Product review
Wireless routers
We've tested 12 store-bought routers and 10 ISP-supplied models to assess their WiFi performance and security, plus how easy they are to set up.
February 2019
ASUS
RT-AC58U
Price
$176
Score
58
OK
Price
$176
Score
58
OK
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This ASUS dual-band router is OK. Its WiFi performance on both bands (2.4 and 5GHz) is just OK. Its direct fibre speed is poor though.
Test results
- 50WiFi performance
- 68Ease of use and setup
- 70Security
Good points
- Easy to use.
- Good for security.
- Good fibre speed.
- Very good for channel switching.
Bad points
- Only OK WiFi performance.
- Only OK 2.4GHz WiFi performance.
- Only OK 5GHz WiFi performance.
- Poor fibre speed.
Model
- Avg price
$176
Speed test results
- Fibre
3.5/10
- WiFi performance 2.4GHz
4.5/10
- WiFi performance 5GHz
5.5/10
- Obstruction 2.4GHz
Noticeable interference from obstruction
- Obstruction 5GHz
Noticeable interference from obstruction
- Channel switching ability
Very good at channel switching
Specifications
- Fibre
Yes
- WiFi bands (GHz)
2.4 & 5
- Antennas
4
- Antenna placement
Two on rear, one on each side, can fold 90° and rotates 180°, unremovable
- Dimensions (WxDxH) [mm]
207 x 149 x 36
- Weight (g)
395
Features
- Mesh
- MIMO
Yes
- Beamforming support
- Ethernet LAN ports
4
- USB ports
1
- Media sharing via USB
- DLNA
- Installation wizard
- Quality of Service
- Parental controls
- Parental control features
Time scheduling on devices. Web, app and keyword filtering available under firewall setup
- Firewall
- Guest network WiFi
Yes
- WPS support
- 3G/4G passthrough
- VOIP
- Wall mountable
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