ASUS WiFi6 router supply seems to have dried up(?)

[OzarkEdge]

The ASUS WiFi6 router supply seems to have dried up in the US... RT-AX routers that are not EOL seem to be hard to find, yes? One more reason to look at other makes for my next network should I need one in a hurry.

OE

 

[Tech9]

Same in Canada. A few entry-level AX1800/AX3000 models available, one travel router. Nothing from popular around RT-AX86U Pro, RT-AX88U Pro, GT-AX6000, etc. Few remaining pieces in select stores, some return open box. One GT-AXE16000 spider at discount price on Amazon.

For emergencies and from ASUS currently available line of products you have to go with the corresponding to your signature BE-class models. You'll pay more guaranteed, potentially bring new issues home and the user experience will remain about the same. For a new lower priced 2x devices wired mesh in a home setup I would probably go with 2x compact size ExpertWiFi EBR63 for $300.

 

[bbunge]

Yes and that is too bad. I've had good luck with my AX86U and AX86U Pro routers. I did have a warranty exchange on the AX86U which Asus said was a bad power supply but no info beyond that. I am trying to be careful with the current setup to keep it rolling as long as possible. Horrors if I have to purchase a WIFI 7 product and suffer the ribbing as I've not been to kind to users of BE routers that have issues. Failing all else I have an AC66U B1 that I can haul out to keep the home network going for a while...

 

[DarkKnight75]

Yep...interesting enough i had my backup for sale for 4 months and it didnt sell..guess i'm keeping it as a backup!

 

[Tech9]

i had my backup for sale for 4 months and it didnt sell

You perhaps asked too much for it. Can't sell sentimental value.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

Last week I went looking for a GT-AX6000 for my son as he's still using my old RT-AC68U_B1 and the 5Ghz band is dying. Couldn't find a new one anywhere (other than scammers asking huge $$$) and was surprised by that.

 

[Tech9]

For dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with 2x 2.5GbE ports... best value is perhaps GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Flint 2. It's only $136 right now on Amazon US. OpenWrt based factory firmware with OpenWrt vanilla image available.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Amazon.com

Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) Wi-Fi 6 High-Performance Home Router

Wi-Fi 6 home router with blazing VPN speeds & enhanced security. Enjoy lightning-fast WireGuard VPN speeds up to 900Mbps and advanced network redundancies for uninterrupted connectivity. Features include WPA3 protocol, DNS encryption, Bark (parental controls), and 2.5G Ethernet ports for...

store-us.gl-inet.com

[OpenWrt Wiki] GL.iNet GL-MT6000

openwrt.org

That's an interesting option for the money...

OE

 

[bennor]

Amazon.com

Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) Wi-Fi 6 High-Performance Home Router

Wi-Fi 6 home router with blazing VPN speeds & enhanced security. Enjoy lightning-fast WireGuard VPN speeds up to 900Mbps and advanced network redundancies for uninterrupted connectivity. Features include WPA3 protocol, DNS encryption, Bark (parental controls), and 2.5G Ethernet ports for...

store-us.gl-inet.com

That's an interesting option for the money...

OE

For $10 more there is the Flint 3e (GL-BE6500). It has all 2.5 GB LAN ports verus the four 1 GB LAN ports on the GL-MT6000.

https://store-us.gl-inet.com/collections/home-routers/products/flint-3e-gl-be6500-dual-band-wi-fi-7-home-router

https://www.amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-BE6500-High-Speed-Wireless-Internet/dp/B0FX9C5QVJ?tag=snbforums-20

Currently there is a "Coupon price $144.49" on Amazon for the GL-BE6500.

 

[dave14305]

For $10 more there is the Flint 3e (GL-BE6500). It has all 2.5 GB LAN ports verus the four 1 GB LAN ports on the GL-MT6000.
Currently there is a "Coupon price $144.49" on Amazon for the GL-BE6500.

Not as compelling at the moment as it's not supported by vanilla OpenWrt.

 

[bennor]

Not as compelling at the moment as it's not supported by vanilla OpenWrt.

If "vanilla" OpenWRT is a requirement then yes it won't be as compelling, unless one needs the features the router provides. The router does come with a flavor of OpenWRT preinstalled.

Flint 3e (GL-BE6500) | BE6500 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Home Router

Discover the GL.iNet Flint 3e (GL-BE6500), a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 home router with 6.5Gbps speeds, 2.5G ports, and advanced VPN for secure, seamless connectivity.

www.gl-inet.com

Flint 3e’s developer-friendly OpenWrt platform lets enthusiasts run virtual labs, Docker containers, or custom network projects with advanced flexibility and control.

 

[Tech9]

I would get Flint 2 even though the price difference is small. Flint 3 is different hardware platform and may never get the level of support Flint 2 has. Flint 3 also has tri-band 2-stream AP, Flint 2 had dual-band 4-stream AP. In theory more spatial streams result in better sensitivity, it translates to better range. Better specs on paper not always translates to better user experience in reality.

 

[ILikeTea]

Either buy Flint 2 or wait for the Flint 4 to release which is MediaTek too so it will also have good OpenWRT Support.

The Flint 3 / 3E are worse in everyway outside of WiFi 7.
They also have a built in fan which some find annoying.

 

[Tech9]

Not a fan of experiments with just released hardware. My advice is to stick to what is known working well.

 

[sfx2000]

The ASUS WiFi6 router supply seems to have dried up in the US... RT-AX routers that are not EOL seem to be hard to find, yes? One more reason to look at other makes for my next network should I need one in a hurry.

OE

Wonder if this is supply chain based... as we all know, DRAM and NAND are in short supply due to the AI boom causing market issues, so it might be just ASUS prioritizing production for a while until the market settles...

 

[ika]

Amazon.com

Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) Wi-Fi 6 High-Performance Home Router

Wi-Fi 6 home router with blazing VPN speeds & enhanced security. Enjoy lightning-fast WireGuard VPN speeds up to 900Mbps and advanced network redundancies for uninterrupted connectivity. Features include WPA3 protocol, DNS encryption, Bark (parental controls), and 2.5G Ethernet ports for...

store-us.gl-inet.com

[OpenWrt Wiki] GL.iNet GL-MT6000

openwrt.org

That's an interesting option for the money...

OE

I have my Flint2 since more than a year now, I am very satisfied. I only use it wired though, as I only use it for work: it is a very good unit (note: while its wireless works just fine and very stable, the wireless performance is no match of Asus routers in my opinion, at least that is my experience).
I can highly recommend, especially for its up-to-date OpenWRT support and what it offers for the price.

ps.: the Flint3 is a downgrade, do not get that one

 

[Tech9]

For wired only applications this new one looks like nice OpenWrt appliance for $120:

GL-MT5000 / Brume 3

Pocket-size VPN security gateway with advanced encryption for fast, secure access and easy setup, perfect for work, travel, and home.

www.gl-inet.com

I have the previous Gigabit version on factory firmware and happy with it, works well:

GL-MT2500 / Brume 2

Brume 2 (GL-MT2500/GL-MT2500A) is an industrial security gateway for a network to run add-on programs and act as a VPN client or server before data is transmitted out of the network premise.

www.gl-inet.com