Uncomplicated and easy-to-use router packed with features.
What’s in the box:
- 1x ASUS RT-AX59U router
- 1x CE statement & safety notices booklet
- 1x mounting guide
- 1x quick setup guide
- 1x VIP Member warranty notice
- 1x connection cables
- 1x power cable
- 1x general information leaflet
- 1x bag of screws for mounting the router
Features:
- Port forwarding
- Port triggering
- Dynamic DN (DDNS)
- Ethernet Wan
- USB port
- Bandwidth control
- Quality of Service (QoS) support
- Wake-on-LAN ready
- Reset button
- WPS push button
- MU-MIMO technology
- MIMO
- Firewall Y
- Guest access
- Parental control
- MAC address filtering
- System event log
- DMZ support
- Network address translation (NAT)
- DHCP server
- Internal antennae design
- Built-in processor
- Upgradeable firmware
Specifications:
- 3G/4G USB modem compatibility
- WAN connection type: RJ-45
- Wi-Fi Band: Dual-band (2.4GHz/5 GHz)
- Top Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- WLAN data transfer rate (max)3603 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi standards 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
- Modulation-1024-QAM
- Ethernet LAN
- Ethernet LAN interface type-Gigabit Ethernet
- Ethernet LAN data rates: 10,100,1000 Mbit/s
- Cabling technology: 10/100/1000Base-T(X)
- VPN support: Instant Guard – VPN Client L2TP – VPN Client OVPN – VPN Client PPTP – VPN Client WireGuard – VPN Server IPSec – VPN Server OVPN – VPN Server PPTP – VPN Server WireGuard – VPN Fusion
- 3 Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports
- 1x USB 2.0 port
- LED indicators Power, Status
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantity
- Security algorithms: SSH, TLS, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPS
- NAT functionality: PPTP Pass-Through, L2TP Pass-Through, IPSec Pass-Through, RTSP Pass-Through, H.323 Pass-Through, SIP Passthrough, PPPoE relay
- Cables included: AC, LAN (RJ-45)
- Antenna type:3×3
- 5x Antennas
- Processor frequency:2000 MHz
- 4 processor cores
- 512 MB of internal memory
- 128 MB of flash Memory
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Power source type: AC, DC
- AC input voltage: 110 – 240 V
- AC input frequency: 50/60 Hz
- Output voltage:12 V
- Output current:2.5 A
- Weight: 459 g
Aesthetics:
This router is elegantly simple in design. Rectangular and cylindrical at the same time the surface of the router has ridged lines adding to its classic design.
The ports are all located on the left side of the unit. it has a rounded base for more stability and ensures the unit won’t just topple over.
The design is compact and easy to store and won’t be an eyesore in your setup.
The ASUS logo is prominent on the bottom right corner of the unit. This router also comes with a mounting bracket on the back for ease of mounting on a wall.
Functionality:
This router is described as an ‘extendable’ router – meaning that it can be used with any other Asus router that supports the company’s AiMesh technology to create a more extensive mesh network in the future.
The Asus RT-AX59U stands out among most Wi-Fi 6 routers due to its sleek and space-saving design. Unlike other routers adorned with multiple antennae to enhance Wi-Fi coverage, this model features a slim and compact upright tower.
With dimensions of only 200mm in height, 131mm in width, and a thickness of merely 37.5mm, it occupies minimal space. Weighing just 460g, it is incredibly lightweight, allowing you to effortlessly place it on any convenient shelf while connecting it to your current broadband modem or router.
The router has five internal antennae to help transmit the Wi-Fi signal to an extensive area.
With a built-in bracket at the rear, the router offers effortless wall-mounting capability, allowing you to conveniently extend its reach and ensure broad coverage.
It does come with the wall-mounting kit as well. The bracket provided can be used to mount on a flat surface or the wall with ease.
The router comes equipped with four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. One of these interfaces is specifically designated for connecting to your current broadband modem or router.
While the remaining three interfaces serve as wired networking options for devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs that tend to perform better with a wired connection.
Additionally, there are two USB ports available for connecting USB storage devices that can be shared on your network. It is worth mentioning that it seems peculiar that only one of these ports utilizes the faster USB 3.2 standard, while the other port opts for the older USB 2.0 standard.
Getting started with Asus’ Router app is made effortless. Simply use the app to scan the QR code located on the base of the router, and you will automatically connect to the router’s new network.
From there, you will be prompted to create a fresh network name and password. I was delighted to discover that the app also offers the option to merge the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands into a single network or create two separate networks, allowing you to choose according to your preference.
Furthermore, the app provides several other beneficial features. One of these features is the Quality of Service (QoS) option, which enables you to prioritize specific tasks, such as gaming, to ensure optimal performance.
Unlike many competing products, Asus offers free parental controls with content filters that safeguard children by blocking inappropriate online material. This stands in contrast to some companies that require an additional monthly subscription for parental control functionality.
The inclusion of a mobile app for remote control adds a highly convenient and practical feature to the router.
The router also features a Traffic Analyzer, providing clear visual statistics on network usage and the devices utilizing it.
DDNS is a convenient service offered by the router, enabling internet access to the router even with a dynamic public IP address assigned by your internet provider. The extensive list of supported services includes ASUS’s own free service.
The router seamlessly integrates with Amazon’s Alexa and IFTTT, allowing you to perform various tasks by simply saying commands like “Alexa, ask ASUS ROUTER to upgrade the firmware.” Additionally, you can automate tasks that would otherwise be repetitive or incompatible with each other.
The router offers VPN functionality, allowing you to configure it as a VPN server supporting protocols such as PPTP, OpenVPN, IPSec VPN, and WireGuard VPN. Furthermore, you can utilize the router to turn your network-connected devices into VPN-enabled clients without the need for extra VPN software.
Additionally, the router provides access to VPN Fusion and Instant Guard, completing its comprehensive VPN capabilities.
The router includes Network Tools that assist in analyzing and identifying network issues, making them valuable for troubleshooting purposes.
Performance:
While a budget-friendly router like the Asus RT-AX59U may not deliver top-tier speeds, it demonstrates its capability by effectively managing any demands placed on it by a 150Mbps office broadband connection.
Although the Asus RT-AX59U is not designed to provide top-of-the-line speeds, it excels in effectively handling the requirements of a 150Mbps office broadband connection.
However having said this, older standards, like Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5, did not deliver as impressive results.
In our observations, we have determined that the router may not be suitable for larger homes and spaces. A simple range extender will help with this though.
Testing:
Speed Test- 2.4GHz (download/upload):
- Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150/150Mbps
- Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150/150Mbps
Speed Test – 5.0GHz (download/upload):
- Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150/150Mbps
- Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150/150Mbps
20GB Steam download – 2.4GHz:
- Within 5ft, no obstructions: 19MB/s
- Within 30ft, three partition walls: 19MB/s
20GB Steam 20GB download – 5.0GHz:
- Within 5ft, no obstructions: 19MB/s
- Within 30ft, three partition walls: 19MB/s
Although this low-cost router doesn’t offer top speeds, the Asus RT-AX59U managed to handle everything we threw at it with ease.
MGR Gaming’s Conclusions:
Overall, the Asus RT-AX59U excels in all the essential aspects. Its small form factor will attract numerous home users, and its dual-band Wi-Fi 6, boasting a speed of 4.2Gbps, effortlessly handles streaming video and online entertainment.
Additionally, it offers a user-friendly app with effective parental controls, leaving no room for criticism with the RT-AX59U.
This Router gives a really good mid-range performance at an extremely good price. The router also has excellent parental controls if you have kids in the house and need to keep an eye on what they are exposed to.
The Asus RT-AX59U offers a compelling package of robust performance and a competitive price, making it an excellent overall upgrade option for those who are currently using an outdated Wi-Fi 5 router.
