Like all AiMesh routers, the ZenWiFi AX support wired backhaul - you can use a network cable to hook one router to another. Note its 5GHz-2 band’s default setting for the dedicated backhaul role. The ZenWiFi AX XT8 shares the same web interface as that of previous Asus routers. Thanks to this strong backhaul connection, you can place the XT8’s hardware further from each other and still have a fast mesh system.

It also supports the venerable 160MHz channel width. The 5GHz-2 is the most powerful band, featuring 4×4 Wi-Fi 6 to deliver up to 4800Mbps. The router dedicates one of the 5GHz bands, the 5GHz-2, as the dedicated backhaul, which works solely to link the two hardware units to form a mesh system.

High-speed backhaul band, presently no 160MHz channel support for clientsĮach XT8 hardware unit is an AX6600 tri-band router with one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz broadcasters. With a 2-pack, the speed is limited by the other Gigabit ports anyway. However, generally, in real-world usage, it’s not a good idea to count on the wireless backhaul to reliably deliver the same speed as a wired Multi-Gig LAN connection.Īlso, you’ll need to have a second node unit before you can see the value of this port. And that’s disappointing since that means locally, the best wired-to-wireless connection you’d get out of the XT8 is 1Gbps.īut when working as a node, the XT8’s 2.5Gbps WAN port now works as a LAN port. Maybe you can tell them apart.īy default, there’s no Multi-Gig LAN port. The ZenWiFi AX XT8 and the ZenWiFi AC CT8. Like the CT8, the XT8 features Dual-WAN - you can turn its USB port or another LAN port into a second WAN port if you want it to host two broadband connections at a time or load balancing or high availability. Also, the USB 3.2 Gen 1 port is on the right side instead of the left. On the back, though, you’ll note that the XT8’s WAN port is now a Multi-Gig port that works either at either 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps. Familiar design, now with Multi-Gig WAN support The two look the same, sharing the single-slot-toaster design, and are available in white or charcoal colors. From the front, you can’t tell the hardware of the XT8 and the CT8 routers apart. Familiar settings, features, and shortcomingsĪsus ZenWiFi AX XT8: Everything the CT8 has and a lot moreĪs a mesh system, the ZenWiFi AX, like the CT8, includes two identical routers.

ZenWiFi AX XT8: Hardware specifications.

Extra: Important note on using wired backhaul.

High-speed backhaul band, presently no 160MHz channel support for clients.

Familiar design, now with Multi-Gig WAN support.

Asus ZenWiFi AX XT8: Everything the CT8 has and a lot more.

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