Asus RT-BE86U vs Asus RT-BE88U

The Asus RT-BE86U wins on price, offering the same dual-band Wi-Fi 7 platform and a 10G port for less money. The Asus RT-BE88U carries the higher owner rating and is the stronger pick for buyers who specifically need its much richer wired port selection.

Wired ports. The Asus RT-BE86U has five ports, including one 10G port and four 2.5G ports. The Asus RT-BE88U has ten ports in total: two 10G ports (one RJ45, one SFP+), four 2.5G ports and four Gigabit ports, plus link aggregation.

Neither. Both are dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers using only 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with no 6 GHz radio. For 6 GHz you would need a tri-band or quad-band Asus model.

The Asus RT-BE88U, thanks to its two 10G ports (RJ45 plus SFP+), four extra Gigabit ports and LAN link aggregation for higher throughput to a NAS or switch. The Asus RT-BE86U tops out at one 10G port, which is still fast but far less dense.

Choose the Asus RT-BE86U for an affordable dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router with a single 10G port and a smaller footprint. Choose the Asus RT-BE88U if you are a wired-first home or small business that will use its ten ports and dual 10G uplinks.