The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a router built for smaller homes. It has good 2.4 GHZ download speeds and is easy to set up. However, it offers slow 5 GHz download speeds, and its range of connection is limited. Additionally, it only has one USB port for connecting external devices.
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), released in early 2020, is a high-performing mid-tier tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system with many features, like wireless backhaul support, commonly found on the best routers. It’s a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) tri-band, 6 antenna router with up to 6600 Mbps speed, ensuring robust performance for bandwidth-intensive tasks. It has an advertised range of coverage of 5,500 square feet (2,750 per node). It also includes multiple Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.1 ports for increased connectivity options.
The router can be set up through the dedicated ASUS Router mobile app or through the browser interface. Here, they can access parental controls and security, including WPA, WPA 2, and WPA 3, as well as anti-malware tools.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a tri-band, mesh WiFI6 router that runs on the 80211ax tech, which has two 5 GHz bands, suitable for smaller spaces and apartments. The router supports a handful of cutting-edge features, such as WPA3 2., MU-MIMO, up to 160HZ bandwidth, direct signal beamforming, 1024 QAM, and OFDMA. Download speeds are 288 Mbps on a 5 GHz band, which is in the bottom 25% of routers. However, on a 2.4 GHZ band, download speeds are 95 Mbps, which is above average.
The router has a limited connection range, dropping out after around 90 feet, so users will either need an additional satellite node or only think about using this in smaller homes of around 1,500 square feet.
The interface on the mobile app and the web browser is very easy to use, allowing users to set up networks in minutes. From there, users can also easily set up network security, issue parental controls, and add additional networks.
Reason to Buy
Good 2.4 GHz Download Speed
The router is ideal for casual, smaller home use, as the download speed is 95 Mbps at a 2.4 GHz band, which is above average.
Easy to Set Up and Configure
Setting up a network is simple and intuitive. Users can access the ASUS Router mobile app on Android or iPhone to set up a network, update firmware, and access network security tools and parental controls.
The router also comes with a great browser-based interface.
Reason to Avoid
Subpar Download Speed
The router has a 5 GHz band download speed of 287 Mbps, which places it in the bottom 25% of the category.
Limited Range of Connection
Devices experience major WiFi issues at long ranges, as devices drop out after being around 90 feet from the router. This is subpar compared to similar routers.
Limited USB Connectivity
Users have limited ability to connect external devices, as the router only comes with one USB port.
Asus ZenWiFi XT8 Specs
# of LAN Ports
3
# of Phone Ports
n/a
# of WAN Ports
1
App Compatible
Yes
Available Storage
256MB
Band Technology
Tri
Data Encryption Type
WPA-Enterprise, WPA-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS
Energy Star Certified
n/a
Frequency Bands
2.4 GHz
Integrated Modem
No
LAN Ports
3 Gb Ethernet
MU-MIMO Support
Yes
Mesh System
Yes
Number of Antennas
6
Parental Controls
Yes
Processor Cores
Quad
Processor Speed
1.5 GHz
Quality of Service Prioritization
Yes
WiFi Range
5500 sq. ft
WiFi Speed
0.825 Gb
Wired Speed
1000 Mb
Wireless Standard
AC, AX, N
All Specs
Test Results
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2.4 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s)
95.3333
2.4 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s)
6
5 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s)
287.82
5 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s)
6
Router Range (ft)
90
Latency (ms)
6
6 Ghz Download speed (Mbits/s)
0
6 Ghz Upload speed (Mbits/s)
0
All Tests
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The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), released in early 2020, is a high-performing mid-tier tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system with many features, like wireless backhaul support, commonly…
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), released in early 2020, is a high-performing mid-tier tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system with many features, like wireless backhaul support, commonly found on the best routers. It’s a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) tri-band, 6 antenna router with up to 6600 Mbps speed, ensuring robust performance for bandwidth-intensive tasks. It has an advertised range of coverage of 5,500 square feet (2,750 per node). It also includes multiple Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.1 ports for increased connectivity options.
The router can be set up through the dedicated ASUS Router mobile app or through the browser interface. Here, they can access parental controls and security, including WPA, WPA 2, and WPA 3, as well as anti-malware tools.
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The Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router is a more budget-friendly model than the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8). The ZenWIFI model has a 288 Mbps 5 GHz download speed, better than the RT-AC66U, which measures 210 Mbps. The ZenWiFi is also a tri-band, whereas the RT-AC66U is only a dual-band. However, the RT-AC66U wins out in terms of inputs, offering 2 USB ports, compared to the ZenWiFis 1, and an additional LAN port on the router. If you want to view an ASUS model more similar to the ZenWifi in terms of performance, check out our ASUS ROG GT6 Mesh review.
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The ASUS ZenWiFi AX’s 5 GHz 288 Mbps download speed is superior to the ASUS Blue Cave AC2600, which has a speed of 242 Mbps on 5 GHz. But the Blue Cave has more inputs, four Gigabit Ethernet ports in total, whereas the Asus ZenWiFi AX only has three. The Blue Cave also has a range advantage, testing in at 125 feet, while the ZenWiFi drops out at around 90 feet. For more, we also have an ASUS RT AX86S review.
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In terms of speed, the Eero 6+ offers a total WiFi performance of 3,000 Mbps, which is lower than the advertised WiFi speed of the ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8), which is 6,600 Mbps. The ASUS has more ports, too, with 3 LAN ports, which is one more than the Eero. It also has a USB port, and the Eero has none. Range-wise, the ASUS comes out below, providing a range of coverage that’s 90 feet, compared to the Eero 6+, which drops out at 105 feet. For more on this brand, be sure to check out our Eero 6 Pro router review.
