Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsGreat Router but one antenna was brittle and broke at unboxing
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2023
The router is great. I have the aimesh system with Asus. What I really like about asus is that they provide constant software updates to their routing equipment, the also provide de aimesh system, which is great to have a single ssid around your have, so you don't have to be switching devices. I have another one of these TUF-AX5400 as my main router, I bought this one to act as a aimesh node, since the signal is better than my other aimesh node from ASUS (RT-AX3000). This router is far better than the RT-AX3000, but it is a pricier. Trick is to buy the TUF-AX5400 on promo, which gets down to a price of around $150 similar price to the RT-AX3000 on amazon, but better specs and better signal. I also have a RP-AX56 as part of my setup, but that one is expensive ($100) for a repeater that offers few features. So now, when I want to add a new aimesh node as AP to my property, I get the TUF-AX5400, but on promo (just set an alarm on camelizer, it will send you and email when to buy). These promos runs every 3 months or so.
The things I did not like too much about the TUF-AX5400 is that one of the antennas in my last one was very brittle and broke as soon as I was unboxing it (antennas are non-replaceble). Wifi coverage is good in 5GHz, but This router is not on 6GHz (it does not have the hardware capability), so thats a down side. I haven't yet made the transition to wifi 6E cause very few endpoint devices support it, and the routers that support it are very expensive, specially from ASUS. Also, I noticed that other brands have a more powerfull signal, so those reach further, so I am inclined to say that this router coverage is medium range. Why do I get this one if the coverage is not that great?... Well I notice this router has not so far coverage, but good quality of signal, great transition software from node to node with aimesh and great software update with tons of features. So price/quality, I think this is one of the best routers on the market if you want to have mesh (and need to stay with one brand, ASUS rocks in home routers).
PROS:
-Good software updates
-Great for mesh using aimesh
-Good number of antennas
-Decent coverage
-Lots of features via the asus software
-Asus app updates regularly with new features as well to manage from your mobile phone
-At least tries to integrate with alexa
-QOS
Cons:
-Brittle non-replaceble antennas
-Pricy (unless you get it on discount).
-Non wifi6E ready (but you cannot expect that for this price at this time [early 2023])
-Other manufactures seem to have further reach on the 5Ghz band
