AX router recommendations?

[loganrunning]

Any value AX router better than TP-Link AX72 from M1 for range? Prefer just 1 router instead of having 2 mesh nodes.

the number of possible router models will on factors such as:
a. what is the max $ amount for "value AX router"
b. what are your expectations of speed at the furthest/blocked corners
c. what is the size of area to be covered? what is the floor plan? what are the renovations/features that can block the wifi signal? mainly metal (including large mirrors), concrete, water eg large aquariums

re-phrasing from (c), one way to increase range and speed is to remove obstacles.
for example, a traditional minimalistic japanese interior with only paper walls, will allow a single "value router" to maximise both range and speed.

 

[xiaofan]

Any value AX router better than TP-Link AX72 from M1 for range? Prefer just 1 router instead of having 2 mesh nodes.

It depends on what you call "value".

If choose between the free RT-AX55 and TP-Link Archer AX72, then you may want to choose Archer AX72.

If you are okay with paying more, GT-AX6000 is the best value AX router from M1 in terms of performance/price ratio.

 

[shortbirdlonghair]

Whats the diff between Asus RT-AX58U and RT-AX3000 ? Are both available in SG, and which is better? Thanks.

Prefer Asus over TP-Link for longer firmware support.

 

[xiaofan]

Whats the diff between Asus RT-AX58U and RT-AX3000 ? Are both available in SG, and which is better? Thanks.

Prefer Asus over TP-Link for longer firmware support.

They are the same.
https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax3000-rt-ax58u-review/
I think the general available version is RT-AX58U. I think only MyRepublic is offering RT-AX3000.

Take note TUF-AX3000 is different.

 

[loganrunning]

They are the same.
https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax3000-rt-ax58u-review/
I think the general available version is RT-AX58U. I think only MyRepublic is offering RT-AX3000.

Asus does this for marketing purposes, either different territories, or different distribution channels. eg RT-AC68U vs RT-Ac1900

 

[shortbirdlonghair]

They are the same.
https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax3000-rt-ax58u-review/
I think the general available version is RT-AX58U. I think only MyRepublic is offering RT-AX3000.

Take note TUF-AX3000 is different.

RT-AX58U / RT-AX3000 v1
RT-AX58U v2
RT-AX3000 v2

Any idea of the differences and which is the best? Thanks.

 

[xiaofan]

RT-AX58U / RT-AX3000 v1
RT-AX58U v2
RT-AX3000 v2

Any idea of the differences and which is the best? Thanks.

There are no RT-AX58U/RT-AX3000 V2 version from Asus Singapore website.

Even Asus Global site does not have the V2 you mentioned.

The global site has the TUF-AX3000 v2 info. The CPU is slightly faster (BCM6756, 1.7GHz Quad Core Arm Cortex A7 CPU) and there is a 2.5G Ethernet Port. However based on some Chinese reviews, the CPU is too weak to deal with the 2.5G Ethernet port so it is not that useful.
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/tuf-gaming-ax3000-v2/
If you want have a bit better wireless spec, go for RT-AX82U.

If you can spend a bit more and get GT-AX6000 which is the best value Asus router in the market now (from M1, or from Carousell if you are not M1 user).

BTW, it is said that there is an RT-AX82U V2 with the slightly BCM6756CPU but still with 1Gbps ports. So if there are indeed RT-AX58U v2 and RT-AX3000 V2, that will be similar, just slightly faster CPU but still with 1Gbps ports.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...nd-tuf-ax5400.6315347/page-126#post-145469011

 

[shortbirdlonghair]

There are no RT-AX58U/RT-AX3000 V2 version from Asus Singapore website.

Even Asus Global site does not have the V2 you mentioned.

The global site has the TUF-AX3000 v2 info. The CPU is slightly faster (BCM6756, 1.7GHz Quad Core Arm Cortex A7 CPU) and there is a 2.5G Ethernet Port. However based on some Chinese reviews, the CPU is too weak to deal with the 2.5G Ethernet port so it is not that useful.
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/tuf-gaming-ax3000-v2/
If you want have a bit better wireless spec, go for RT-AX82U.

If you can spend a bit more and get GT-AX6000 which is the best value Asus router in the market now (from M1, or from Carousell if you are not M1 user).

BTW, it is said that there is an RT-AX82U V2 with the slightly BCM6756CPU but still with 1Gbps ports. So if there are indeed RT-AX58U v2 and RT-AX3000 V2, that will be similar, just slightly faster CPU but still with 1Gbps ports.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...nd-tuf-ax5400.6315347/page-126#post-145469011

Google and you will find v2

Thats why Merlin specifically states for v1 only

 

[shortbirdlonghair]

Is Merlin firmware worth it? E.g. for deciding between RT-AX3000 v1 and v2.

 

[xiaofan]

Is Merlin firmware worth it? E.g. for deciding between RT-AX3000 v1 and v2.

There is no much info for RT-AX58U V2 and there are no mentioning of any advantages compared to V1.

For sure I will recommend RT-AX58U V1 because of the Merlin FW support.

Edit to add: if we trust the following 3rd party info, V2 is using BCM6755 CPU instead of the original BCM6750. The two CPUs are more of less the same of the same performance. And RT-AX58U V2 is a cost down version to omit the BCM43684 with the built-in 5GHz Radio from BCM6755.
http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AX58U_v2http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AX58U

 

[xiaofan]

If you are using lower end Wifi 5 routers like the following, yet you have Wifi 6 capable desktop/laptops, you may be surprised at the Wireless speed boost you can get with a cheap AX router
1) Singtel issued Aztech routers, Singtel AC Plus, Singtel AC Elite and Singtel Mesh Router
2) M1 issued Asus RT-AC1200G+ and RT-AC2600
3) Starhub issued D-Link DIR-868L, Linksys EA7500 v2, Linksys EA8100 and Nokia Beacon 1

Just upgrade to a cheap TP-Link Archer AX72 (at about S$80 - S$ 90 from Carousell, dumped by M1 users) and you may see big difference for your Wifi 6 capable desktop/laptops and probably also mobile phone and tablets.

A few examples from recent report in this forum, by upgrading to a cheap sub S$100 Wifi 6 router (TP-Link Archer AX72, at about S$80 from Carousell), the two users got huge improvement.

1) Report from Starhub user on 31-March-2023

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...-fibre-review.5428111/page-122#post-146926167

Went ahead and switch out my router from the Linksys EA8100 to TP-Link AX72.

Now with wifi6, speedtest result on my PC

Router in living room to PC in bedroom separated by one concrete wall. Very happy with the "marginal" jump in speed and i didnt even have to break the bank. Got the AX72 bnib for $80 on carousell.

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...-fibre-review.5428111/page-123#post-146929709

Apart from the faster speeds, i am also seeing better wifi signal coverage. The toilet in my kitchen is the point furthest away from the router and on the old setup, i used to only get 1 bar on the wifi icon and sometimes there would not even be a signal if i closed the toilet door. Now on the AX72, i am getting stable 3 bars. Overall happy with my decision to change the router, at least until end of the year when i decide whether to jump ship to simba.

2) Report 2 from Singtel user just yesterday
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/singtel-1-gbps-fibre.5930834/page-177#post-147023670

appreciate the reply bro! just got the AX72 today after reading your advice and the quality of life changed like crazy, should've done this 2 years earlier instead of suffering lol

i jumped from 2.5mbps in my room to 250~400mbps, didn't know life could be lived like this without waiting for videos to buffer

very thank

 

[vaxvms]

yup is true


my frd just got AX72 from carousell as well
BNIB 50 bucks only
really lelong price

 

[commandowolf]

Wow $50 is really good deal. I see now is $80 average as xiaofan says.

 

[vaxvms]

80$ asking price

so just neg from there loh

supply more than demand mah

 

[tcchuin]

Any idea if the Asus gt-ax6000 can fit in typical hdb dB box?

 

[vaxvms]

u hide ax6000 inside defeat the purpose of her range power leh

unless u using wire AP

from dimension it seem able to go in DB box but maybe need mounted in certain angle

 

[Nanonited]

Can i ask for a 3 bedroom unit, is it better to have 1 AX6000 in the living room or to have AX72 in living room then i use my lan point in the room to also set up another AX72 for good coverage via AP mode? Been reading about aimesh mode, is this possible with these routers?

i dont need the super good connection as i do light gaming/surfing net mostly… the other 2 rooms also used by my younger children, no need to be top notch connection. I assume the living room router can reach their rooms and the kitchen…

actually i have lan points in all the rooms..

 

[xiaofan]

Can i ask for a 3 bedroom unit, is it better to have 1 AX6000 in the living room or to have AX72 in living room then i use my lan point in the room to also set up another AX72 for good coverage via AP mode? Been reading about aimesh mode, is this possible with these routers?

i dont need the super good connection as i do light gaming/surfing net mostly… the other 2 rooms also used by my younger children, no need to be top notch connection. I assume the living room router can reach their rooms and the kitchen…

actually i have lan points in all the rooms..

Maybe you want to post the floor plan and location of the ONT, the LAN ports and intended location of the wireless router, etc.

AImesh means using pure Asus routers which support AImesh. So you can not mix with other vendors (like TP-Link).

GT-AX6000 is a very powerful router, so you may not need other routers if you can put it in a central location.

 

[Nanonited]

Maybe you want to post the floor plan and location of the ONT, the LAN ports and intended location of the wireless router, etc.

AImesh means using pure Asus routers which support AImesh. So you can not mix with other vendors (like TP-Link).

GT-AX6000 is a very powerful router, so you may not need other routers if you can put it in a central location.

Could i ask what is the most budget/value for money option? Thinking to place 1 router DB box, 1 in living, 1 in master? Can buy them off carousell cheaper?

or more worth to buy AX6000 to place in living and 1 in DB? The blue circles are the lan pts

 

[xiaofan]

Could i ask what is the most budget/value for money option? Thinking to place 1 router DB box, 1 in living, 1 in master? Can buy them off carousell cheaper?

or more worth to buy AX6000 to place in living and 1 in DB? The blue circles are the lan pts

I will suggest to go with the first option. Since you have LAN ports in the rooms, cheaper dual band solution should be good enough. For example, you can get BNIB RT-AX55 from Carousell at about S$80 to S$90.
1) RT-AX55 as main router in the DB box
2) RT-AX55 in Bedroom 3
3) RT-AX55 in Master room

For the main router, you can also upgrade to a better one like RT-AX56U or RT-AX58U.