Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router Review
Asus offers you dual-band routers with a range of features to suit your Wi-Fi requirements. Most of their router models are easy to install and are highly compatible with various platforms.
Moreover, you can usually expect an impressive performance from them. And, the Asus RT-AC66U B1 router does not seem to be an exception to that. You might want to give it a try if you are looking to upgrade your Wi-Fi.
But, there are some important features you must consider in this router first. And, our Asus RT-AC66U B1 dual-band gigabit Wi-Fi router review can help you with that. So, read on to know what this product has to offer you.
Important Features of the Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band Router
The Asus RT-AC66U B1 router comes with a wide range of features. And, here are some of the most noteworthy ones among them:
Design
The RT-AC66U B1 has quite a simple design with dimensions 1.7 x 8.5 x 5.8 inches. It features three adjustable antennas at the back that are not removable. And, that means you cannot upgrade the antennas later on to get better Wi-Fi performance. Also, you would have to replace the device if any of the antennas get damaged.
This router comes with USB functionality and features a USB 3.0 port on the front panel. This feature is quite useful for sharing files or printers with connected devices.
You get four LAN ports, an internet port, and a USB 2.0 port at the back panel. Apart from that, you can also find the reset, power and WPS buttons on this panel. The LED lights located at the top indicate power, internet, LAN ports and the radio bands.
Gigabit Ethernet
Does your current router have 10/100 Mbps ethernet ports? Then, the Asus RT-AC66U B1 comes with Gigabit Ethernet ports to offer you an upgrade. If you are wondering, these ports can provide much better performance than regular ones.
Moreover, it can get a speed of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) on Gigabit Ethernet ports. And, that makes the RT-AC66U B1 a better choice in this aspect than many other options out there.
Setup
The Asus RT-AC66U B1 dual-band router has a very simple setup process. You might find it much easier to set up than many other router models. Like most routers out there, you can configure the RT-AC66U B1 through its web management interface.
Apart from that, you can also use the Asus Router App for this purpose. You can get it from the official Asus website on your Android or iOS device. Want to start using your router right away after unboxing? Then, you can simply use the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button at the rear.
MIMO and Beamforming
This router model uses the 802.11ac wireless technology. So, it features the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) and beamforming technology. In case you are wondering, MIMO allows the router to send signals to multiple devices simultaneously.
And, that provides a significantly better speed and allows more connected devices. So, the RT-AC66U B1 can help you fix networking connection issues affecting Wi-Fi performance.
Beamforming is a technology that prevents the wastage of router signals. It directs the signals only towards devices that need to use them. This advanced technology enhances the Wi-Fi speed and performance further.
Bandwidth, Speed
As you know, the RT-AC66U B1 from Asus features two bandwidths – 2.4 GHz and 5GHz. So, you can use either of them depending on your range and speed requirements.
The 2.4 GHz band has more to offer you when it comes to coverage. But, it falls behind the 5 GHz when it comes to speed. Also, you get 20 MHz, 40 MHz, and 80 MHz channel widths on each band.
The 80 MHz width was introduced with the 802.11ac and was absent in older technologies. You can set this channel width through the interface to reduce interference to your Wi-Fi.
As for the speed, the 2.4 GHz can offer up to 450 Mbps. On the other hand, the 5GHz band offers a maximum speed of 1300 Mbps. So, there is a significant difference between the speeds of the two bands. The 5GHz band can offer quality performance for HD streaming and gaming.
Operation Modes
The Asus RT-AC66U B1 dual-band wireless router is more than only a router. You can use it as an access point to create a new network from the existing one. Apart from that, you can also use it as an extender and a media bridge.
Security and Access Control
The RT-AC66U B1 Dual-band router has essential security features. Moreover, it also comes with the AiProtection software to enhance security. This feature allows the router to detect its vulnerabilities and protect its sensitive information. Apart from that, it also brings in more advanced parental controls.
Printer Server
You might often need to use your router as a print server for more convenient printing. But, this feature might be absent in your current router. In such situations, the Asus RT-AC66U B1 can add the print server feature to your Wi-Fi network. It supports pretty much all multifunctional printers, but only for Windows systems.
Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router Review: Pros and Cons
You can find various pros and cons in the Asus RT-AC66U B1 that you must consider. Here are the main pros worth noting in this router:
- Fast internet
- Large coverage area
- USB functionality
- Easy setup and management
- Advanced security and parental control
- Reasonable price
The following are the significant cons of the Asus RT-AC66U B1 router:
- Non-detachable antennas
- Many users have reported dissatisfaction with the customer service.
Verdict
The Asus RT-AC66U B1 wireless router is built to provide a high-speed connection. And, it can deliver the kind of performance it promises you. It is also a perfect choice for upgrading your Wi-Fi range at an affordable price. Overall, the Asus RT-AC66U B1 dual-band router offers you value for money.
