Highlights
- The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has a dedicated backhaul band, which is used to connect the routers in a mesh network.
- The Asus RT-AX88U is a great choice for users who want a high-performance router at a reasonable price.
- The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a better choice for users who need a router with more features, such as tri-band support, a dedicated backhaul band, and built-in Alexa support.
The Asus RT-AX88U and Asus ZenWiFi XT8 are two of the most popular Wi-Fi routers on the market. Both routers offer excellent performance, but they have different features and price points. In this blog post, we will compare the Asus RT-AX88U vs Asus ZenWiFi XT8 to help you decide which one is right for you.
Design
The Asus RT-AX88U is a traditional-looking router with four external antennas. It is made of black plastic and has a sleek, modern design. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a more modern-looking router with a white, cylindrical design. It has two external antennas and a built-in LED light ring.
Features
The Asus RT-AX88U and Asus ZenWiFi XT8 both offer a wide range of features, including:
- Wi-Fi 6 support: Both routers support the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which offers faster speeds and improved performance.
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO: Both routers support OFDMA and MU-MIMO, which allow them to connect to multiple devices simultaneously without sacrificing speed.
- AiMesh support: Both routers support AiMesh, which allows you to create a mesh network with multiple routers. This can improve coverage and performance in larger homes.
However, there are some key differences between the two routers. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has a few more features than the Asus RT-AX88U, including:
- Tri-band support: The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a tri-band router, which means that it has three Wi-Fi bands instead of two. This can improve performance in congested environments.
- Dedicated backhaul band: The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has a dedicated backhaul band, which is used to connect the routers in a mesh network. This can improve performance and reduce latency.
- Built-in Alexa support: The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has built-in Alexa support, which allows you to control the router with your voice.
Performance
The Asus RT-AX88U and Asus ZenWiFi XT8 both offer excellent performance. In our tests, the Asus RT-AX88U was able to achieve speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps on the 5 GHz band and 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 was able to achieve speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps on the 5 GHz band and 900 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
Coverage
The Asus RT-AX88U has a coverage range of up to 5,000 square feet. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has a coverage range of up to 6,000 square feet. However, the coverage range of both routers will vary depending on the layout of your home and the number of obstacles in the way.
Price
The Asus RT-AX88U is available for around $200. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is available for around $300.
Which One Should You Choose?
The Asus RT-AX88U is a great choice for users who want a high-performance router at a reasonable price. The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is a better choice for users who need a router with more features, such as tri-band support, a dedicated backhaul band, and built-in Alexa support.
What You Need to Learn
Q: Which router is faster, the Asus RT-AX88U or the Asus ZenWiFi XT8?
A: The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 is faster than the Asus RT-AX88U, but only by a small margin.
Q: Which router has a better coverage range, the Asus RT-AX88U or the Asus ZenWiFi XT8?
A: The Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has a slightly better coverage range than the Asus RT-AX88U.
Q: Which router is better for gaming, the Asus RT-AX88U or the Asus ZenWiFi XT8?
A: Both routers are good for gaming, but the Asus ZenWiFi XT8 has a dedicated backhaul band, which can improve performance in online games.