TechRadar Verdict
The Asus RT-AX55 provides a low-cost Wi-Fi 6 router for people who need to upgrade their home wi-fi. The Asus app is also easy to use, whilst also providing more advanced features for users who want more control over their network configuration.
Affordable Wi-Fi 6
Easy-to-use app
Parental controls aren’t extensive
Not for power users
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Asus RT-AX55: One-minute review
The Asus RT-AX55 fits the bill nicely if you’re looking for an affordablerouterto provide a good Wi-Fi 6 upgrade for your home Wi-Fi. Its top speed of 1.8Gbps is relatively modest compared to some of the more expensiveWi-Fi 6 routersthat are now available. However, it will still be more than fast enough to handle most home broadband services and able to provide fast, reliable wi-fi for web browsing, streaming music and video, and some casual gaming.
Along with its dual-band Wi-Fi 6, the Asus RT-AX55 provides four Ethernet ports for wired connections. There’s an easy-to-use app to help newcomers get started, as well as a web browser interface for more advanced users who want greater control over their network settings.
And, if you need to extend your wi-fi even further in the future, the Asus RT-AX55 can be used as part of amesh systemwith otherAsus routerstoo.
Asus RT-AX55: Price and availability
Wi-Fi:dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz/5.0GHz)Speed:1.8GbpsConnectivity:1x Gigabit Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)Processor:1.5GHz quad-coreMemory:256MBStorage:128GBDimensions:205 x 232 x 150mmWeight:374g
The Asus RT-AX55 is very competitively priced for a Wi-Fi 6 router, costing just $129 (£119, AU$189). That makes it a good upgrade option for most smaller and medium-sized homes that want the extra speed and reliability of Wi-Fi 6.
And, as mentioned, you can buy additional Asus routers and use them together as a mesh network system if you ever move home or need to upgrade your Wi-Fi even further. There’s also a model called the Asus RT-AX56U, which provides similar performance, but also includes a USB port for adding a shared network drive, priced at $149 (£121, AU$229).
Asus RT-AX55: Design and features
The Asus RT-AX55 doesn’t have the ominous ‘Cylon attack ship’ design of Asus’ high-end gaming routers. However, it’s sleekly designed, with a streamlined black casing and go-faster red stripes to jazz it up a little. In addition to its dual-band Wi-Fi 6, the router includes one Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing broadband modem or router, with four additional Ethernet ports to provide a wired connection if required.
The Asus Router app is easy to use, allowing you to simply scan a QR code on the base of the router to connect to its new network. The network isn’t initially secured with a password, though, so you’ll need to quickly proceed to the next step, where you can assign a password and also change the name of the network if you prefer.
We were also pleased to find that the app gives you the option of creating a single network that combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands or creating two separate networks on those bands. And, for more advanced users, there’s also the option of opening up a web browser interface that provides more detailed control over the network settings.
Asus also provides some useful security features, called AiProtection, which monitors your network to protect all your connected devices from malware and viruses. You can also set up profiles for individual family members and create schedules to limit their Internet access when required.
Asus RT-AX55: Performance
Ookla Speed Test - 2.4GHzWithin 5ft, no obstructions:100Mbps/11MbpsWithin 30ft, three partition walls:90Mbps/11Mbps
20GB Steam Download - 2.4GHzWithin 5ft, no obstructions:12.5MB/sWithin 30ft, three partition walls:11.0MB/s
Ookla Speed Test - 5.0GHzWithin 5ft, no obstructions:100Mbps/11MbpsWithin 30ft, three partition walls:100Mbps/11Mbps
20GB Steam Download - 5.0GHzWithin 5ft, no obstructions:12.5MB/sWithin 30ft, three partition walls:12.5MB/s
Despite its low cost, the Asus RT-AX55 still provides a good upgrade for the ageing Wi-Fi router in our office. That old router can still provide respectable speeds for devices that are nearby in the same room, reporting speeds of 100Mbps in the Ookla speed test, and 12.5MB/s forSteamdownloads, which are the fastest speeds supported by our office broadband connection.
The Asus RT-AX55 simply matches those speeds for nearby devices in the same room, but we also have an office at the back of the building that our old router can barely reach, forcing us to rely on PowerLine adaptors to provide a more reliable wired connection.
The Asus RT-AX55 is the clear winner in that back office, with its 5.0GHz band maintaining top Wi-Fi speeds of 100Mbs with Ookla and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads. The 2.4GHz band is a little slower, dipping to 90Mbps with Ookla, and 11MB/s with Steam, but that’s still fast enough for streaming video and routine web browsing, allowing my agingDelllaptop - with only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi - to go wireless at last.
Should I buy the Asus RT-AX55?
Buy it if…
You’re on a budgetWi-Fi 6 routers can still be pretty expensive, but the Asus RT-AX55 provides a good upgrade for older routers at a competitive price.
You want more controlThe option to control the Asus RT-AX55 via a web browser interface will appeal to more experienced users who need more than the basic features provided by the Asus app.
You might want to upgrade againAlthough it works perfectly well as a standalone router, the Asus RT-AX55 can also be used with other Asus routers in order to set up a more extensive mesh wi-fi network.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re a power userWith a top speed of just 1.8Gbps, the RT-AX55 is very much an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router. Gamers and other power users will prefer more expensive tri-band routers that provide greater speed.
You need parental controlsAlthough the Asus RT-AX55 does allow you to create schedules to control your child’s Internet access, it doesn’t have the more extensive filters and other controls provided by some of Asus’ more expensive routers.
Also consider
Asus RT-AX58UAnother affordable Wi-Fi upgrade from Asus, although its 3Gbps means that it provides higher speed for gaming and streaming 4K video.
Read our fullAsus RT-AX58U review
D-Link R15A really bare-bones entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router, but it currently sells for less than $50 if you’re really on a tight budget.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6It’s a bit more expensive, but the Hydro Pro 6 romps away with Wi-Fi 6 and a top speed of 5.4Gbps
Read our fullLinksys Hydra Pro 6 review
Asus RT-AX55: Report card
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Cliff Joseph is a former Editor of MacUser magazine, and a freelance technology writer with 30 year’s experience in the industry (and old enough to remember when Apple was close to going bust…).
His first job involved using Macs for magazine sub-editing and typesetting, which led to the realisation that these computer-thingies might actually turn out to be useful after all. After a few years specialising in the Mac side of the market, he went freelance and embraced the wide world of digital technology, including Windows PCs, digital audio and hi-fi, and networking. Somewhere along the line he also developed a bit of a gaming habit and has stubbornly waved the flag for Mac gaming for far too many years.
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