ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System (XT8 1PK) - Whole Home Coverage up to 2750 sq.ft & 4+ rooms, AiMesh, Included Lifetime Internet Security, Easy Setup, 3 SSID, Parental Control, Charcoal

I wanted to replace my old Linksys ( WRT1900AC ) with a faster ( AX ) router. So I bought the Linksys MR9600 and it performed so poorly ( hard to set up and very weak signals ) that I gave up on Linksys. Then bought the Asus XT8.Couldn't be happier. Easy to install the router and set up using the web browser interface. And it gave stronger signals housewide than any of my previous routers. Also very easy to add additional AiMesh routers as nodes.But. I had bought the combo XT8, with three routers. What to do? Turned out I didn't need the AiMesh system for improved signal strength, but I discovered a feature that I absolutely love. Namely, you can set up a Aimesh system with multiple routers and then use either wireless or wired connections for computers at the router and/or at any node. In this way I was able to have a wireless network with some of my computers connected via ethernet cable in various rooms without the nodes being connected with cables. The throughput is FAST. And when hard-wired with the proper CAT6 or better cable, it is faster than my computer's AC network adapter.Please note that this system has three channels, 1 at 2.4 GHz and 2 at 5 GHz. You can set up separate networks or a smart network ( or both, using guest networks ( with or without passwords )). But when you use AiMesh to connect the router to nodes, it uses the second 5 GHz channel for backhauling. If you are using a "smart" network and log on from a wireless computer, the "system" will determine the channel and ( if using AiMesh ) the node. With separate networks you can force a given connection to either 2.4 o5 5 GHz.You can also block internet access by device. For example I have several NAS drives connected to the router that I don't want to have internet access.Lots of other features I have not explored.Five stars. Even with several couple of quirks ( minor flaws ).First is that while you can add a USB drive to any router or node, the firmware will only allow you to configure and dismount a USB drive connected to the router, not one connected to a node. If the drive is connected to a node, you have to power off the node before safely removing the USB drive. The USB drive works fine connected to a node, with these limitations. I can live with that.Second, the router sometimes forgets the names of computers connected to the network. Doesn't have any operational impact. Just keep track of the IP addresses and enter the name of the computer yourself, or wait until the "mystery" device is powered on again or the system reboots ? Or don't worry about it.Bottom line is ... I like it so much I am going to buy a fourth XT8 as a third node to place upstairs for my daughter when she visits. Not for the improved signal strength ( which is significant ), but so she can plug in her computer and get faster data transfers.

I just upgraded to the XT9 from the Eero devices and it is like going from riding a bicycle to driving a sports car, the features, tools and capabilities are extensive.The setup is pain free and simple, similar to most wifi mesh systems you would buy today. After the initial setup is where you get the ability to fine tune your network. Asus has an excellent Web app called Asusrouter, that has an extensive set of features and parameters that you can use to customize your network to your specific requirements.I am currently running a Public IP network connected to my provider and it was very easy and straight-forward to set up after getting the Public P addresses. I worked with my provider to get their side set up and then configured my end. Works really well and the speed is exactly what I am paying for, the XT9 does NOT limit the speed or features of my service at all.The coverage that Asus promises is also realistic. I have the 2-device package that covers 5700 sq ft and it really provides that wide coverage. I have the node setup in my garage and the main router in my office and all 42 of my devices are connected with excellent signal strength on each device. It is nice to be able to connect everything and not worry about where in the house, yard or garage we go, we have excellent coverage.In summary, what I like most about the ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 AX7800, is the Web App that gives you the ability to customize your network to your specifications and the fact that it provides real time monitoring of the devices and has extensive logs. I am also very happy with the wide coverage area it provides and the strength of the signal. I had a lot of problems with signal strength before installing the Asus, and that is now resolved.I recommend this product and I did not get it free or in a promotion.UPDATE 10/18/2023This is an update to give a complete review of not only the product but also Support. I have had the opportunity since installing the devices to talk and email support. Be aware that the Support organization is not very good. I have spoken 3-4 times with agents in the Network support area and they were not very skilled or knowledgeable of the product and how it works or is supposed to be configured. I also sent an email about 4 days ago and still have not heard anything back from them.I still give this product 5 stars, because of both the web and mobile app, but beware that if you need support it may not be there for you.

Updated 10/24‐---------------‐--After hard reset both router and node. I swap device node now becomes Main router, it seems to taken care of dropping ISP speed, i am able to get max bandwidth from my ISP modem (1.4Gbps Xfinity). However, the Node seems to be still dropping and freezes internet connection(20ft away from 1st/2nd floor). It shows connected but no internet (lost internet signal).I finally forced myself to use MoCA since Xfi modem XB8 built in. My node now no longer disconnected and received full speed.Overall, my suggestion that if you are able to use MoCA on your setup then should do it because it better/stable for Wifi (Ethernet dedicated backhaul)I am using GoCoax MoCA 2.5. Hope that helps.----------‐-------------------I am an IT professional and using all model of Asus products for years.Unfortunately, this XT9 is a terrible device since the 1st day regardless what I did try to address the problems... Long, short..The Node keep disconnecting randomly after a few days. The device still connected but no ip address giving. (This is new problem for me)The Major problem since the 1st day is the internet speed only half from ISP modem (I have 1.5gpbs internet speed). XT9 only giving me 700-800Mbps regardless I am using CAT5e,6,7,8. The WAN port on the XT9 should be 2.5Gbps.Do not buy this, it will create problems for you. May be time for me to buy a different brand and quit Asus.I am very disappointed because this 2pk XT9 is expensive.