ASUS ZenWiFi Mesh Routers Win PCMag 2023 Readers' Choice Award
PCMag reports that “ASUS takes a clear lead in this category” with “exceptionally high” scores for mesh coverage, WiFi speed and network management
- ZenWiFi mesh routers achieve the highest scores for overall satisfaction and the likelihood that users will recommend the product to others
- PC Mag says, “ASUS is no stranger to winning Readers' Choice for routers—it has done so 11 times for standalone units”
- ASUS ZenWiFi XT12, XT9 and XT8 are the world's first WiFi 6 mesh systems supporting UNII-4 for more stable and powerful mesh backhaul connections
TAIPEI, Taiwan, July 12, 2023 — ASUS today announced that its ZenWiFi mesh routers have won a coveted PC Magazine 2023 Readers’ Choice Award. The authoritative publication reported that “ASUS takes a clear lead in this category,” with the highest scores “for both overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.” PCMag added, “ASUS scores exceptionally high for mesh coverage, WiFi speed and network management.”
ASUS attributes its success with these awards to mesh routers such as the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and XT12, and the ZenWiFi XT9, XT8, XD6/XD6S, XD5 and XD4 Plus.
ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and XT12
ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and XT12 combine performance and beauty in an expertly balanced package for the most demanding users. They are engineered to deliver maximum WiFi performance — up to 11000 Mbps and 12 streams — and are driven by a next-gen 2 GHz 64-bit Broadcom CPU and Broadcom WiFi chipset. This series also includes ASUS RangeBoost Plus, which can improve WiFi signal range and coverage by up to astonishing 38 percent[i]. The supplied two-node configuration should be sufficient for coverage of up to approximately 6000 square feet, or more than 6 rooms[ii]. Coverage can be extended further for larger homes using any ASUS AiMesh-compatible extendable router. To unlock the full potential of high-speed networking for wired router-to-client fronthaul and router-to-node backhaul connections, ASUS ZenWiFi Pro series includes two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports. These support link aggregation, enabling ultrafast speeds from the router to bandwidth-heavy devices such as network-attached storage.
The ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 works with the latest WiFi 6E devices, including the new ROG Ally and many Apple devices, taking the capabilities of whole-home mesh networks to the next level. Users can dedicate the 6 GHz band as a powerful low-interference backhaul connection between nodes, or they can use wired backhaul to connect all the latest WiFi 6E devices with the 6 GHz band. Mobile gamers or tablet users can enjoy seamless roaming experiences as they move about the home.
ASUS ZenWiFi Pro X12 is the first mesh system on the market that supports the newly expanded UNII-4 spectrum[iii], also known as the 5.9 GHz band. This band fully unleashes the power of WiFi 6 by bringing a third and clearer 160 MHz channel without any radar system interference. By leveraging this advantage, users can enjoy stable and powerful mesh backhaul performance that improves the signal range of the 160 MHz channel by up to 20 percent[iv].
ASUS ZenWiFi XT9, XT8, XD6 and XD6S
ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 has also been acclaimed by the world's top media, including winning the PCMag 2023 Editors’ Choice Award for Best Wi-Fi Mesh System. The ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 is a tri-band system designed to easily set up a reliable and secure smart home network that can cover up to 5500 square feet with speeds of up to 6600 Mbps. The ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 raises the bar further with superfast 7800 Mbps bandwidth and ASUS-exclusive RangeBoost Plus technology to boost WiFi coverage to as much as 5700 square feet.
This series also features a top-notch quad-core CPU and robust hardware design. Its vertical housing holds a specially designed antenna and circuit board that optimizes WiFi signal strength and provides better airflow, improving thermal performance for reliable operation. And both the ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 and XT8 support the new UNII-4 spectrum, so users can enjoy stable and powerful mesh backhaul performance.
For households already equipped with wired networking cables for backhaul connections, the dual-band ASUS ZenWiFi XD6 and XD6S are good alternatives. They share the same processing power as the ZenWiFi XT8 and provide up to 5400Mbps speeds and 4x4 MIMO wireless transmission that supports the 160 MHz channel width in the 5 GHz band, making these the top tier dual-band mesh systems on the market. Users can enjoy the 4x4 advantage to connect more devices with more stable connections and higher speeds.
ASUS ZenWiFi XD5 and XD4 Plus
For users with more modest bandwidth needs, ASUS offers the ASUS ZenWiFi XD5 and XD4 Plus. Available at a budget-friendly price, these dual-band mesh WiFi systems offer up to 3000 Mbps and 1800 Mbps of aggregate throughput. Through their 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, they offer both high performance and extended range. Their three nodes are a great fit for homes, up to 5000 square feet for the XD5 and 4800 square feet for the XD4 Plus. Both come with mounting holes and a screw pack that make it easy to position the nodes right where they’re needed.
Values beyond WiFi coverage and speeds
The entire ZenWiFi series offers a wide range of features designed to deliver both enhanced security and bonus functionality[v], without any subscription fees. And it can all be easily managed through the free ASUS Router mobile app or the web browser interface. The highly rated mobile app lets users set up their network in just three simple steps.
Meanwhile, ASUS AiProtection leverages powerful cybersecurity solutions and cloud data centers from Trend Micro™ to shield smart homes and all connected devices from cyber threats. With one-click network security scanning, users can discover their network’s security flaws, analyze their router’s security level and receive a diagnosis that lets users fix vulnerabilities right away.
The ASUS ZenWiFi series also supports a range of VPN protocols, including PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN and the latest WireGuard® security protocol for a variety of VPN scenarios. And when users are connecting to public WiFi away from home, the ASUS Instant Guard mobile app gives them a one-tap secure VPN5 which they can easily share with family and friends through a URL link, providing the same VPN protection.
In addition, the ASUS ZenWiFi series empowers parents to effortlessly monitor their kids’ online activity and customize settings for each connected device, with features such as kid-safe presets, flexible time scheduling or rewards, an Internet activity dashboard and a content filter.
To find out more about ASUS ZenWiFi products, please contact your local ASUS representative.
[i] Measured using a WiFi 6 client connected at 200 Mbps to a WiFi 6 router with RangeBoost Plus, compared to the same WiFi 6 client connected at 200 Mbps to a WiFi 5 router without RangeBoost Plus.
[ii] The coverage statistics in this press release are based on the performance of a 2-pack mesh router system. Actual data throughput and WiFi coverage will vary based on network conditions and environmental factors, including the volume of network traffic, building material and construction and network overhead, which may result in lower actual data throughput and wireless coverage.
[iii] Due to regulatory restrictions, the availability of the expanded UNII-4 spectrum varies by region.
[iv] Measured using a WiFi 6 UNII4-supported mesh system, compared to non-UNII4 mesh system.
[v] Features vary by model, and some advanced features are limited to models supporting firmware version 388 or higher. Please refer to product specifications.
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