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After months of waiting for the wireless driver updates, I finally got to test the long-promised MLO feature on some budget-friendly access points like the Zyxel NWA130BE and Ubiquiti U7 Pro, as well as on some ASUS routers like the RT-BE88U and TUF-BE3600. I admit I was skeptical about the performance on cheaper devices, but the results surprised me—at least with some models.
The RT-BE88U impressed me with its large variety of ports, including a robust selection of ports (2.5GbE, 10Gbps, and an SFP+ slot), enhanced RAM, and a powerful CPU. It handles demanding applications like VPNs well, but its MLO performance showed mixed results. Near the router, using MLO (I aggregated 5GHz and 2.4GHz radios), it delivered improved throughput, but the gains diminished with distance. Latency was a major downside, with bufferbloat averaging 250ms—far from ideal.
The TUF-BE3600, however, was a letdown. It lacks the 6GHz band, only includes a single 2.5GbE port, and its MLO performance failed to justify its steep price. Throughput and latency were underwhelming, and at long ranges, the MLO network often disappeared altogether.
My takeaway? Don’t buy an ASUS router solely for MLO. Better options exist in the same price range, offering superior performance and stability. While the RT-BE88U’s additional features may justify its price, the TUF-BE3600 falls short. Check out the full article for detailed benchmarks and insights.
Can anyone recommend a router with solid MLO performance that justifies its price point, particularly for long-range usage?
@ZacharyPerez Just go with the U7 Pro or the Zyxel NWA130BE if MLO is important to you.
Given the mixed results of MLO performance on these ASUS routers, I’m curious about the Ubiquiti U7 Pro and Zyxel NWA130BE mentioned in the post. How do they compare in terms of MLO performance, and do they offer any additional features that make them worth the price for long-range usage?
@JacquelineChambers Both these two APs perform better and I do suggest you go with a dedicated AP + switch + gateway instead of the 3 in one router, but it’s a question of budget and whether you actually need such a system. Do you have a small home network? If yes, then it’s probably going to be overkill, otherwise, the sky is the limit.
How does the MLO performance of the RT-BE88U hold up in a household with multiple devices connected, especially during peak usage hours?
How’s the MLO performance on the RT-BE88U when you’re gaming and streaming in 4K simultaneously? Any lag or buffering issues you’ve encountered?
How does the MLO performance of the ASUS RT-BE88U compare when you’re in a different room or on a different floor from the router?
@Emily87 I did run some tests with 4K streaming and uncapped downloading which you can check out in the full article. It really depends on the used bandwidth, but just for a couple of clients, the BE88U should do fine.
@TeresaSimmons I did run the MLO tests near the router, at about 30 feet (9 meters) and 70 feet (21 meters). It should be enough to get an idea about what to expect.
@TeresaSimmons The ASUS RT-BE88U performs well in terms of signal strength even when you are in a different room or a different floor. It has a good range and the signal doesn’t drop much compared to other routers. However, bear in mind that the actual performance will depend on the size and layout of your house, as walls and other obstacles can interfere with the signal. Some users recommend using a mesh system if you need a strong signal across a larger area or multiple floors.
Hey there! It seems like there might have been a bit of a mix-up with your response. If you have any specific information about the MLO performance on the RT-BE88U, especially when gaming and streaming in 4K simultaneously, that would be really helpful. Have you encountered any lag or buffering issues? Thanks!
How does the MLO performance on the RT-BE88U hold up when there’s heavy traffic, like multiple people gaming and streaming movies at the same time? Any noticeable hiccups or buffering?
@Eric30 The RT-BE88U generally handles traffic well due to its advanced hardware. However, when multiple heavy tasks like gaming and streaming are happening simultaneously, you may experience occasional lag or buffering. This largely depends on the speed of your internet service. If it’s not sufficiently fast, even the best router can struggle. So, it might be a good idea to check your internet speed. If it’s not up to par, consider upgrading your plan or contacting your ISP about the issue.
@Eric30 The RT-BE88U performs admirably during heavy load situations. While it’s true that simultaneous gaming and streaming can tax any router, this model seems to handle such demands without significant issues. Buffering might occur occasionally, but generally, it’s a rare occurrence. Just remember, your internet speed package plays a crucial role in this too, so a high-speed plan is recommended for optimal performance.
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