While most people know and love ASUS Wi-Fi products designed for home users, few realize that they can be a perfect fit for small and mid-sized businesses too. Their feature set is usually advanced enough to cover the needs of business users, not just consumers. For example, most ASUS routers can function as VPN servers and include advanced security tools with efficient antivirus and firewall protection. In addition, some have a “captive portal” for companies that need to offer Wi-Fi to their customers and simultaneously promote their products or services. If you’re a business owner on the lookout for a suitable Wi-Fi solution for your company, here are nine recommendations from ASUS:
Wireless routers with 4G SIM cards
These routers are usually useful in two situations:
- When it is critical to have always-on internet connectivity. Then, you can have a typical broadband internet connection as the main way to get internet access for your Wi-Fi. When the main connection is unavailable, the 4G SIM card is used as a backup. The router automatically switches to it and keeps the internet access available for anyone in your network.
- In areas where there’s no broadband internet connection service available, but there’s cellular connectivity. In this situation, you buy a 4G SIM card from your mobile operator, plug it into your router, configure it, and enjoy internet access through Wi-Fi.
Here are my recommendations for 4G Wi-Fi routers:
1. ASUS 4G-AC86U
If you’re not interested in switching to Wi-Fi 6, you can opt for a reliable Wi-Fi 5 router with a dual-core MediaTek MT7621A processor and 512 MB of RAM: the ASUS 4G-AC86U. This router’s hardware is enough to manage a small business network with several computers and devices connected simultaneously. If you’re running a restaurant or a bed and breakfast, you’ll be happy to know that ASUS 4G-AC86U can offer Wi-Fi access to your guests, using a “captive portal” that you can personalize in a way that promotes your business.
The 4G SIM slot is discreetly placed on the right side of the ASUS 4G-AC86U for easy access. If you’d like to buy this router, you can find it on Amazon: ASUS 4G-AC86U Dual-Band AC2600 LTE Modem Router.
2. ASUS 4G-AX56
If you’re interested in a Wi-Fi 6 router with a 4G SIM card slot, you should consider the ASUS 4G-AX56. It’s a newer model with updated Wi-Fi 6 hardware: it has a quad-core Broadcom BCM4912 processor running at 2 GHz, featuring 512 MB of RAM and advanced firmware from ASUS, complete with top-notch firewall and antivirus protection. This model also gives you access to a personalizable “captive portal” for your company’s guests.
Unlike the previous model, ASUS 4G-AX56 has its 4G SIM card slot on the bottom of the router, hidden from view. You can find this model on Amazon: ASUS 4G-AX56.
ASUS wireless routers with Wi-Fi 6
If you don’t require 4G internet connectivity on your router, you can opt for more traditional Wi-Fi 6 routers. Here are my recommendations, starting with the most affordable ones:
3. ASUS RT-AX1800U
If you have a smaller office space where you need Wi-Fi 6 coverage but the number of devices to be managed is relatively low, you can opt for an affordable router like the ASUS RT-AX1800U, which comes with a dual-core MediaTek MT7621A processor. Offering support for ASUS AiMesh, it can become an affordable way to extend an existing Wi-Fi network managed by another ASUS router.
You also get the company’s traditional ASUS AiProtection, a commercial-grade network security system with powerful antivirus and firewall protection that will keep your network safe from threats.
4. ASUS RT-AX55
If you need a router that’s still affordable but slightly more powerful than the previous model and capable of handling more devices, then you should consider the ASUS RT-AX55. It features a quad-core Broadcom BCM6755 processor, running at 1.5 GHz, and 256 MB of RAM - enough for small-sized office networks.
If you need coverage over a large area, this model also has AiMesh support, and you can pair it with other ASUS routers to extend your Wi-Fi. Those interested in buying it can find it on Amazon here: ASUS AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX55).
5. ASUS RT-AX92U
RT-AX92U is the first Wi-Fi 6 router from ASUS with support for AiMesh - their technology that allows you to extend a wireless network as much as you wish, using only ASUS routers and networking equipment. It is a tri-band Wi-Fi router, and when used in kits of two or more devices, the third band can be used as a backhaul to provide improved stability and speed for the whole network.
Another useful feature is that ASUS RT-AX92U can benefit from using two 1Gbps internet connections simultaneously through WAN aggregation. This means you can achieve 2 Gbps internet connectivity if your internet provider supports this feature.
6. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
If you have a large office space with many devices, you should opt for a powerful router like the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000. Its incredibly powerful hardware (quad-core Broadcom BCM49408 processor running at 1.8 GHz, 1 GB of DDR3 RAM) and advanced features guarantee that it can handle networks with many devices over larger areas than the other routers included in this presentation.
While the ROG brand is aimed at gamers, this model can also be useful to business users. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 features advanced security and other tools like:
- Wi-Fi Radar - can be used to discover nearby wireless access points, gather statistics about the wireless radio signals in your area, troubleshoot problems, and improve the settings of your Wi-Fi.
- VPN - set the router to work as a VPN server, so the company’s employees can connect to the office network while traveling.
- Dual WAN - useful for both small businesses and professionals who require always-on internet connections. You can also use a Dual WAN to improve the quality of your internet connection or for failover scenarios.
ASUS ZenWiFi mesh systems with Wi-Fi 6
If your business requires wireless connectivity over large areas, including office buildings with several floors, a mesh Wi-Fi system is the better option. Here are some recommendations from ASUS:
7. ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid (XP4): For office spaces with thick walls
ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid (XP4) is sold as a pair of Wi-Fi 6 routers with an integrated HomePlug AV2 network and a bandwidth of 1300 Mbps. It's a great choice when you’re dealing with thick or metal-reinforced walls, as it manages to offer solid coverage and fast Wi-Fi connections. These walls are often problematic when broadcasting the Wi-Fi signal between the stations in a mesh Wi-Fi system, and the ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid (XP4) solves that problem elegantly and efficiently.
The system can be set to work as a VPN server too, and with the help of Instant Guard, the company’s employees can connect even their mobile devices to their office network.
If you’re interested in buying it, you can find this mesh Wi-Fi system on Amazon: ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid Powerline Mesh WiFi6 System (XP4).
8. ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8): Mesh Wi-Fi for larger office spaces
If you have a large office space, maybe one with several floors, and many devices that need Wi-Fi connectivity, you should consider the ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8). It has a dedicated wireless backhaul for efficient communication between its stations, offers a generous coverage area, powerful hardware (quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM), and can handle many devices simultaneously.
You also get antivirus tools, a firewall, and VPN server functionality. If you are interested in buying it, find this mesh Wi-Fi system on Amazon: ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System (XT8).
9. ASUS ZenWiFi Pro XT12: Excellent for 2.5 Gbps internet connections
The ASUS ZenWiFi Pro XT12 mesh Wi-Fi system is available in one or two stations. Even though they are quite large and heavy, they’re also elegant, with powerful hardware and many features. If you want wireless connectivity across a large space, including office space with several floors, great Wi-Fi 6 speeds, and powerful security tools, the ASUS ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is worth considering. Furthermore, if you're using a 2.5 Gbps internet connection, you have an additional reason to get one because it works great with such connections.
Another upside is that ASUS ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is a tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system, and you can set it to use one of the three bands as a wireless backhaul for reliable and fast network connectivity. You can also build an Ethernet backhaul for even better results over larger office areas. If you’re interested in purchasing it, you can find it on Amazon using this link: ASUS ZenWiFi Pro AX11000 Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System (XT12).
Which ASUS routers or mesh Wi-Fi systems do you find most interesting?
This list includes both niche products, like the routers with 4G SIM cards, as well as some very new and innovative models, like the ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid (XP4). Hopefully, you’ll find it useful in your search for reliable Wi-Fi equipment for your small or medium-sized business. Before closing this presentation, don’t hesitate to share which products you find most interesting and why. Comment using the options below, and let’s discuss.