The ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) is a mid-tier router released in 2020, offering many specs and features common to the best routers on the market. Its three antenna design delivers up to 5700 Mbps combined speed across 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The download speeds come out to 563 Mbps on a 5Ghz band and 89 Mbps on a 2.4GHz band. The router supports MU-MIMO and ASUS AiMesh, Adaptive QoS for prioritizing gaming traffic, and AiProtection Pro for network security. It also features Mobile Game Mode for low-latency mobile gaming, VPN Fusion for simultaneous VPN and an ordinary internet connection, and an instant guard for secure remote internet access.
out of
Routers
Asus RT-AX86S Review
→
Published
True Score
True Score is an AI-powered algorithm of product tests and customer reviews.
Absolutely Fresh
Experts
Consumers
Expert Rankings
(
)
The ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) is a great router with plenty of gaming features, a fast, reliable connection, and an extensive range with easy setup. However, it lacks functions like backhaul and mesh.
We’re reader-supported. Commissions finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. Learn more
Product Snapshot
Overview
The ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) is a mid-tier router released in 2020, offering many specs and features common to the best routers on the market. Its three antenna design delivers up to 5700 Mbps combined speed across 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The download speeds come out to 563 Mbps on a 5Ghz band and 89 Mbps on a 2.4GHz band. The router supports MU-MIMO and ASUS AiMesh, Adaptive QoS for prioritizing gaming traffic, and AiProtection Pro for network security. It also features Mobile Game Mode for low-latency mobile gaming, VPN Fusion for simultaneous VPN and an ordinary internet connection, and an instant guard for secure remote internet access.
Best For
Asus
Best Overall
Centurylink
Cox
Gaming
Long Range
Optimum
Parental Controls
Secure
Spectrum
Voip
Xfinity
Consensus
our Verdict
The ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) is a feature-packed dual-band router with blazing speed that is great for regular home use or gaming. On a 5 GHz band, it has 1.8 Gbps WiFi speed; it’s also great on a 2.4 GHz band, testing at 861 Mbps. Download speeds are also great; they clock in at 563 Mbps at 5 GHz, which is in the top 25% of the category. On a 2.4 GHz band, it runs at 89 Mbps, which is above average (The Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8 does slightly better at 95 Mbps.)
Additionally, the connection is reliable at long or short ranges and doesn’t suffer much fallout. The range is impressive, too, reaching up to 46 meters from devices before experiencing major issues. In terms of ports, it has many options, including 4 LAN and 2 USB 3.0 inputs, making it great for connecting external devices. Lastly, the router is super simple to set up and can be up and running within minutes. Users can easily manage settings from there via the ASUS smartphone app or web option. However, keep in mind there aren’t smart features, such as connectivity to home assistants.
ReasonS to Buy
- Fast WiFi and download speeds
The router is ideal for gaming and high-quality content streaming as the router has download speeds of 563 Mbps on a 5 GHz band and 89 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz band. The 5GHz performance ranks in the top 25% of the category.
The ASUS RT-AX86S has amazing WiFi speeds. On a 5GHz band, it tested in at up to 1.8 Gbps. Then, on a 2.4 GHz band, it also performs very well, peaking at 861 Mbps.
- Incredible range of coverage
The router has a strong range of coverage that reaches up to 140 feet, which is in the top 10% of our certified tested routers.
- Easy installation and set up
Establishing a network with this router is a breeze, as all you have to do is download the app, follow a few short steps, and you’re set. The app itself is easy to navigate, and setup is done in under 10 minutes.
The router has many features, such as parental controls, a Mobile Game Mode setting, and bandwidth limiting, which are easy to manage via the app or web.
- Low Latency
The router establishes quick connections between devices, as the latency is 15 ms, which places it in the top 25% of the category.
Reason to Avoid
- Lacks Backhaul and Mesh Networking
The router lacks backhaul and mesh, which prohibits it from finding the fastest possible networking routes.
Asus RT-AX86S Specs
# of LAN Ports | 4 | |
# of Phone Ports | n/a | |
# of WAN Ports | 1 | |
App Compatible | Yes | |
Available Storage | 256MB | |
Band Technology | Dual | |
Data Encryption Type | WPA, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3, WPA3-Enterprise, WPS | |
Energy Star Certified | No | |
Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz | |
Integrated Modem | No | |
LAN Ports | 4 Gb Ethernet | |
MU-MIMO Support | Yes | |
Mesh System | No | |
Number of Antennas | 4 | |
Parental Controls | Yes | |
Processor Cores | Dual | |
Processor Speed | 1.8GHz | |
Quality of Service Prioritization | Yes | |
WiFi Range | 5400 sq. ft | |
WiFi Speed | 5.7 Gb | |
Wired Speed | – | |
Wireless Standard | AC, AX, N |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Routers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
2.4 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s) | 89 |
2.4 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s) | 0 |
5 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s) | 563 |
5 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s) | 23 |
Router Range (ft) | 140 |
Latency (ms) | 15 |
6 Ghz Download speed (Mbits/s) | 0 |
6 Ghz Upload speed (Mbits/s) | 0 |
All Tests
Like what you’re reading? Get trustworthy, transparent product reviews and the latest tech news delivered to your inbox every morning.
Product Comparison
Asus RT-AX86S Review | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 85 | 80 | 79 | 74 |
Ranking | # 11 / 37 | # 25 / 37 | # 27 / 37 | # 39 / 37 |
Market Context |
The ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) is a mid-tier router released in 2020, offering many specs and features common to the best routers on the market. Its… |
The ASUS RT-AX86S download speeds are faster than the ASUS ZenWifi XT8, clocking in at 89 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz band compared to the… The ASUS RT-AX86S download speeds are faster than the ASUS ZenWifi XT8, clocking in at 89 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz band compared to the XT8’s 79 Mbps. The RT-AX86S also has more input options, offering one extra LAN and USB input compared to the XT8. Perhaps the biggest advantage the RT-AX86S has over the ZenWifi model is range. The RT extends up to 140 feet without dropping the connection, whereas the XT8 has a limited 90-foot, 27-meter of connection. For a more in-depth look, check out our ASUS ZenWifi XT8 review. |
The ASUS RT-AX86S has faster speeds than the Google Nest WiFi. The ASUS RT-AX86S is a Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds up to 5700 Mbps,… The ASUS RT-AX86S has faster speeds than the Google Nest WiFi. The ASUS RT-AX86S is a Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds up to 5700 Mbps, ideal for high-bandwidth activities like gaming and 4K/8K streaming. The Google Nest WiFi, a Wi-Fi 5 router, offers lower speeds compared to Wi-Fi 6 and is more suited for general home use. The RT-AX86S includes multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 3.2 port. Google Nest WiFi has fewer ports, only one USB port, and no LAN or WAN inputs. For another great router insight, check out our Eero 6+ review. |
The connection range is the main difference between the ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) and Linksys Atlas Pro 6 (MX5503). The ASUS has a worse connection range,… The connection range is the main difference between the ASUS RT-AX86S (AX5700) and Linksys Atlas Pro 6 (MX5503). The ASUS has a worse connection range, which is 140 feet, compared to the Linksys, which extends to 160 feet before experiencing major connection issues. The Linksys also lacks ports with no USB inputs and only 3 LAN slots. There’s also a huge gap in speed. The ASUS has a 2.4 GHz download speed of 89 Mbps, compared to the Linksys 76 Mbps speed. In terms of controls, the ASUS also offers more robust parental settings. For another look at a great ASSU router, read our ASUS RT AC66U review. |
# of LAN Ports | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
# of Phone Ports | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
# of WAN Ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
App Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Available Storage | 256MB | 256MB | 512MB | 256MB |
Band Technology | Dual | Tri | Dual | Dual |
Data Encryption Type | WPA, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3, WPA3-Enterprise, WPS | WPA-Enterprise, WPA-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS | WPA3 | WPA2 Mixed Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA3 Mixed Personal, WPA3-Personal |
Energy Star Certified | No | n/a | n/a | No |
Dig Deeper |
All Stores
Updated every 24 hours
- Save $103$240.72$137.95
- $490.00
Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
- 85.5
Category Trust Rating
79The ASUS RT-AX86S is the best all-around dual-band router we tested, offering exceptional performance where… Read MoreBy:
Matt Spencer - 62.6
Category Trust Rating
NRIf your online gaming or video streaming experience hasn’t been living up to expectations, a… Read MoreBy:
Brad Moon - 47.6
Category Trust Rating
NRN/A Read MoreBy:
Unknown
Customer Scores
- 92
(
4.6/5
)
655Ratings
- 100
(
5.0/5
)
2Ratings
- 92
(
4.6/5
)
102Ratings
Learn More About Routers
Router Buying Guides_
Latest DEALS_
-
Get the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe for $69 (originally $149) – $80 savings
·
-
Get the Insignia 114″ Outdoor Projector Screen for $89 (originally $249) – $160 savings
·
-
Get the Dirt Devil EV3320 Robot Vacuum for $69 (originally $85) – $15 savings
·
-
Get the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless for $139 (originally $279) – $140 savings
·
-
Get the Sapphire RX 7800 XT for $469 (originally $519) – $50 savings
·