ASUS RT-AC87U Overview
The ASUS RT-AC87U is a dual-band AC2400 smart WiFi router and one of the first routers built with a true 4x4 antenna design. Four transmit and four receive streams deliver combined wireless speeds up to 2334 Mbps: up to 1734 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz, plenty of headroom for 4K streaming, large file transfers, and low-latency online gaming at the same time.
Under the hood, a 1GHz dual-core main processor handles routing, USB, and 2.4GHz traffic while a second dedicated dual-core processor runs the 5GHz band. Hardware NAT acceleration removes the usual bottleneck between your internet connection and your home network, boosting WAN-to-LAN throughput two to five times over software-based routing.
Key Features
- Dual-band AC2400 WiFi with combined speeds up to 2334 Mbps (600 + 1734 Mbps)
- True 4x4 antenna design with MU-MIMO support and AiRadar beamforming for strong, stable coverage to the far corners of your home
- AiProtection network security powered by Trend Micro, included free for the life of the router, with robust parental controls
- Adaptive QoS prioritizes gaming, streaming, and work traffic the way you choose
- 1GHz dual-core processor plus a dedicated 5GHz WiFi processor, with hardware NAT acceleration
- Four Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port for wired devices
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for shared storage, printer sharing, and 3G/4G dongle backup internet
- Dual WAN failover and a built-in VPN server (OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP)
ASUSWRT Interface, App Control, and AiCloud
The ASUSWRT web interface gets you online with a simple three-step setup and no discs or extra software, then opens up a deep set of advanced options when you want them. The ASUS Router app adds setup, traffic monitoring, and device management from your phone, while AiCloud 2.0 lets you access, sync, and stream files on a connected USB drive from anywhere.
Specifications
| WiFi Standard |
802.11ac (WiFi 5), simultaneous dual-band |
| WiFi Speed |
AC2400: 600 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 1734 Mbps (5GHz) |
| Antenna Design |
4 external antennas, true 4x4 with AiRadar beamforming and MU-MIMO |
| Processor |
1GHz dual-core plus dedicated dual-core 5GHz WiFi processor |
| Memory |
256 MB RAM, 128 MB flash |
| Ethernet Ports |
5 x Gigabit (1 WAN, 4 LAN) |
| USB Ports |
1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 |
| Security |
AiProtection by Trend Micro, WPA2 |
| Dimensions |
11.5 x 6.5 x 2.0 in, 1.97 lb |
What's Included
- ASUS RT-AC87U Wireless Router
- Ethernet Cable
- 4x External Antennas
- Power Supply
- Online Installation Manual
Will this work with my internet company?
Yes. As a wireless router, the RT-AC87U is not tied to any single internet company. It works with cable, DSL, and fiber providers alike once it is connected to a compatible modem or fiber gateway. Need a modem to go with it? You can browse modems by internet provider.
Already have a provider-issued modem router gateway? The RT-AC87U can run behind it, and putting the gateway in bridge mode lets the ASUS take over all WiFi duties for the best results.
Skip the Monthly Rental Fee
Equipment rental from most internet providers runs $10 to $14 per month, up to $168 per year. A professionally refurbished RT-AC87U typically costs less than a single year of those fees while outperforming the standard rental gateway.
Setup
- Connect an Ethernet cable from your modem to the RT-AC87U's blue WAN port, then power cycle the modem.
- Plug in the router, attach the four antennas, and wait for the power light to stabilize.
- Connect a phone or computer to the preset WiFi network printed on the router's label.
- Open router.asus.com in a browser (or the ASUS Router app) and follow the quick setup wizard to name your network and set a password.
- Reconnect your devices to the new network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASUS RT-AC87U a modem?
No. The RT-AC87U is a router only. It creates and manages your WiFi network but must connect to a modem or fiber gateway to reach the internet.
What internet plans can the RT-AC87U handle?
The Gigabit WAN port supports plans up to 1 Gbps for wired connections. Over WiFi, real-world device speeds make the RT-AC87U a strong fit for internet plans up to about 500 Mbps.
Does the RT-AC87U support MU-MIMO?
Yes. Its 4x4 Wave 2 5GHz radio supports MU-MIMO, which lets the router serve multiple compatible devices at once instead of taking turns, keeping speeds up in busy households.
Is AiProtection free?
Yes. AiProtection is powered by Trend Micro and included for the life of the router at no charge. It blocks malicious sites, guards against network vulnerabilities, alerts you if an infected device is detected, and includes the parental controls.
Can I share a USB drive or printer on my network?
Yes. The USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports support shared storage, media streaming, and printer sharing across your network, plus remote file access through AiCloud 2.0. You can also plug in a 3G/4G USB dongle as a backup internet connection.
Is a WiFi 5 router like this still worth buying in 2026?
For plans up to about 500 Mbps, the RT-AC87U remains a strong value with features that still beat many rental gateways. Just note that ASUS no longer issues regular firmware updates for this generation. If you have a faster plan or want current-generation security and features, compare the WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 models in our wireless routers collection.
