ASUS RT-AC66U Product Details
- Dual-band with the latest 802.11ac 3×3 technology for combined speeds of up to 1750 Mbps
- AiRadar intelligently strengthens wireless connections via high-powered amplification and beam-forming
- Four gigabit ethernet LAN ports for set-top boxes and computers without Wifi
- Two multi-functional USB 2.0 ports for expanded storage and printer sharing
- Effortless router setup with the ASUSWRT web-based interface
Upgrade to the Next GenerationThe ASUS RT-AC66U is a 5th gen dual-band Wi-Fi router, and the launch platform for the new ASUS AiCloud service. Its speed reaches 1.75Gbps, utilizing the Broadcom 802.11ac Wi-Fi controller and working in 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 5GHz band supports up to 1.3Gbps, exceeding current Gigabit wired transmission and 3X faster than 802.11n. The RT-AC66U offers smooth lag-resistant multitasking and super-fast streaming, while ASUS AiRadar intelligently strengthens wireless connections via powerful amplification, offering future-proof optimized performance.
AiCloud offers a unified app for iOS and Android devices that turns the RT-AC66U into a personal cloud server, with easy connectivity to Windows PC, Mac, Linux machines, and all USB storage. Each account can sync with other AiCloud clients and public cloud products directly. All your content, files, and data can be accessed, synced, shared, and managed from almost any device – smartphones to desktops – wherever and whenever you’re online.
Whether you’re a tech-savvy enthusiast or a first-time user, the RT-AC66U is exceptionally easy to use with CD-free Quick Installation Setup (QIS) that lets you plug-n-surf right out of the box and connect PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices quickly. Thanks to its refined interface tools, you get control like never before, letting you monitor signal strength, setup parental settings, and other useful functions in a robust yet intuitive way.
NVIDIA GameStream Ready
Your router is about to have a lot more fun. That’s because it can now stream all your favorite PC games to the NVIDIA® SHIELD™ portable to play anywhere in the house using fast, ultra-reliable NVIDIA GameStream™ technology. ASUS routers deliver lag-free, high-performance game streaming from GeForce® GTX™=powered PCs or NVIDIA GRID™ cloud gaming systems.
The Wi-Fi Router That’s Adored by the Media
ASUS RT-AC66U combines the incredible speed of 802.11ac wireless with a design that’s a Red Dot award-winner. But it’s not just great design that’s brought in the plaudits — RT-AC66U is adored by the world’s top technology publications and journalists. Its breathtaking 5th-generation Wi-Fi performance in the 5GHz band has been tested and verified by SmallNetBuilder, while the US edition of PCWorld declared RT-AC66U to be the leading 802.11ac router. RT-AC66U’s superior performance in enabling all-new networking experiences has also been on the receiving end of accolades from Germany’s highly-respected C’t magazine.
What’s Included:
- ASUS RT-AC66U Wireless Router
- Ethernet Cable
- Power Supply Cable
- Online Installation Manual
Belkin Routers
TP-Link Routers
ASUS Routers
Cisco Routers
Arris Routers
Fishinggent –
This is the most time I have ever spent evaluating a router. You can skip the details if you like and jump to the summary evaluation at the end or read the long version below of how the RT-AC66U B1 would be incorporated into my network.For half of last night and 4 hours the next day I delved into almost all of the functions of this RT-AC66U B1. This router is loaded with QoS options. You can set the router in Media Streaming mode, Web Surfing mode, Gaming mode and a Custom mode. You can set up a dual 2.4Ghz and 5GHz as a private network and then set up 6 guest networks, 3-2.4Ghz and 3-5Ghz if you want. The GUI is loaded with options. For my purpose, I set up this RT-AC66U B1, multi option high power router as my main router replacing an Asus RT N66U Dark Knight. My plan was to use the older Dark Knight as an AP on one side of my property.I am trying to improve the wifi reception of the shorter range but faster 5Ghz band over almost an acre. Before setting up the RT-AC66U B1 as a primary replacing the Dark Knight, I was using an Asus RT N66U Dark Knight as the primary router and an Asus RT-ACRH13 as an access point. I have the primary router on the first floor on top of a book shelf. The primary router is essentially in a central location in the middle of my .9 acre property. It is connected via LAN to a Cisco SG200-26 port managed gigabit switch that is amazing, just plug in the Cat5e cables and it works. The switch is the best part of my network. All the TVs, printers, computers, PS4s, WD TV Live streamers, Tivo boxes, and the RT-ACRH13 access point are connected to the Cisco switch as well as a few 5 and 8 port Netgear managed gigabit switches. The RT-ACRH13 is hidden on top of an entertainment center on the same floor about 50 to 60 feet away from the Dark Knight. There are 4 walls in between the RT-ACRH13 access point and the Dark Knight. Before the access point, on the other side of those 4 walls, the wifi devices would have to be on the 2.4Ghz band and would have download speeds of 8 to 20. The Dark Knight router would still deliver usable streaming and internet but not very well on the 5Ghz band.I pay for Fios 75Mbs down and 75Mbs up. Fios has always over delivered on their internet speed. When I had 50/50, using Ookla at […] for evaluation, I was getting wifi speeds of near 60/60 standing near the primary Dark Knight. Paying for 75/75 I get wifi speeds of 85 to 89 equally up and down at the primary router. With the RT-ACRH13 as an access point in the living on the same SSID for private 2.4/5Ghz and guest 2.5/5Ghz bands room I was also now getting 85/85 on the wifi devices. Wireless devices passed seamlessly from one router to the other. I need one more access point to cover the other side of my property. I got the RT-AC66U B1 on sale for $70.00 after $20 dollar rebate and there was my third router to spread my wireless network. I was going to use it as an access point but decided to replace the older Dark Knight. That turned out to be a big waste of time.Now to make a now long story short. The RT-AC66U B1 is going back. After updating the firmware, I went through every function, changing QoS options, wireless modes, control channels, channel bandwidths on both 2.4 and 5Ghz bands. I took 4 pages of notes while testing download speeds. I tested every option trying to find performance. However, as it turns out, no matter what the setting, the download speed on my Ipad from the RT-AC66U B1 is about 16-20Mbs but the upload speed would be 92Mbs. I don’t get it, no matter what setting I changed, the router would not deliver more than 16-20Mbs download speed at 6 feet from the router. With the dual core processor, this router should have been fast and able to handle many clients but it had very slow download speeds with only 26 clients. The Dark Knight had 91 clients in its list and would still deliver 85Mbs. I called Verizon to reset the ONT and release the IP so I could put the older Asus RT N66U Dark Knight back as my primary router. As soon as the internet was up again I tested the wifi download speed and the Ookla speed test meter was pegged out again. The Dark Knight delivered 85.95Mbs down and 78.12Mbs up. Even the Asus RT-ACRH13 delivers 85Mbs download. I don’t know why I could not achieve faster download speeds out of the Asus RT-AC66U B1. It is going back and I am buying another Asus RT N66U Dark Knight for an access point.
A. Brattoli –
I’ve owned this router for a bit over 1.5 years and it’s still going strong. I find the ASUS router browser interface to be one of the easiest to use. Firmware updates are simple and straightforward through the browser.I pay a bit more for high speed internet but get a solid 115 mbps download speed and acceptable 13mbps upload speed through the wired connection on the router. There is a minimal drop off to 102 mbps download and 12 mbps on the wireless connection, but that’s still more than acceptable and to be expected given obstacles like walls.While ASUS has released a “new version” of this router, I still recommend RT-AC66U as a good buy at the right price.
Matt and Suzy –
Just got this today and it works awesome! I also bought a Netgear R6700v2 last week as well to test the 2 out. My main goal was to have a router that covers over 2000 Square feet and also supported VPN services like IPVanish for my use of Kodi. The netgear worked great and speed was awesome but the firmware left much to be desired and no VPN access without flashing to DD-WRT which for the R6700 is not a option nor is Tomato. I got this one installed today and have been doing all my tests and this is a big upgrade from the normal AC66U This is the B1 version and has brand new hardware on it and is basically a AC68U with a slight tweak of one radio ID. This Asus router also comes with a lot better firmware right out of the box but I updated right away online to the most current which was released yesterday on 6/22/2017. This firmware has a lot more options for customization and etc. The best part is that I can connect to my IPVanish VPN service directly through this firmware without having to flash to DD-WRT or Tomato which for most people who know, flashing can be a long process and comes with the possibility of it not working and bricking your device. The fact that I can do this VPN service right from the Asus firmware is a HUGE advantage over the Netgear! My wifi speeds are awesome and the device isn’t as big and the lights are as bright as the Netgear which for me is nice! Ill review again in a few months to let everyone know how its doing after the break In period!
Dan –
Setup is extremely easy. System interface to update router name and passwords are super simple.Used a dual band Netgear router (comparable AC1750 router) and usually got 15 mbps on a 100 mbps internet plan from Cox. Now I consistently get 120-130 on that same 100 mbps plan. Upload is around 12-13 for me.Couldn’t be happier; will update if anything goes wrong.
Kathy F –
This router is fabulous! I thought I was going to have to invest in a mesh type for $300+, but we decided to try this one first. It meets our needs perfectly. We’re in a typical planned community, single story, all drywall walls, about 2600 square feet and FINALLY every inch is receiving the wi fi signal. I’m sitting in the old dead spot at our dining room table where I couldn’t get a signal before, and its at full strength as I type this. We have over a dozen devices using the wi fi at any given time, and no lag at all. It is mounted on the wall. This router has the necessary port to run a cable to the printer and set it up as a network printer. This way, we only need one printer for the household. Very happy with this purchase!
Kimmie Williams –
When my old Netgear router failed I research online for a good value for a good AC router. I did not want to spend a lot of money for a router so after reading a lot of reviews on routers I settled for the ASUS Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Router (AC1750) Model (RT-AC66U B1). I just received it and installation was easy almost plug and play, All I had to do is change the default password and I was up and running. I have about 12 devices connected to this router wirelessly and my speedtest results are fantastic. Wirelessly on all my devices I can get speeds almost the same as being hardwired to the router. As a test I setup 7 streaming videos running at the same time with no buffering problems at all.I cannot say how durable this router will be over time, but I am really impressed with its performance right out of the box.I will write an update after running this router for a while.So far a great little router.
skybridge –
very very goood!
J. Maier –
router works great but power button failed 1st fix–in a hurry I put a woodworking clamp on it (to hold button in the on position) after a few months wanting to use the clamp again, I cut a slice of cork from a wine bottle and super glued it down over the button (in the on position) put some tape to hold it in place while it dried–