RT-BE58 Go + AsusMerlin = Best Value for Money Home Router

[Aiadi]

I wanted to make use of AsusMerlin on a budget after RMAing a UDR7, which I had used to replace my previous BE88U.

I decided to try the RT-BE58 Go as my main home router, and so far it has been performing much better than expected. It’s currently handling around 80 clients with a fairly involved setup: DDNS, DHCP reservations, WireGuard client, Tailscale, and AdGuard DNS are all enabled and running without issues.

I’m achieving full ISP speeds, and overall stability has been solid. The thing that I am missing the most just now compared to higher-end models is the lack of WAN failover as the USB port is occupied for Entware (unsure if it would accept an ethernet adapter for a secondary WAN anyway).

For anyone considering this model as a primary router, it seems like a very viable option depending on requirements. Also, thanks to Merlin for adding support for this great budget device.

 

[jksmurf]

to try the RT-BE57 Go

Wee typo?

I’m thinking of adding one mostly as a node to an existing system but have a saved config for travel, they do look solid and the availability of Merlin is a huge plus.

 

[Aiadi]

Wee typo?

I’m thinking of adding one mostly as a node to an existing system but have a saved config for travel, they do look solid and the availability of Merlin is a huge plus.

I configured the device for home use only, with no intention of using it for travel. However, I tested switching between router mode and WISP mode out of curiosity.

It appears the device does not handle this transition reliably. On the first switch back to router mode, my custom LAN IP reverted to the default (192.168.50.1). On a subsequent attempt, all connections were lost, requiring a full reset. This could well be due to huge amount of configurations I have inflicted on this little soul.

I keep on pushing it at home now with Wireguard and OpenVPN servers also running and it still handles all admirably well. Not bad at all for about $100.

 

[jksmurf]

It appears the device does not handle this transition reliably.

Oh .. hmm. I’m sure it will improve with time..famous last words..

 

[Aiadi]

Looking at the specs it would not take much to overwhelm that router compared to others.

That’s pretty much what I was expecting, but I’m maxing out WireGuard client speeds with my ISP at 500 Mbps down while streaming 4K from my NAS on one device and another 4K stream from the web at the same time.

Aside from my desktop PC, I don’t even have any 2.5Gb devices on my network and only thing missing now from my BE88U is the failover. Unbeatable value for anyone thinking about trying AsusMerlin on a budget.

 

[visortgw]

I configured the device for home use only, with no intention of using it for travel. However, I tested switching between router mode and WISP mode out of curiosity.

It appears the device does not handle this transition reliably. On the first switch back to router mode, my custom LAN IP reverted to the default (192.168.50.1). On a subsequent attempt, all connections were lost, requiring a full reset. This could well be due to huge amount of configurations I have inflicted on this little soul.

I keep on pushing it at home now with Wireguard and OpenVPN servers also running and it still handles all admirably well. Not bad at all for about $100.

I have experienced similar issues switching between router mode and WISP mode.

 

[Seth Harman]

Looking at the specs it would not take much to overwhelm that router compared to others.
Not even a gig a memory and a huge downgrade from the BE88.

View attachment 71268

The RT-AX57 Go isn't the same device as the RT-BE58 Go that he's using.

 

[KevTech]

The RT-AX57 Go isn't the same device as the RT-BE58 Go that he's using.

Ya he went and changed the title plus edited every post about what router it is so not sure which it is.
When I copied/pasted the text from the first post to put on my screenshot it was 57.

From the original post of what router it was before it was changed.

 

[kernol]

Ya he went and changed the title plus edited every post about what router it is so not sure which it is.
When I copied/pasted the text from the first post to put on my screenshot it was 57.

From the original post of what router it was before it was changed.

View attachment 71277

Correct Specs for the RT-BE58 Go ... which largely explains its suitability. I have been VERY impressed with mine - but using only as an AP or AiMesh - with reset and backup restore done before using for travel and as a WISP.

Key Features & Technical Specifications

• WiFi Standard: WiFi 7 (802.11be) with 160MHz channels, 4K-QAM, and MLO support.
• Performance: Total 3600 Mbps bandwidth (2.4GHz 2x2 + 5GHz 2x2).
• Ports: 1x 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 1Gbps LAN port, 1x USB-A (for mobile tethering), 1x USB-C (power).
• Hardware: 2.0 GHz Quad-core processor, 1GB DDR4 RAM, 256MB Flash.
• Operating Modes: Router, AiMesh Node, Range Extender, Access Point, Media Bridge, Public WiFi Mode (WISP).
• Security: AiProtection, WPA3-Personal/Enterprise, VPN Support (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec), and Instant Guard.
• Design: Foldable external antennas, 232g weight, 99 x 111 x 36mm dimensions.

 

[chris2025]

I have used the BE58 Go as well, both as a travel router (WISP and also as a standard double-NAT'd wired router) and as a regular home router in a family member's apartment. It performs well with Merlin firmware, including for VPN functions. I have not tried the switching mode though without resetting. Overall not bad for under $100 on sale.

 

[Aiadi]

Ya he went and changed the title plus edited every post about what router it is so not sure which it is.
When I copied/pasted the text from the first post to put on my screenshot it was 57.

From the original post of what router it was before it was changed.

View attachment 71277

Apologies for the confusion caused by the typo in my post but the title has always been BE58 from the get go and never mentioned the AX57 (that is not supported by AsusMerlin anyway).

 

[elorimer]

When switching from WISP to a wired connection, or from one AP to another, it is normal for all the wireless connections to drop out while the radios are being reconfigured. A little patience is required. On my little Mango it can take a few minutes to settle itself. The Beryl AX is much faster, of course, but same behavior.

 

[Aiadi]

When switching from WISP to a wired connection, or from one AP to another, it is normal for all the wireless connections to drop out while the radios are being reconfigured. A little patience is required. On my little Mango it can take a few minutes to settle itself. The Beryl AX is much faster, of course, but same behavior.

That wasn't the case in my situation as my setup is completely wired with the router connected to third-part access points providing the WiFi radio. As stated earlier, this problem could have been due to the fact that I have changed a lot of configurations for my usecase but I have also seen it reported by others. For travel, GL.iNET routers remain my go to devices as the size of the BE58 Go is a bit prohibitive for daily carry.

 

[sluzza]

I upvote the BE58 Go too. I bought it as a last resort having spent months trying to get my AX86U Pro to work reliably with a Roku Express, fiddling with one setting or another and following many posters' recommendations to no avail. And to my delight, it has been rock solid. The Roku is on an IoT SSID, the same as I tried with the AX86U Pro. I loaded the BE58 Go with AsusMerlin for the local ntp interception and it is just as stable with the Roku as stock f/w.

 

[RMerlin]

For the price, this is a really interesting device. Asus might primarily market it as a travel router, however discussions we've had (which led to me supporting it in the end) indicate that they see it as a much broader product than a mere "travel router". I think it might be a really nice way to add an inexpensive Wifi 7 AP/repeater on a LAN. It will also get the job done on many small home networks which do not require a $500 behemot to feed Netflix and Facebook to a few clients.

 

[Aiadi]

For the price, this is a really interesting device.

Grateful for your insight and the amazing work that makes these devices so usable, @RMerlin. Do you envisage a point when the BE85Go could support WirelessWAN as a secondary option for failover?

 

[RMerlin]

Grateful for your insight and the amazing work that makes these devices so usable, @RMerlin. Do you envisage a point when the BE85Go could support WirelessWAN as a secondary option for failover?

WISP as a failover? I doubt it. Sounds like a really niche feature since I can't think of anyone who would have such a setup, unless they were stealing Internet access from a neighbour

 

[Aiadi]

Sounds like a really niche feature

You can call me niche or even weird - lol but that’s exactly what I used to do—using a cheap LTE MiFi router tethered wirelessly to my home router for emergency internet access in the event of a main WAN failure. Saved me from passing more cables as well!

 

[degrub]

deleted

 

[visortgw]

You can call me niche or even weird - lol but that’s exactly what I used to do—using a cheap 4G LTE router tethered wirelessly to my home router for emergency internet access in the event of a main WAN failure. I didn’t have enough ports at the time and didn’t want to use a switch.

And I used similar things during extended (multi-day) widespread power outage. (Nearly) whole-house generator kicked in, but that that didn't help ISP equipment to feed house. I set up StarLink mini that I use for motorhome while traveling — I tethered cell phone to StarLink (for whatever reason I could not get RT-BE58 Go to connect to StarLink). Using USB Ethernet dongle, I tethered GT-BE98 Pro to phone. Worked link a champ without reconfiguring clients throughout house.