ASUS Unveils RT-BE88U WiFi 7 Dual-Band Router

[TheLostSwede]

ASUS today announced the RT-BE88U, the world's first WiFi 7 router that offers up to 34 Gbps of combined wired network capacity. With a 10 Gbps LAN / WAN port, a 10 Gbps LAN / WAN SFP+ port and four 2.5 Gbps ports, the RT-BE88U stands ready to deliver massive amounts of Ethernet performance for online gaming, media streaming and more - now and well into the future. It also offers up to 7200 Mbps of cutting-edge WiFi 7 networking, bringing the enhanced data rates of 4K-QAM and dual-band Multi-Link Operation to compatible devices. Plus, Guest Network Pro, subscription-free security features and site-to-site VPN support help to make an RT-BE88U-based network flexible, safe and easy to manage.

The WiFi 7 advantage
With WiFi 7 cornerstones such as the boosted data rates of 4K-QAM and dual-band Multi-Link Operation (MLO), the ASUS RT-BE88U ushers in a whole new wave of networking possibilities. 4K-QAM increases speeds by packing signals more tightly, which increases bandwidth efficiency. Thus, data rates can be up to 20% higher than what a WiFi 6 network can achieve. Meanwhile, Dual-band Multi-Link Operation (MLO) lets a WiFi 7 device connect to both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network to increase throughput and minimize latency. This future-proofs the network, giving users the capacity to handle even more connected devices without sacrificing performance




Up to 34 Gbps of wired network capacity
The ASUS RT-BE88U offers a 10 Gbps Ethernet port and a 10 Gbps SFP+ port - both capable of LAN or WAN operation. It also features automatic detection and support for multiple WANs. Depending on network configuration, the RT-BE88U can provide up to nine LAN ports. Its 10 Gbps connections capable of lightning-fast performance for NAS servers and media servers deliver seamless streaming throughout the home. This array of ports can also provide the stability and low latency of an Ethernet connection, when needed. Meanwhile, this abundance of bandwidth can also empower the RT-BE88U to deliver premium-grade network performance to creatives working with massive 4K or even 8K video files that are stored on local servers.

A powerful suite of additional networking features
As a premium-grade router, the ASUS RT-BE88U comes packed with features that empower users to create their ideal network. If a WAN connection becomes unavailable, they can plug a smartphone into the router's USB 3.0 port and tether the network to a 4G / 5G mobile data connection instead. Guest Network Pro can also quickly segment a network into sections for IoT, VPNs, and kid-safe usage. This is a bonus feature alongside VLAN support, which lets users organize devices into virtual groups to determine sets of rules for security and access. And in regard to VPNs, the RT-BE88U offers site-to-site capability powered by WireGuard.

If a user just wants a conventional, safe network, AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro can be switched on at any time, helping protect the device from cyber threats such as webcam hacking, website phishing or ransomware. Or if a user simply wants to expand their network, ASUS AiMesh is available to make the process a breeze. The RT-BE88U is designed from the ground up to deliver potent performance, security and flexibility.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[TheLostSwede]

Review of sorts in chinese

华硕WiFi 7新品正式来了！RT-BE88U路由器首测_路由器_什么值得买

大家好，我是加勒比考斯。在3月27日，华硕在北京召开新品发布会，这次正式发布了RT-BE88U WiFi 7路由器，这款路由器我们也是提前拿到了，所

post.smzdm.com

 

[bonehead123]

Looks ok, but given the mfgr, it will undoubtedly be Uber-mega $$, as is most of their other stuff, especially when it 1st comes out....

 

[MrDweezil]

Looks ok, but given the mfgr, it will undoubtedly be Uber-mega $$, as is most of their other stuff, especially when it 1st comes out....

Dual band (meaning no 6ghz band) suggests this isn't a top of the line product, so maybe not crazy expensive.

 

[pitajax]

Interesting, there isn't 6GHz channel... This will be cheap, and nonsense

 

[vbq7qK68eyYAH4iR]

I thought wifi 7 had to include 6Ghz? If wifi 7 devices can include it as an option, wifi is now just as bad as USB and HDMI.

Edit: according to the this link, (https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-7), wifi 7 must include 320mhz wide channels, which is only available on the 6Ghz band. If that’s true, how can this device be labeled as wifi 7?

 

[Nater]

This makes zero sense.

 

[Deleted member 229121]

This is not the router you are looking for

 

[TumbleGeorge]

Newest marketing strategy in the sector. SUM wiring and wireless speed and consumers didn't look at that.

 

[Zareek]

I thought wifi 7 had to include 6Ghz? If wifi 7 devices can include it as an option, wifi is now just as bad as USB and HDMI.

Edit: according to the this link, (https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-7), wifi 7 must include 320mhz wide channels, which is only available on the 6Ghz band. If that’s true, how can this device be labeled as wifi 7?

I think it can be labeled as "Wi-Fi 7" but not "Wi-Fi 7 Certified".

 

[Makaveli]

I like the port upgrades on it as someone that has an AX88U Pro.

I/O Ports

1 x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN 1 x 10 Gbps SFP+ 1 x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN 3 x 2.5 Gbps LAN 4 x RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbps for LAN 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1

If it gets Merlin support then a possible upgrade in the distant future.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I like the port upgrades on it as someone that has an AX88U Pro.

I/O Ports

1 x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN 1 x 10 Gbps SFP+ 1 x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN 3 x 2.5 Gbps LAN 4 x RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbps for LAN 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1

If it gets Merlin support then a possible upgrade in the distant future.

It's just a shame it doesn't have two 10GBASE-T ports.

 

[Makaveli]

It's just a shame it doesn't have two 10GBASE-T ports.

1000% agreed!

 

[Minus Infinity]

I shudder to think of the price.

 

[Makaveli]

I shudder to think of the price.

i'm going to guess $699 USD.

 

[Nater]

i'm going to guess $699 USD.

It'll be less. They already have the RT-BE96RU at $699. And it has a full WiFi 7 6Ghz 4x4 band and dual 10G ports.

Looks like the GT-BE98 is gone from the US site now, and the Pro got a $50 sale going on (it's been out of stock for months). Weird. I was gonna pull the trigger on the Pro hopefully this summer...be the router of the house for the next 5 years. It has dual 6Ghz 4x4 and mobile 4G/5G tethering backup.

 

[ThrashZone]

Review of sorts in chinese

华硕WiFi 7新品正式来了！RT-BE88U路由器首测_路由器_什么值得买

大家好，我是加勒比考斯。在3月27日，华硕在北京召开新品发布会，这次正式发布了RT-BE88U WiFi 7路由器，这款路由器我们也是提前拿到了，所

post.smzdm.com

Hi,
You know better than that
How you say prometheous in Chinese
,

 

[trsttte]

I think it can be labeled as "Wi-Fi 7" but not "Wi-Fi 7 Certified".

So Wi-fi 7 prices but no wi-fi 7 speeds and features? Lol

 

[Zareek]

So Wi-fi 7 prices but no wi-fi 7 speeds and features? Lol

I'm disappointed that it doesn't have the 6Ghz radio as well, but there is more to Wi-Fi 7 than that. The article mentions it supports both 4K-QAM and MLO both of which are big changes from Wi-Fi 6. That being said, I wouldn't touch another ASUS router with a ten-foot pole. I dabbled in them a few years back, and I came away sadly disappointed. Months of crap firmware that required daily reboots are the biggest takeaway. No thanks, I'll stick with prosumer WAPs and PfSense. I have considered trying a Ubiquiti gateway instead, but my Chinese fanless router PC running PfSense is still the best router/firewall I've ever owned by a long shot.

 

[Makaveli]

I'm disappointed that it doesn't have the 6Ghz radio as well, but there is more to Wi-Fi 7 than that. The article mentions it supports both 4K-QAM and MLO both of which are big changes from Wi-Fi 6. That being said, I wouldn't touch another ASUS router with a ten-foot pole. I dabbled in them a few years back, and I came away sadly disappointed. Months of crap firmware that required daily reboots are the biggest takeaway. No thanks, I'll stick with prosumer WAPs and PfSense. I have considered trying a Ubiquiti gateway instead, but my Chinese fanless router PC running PfSense is still the best router/firewall I've ever owned by a long shot.

I've not had any issue using Merlin firmware on asus routers for the last 6 years or so and do 100+ day up times until rebooted for firmware updates. PFSense setup is great but also much more advanced and not going to be as wife friendly

 

[alwayssts]

i'm going to guess $699 USD.

Probably ~$299 AFAICT. Priced at 1999-2199 CNY which is ~275-300 USD.

If it gets Merlin support then a possible upgrade in the distant future.

Exactly. The two things I've been waiting on: This announcement and then the first Merlin release for it. I knew it was coming this year, just didn't know when. As for Merlin, who knows. Shall wait and see.

-------

12-bit transmission is nice and everything, but what I was was waiting on was mostly 16x16 MU-MIMO and official (seamless) MLO support.

Lack of 6ghz may or may not be because of how 6ghz is used in China and the fact this is a very popular series internationally...the chip used does support it. Curious what other models/variations will pop up.

It's amusing to me that it looks like they literally are still using the same chassis (different i/o obviously) since the RT-AC88U(/3200 iirc?); guess we'll never get an antennae update in this range (to 6-8).

That said, both the former models have been good to me...so if it ain't broke (I suppose), I'll live with it.

Glad to see it finally announced. Was wondering if they were waiting to redo the chassis/antennae setup, wait for a newer Broadcom chip (this uses a BCM4916), and/or just iron out their early firmware issues.

Now we know and I'm happy-enough with what it brings...now just kindly waiting on Merlin to support it (and maybe to see if Asus launches other affordable models with tri-band/6ghz sometime soon).

 

[Steve3p0]

Release date?

 

[TumbleGeorge]

Release date?

There is already an offer in one store in Hong Kong, fo 3899 HK$ I don't know if it's actually in stock. For the rest of the world, probably in a few more weeks later.

 

[alwayssts]

There is already an offer in one store in Hong Kong, fo 3899 HK$ I don't know if it's actually in stock. For the rest of the world, probably in a few more weeks later.

Thanks for the update, although that is pretty expensive compared to the price they quoted. Sounds like that *could* be the typical price-inflated placeholder, but you would know better than myself.

I'm not in any big hurry: diversified (meaning competitively-priced) fiber options in my area are extremely imminent but still not completely there yet...so I can wait a *little* while longer.

I really just want to know if ASUS is going to offer a BE88u-like product with 6ghz. If I buy this thing and then they quickly turn around and roll that out (in a a similar price range), I'm going to be bummed.

As it sits right now though, assuming it will be ~$300 (or less), I still like it as an affordable go-to option for capitalizing on 5G and hopefully surviving through the transition to 10G.

The whole thing about 6ghz is that I'm fine having a hard Cat8 connection to my main PC/PS, but it would've been nice to have for whenever both of those receive their next-gen upgrade (to at least try it out).

My main problem is congestion, and I'm not a huge fan of current QoS prioritizing or the lesser counts of MU-MIMO. I'm hoping this will solve that.

As for everything else; most of the stuff in my house is 2.4ghz (or I'm fine with it being on 2.4ghz); ofc some things are on 5ghz and that works plenty well-enough for their uses. JMO.

 

[coolmanhk]

I am a Hong Konger, I bought this router from JD in China using National Labour Day promotion, price is less than US$250. Although it does not come with 6GHz band, I look for it to upgrade my AX+AC Aimesh network to fully align with my 10GbE Intranet. My existing networking equipment include a AX86U as main router, a 10GbE Switch to connect 3 NASs and 3 PCs, and a AC68U as wired Aimesh node in master roon. With such attractive price, I upgraded BE88U as main router and AX86U as node (AC68U is retired), so that entire house upgrades to Wifi 6 and 7, also connection between router and switch is also 10G. I definitely feel that both wifi connection and wired connection to Internet gets faster and loan with quicker response.