Finding that the router that comes with your ISP is a bit lacking? Want something better, but you don’t want to invest too much into a new router? Well, Asus might have the perfect router for you, with the Asus RT AC55UHP. This dual band router is rather similar to the previous Asus RT AC55U, but with some minor upgrades. So what are those? Let’s find out.
FAST & FURIOUS
The Asus RT-AC55UHP, as with other Asus’s networking products comes in a large black box featuring the router on the front. The box itself is rather simple, and contains the router itself, two detachable antennae, a single LAN cable, and a power adaptor. Also included are a manual, a DVD as well as an antenna spacer.
SPACE DROID
The router itself is trapezoid like in shape, and is the shape of choice for Asus for most of its current range of routers. At the rear are two wall mount holes that lets you mount the router on the wall, but it’s right at home on your desk too. The top of the router has a diamond shaped patterns that looks rather cool.
At the front is a single USB 3.0 port which lets the router share any drive that you plug in here as a shared drive, or turn your printer into a network printer. Another USB 2.0 port at the rear does the same thing as well. Also at the rear are four Gigabit LAN Ethernet ports as well as a single Gigabit WAN port coloured in blue. The two antennae are attached to either sides of the rear as well.
EASY NETWORKING
The Asus RT-AC55UHP supports DHCP for existing networks, or UNIFI/Maxis fibre for those that want to use it at home. The Asus-WRT GUI is quite easy to navigate through, giving a lot of options to users. If the options are too overwhelming, then a quick and easy setup wizard can help you as well.
The router has dual Wi-Fi band, a 2.4Ghz network running at 300Mbps and a 5Ghz one at 867Mbps. The dual gain antenna helps the router achieve this speed, and the antenna spacer fixes the antenna at the most perfect angle. Indeed, we tested the Wi-Fi and found out that it still works well even at two or three floors above or below.
NICE BONUS
What are the differences between this and the RT-AC55U? Well this one supports WIFI 802.11 b/g/n/ac while the old RT-AC55U only supports WIFI 802.11 n/ac. Also the antenna is now fully round, instead of some weird, squarish shape on the old router.
CONCLUSION
If you are looking for a cheap, easy to use but powerful router not only for your home, but also for your office, then the Asus RT-AC55UHP might be just the thing for you.
Value: 9/10
Features: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Design: 9/10
Usability: 9/10
Total: 8.6/10
