6 caps out around 9.5G.. so the 1G becomes a bit of a bottleneck..
especially if you're splitting it to increase ports, then trying to backup onto a NAS
Internet speeds in Aus are terrible, even a 1G port won't be a bottleneck for 99.999% of users.
not for internet.. but moving things around your local network whilst streaming…
I have this.
Been rock solid.
Good coverage, fast enough for my 100mbps connection.
LOL, I reckon my AX10 is enough for 100mbps NBN but it is not enough after NBN upgrade their speed in Sep 2025.
https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/…
isnt the BE3600 on GG commercial for the same price a better choice?
AX73 has FEM which provides better wall penetration but BE3600 uses newer Wifi7 with two 2.5G ethernet ports. Maybe AX73 is better for houses and BE3600 is better at small apartment?
Is FEM real or just some marketing puffery? I cant see a lot about it (aside from the mention on the AX73 page)
FEM is like signal amplifer. Some routers have integrated into the chipset while others have separated ones soldered on the board. I used AX12 router without mentioning FEM in its description before using AX10 and I can tell the difference of wall penetration.
I bought one of these a few months ago, but it was an EU model and the wi-fi strength/range was AWFUL. Even the default router provided by the ISP was way better.