The TP-Link Archer AX73 lacks some of the software features of the ASUS, though at a much lower price, it may be a better fit for some. Both of these routers are strong performers and either would be a good fit for most homes. You do get an extra software feature with VPN Fusion to pass through certain devices when you’ve set up a VPN on your router. One of them, the ROG GS-AX5400, has the same dual-band AX5400 connection, though it has a more gamer-oriented design and a slightly higher price tag. When it comes to competition, ASUS itself has built two routers that are nearly identical to the RT-AX82U on paper. If you're able to find a bracket for it, this router should still function without issue on a wall. This is a bit odd as the status lights are on the top so they'd be easy to see on a wall, the antennas can adjust to work for a wall mount, and the power cable is a right angle barrel plug so it would also be a good fit. One other thing to keep in mind is that this router does not come with mounting holes so if you wanted to put this up on the wall, you're going to need to stop by the hardware store. It’s not too big a deal for most people, but if you think you’ll be in the settings a lot for parental controls or fine-tuning settings for games, it can definitely get annoying. This can be a pain if you’re trying to dial in some specific settings. The router kept working without issue but it took a minute or two to be able to access the settings again. This could happen using the app or a web browser. I also experienced some unresponsive software when changing settings on the router. Even so, you can use link aggregation for WAN if you upgrade your internet beyond gigabit speeds. While I think the majority of people shopping for this level of hardware won’t need this extra speed, it can be nice to have as people begin to upgrade their hardware in the next couple of years. A selection of games are already included in the software but you can also add a custom rule.Ĭompared to some other routers in this price range, it’s a bit disappointing that this router doesn’t have any 2.5Gbps wired ports. If you’re having trouble with NAT on your connection, ASUS’ OpenNAT on this router lets you quickly and easily create a game profile for port forwarding. It even gives you a readout of your average ping and packet loss. If you’re serious about the best games on Android, this router can make sure your connection is as stable as possible. There’s also a Mobile Game Mode included in the app so you can quickly optimize your connection for mobile gaming. This allows the router to put gaming traffic first in line so ping times remain consistent and low even when other devices on the network are browsing or streaming. If you’re going wireless, you can set the QoS software to prefer gaming applications. Your primary gaming PC, for example, can be plugged directly into LAN port 1 which is already prioritized for gaming. When it comes to gaming, there are quite a few options to make sure your games run as smoothly as possible. It’s also worth noting that some older devices won’t be able to access DFS, so your mileage may vary. It’s worth noting that if you’re using automatic channel selection on the RT-AX82U, you need to change a setting to allow it to use DFS. This is especially useful in getting a little extra speed as many of your neighbors either won’t have enabled DFS or won’t have a router that can. The RT-AX82U works well in congested areas thanks to full 1024QAM, allowing the router to make small adjustments to its signal to sidestep congestion a bit more and giving it access to DFS channels that give you some more open space. The 2.4GHz band isn’t as quick as AX6000 routers, but with so many people only using the faster 5GHz connection, it’s a good way for most people to save a little money on a router. This speed should be more than enough for a small family with support for dozens of connections at once. Under the hood on this router, you get a dual-band AX5400 connection which breaks down to 4804Mbps at 5GHz and 574Mbps at 2.4GHz. (Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)
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