Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: What’s the best budget router for your setup?

The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a mesh router that’s very pricey while the Asus RT-AX55 offers a bit less but is a significantly cheaper WiFi6 router.

If you’ve been looking to jump on the WiFi 6 train with a new router, you’ve probably come across more than a few different models from Asus. Among those, you’ll quickly find the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) and Asus RT-AX55, two of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers out there that serve two very different crowds.

Specifically, the ZenWiFi AX (XT8) ranks among the best mesh router systems while the Asus RT-AX55 is one of the best routers for those on a budget. So, choosing between the former and latter requires a look at how much you want to spend, and whether a mesh router is better than going with a more traditional single unit.

One does perform a bit better as the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) does reach faster speeds. However, the Asus RT-AX55’s speeds are more than enough for most people. If you’re still a little confused as to which model would serve you best, I’ll dive a little deeper on the pros and cons of each to hopefully clarify and guide you onto the way of faster internet.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Price

With these two budget models, we have a pricier choice and a more affordable option. But, there’s a bit more going on. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) was released at a fairly high price point, but has since come down with a current listing price of $179.99/£179.99 (or $329.99/£329.99 for a two-pack). It also has two distinct units to get that full coverage over a large space (or if you have dead spots) that only mesh routing can handle.

The Asus RT-AX55 at $109.99 (£99.99) is still pound-for-pound cheaper and packs a serious punch. Of course, the top speeds are much lower here, but still solid enough that you won’t really notice if you’re just streaming or doing typical day-to-day work.

If you don’t care about reaching the same speeds as the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) or the parental controls, you could buy two Asus RT-AX55 models and use the mesh feature for a makeshift mesh router system for a discount. So, if you’re willing to pay for premium performance and features, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is worth it, otherwise the Asus RT-AX55 is the better value.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Design

The most obvious difference between the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) and the Asus RT-AX55 has already been mentioned and that’s the fact that the former is actually two units (though you can purchase a single unit as well) while the latter is just one. Beyond that, however, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has a more discreet look despite coming in white since it just looks like a rectangle with some tech inside. The Asus RT-AX55 isn’t the most ostentatious router out there, however, it does keep that plastic upturned spider look with the wide base and four antennae sticking up in the back. It’s mostly black with two red racing stripes trisecting the top of the chassis.

Port-wise, the two models are just ever so slightly different. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has one WAN, three LAN, and a USB port to share a USB device across the network, while the Asus RT-AX55 has one WAN and four LAN ports, but no USB. I can only imagine a space filled with multiple gamers or a server needing a ton of physical connectivity, but the smaller RT-AX55 does offer just one more.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Features

When it comes to features, the most notable is going to be the fact that the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a mesh router. I’ve thrown that word around a bit in this article, but haven’t really discussed what that means. A mesh router is a system of routers instead of a single unit to provide consistent internet connectivity throughout a space no matter where you are.

If the router attached to your modem (you still need one of those, by the way) is on the other side of the house, or even on the other side of a bathroom, you’re going to experience some dead spots or spotty connections. With a mesh router, the additional unit(s) will pick up the slack by boosting the signal from its location. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8), then, is ideal if you have issues related to fluctuating signal strength. Mesh systems are also able to cover a larger amount of space, with this particular model from Asus able to cover up to 4,400 square feet.

The Asus RT-AX55 may not be able to cover the same amount of space (or go around materials that might interfere with a signal), but it does come with Asus’ AiMesh feature, which allows you to pair it with other routers with this feature to make your own mesh system. That’s a pretty cool feature that lets you expand coverage at a later date if you need to. Interestingly enough, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has this feature as well.

Both models come with security features like malicious site blocking and the ability to cut off devices that have been compromised via malware. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) takes it a step further by also including a two-way intrusion prevention system to block active attacks like DDoS.

Both models also come with parental controls. But while the Asus RT-AX55 allows you to create separate profiles and schedules for family members, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) also includes content blockers and without a subscription.

Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) vs Asus RT-AX55: Performance

Before I discuss the actual performance of these two routers, I want to dive into their setup. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is actually a bit more complicated and not just because it’s a mesh router. First, you need to dig into the actual manual for the instructions as it’s not an intuitive setup. Second, you have to set up both routers at the same time in the same room (you usually just have to set up one and the others will pair to that one). Then you use an app to set up the network name and go through different settings, like parental controls.

The Asus RT-AX55 is much more straightforward as all you need to do is plug it in and scan the QR code on the bottom to create a network name and password.

As far as the actual performance goes, both models are WiFi6 capable and therefore better than non-WiFi 6 models out there. The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) does also have a farther reach by design. But the ZenWiFi AX (XT8) also has three bands (one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz) to the RT-AX55’s two (one 2.4GHz and one 5GHz). The max data speed is better as well with the mesh router capable of data rates of up to 4804 Mbps on one of its 5GHz bands (only one of them supports such high throughput) while the RT-AX55 peaks at up to 1201 Mbps on its 5GHz band.

If you’re an avid online gamer sharing bandwidth with a few others, having that extra throughput is nice as no one has to experience any slowdowns from heavy internet usage. But if you’re in your own space or don’t spend exorbitant (or even moderate) amounts of time on Final Fantasy 14, then you probably won’t miss the extra bandwidth.

Which Asus router is right for you?

The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is clearly the better router of these two models when it comes to feature set. However, it comes with a higher price tag. The boost in performance and the extra security or parental controls on offer are nice additions but not the kinds of features that most people need. If you can spend the extra cash and have a large space, or even a small space with some dead zones, then a mesh router is always going to be better. And having that extra bandwidth is key if you or anyone in your household or office are heavy internet users.

Otherwise, the Asus RT-AX55 is more than enough modem for most people as it’s still fast enough with its WiFi6 support and is a heck of a lot cheaper. If you’re looking for solid speeds in a smaller space and aren’t spreading the bandwidth among too many devices, this is probably the modem for you.