Aimesh vs ZenWifi Mesh Router

[tokyo_networking]

My apologies if this has been asked before. What is the difference between routers running Aimesh and ZenWifi mesh routers? I understand ZenWifi supports Aimesh as well. Are there hardware differences? Software differences?

 

[JoWa]

Zenwifi is a AImesh system.

 

[RogerSC]

ZenWiFi hardware is particularly aimed at AiMesh use. 3 radios, 1 radio is dedicated backhaul if no wired backhaul. This makes the wireless backhaul performance particularly good. But yes, it looks to me like the ZenWiFi is using generic AiMesh software.

 

[Raven76]

No differences... A ZenWifi router is almost identical to a normal Asus router, and even the interface is the same...
The only difference is the design (no external antennas and single multifunctional led).
For example, I have 4 XT8 and I can even add my old ac68u to the mesh system!

 

[tokyo_networking]

Thanks for the reply. I understand that there is no major difference in hardware other than that the XT8 has 3 radios of which one is used for backhaul. If two ASUS router are connected to the LAN which is then used for the backhaul, there is no major differences and standard routers could be better when they have more power CPUs and more memory. The Aimesh software is identical / similar between the routers.

It seems that the XT8 is a more fancy design at a much higher price.

Here are some links ASUS shared with me:

https://www.asus.com/microsite/AiMesh/en/index.html
https://www.asus.com/microsite/AiMesh/en/how_to.html

And below are the router setting location.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1035141

 

[Raven76]

Thanks for the reply. I understand that there is no major difference in hardware other than that the XT8 has 3 radios of which one is used for backhaul. If two ASUS router are connected to the LAN which is then used for the backhaul, there is no major differences and standard routers could be better when they have more power CPUs and more memory. The Aimesh software is identical / similar between the routers.

It seems that the XT8 is a more fancy design at a much higher price.

Here are some links ASUS shared with me:

https://www.asus.com/microsite/AiMesh/en/index.html
https://www.asus.com/microsite/AiMesh/en/how_to.html

And below are the router setting location.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1035141

Yep... the plus of a zenwifi system (at least for CT8 and XT8) is that they have a specific band dedicated to backhaul wifi connection. The XT8, in particular, is simply a newer and better version of RT-AX92U (more powerful wifi and CPU)...