ASUS RT-BE86U vs ASUS RT-BE88U
The real choice is the kind of device: the RT-BE86U is a Wi-Fi router and the RT-BE88U is a gaming router. On the specs, the RT-BE88U has the edge: it has more LAN ports (7) and has more RAM.
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Key differences
-
Wi-Fi
Evenly matched
Both are Wi-Fi 7 and dual-band, with similar speeds.
-
Coverage
Evenly matched
Similar claimed coverage per unit (2,750 sq ft and 3,000 sq ft).
-
Wired
RT-BE88U wins
Same top speed (10 Gbps), but the ASUS RT-BE88U has more LAN ports (7 against 3).
-
Security & VPN
Evenly matched
Much the same security, VPN and parental features.
Other differences
- Type Depends on you
They're different kinds of device: the RT-BE86U is a Wi-Fi router and the RT-BE88U is a gaming router. Decide which kind your home needs first.
- LAN ports RT-BE88U wins
The RT-BE88U has 7 wired LAN ports against 3 on the RT-BE86U.
- Memory RT-BE88U wins
The RT-BE88U has 2 GB of RAM against 1 GB, more room for VPN, many devices and add-ons.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the RT-BE86U if…
- One box is enough for your home: a single router is simpler to place and set up.
- You prefer its app and design: it covers the same essentials as the RT-BE88U.
Choose the RT-BE88U if…
- You game online and want game traffic put first: it is built as a gaming router.
- You'll plug in a TV, console or desktop: it has 7 LAN ports.
- You run VPN or lots of devices: it has more memory to handle them.
Full spec comparison
On the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ASUS | ASUS |
| Model number | RT-BE86U | RT-BE88U |
| Hardware version | single version | single version |
| Type | Wi-Fi Router | Gaming Router |
| Released | — | 2024 |
| Pack options | 1-pack | 1-pack |
| UPC / GTIN | 197105581432, 4711387581452 | 197105335660 |
Wi-Fi
Both use Wi-Fi 7 with similar radios.
Speeds on the bands your devices use are close enough that neither has a real edge.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Speed class | BE6800 | BE7200 |
| Bands | Dual-band | Dual-band |
| Radios | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| Total Wi-Fi speed | 6,800 Mbps | 7,200 Mbps |
| 2.4 GHz speed | 1,032 Mbps | 1,376 Mbps |
| 5 GHz speed | 5,764 Mbps | 5,764 Mbps |
| Max channel width | 160 MHz | 160 MHz |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | Yes | Yes |
| MLO modes | not specified | not specified |
| 320 MHz on 6 GHz | No | No |
| Modulation | 4096-QAM | 4096-QAM |
| Spatial streams | 5 GHz 4x4 + 2.4 GHz 3x3 | 4x4 (2.4 GHz) + 4x4 (5 GHz) |
| MU-MIMO | Yes | Yes |
| OFDMA | Yes | Yes |
| Beamforming | — | Yes |
Coverage
Both claim similar coverage.
Placement and your walls will matter more than the difference between them.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage (per unit) | 2,750 sq ft | 3,000 sq ft |
| Antennas | 4 | 4 |
| Antenna type | Mixed | External |
Ports
The RT-BE88U is ahead on wired ports.
It has more LAN ports (7), and the RT-BE86U doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| WAN ports | 1x 10G WAN/LAN + 1x 2.5G WAN/LAN | 1x 10G RJ45 WAN/LAN, 1x 10G SFP+ WAN/LAN, 1x 2.5G WAN/LAN |
| LAN ports | 3x 2.5G LAN (plus the 10G and 2.5G WAN/LAN ports usable as LAN) | 3x 2.5G, 4x 1G (plus the WAN/LAN-capable ports; up to 9 LAN) |
| Fastest wired port | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Multi-gig ports | 5 | 6 |
| SFP ports | None | 1x 10G SFP+ |
| USB ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0 | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A |
| USB functions | file sharing (Samba/FTP/AiDisk), media server, Time Machine, 4G/5G modem failover | file sharing (Samba/FTP/AiDisk), media server, Time Machine backup, 4G/5G modem tethering/failover |
| Cellular / tethering | USB 4G LTE / 5G mobile tethering; no SIM slot | USB tethering only (4G/5G phone or 4G LTE dongle); no SIM slot |
| Configurable WAN/LAN | Yes | Yes |
| Link aggregation | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-WAN failover | Yes | Yes |
Hardware
The RT-BE88U is ahead on hardware and support.
It has more RAM, and the RT-BE86U doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core 2.6 GHz | Quad-core 2.6 GHz 64-bit |
| RAM | 1,024 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Flash storage | 256 MB | 256 MB |
Mesh
They are different kinds of device, so start with what your home needs.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh support | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh ecosystem | AiMesh | AiMesh |
| Wired backhaul | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated backhaul band | No | No |
Software & security
Both offer much the same software features.
VPN, parental controls and security options are close.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Management | ASUS Router app + ASUSWRT web UI | ASUS Router app + ASUSWRT web UI |
| Web interface | Yes | Yes |
| VPN server | IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard | OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, IPSec |
| VPN client | L2TP, OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard | OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, L2TP |
| Security suite | AiProtection Pro | AiProtection Pro (Trend Micro) |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Parental controls | Yes | Yes |
| QoS | Yes | Yes |
| Guest network | Yes | Yes |
| ISP VLAN tagging | Yes | Yes |
| PPPoE | Yes | Yes |
| IPv6 | Yes | Yes |
| WPA3 | Yes | Yes |
| Firewall | Firewall with keyword, network service and URL filters | Firewall with keyword, network service and URL filters; AiProtection Two-Way IPS |
| IoT network | Yes | Yes |
| Gaming features | Dedicated 2.5G gaming port, Adaptive QoS, Mobile Game Mode, Gear Accelerator, OpenNAT | Gaming Port, Mobile Game Mode, Gear Accelerator, OpenNAT, Adaptive QoS |
| LEDs can be turned off | Yes | — |
| Smart home | — | None |
| Voice assistants | Alexa | — |
Design & power
Both are similar on design and power.
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 235 x 90 x 316 mm | 300 x 188 x 60.5 mm |
| Weight | 854 g | 1,060 g |
| Color | Black | Black, Grey |
| Power | DC adapter: 12 V/5 A or 19.5 V/2.31 A (AC 110-240 V) | AC 110-240 V adapter; DC out 12 V/5 A, 19 V/2.37 A or 19.5 V/2.31 A (varies by adapter) |
| Power consumption | — | 15 W |
| Weather rating | Indoor only | Indoor only |
Support
| Spec | ASUS RT-BE86U | ASUS RT-BE88U |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty (US) | 3 years | 3 years |