Overview

The ASUS RT-AX89X is a Wi-Fi 6 dual-band router that stands out by offering both a 10G SFP+ and a 10G RJ45 port, making it future-proof for multi-gig internet connections without jumping to Wi-Fi 7. At $449, it targets power users with fast ISP plans and local NAS setups.

Design & Build

The RT-AX89X looks like a networking sci-fi prop with its angular black chassis and eight adjustable external antennas. The router is large - 11.3 x 7.4 x 3.1 inches - requiring dedicated shelf space. The eight antennas are individually adjustable and provide excellent signal shaping flexibility. Ventilation grilles are generous on the top and bottom, and the passive cooling keeps the fanless design quiet at idle. The included 12V 5A power brick is bulky, and the lack of a wall-mounting kit is disappointing for a $449 router.

Performance

The Qualcomm IPQ8074 quad-core at 2.2GHz handles routing throughput effortlessly. On a 2Gbps fiber connection, the RT-AX89X delivers 1.89Gbps wired and 920Mbps over Wi-Fi 6 at 15 feet - near line-rate performance. The 10G SFP+ port supports both copper and fiber modules for direct NAS connections at full 10Gbps throughput. AiMesh support allows expanding coverage with compatible ASUS nodes, maintaining 800Mbps backhaul over dedicated 5GHz. The dual-band limitation (no 6GHz) means congestion on the 5GHz band can still be an issue in dense apartment buildings.

Features

The dual 10G ports (one SFP+, one RJ45) are the headline feature - rare on a sub-$500 Wi-Fi 6 router. The 2.5G WAN/LAN port handles faster-than-gigabit ISP plans while the four gigabit LAN ports serve wired devices. ASUSWRT is feature-rich with Adaptive QoS, VPN Fusion (concurrent VPN and standard routing), and AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro for security. The web interface is responsive but the mobile app is less reliable, occasionally losing connection to the router. The included USB 3.2 Gen 1 port supports file sharing and 4G LTE dongle failover.

Pros

• Dual 10G ports (SFP+ and RJ45) for multi-gig setups
• Excellent wired and Wi-Fi 6 throughput near line-rate
• Feature-rich ASUSWRT with AiProtection and VPN Fusion
• Stable AiMesh performance with dedicated backhaul

Cons

• No Wi-Fi 7 or 6GHz support at this price
• No wall-mounting hardware included
• Dual-band can mean 5GHz congestion in dense areas
• Mobile app is less reliable than web interface

Verdict

The ASUS RT-AX89X is the best Wi-Fi 6 router for anyone who needs 10G LAN connectivity today. If you need Wi-Fi 7 or 6GHz spectrum, wait. If you have multi-gig internet and a NAS, this is the sweet spot.

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