Asus TUF AX3000 (V1 and V2), RT-AX58U (V1 and V2), RT-AX3000, RT-AX3000P, RT-AX57, RT-AX56U, RT-AX55, RT-AX53U, RT-AX1800HP, RT-AX1800U

[xiaofan]

Asus Singapore is also selling TUF-AX4200 now, with 2.5G WAN port (only WAN, not WAN/LAN) for S$259. This may be a worthy upgrade to TUF-AX3000 (S$255, sold-out).
https://shopee.sg/ASUS-TUF-Gaming-A...ng-2.5Gbps-port-AiMesh-i.41821807.23730001954
Tech spec:
https://www.asus.com/in/networking-...us-gaming-routers/tuf-gaming-ax4200/techspec/
Simple review:

 

[KYLee]

Anyone try out the China V2 Tuf ax3000 version? Is it worth and work with Aimesh 2.0?

 

[xiaofan]

Anyone try out the China V2 Tuf ax3000 version? Is it worth and work with Aimesh 2.0?

The spec is okay. But the review is so-so as the weak CPU can not really handle 2.5G WAN port. For the purpose of using in Singapore, the 2.5G WAN port is also not so useful so it offers almost no benefits over the V1 version other than the slightly faster CPU.

Still it maybe useful for the upcoming SIMBA 2.5G plan but you may not get full speed due to the weak CPU).

But if you just use it as a mesh node, there should not be a problem.

Spec:
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot...gaming-routers/tuf-gaming-ax3000-v2/techspec/

 

[KYLee]

The spec is okay. But the review is so-so as the weak CPU can not really handle 2.5G WAN port. For the purpose of using in Singapore, the 2.5G WAN port is also not so useful so it offers almost no benefits over the V1 version other than the slightly faster CPU.

Still it maybe useful for the upcoming SIMBA 2.5G plan but you may not get full speed due to the weak CPU).

But if you just use it as a mesh node, there should not be a problem.

Spec:
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot...gaming-routers/tuf-gaming-ax3000-v2/techspec/

Thanks Xiaofan,
Btw, what FW are you using on your AX82U? Alternatively, I am thinking to get from open market. Please advise.

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks Xiaofan,
Btw, what FW are you using on your AX82U? Alternatively, I am thinking to get from open market. Please advise.

You can either use the official Asus FW, or the Merlin Fork here. Either one is okay.
https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

 

[xiaofan]

Asus Great Singapore Sale pricing (from Challenger)

High-end
GT-AX11000 Pro -- S$759
GT-AX10000 -- S$699
RT-AX89X -- S$699
GT-AX6000 -- S$699 (but you can get BNIB units from Carousell at less than S$500)

Mid-end
TUF-AX6000 -- S$359
RT-AX82U -- S$329
RT-AX5400 -- S$279
TUF-AX4200 -- S$249

Mid-Low end
RT-AX58U -- S$225 (not recommended, better get TUF-AX4200)

Low end
RT-AX57 (new) -- S$199
RT-AX56U -- S$179
RT-AX1800HP -- S$129
RT-AX53U -- S$99 (but you can get better RT-AX55 BNIB from Carousell at about S$80)

 

[nuvision]

Hi, quick question here. My friend has given me a RT-AX57 (china set).

But I am having difficulty connecting to Singtel/Starhub ONT. Is it because the China set does not come with Singtel/Starhub profile? If so, can any kind soul advise on how I can either import or configure the missing info (i.e. the relevant isp profiles)? Or is it China sets are not support here?

Thanks much.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi, quick question here. My friend has given me a RT-AX57 (china set).
But I am having difficulty connecting to Singtel/Starhub ONT. Is it because the China set does not come with Singtel/Starhub profile? If so, can any kind soul advise on how I can either import or configure the missing info (i.e. the relevant isp profiles)? Or is it China sets are not support here?
Thanks much.

You do not need any VLAN profile for Starhub. It should work out of the box.

For SingTel ONT users you need the SingTel Others profile.

You may want to carry out factory reset and then try again.

Asus China version is supposed to have the same HW and same FW with the local set, just different country code which will have minor behaviour difference (but typical user will not even notice the difference).

If you can not get it working with Starhub ONT, then it may be a lemon set.

 

[nuvision]

You do not need any VLAN profile for Starhub. It should work out of the box.

For SingTel ONT users you need the SingTel Others profile.

You may want to carry out factory reset and then try again.

Asus China version is supposed to have the same HW and same FW with the local set, just different country code which will have minor behaviour difference (but typical user will not even notice the difference).

If you can not get it working with Starhub ONT, then it may be a lemon set.

Thanks xiaofan. Crossing my fingers on Starhub ONT.

For Singel setup, the problem is that there is no option for me to select the Singtel Others profile in it. My set up sequence is as follows:
Choose operation mode --> Wireless Router mode --> Next screen is to select either Automatic or Static IP.
By right after selecting "Wireless Router mode", it should then bring me to the "WAN Connection Type" page that then allows me to select SingTel Others profile. However, it seems that they skip the "WAN Connection Type" page altogether.

I have already updated to the latest Singapore firmware version. Thus I wonder what could be the problem...

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks xiaofan. Crossing my fingers on Starhub ONT.

For Singel setup, the problem is that there is no option for me to select the Singtel Others profile in it. My set up sequence is as follows:
Choose operation mode --> Wireless Router mode --> Next screen is to select either Automatic or Static IP.
By right after selecting "Wireless Router mode", it should then bring me to the "WAN Connection Type" page that then allows me to select SingTel Others profile. However, it seems that they skip the "WAN Connection Type" page altogether.

I have already updated to the latest Singapore firmware version. Thus I wonder what could be the problem...

You can always go to LAN --> IPTV to change the setting. The following is from my Asus RT-AX86U. It should be the same for all Asus AX routers.

 

[nuvision]

You can always go to LAN --> IPTV to change the setting. The following is from my Asus RT-AX86U. It should be the same for all Asus AX routers.

Oh great. I will try that later. Thanks.

 

[nuvision]

You can always go to LAN --> IPTV to change the setting. The following is from my Asus RT-AX86U. It should be the same for all Asus AX routers.

Just tested connecting to Singtel ONT and it works.

I noticed that Merlin does not have firmware for RT-AX57. Is there another router version that I can used in Merlin - e.g. RT-AX58U?

 

[xiaofan]

Just tested connecting to Singtel ONT and it works.
I noticed that Merlin does not have firmware for RT-AX57. Is there another router version that I can used in Merlin - e.g. RT-AX58U?

RT-AX58U V2 (current version selling in Singapore) is not supported by Merlin. RT-AX68U is not available in Singapore. So your best bet is RT-AX86U Pro or GT-AX6000.

Merlin FW support (RT-AX56U support was dropped recently)
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/

There is a fork from gnuton with support of RT-AX82U v1 but not V2.
https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

 

[nuvision]

RT-AX58U V2 (current version selling in Singapore) is not supported by Merlin. RT-AX68U is not available in Singapore. So your best bet is RT-AX86U Pro or GT-AX6000.

Merlin FW support (RT-AX56U support was dropped recently)
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/

There is a fork from gnuton with support of RT-AX82U v1 but not V2.
https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

Thanks again for the fast reply xiaofan.

On the box of my RT-AX57, it has also printed AX3000. And I just realised that AX3000 is supported by Merlin.

Thus in your opinion, do you think if I should use Merlin AX3000, RT-AX86U Pro or GT-AX6000? Will there be any issue to use these Merlin firmware that does not officially support RT-AX57?

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks again for the fast reply xiaofan.
On the box of my RT-AX57, it has also printed AX3000. And I just realised that AX3000 is supported by Merlin.
Thus in your opinion, do you think if I should use Merlin AX3000, RT-AX86U Pro or GT-AX6000? Will there be any issue to use these Merlin firmware that does not officially support RT-AX57?

AX3000 is the wireless rating of your RT-AX57. RT-AX57 is a low end AX router from Asus and I believe it will never be supported by official Merlin or the gnuton fork.

TUF-AX3000 V1 is supported by gnuton. Again V2 is not supported. It is totally different from your RT-AX57.

If you really want stable Merlin FW support, you may have to go to Asus RT-AX86U, RT-AX86U Pro, RT-AX88U and GT-AX6000.

It is said that you can get 2nd hand version of RT-AX86U at around S$200.

 

[nuvision]

AX3000 is the wireless rating of your RT-AX57. RT-AX57 is a low end AX router from Asus and I believe it will never be supported by official Merlin or the gnuton fork.

TUF-AX3000 V1 is supported by gnuton. Again V2 is not supported. It is totally different from your RT-AX57.

If you really want stable Merlin FW support, you may have to go to Asus RT-AX86U, RT-AX86U Pro, RT-AX88U and GT-AX6000.

It is said that you can get 2nd hand version of RT-AX86U at around S$200.

Guess I will likely use the AX57 and its firmware from ASUS for now. As my current use case does not really need a high end router.

Much thank again.

 

[xiaofan]

Guess I will likely use the AX57 and its firmware from ASUS for now. As my current use case does not really need a high end router.
Much thank again.

You are welcome.

Personally I do not see much benefits of Asus Merlin FW now. I use stock Asus FW on my Asus RT-AX86U. But I use Pi-hole or Adguard Home to help protect the home network.

You may want to give that a try if you want better home network security. You need to get a Raspberry Pi 4B or a mini PC.

Or you can use 3rd party DNS to help protect home network, without the need to get extra HW.

Reference:
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/anti-virus-on-router-level.6948385/
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/isp-and-router-vendor-security-related-offerings.6938654/

 

[xiaofan]

Asus has EOLed RT-AX56U, and that is why Merlin dropped the support of RT-AX56U. RT-AX58U V1 is still supported as of now.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ax56u-eol-question.86267/

 

[xiaofan]

Asus Great Singapore Sale pricing (from Challenger)

High-end
GT-AX11000 Pro -- S$759
GT-AX10000 -- S$699
RT-AX89X -- S$699
GT-AX6000 -- S$699 (but you can get BNIB units from Carousell at less than S$500)

Mid-end
TUF-AX6000 -- S$359
RT-AX82U -- S$329
RT-AX5400 -- S$279
TUF-AX4200 -- S$249

Mid-Low end
RT-AX58U -- S$225 (not recommended, better get TUF-AX4200)

Low end
RT-AX57 (new) -- S$199
RT-AX56U -- S$179
RT-AX1800HP -- S$129
RT-AX53U -- S$99 (but you can get better RT-AX55 BNIB from Carousell at about S$80)

Asus router pricing from Challenger website for reference (price dropped)

High-end
GT-AX11000 Pro -- S$629.10
GT-AX10000 -- S$593.10
RT-AX89X -- S$539.10
GT-AX6000 -- S$539.10 (but you can get BNIB units from Carousell at around S$450 to S$480)
RT-AX86U Pro -- ?? (S$429), said to be available in Challenger Nex

Mid-end
TUF-AX6000 -- S$323.10
RT-AX82U -- S$269.10
RT-AX5400 -- S$251.10
TUF-AX4200 -- S$224.10 (recommended, good upgrade from lower end Asus routers)

Mid-Low end
RT-AX58U -- S$202.50 (not recommended, better get TUF-AX4200)
TUF-AX3000 -- S$220.50 (not recommended, better get TUF-AX4200)

Low end
RT-AX57 (new) -- S$179.10
RT-AX56U -- S$134.10 (EOLed by Asus)
RT-AX1800HP -- S$116.10
RT-AX53U -- S$89.10 (but you can get better RT-AX55 BNIB from Carousell at about S$75)

Note: The price is just for reference. I am not good at finding lobangs -- so you may want to check other places as well for better deals (eg: Lazada, Shopee, Qoo10, Carousell, Courts, etc).

 

[nuvision]

Asus router pricing from Challenger website for reference (price dropped)

High-end
GT-AX11000 Pro -- S$629.10
GT-AX10000 -- S$593.10
RT-AX89X -- S$539.10
GT-AX6000 -- S$539.10 (but you can get BNIB units from Carousell at around S$450 to S$480)
RT-AX86U Pro -- ?? (S$429), said to be available in Challenger Nex

Mid-end
TUF-AX6000 -- S$323.10
RT-AX82U -- S$269.10
RT-AX5400 -- S$251.10
TUF-AX4200 -- S$224.10 (recommended, good upgrade from lower end Asus routers)

Mid-Low end
RT-AX58U -- S$202.50 (not recommended, better get TUF-AX4200)
TUF-AX3000 -- S$220.50 (not recommended, better get TUF-AX4200)

Low end
RT-AX57 (new) -- S$179.10
RT-AX56U -- S$134.10 (EOLed by Asus)
RT-AX1800HP -- S$116.10
RT-AX53U -- S$89.10 (but you can get better RT-AX55 BNIB from Carousell at about S$75)

Thanks for the price list. I have bookmark it in case going to upgrade my current RT-AX57 to something better.