[Best Buy] ASUS Wireless AC1900 Dual-Band Router (RT-AC1900P) $150

Bought this on boxing day for around the same price. Solid router and installed Merlin firmware so that I could configure IP address based VPN routing and experiment with vlans. Don't really need mesh since my house is small but if I did, I would keep the stock firmware so that I could enable aimesh.

Would it be worth it to upgrade from the RT-N66U to this? I have a 40 Mbps cable internet connection

Slawek wrote: ↑ Would it be worth it to upgrade from the RT-N66U to this? I have a 40 Mbps cable internet connection

Not really unless you are totally unhappy with your current router. I was using the N66 on gigabit for a number of months before upgrading. This price is not that hot anyway.

will888 wrote: ↑ Not really unless you are totally unhappy with your current router. I was using the N66 on gigabit for a number of months before upgrading. This price is not that hot anyway.

Could you advise if there is a router that is worth upgrading to? I'm always looking for something better but I want to make the upgrade actually worthwhile

Slawek wrote: ↑ Could you advise if there is a router that is worth upgrading to? I'm always looking for something better but I want to make the upgrade actually worthwhile

The thing is, with your internet speed so slow, you're not going to get much of a boost from a new router unless you do a lot of use at the fringes of your current coverage, or else if you currently have dead spots. I would say look into getting a faster internet connection first, then upgrade your wifi if necessary.

I will say however that the Asus AC86U is an outstanding router. I get a 300mbps connection even in the furthest corners of my house. And it got rid of the couple of dead spots I had with my old Dlink 868L router. Plus it has a really fast CPU which is great for NAS usage and also VPN. I get over 110MB/sec reads on a USB drive with this router. That's faster than a lot of $400+ dedicated NAS setups.

Mike's Computer Shop currently has an open box one on clearance for $190. I snagged mine that way for $150 last week. They sometimes offer 25% clearance specials also. And I think they have $10 email signup coupon.

Slawek wrote: ↑ Would it be worth it to upgrade from the RT-N66U to this? I have a 40 Mbps cable internet connection

Only if you use VPN client or server and MOST of your devices can utilize the 802.11ac. Also if you are planning to have AI Mesh in the future.

If most of the above wont meet your needs, there is no need for you to upgrade. Just keep your firmware updated and you are good to go.

If I have the money, Ill go buy the AC86U and call it a day.

You can buy a refurb Ac1900p on newegg.ca eBay page for $99. You also may be able to apply additional discount of $15 using a coupon code.

In for one! Thanks OP!

Does only the asus firmware have mesh? I thought Merlin did too

This vs Ubiquity?

keyser-soze wrote: ↑ Does only the asus firmware have mesh? I thought Merlin did too

No I don’t think Merlin has ai mesh.

dog116 wrote: ↑ You can buy a refurb Ac1900p on newegg.ca eBay page for $99. You also may be able to apply additional discount of $15 using a coupon code.

I bought mine that way, but I think that $15 coupon was one day only.

dog116 wrote: ↑ You can buy a refurb Ac1900p on newegg.ca eBay page for $99. You also may be able to apply additional discount of $15 using a coupon code.

Not may... did. $89 with shipping and GST. Hoping to add it to the first one I got, for some AIMesh.

There may also be a trageted PayPal discount... Just fyi