Gt-axe16000 good upgrade from AX-86U?

[Mamba24]

Hi everyone,

I currently have an AX86U and AC88U in mesh. Upgraded to 3Gbps fiber connection, and running into issue of the AX86U only having a single 2.5G port since it handles all the routing for my traffic. Would the gt-axe16000 be a good upgrade or is there something cheaper that would accomplish the same thing? Or would the GT-AX11000 Pro be fine, allowing me to use a 2.5 or 10gbe switch for the rest of my wired devices?
For context, I do run a VPN, have a NAS, and about 20-30 wifi total devices (most being smart home stuff) running.

 

[Tech9]

GT-AXE16000 is one of the few high-end models with no Asuswrt 5.0 (3006) firmware yet. The hardware is most likely compatible, but there is some issue upgrading it to the newer firmware branch. The same with ZenWiFi Pro ET12. Must be something Wi-Fi 6E related. Get BE-class router instead.

 

[Mamba24]

GT-AXE16000 is one of the few high-end models with no Asuswrt 5.0 (3006) firmware yet. The hardware is most likely compatible, but there is some issue upgrading it to the newer firmware branch. The same with ZenWiFi Pro ET12. Must be something Wi-Fi 6E related. Get BE-class router instead.

Would the BE-88U be good?

 

[Tech9]

I don't know. On paper - it has what you are looking for. In reality - 3006 firmware is in work-in-progress state.

 

[drabisan]

I'm biased as I have 2 AXE16000. But it does the job just perfect!
It is a bit weird why Asus didn't move this router to 3.0.0.6 track. They had a beta over a year ago.
As a note: if you're using a wireless backhaul, it will be confusing to have a 4 radio router and a 2 radio node. It works, but it's a bit stange. If you have a wired backhaul you don't have this problem.

 

[Mamba24]

I'm biased as I have 2 AXE16000. But it does the job just perfect!
It is a bit weird why Asus didn't move this router to 3.0.0.6 track. They had a beta over a year ago.
As a note: if you're using a wireless backhaul, it will be confusing to have a 4 radio router and a 2 radio node. It works, but it's a bit stange. If you have a wired backhaul you don't have this problem.

Yeah now hesitating because of what @Tech9 said about it not being a BE class router with no 5.0 firmware. Debating if I should just settle for the RT-BE88U without the 6Ghz but better processor for now, also it being cheaper.

 

[Tech9]

Your "issue" starts with "upgraded to 3Gbps fiber connection". Do you really need to chase the ISP plan upgrade? This condition limits your choices to top expensive home routers. You perhaps read RMerlin's opinion about current 3006 firmware state. This is what are you getting with BE-class router.

 

[Jbennett360]

Yeah now hesitating because of what @Tech9 said about it not being a BE class router with no 5.0 firmware. Debating if I should just settle for the RT-BE88U without the 6Ghz but better processor for now, also it being cheaper.

Or the BE86U?

 

[Tech9]

For 3Gbps symmetric fiber none of the above home routers have the hardware capable of processing it with no NAT acceleration hacks. They have fast ports only and similar to RPi hardware inside. One guest network speed limiter kills them. Power efficient devices with conditional "up to" throughput. May work to some wired devices, over Wi-Fi - good luck especially with dual-band router with known 5GHz band limitations. Best case scenario - 2.3Gbps (2.5GbE) to wired clients, the rest 0.7Gbps sometimes only in aggregate throughput, eventually. For full 3Gbps - x86 appliance, 10GbE switch, the corresponding NICs and multiple APs serving clients simultaneously on different channels. Hardware cost in thousands. Is it needed?

 

[Mamba24]

Your "issue" starts with "upgraded to 3Gbps fiber connection". Do you really need to chase the ISP plan upgrade? This condition limits your choices to top expensive home routers. You perhaps read RMerlin's opinion about current 3006 firmware state. This is what are you getting with BE-class router.

Yeah I understand what you're saying, I got a deal on the 3Gbps which was significantly cheaper than my previous 1Gbps ISP, that was really the only reason i took it.

 

[Tech9]

I got a deal on the 3Gbps which was significantly cheaper than my previous 1Gbps ISP

Just use whatever you can from it. Otherwise you are investing in speed tests and downloads. None of your smart home devices will run faster, your Internet experience to existing mobile clients won't improve much. Your NAS needs faster LAN, eventually. This is a 2.5GbE switch, not a router.

 

[Mamba24]

Just use whatever you can from it. Otherwise you are investing in speed tests and downloads. None of your smart home devices will run faster, your Internet experience to existing mobile clients won't improve much. Your NAS needs faster LAN, eventually. This is a 2.5GbE switch, not a router.

Really appreciate you taking the time to guide me through this! thank you

 

[Tech9]

No problem. We had a case like this with 10Gbps fiber and RT-AX88U Pro router on sale for about $220. New router because the person just needed a new one. Can't use the speed obviously, but good enough for the needs without overpaying. Part of this previous thread is here:

Buying advice ASUS RT-AX86U, RT-AX88U or RT-AXE7800

Here it is closer to May 2024 and wanted to ask the furniture man if the asus gt-ax6000, now a few years old, is still the deal. I’m asking cause after several months of project delays, my new ISP is still on track to go live with fibre on my block this May and so It's getting closer to buying...

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