尽管 802.11ax 无线标准（也称为 Wi-Fi 6）尚未最终确定，但我们已经看到支持它的无线路由器推出。^{(wireless router)}第一款消费级 802.11ax^{(consumer 802.11ax)} 无线路由器^{(wireless router)}来自华硕^(ASUS)。它的名字是华硕RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}，这款路由器在尺寸、硬件和功能方面都是一头野兽。如果您想知道第一款 AX无线路由器^{(wireless router)}提供什么，请阅读我们对华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}的评论：

华硕 RT-AX88U：它对谁有好处？

ASUS RT-AX88U是以下类型用户的绝佳选择：

• 想要投资Wi-Fi 6 标准并计划^{(standard and plan)}购买支持该标准的设备的用户
• 希望为其智能家居设备提供最佳安全性的用户
• 想要提供完全控制的高级固件的用户
• 希望通过IFTT（如果这样，那么那样）从无线路由器获得^{(wireless router)}任务自动化^{(task automation)}服务的人
• 想要使用Alexa 语音^{(Alexa voice)}助手控制家庭网络的用户^{(home network)}
• 渴望高级移动应用程序的人，他们可以从中个性化路由器必须提供的几乎所有东西

优点和缺点

华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}有很多优点：

• 支持最新的无线标准 - 802.11ax
• 2.4 GHz 频段上的超快 WiFi
• 出色的安全功能可保护您的智能家居
• 对在线玩多人游戏的游戏玩家有用的功能
• 强大的硬件^{(Powerful hardware)}，可以处理许多客户端和同时连接
• 超高速 USB 3.0 端口
• ^{(Advanced smartphone)}用于管理无线路由器的^{(wireless router)}高级智能手机应用程序
• 强大的^(Great)多语言支持和易于访问的帮助文档^{(Help documentation)}
• 它可以安装在墙上
• 它有八个以太网^(Ethernet)端口——在消费级路由器上很少见

有一些缺点需要考虑：

• 如果您有带英特尔无线^{(Intel wireless)}适配器的笔记本电脑和设备，则必须更新驱动程序；否则，您的 WiFi 连接不适用于此路由器
• 5 GHz 频段^{(GHz band)}的无线覆盖^{(wireless coverage)}在有两道或多道墙将网络客户端与路由器隔开的位置并不可靠
• 价格不适合所有人

判决

华硕^(ASUS)是第一家推出兼容新 802.11ax/ Wi-Fi 6无线标准的无线路由器的制造商。^{(wireless router)}结果是一个大型路由器，具有强大的硬件、八个以太网^(Ethernet)端口以及满足许多用户需求的高级固件：游戏玩家、父母、注重安全的用户、IT 专业人员和小型企业。如果您购买它，您的家庭网络^{(home network)}将比世界其他地方更适合未来。但是，这也意味着您要为成为第一个支付更多费用，并且随着Wi-Fi 6^{(Wi-Fi 6)}标准获得最终批准和兼容设备出现在市场上，您将面临一些将及时修复的故障和不兼容问题。华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}是一种无线路由器，其潜力将随着^{(wireless router)}IT 世界^{(IT world)}的其他成员加入新的Wi-Fi 6标准而及时显现。

华硕 RT-AX88U 无线^{(ASUS RT-AX88U wireless)}路由器拆箱

华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}有一个巨大的黑盒子，顶盖上有一张路由器的图片，以及它最重要的功能列表。拆箱体验令人愉快，值得高级设备。观看下面的视频，看看你会在盒子里找到什么。

包装内有：无线路由器^{(wireless router)}、外置天线、电源适配器^{(power adapter)}、网线^{(Ethernet cable)}、快速安装指南^{(Quick Setup guide)}、英特尔无线^{(Intel wireless)}网卡笔记本电脑故障排除信息、 WTFast服务^{(WTFast service)}连接指南、保修和其他法律信息。

硬件规格和设计

华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}外观类似于流行的华硕 RT-AC88U^{(ASUS RT-AC88U)}，这是一款无线路由器^{(wireless router)}，几年前推出时受到许多用户（包括我们）的赞赏。在视觉上，新模型使用了不同的强调色^{(accent color)}：金色而不是红色。端口位于相同的位置，通风网格相似，等等。

ASUS RT-AX88U的独特之处在于其现代而强大的硬件。该无线路由器由运行频率为 1.8 GHz的 64 位^(GHz)Broadcom BCM43684四核片^(Chip)上系统^(System)( SoC ) 、1 GB DDR3 RAM和 256 MB固件存储空间提供支持。^{(storage space)}

它使用的Broadcom BCM43684 SoC支持最新的Wi-Fi 6（802.11ax 无线标准）^{(Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax wireless standard))}，旨在提高您的无线连接速度、它可以同时服务的客户端数量以及网络客户端的功耗^{(power consumption)}。Wi-Fi 6的一个有趣特性是它改进了有用的MU-MIMO 传输^{(MU-MIMO transfer)}技术。现在它更高效了，还可以处理上传，而不仅仅是下载，就像它在第一个版本中所做的那样。然而，Wi-Fi 6标准太新了，尚未最终确定，最终批准预计在 2019 年底。此外，市场上没有客户端设备。我们唯一知道的是，有传言称 iPhone 将在 2019 年的某个时候启用对Wi-Fi 6标准的支持。^{(Wi-Fi 6)}

华硕^(ASUS)制造了一款您现在可以使用的无线路由器，因此 RT-AX88U 支持所有现有的无线网络^{(wireless networking)}标准 802.11ac Wave 2和 802.11 b/g/n。

ASUS RT-AX88U是一款双频无线路由器^{(wireless router)}，总最大理论带宽划分^{(bandwidth split)}如下：2.4GHz 频段为 1148 Mbps ，5GHz 频段为4804 Mbps。加起来 5952 Mbps ，因此您在有关此路由器的营销材料中看到的 6000 Mbps 近似值。^{(Mbps approximation)}请记住，这些带宽近似值仅在使用新的Wi-Fi 6标准时有效，您不能将其用于当今的网络客户端。

说到端口，华硕RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}非常大方。背面有八个 1 Gbps 以太网^{(Gbps Ethernet)}端口、一个USB 3.0端口、WAN 端口^{(WAN port)}、WPS按钮、重置^(Reset)插孔、电源^(Power)插孔和电源^(Power)按钮。

在正面，有两个按钮：一个用于打开和关闭LED^(LEDs)，另一个用于控制WiFi 广播^{(WiFi broadcasting)}。还有一个隐藏另一个USB 3.0端口的门。这个端口的位置没有经过深思熟虑，这使得将第二个USB 设备^{(USB device)}连接到路由器变得更加困难。它还具有四个外部天线，可实现 4x4 MU-MIMO 无线传输。

具有如此强大的硬件和许多端口的路由器总是很大，而且相对较重。华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}的尺寸为 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 英寸或 300 x 188 x 61 毫米长x 宽^{(x width)} x 高^{(x height)}。它的重量也为 2.2 磅或 1.01 公斤。

华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}上的固件与该公司其他路由器上的固件相同。它包括最新版本的AiProtection Pro （提供来自^{(AiProtection Pro)}Trend Micro的商业级安全性和基于云的家长控制），并支持ASUS AiMesh。

如果您想进一步了解这款无线路由器^{(wireless router)}的官方规格，请访问此页面：ASUS RT-AX88U 规格^{(ASUS RT-AX88U Specifications)}。

设置和使用ASUS RT-AX88U 无线^{(ASUS RT-AX88U wireless)}路由器

设置华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}非常简单：将其插入电源线，将其连接到互联网，使用包装中的以太网电缆^{(Ethernet cable)}将其连接到计算机，然后在网络浏览器中访问其^{(web browser)}配置向导^{(configuration wizard)}。首先^(First)，您需要输入互联网连接的详细信息。然后，配置无线网络^{(wireless network)}的名称和密码，启用 802.11ax HE 帧^{(HE frame)}支持（打开Wi-Fi 6标准），并设置管理路由器的用户名和密码^{(username and password)}。

提供初始详细信息后，路由器会连接到Internet 并检查^{(internet and checks)}固件更新。这是一种主动的方法，您应该让ASUS RT-AX88U 更新^{(ASUS RT-AX88U update)}其固件，以便您从性能和安全改进^{(performance and security improvements)}中受益。在快速设置向导^{(setup wizard)}结束时，您会看到设置摘要。

现在您可以访问管理用户界面。它与其他华硕^(ASUS)路由器相同，这意味着它组织良好且易于使用。所有设置都分为逻辑部分，很容易找到自己的方式。您可以详细配置所有重要的内容，高级用户将欣赏这一事实。

此外，用户文档做得很好并且易于访问。一个巧妙的技巧^{(neat trick)}是将鼠标光标移动^{(mouse cursor)}到您不理解的设置上，并显示一个问号^{(question mark)}。单击^(Click)它，您会看到解释该设置的信息。此帮助^(Help)功能的一个缺点是它尚未更新以包含有关此路由器引入的新颖性的信息，例如 802.11ax HE 帧^{(HE frame)}支持。

积极的一面是多语言支持：华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}的固件有 24 种语言版本。大多数路由器制造商不提供这么多语言的固件。

如果您想通过智能手机或平板电脑控制您的无线网络^{(smartphone or tablet)}，^{(wireless network)}包括您不在家时，您可以使用华硕路由器应用程序^{(ASUS router app)}。它提供了许多高级自定义选项，包括检查孩子设备的能力，以及为家长控制设置规则的能力。当您的家人遇到WiFi问题而您不在家时，远程网络诊断也很有用。

我们将大约二十台设备连接到由华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}管理的网络，包括两台台式电脑、笔记本电脑、平板电脑、几部智能手机、一台无线打印机^{(wireless printer)}、两个智能插头、一个智能灯泡^{(smart bulb)}和一个Xbox One控制台。然后，我们开始共享数据并进行传输。在放置路由器的房间里，在那些能直接看到它的房间里，我们享受到了非常快的WiFi和稳定的网络传输^{(network transfer)}。以下^(Below)是5 GHz 频段上的典型^{(GHz band)}网络传输^{(network transfer)}示例。

然而，在与路由器被两堵墙隔开的房间里，没有直接的视线，传输的可变性显着增加。虽然增加的可变性是正常的，但同一公司的其他无线路由器，包括较便宜的华硕 RT-AC86U^{(ASUS RT-AC86U offer)}，在这方面提供了更好的性能。这是未来固件更新中应该改进的一个方面。下面，您可以看到5 GHz 频段的^{(GHz band)}网络传输^{(network transfer)}，在一个与路由器隔着两堵墙的房间里：

良好无线网络^{(wireless networking)}体验的另一个重要方面是路由器与网络客户端的兼容性。ASUS RT-AX88U是一款支持尚未最终确定的新无线网络标准（Wi-Fi 6）的路由器，市场上没有网络客户端支持它。^{(wireless network standard)}不幸的是，这也带来了一些兼容性问题。

如果您的笔记本电脑、平板电脑或设备^{(tablet or device)}配备英特尔双频无线-AC 无线^{(Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC wireless)} 网卡^{(network card)}，您可能会遇到兼容性问题。我们有一台带有英特尔双频无线 AC-8260 适配器^{(Intel Dual Band Wireless AC-8260 adapter)}的笔记本电脑。起初，我们可以连接到无线网络^{(wireless network)}，但经历了频繁的冻结和断开连接。我们甚至无法在Netflix 或 HBO GO^{(Netflix or HBO GO)}上播放电影。正如华硕^(ASUS) 在此处^(here)和路由器包装中所记录的那样，只有将驱动程序更新到Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi 版本 20.70.0 ，此问题才会消失^{(version 20.70.0)}或更高。更新驱动程序后，一切顺利，我们不再遇到问题。

如果您想了解更多关于华硕 RT-AX88U^{(ASUS RT-AX88U)}提供的真实性能，请转到本评论的下一页。

ASUS RT-AX88U review: The first router that showcases the new Wi-Fi 6 standard!

Even though the 802.11ax wireless standard, also known as Wi-Fi 6 is nоt yet finalized, we already ѕee wireless routers with supрort for it being launched. The first consumer 802.11ax wireless routеr comes from ASUS. Іts name іs ASUS RT-AX88U, and this rоuter is a beast, regarding size, hardware, and features. If you want to know what the first AX wireless router has to offer, read our review for ASUS RT-AX88U:

ASUS RT-AX88U: Who is it good for?

ASUS RT-AX88U is a great choice for the following types of users:

• People who want to invest in the Wi-Fi 6 standard and plan to buy devices with support for it
• Users who want the best security for their smart home devices
• Users who want advanced firmware that offers complete control
• People who want task automation services from their wireless router, through IFTT (If This, Then That)
• Users who want to control their home network using the Alexa voice assistant
• People who desire an advanced mobile app from which they can personalize almost everything the router has to offer

Pros and cons

There are many positives about the ASUS RT-AX88U:

• Support for the newest wireless standard - 802.11ax
• Very fast WiFi on the 2.4 GHz band
• Excellent security features that secure your smart home
• Useful features for gamers who play multiplayer games online
• Powerful hardware that can handle many clients and simultaneous connections
• Super-fast USB 3.0 ports
• Advanced smartphone app for administering your wireless router
• Great multilingual support and easily accessible Help documentation
• It can be mounted on walls
• It has eight Ethernet ports - a rare sight on consumer routers

There are some downsides to consider:

• If you have laptops and devices with Intel wireless adapters, you must update your drivers; otherwise, your WiFi connection does not work with this router
• The wireless coverage on the 5 GHz band is not that reliable in locations with two or more walls separating the network clients from the router
• The price is not for everyone

Verdict

ASUS is the first manufacturer to launch a wireless router that is compatible with the new 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard. The result is a massive router, with powerful hardware, eight Ethernet ports, as well as advanced firmware the caters to the needs of many users: gamers, parents, security-conscious users, IT professionals, and small businesses. If you purchase it, you future-proof your home network before the rest of the world. However, this also means that you pay more for being the first, and you confront a few glitches and incompatibilities that are going to be fixed in time, as the Wi-Fi 6 standard gets the final approval and compatible devices appear on the market. ASUS RT-AX88U is the kind of wireless router whose potential is going to be revealed in time, as the rest of the IT world gets onboard with the new Wi-Fi 6 standard.

Unboxing the ASUS RT-AX88U wireless router

ASUS RT-AX88U comes in a massive black box, with a picture of the router on the top cover, as well as a list of its most important features. The unboxing experience is pleasant and worthy of a premium device. Watch the video below to see what you are going to find inside the box.

Inside the packaging, there are the following items: the wireless router, its external antennas, the power adapter, an Ethernet cable, the Quick Setup guide, troubleshooting information for laptops with Intel wireless network cards, a guide for connecting to the WTFast service, the warranty and other legal information.

Hardware specifications and design

ASUS RT-AX88U looks similar to the popular ASUS RT-AC88U, a wireless router that was appreciated by many users (including us) when it was launched a few years ago. Visually, the new model uses a different accent color: gold instead of red. The ports are found in the same places, the ventilation grids are similar, and so on.

The uniqueness of ASUS RT-AX88U lies in its modern and powerful hardware. This wireless router is powered by a 64-bit Broadcom BCM43684 quad-core System on a Chip (SoC) running at 1.8 GHz, 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, and 256 MB of storage space for the firmware.

The Broadcom BCM43684 SoC it uses brings support for the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax wireless standard), which aims to improve the speed of your wireless connections, the number of clients it can serve simultaneously, and the power consumption of network clients. An interesting feature of Wi-Fi 6 is that it improves the useful MU-MIMO transfer technology. Now it is more efficient, and also handles uploads, not only downloads, like it did in its first incarnation. However, the Wi-Fi 6 standard is so new that it is not finalized yet, and the final approval is expected for late 2019. Also, there are no client devices on the market. The only thing we know is that the iPhone is rumored to enable support for the Wi-Fi 6 standard sometime in 2019.

ASUS made a wireless router that you can use today, so RT-AX88U incorporates support for all the existing wireless networking standards 802.11ac Wave 2, and 802.11 b/g/n.

ASUS RT-AX88U is a dual-band wireless router with a total maximum theoretical bandwidth split as follows: 1148Mbps for the 2.4GHz band and 4804Mbps for the 5GHz band. That adds up to 5952 Mbps, hence the 6000 Mbps approximation you see in the marketing materials about this router. Keep in mind that these bandwidth approximations are valid only when using the new Wi-Fi 6 standard, which you cannot use with today's network clients.

When it comes to ports, ASUS RT-AX88U is very generous. On the back, you get eight 1 Gbps Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port, the WAN port, the WPS button, the Reset jack, the Power jack, and the Power button.

On the front, there are two buttons: one for turning the LEDs on and off, and another for controlling the WiFi broadcasting. There is also a door that hides another USB 3.0 port. The positioning of this port is not that well thought out, and it makes it more difficult to connect a second USB device to the router. It also has four external antennas, which enable 4x4 MU-MIMO wireless transfers.

A router with such powerful hardware and many ports is always large, and relatively heavy. ASUS RT-AX88U has a size of 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches or 300 x 188 x 61 mm in length x width x height. It also weighs 2.2 pounds or 1.01 kg.

The firmware on the ASUS RT-AX88U is the same as on other routers from the company. It includes the latest version of AiProtection Pro (which provides commercial-grade security from Trend Micro, and cloud-based parental controls), and support for ASUS AiMesh.

If you would like to learn more about the official specifications of this wireless router, go to this page: ASUS RT-AX88U Specifications.

Setting up and using the ASUS RT-AX88U wireless router

Setting up the ASUS RT-AX88U is easy: plug it to the powerline, connect it to the internet, connect it to a computer using the Ethernet cable found in the packaging, and access its configuration wizard in a web browser. First, you are asked to enter the details of your internet connection. Then, you configure the name(s) and password(s) for the wireless network, enable 802.11ax HE frame support (turning on the Wi-Fi 6 standard), and set the username and password for managing the router.

After you provide the initial details, the router connects to the internet and checks for firmware updates. This is a proactive approach, and you should let ASUS RT-AX88U update its firmware so that you can benefit from performance and security improvements. At the end of the quick setup wizard, you are shown a summary of your settings.

Now you can access the administration user interface. It is the same as on other ASUS routers, meaning that it is well organized and easy to use. All the settings are split into logical sections and finding your way is easy. You can configure everything that matters in detail, and advanced users are going to appreciate this fact.

Also, user documentation is well done and accessible. One neat trick is to move the mouse cursor over a setting that you do not understand, and a question mark is shown. Click on it, and you see information explaining that setting. One downside to this Help feature is that it has not been updated to include information about the novelties introduced by this router, like the 802.11ax HE frame support.

A positive is the multilingual support: the firmware for ASUS RT-AX88U is available in 24 languages. Most router manufacturers do not offer their firmware in so many languages.

If you want to control your wireless network from your smartphone or tablet, including when you are not at home, you can use the ASUS router app. It offers many advanced customization options, including the ability to check on your children' devices, and set up rules for parental controls. The remote network diagnostics can be useful too when your family has problems with their WiFi, and you are not home to help.

We connected about twenty devices to the network managed by ASUS RT-AX88U, including two desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, several smartphones, one wireless printer, two smart plugs, one smart bulb, and an Xbox One console. Then, we started sharing data and making transfers. In the room where the router was placed, and in those with a direct line of sight to it, we enjoyed very fast WiFi and stable network transfers. Below is an example of a typical network transfer on the 5 GHz band.

However, in the rooms that were separated by two walls from the router, with no direct line of sight to it, the variability of the transfers increased significantly. While increased variability is normal, other wireless routers from the same company, including the less expensive ASUS RT-AC86U offer better performance in this regard. This is an aspect that should be improved in future firmware updates. Below, you can see a network transfer on the 5 GHz band, in a room separated by two walls from the router:

Another important aspect of good wireless networking experiences is the compatibility of your router with network clients. ASUS RT-AX88U is a router with support for a new wireless network standard (Wi-Fi 6) that is not yet finalized, and there are no network clients on the market to support it. Unfortunately, this also brings some compatibility issues.

If you have a laptop, tablet or device with an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC wireless network card, you might experience compatibility problems. We have a laptop with an Intel Dual Band Wireless AC-8260 adapter. At first, we could connect to the wireless network, but experienced frequent freezes and disconnects. We could not even stream a movie on Netflix or HBO GO. As documented by ASUS here, and in the packaging of the router, this problem goes away only if you update your drivers to Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi version 20.70.0 or higher. After we updated the drivers, everything worked smoothly, and we no longer experienced problems.

If you want to know more about the real-world performance offered by ASUS RT-AX88U, go to the next page of this review.

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