One of the best aspects of ASUS AiMesh is that even after buying a wireless router and figuring out that one isn’t enough and that you need a mesh Wi-Fi system, the money you already spent is not wasted. With AiMesh, you can simply add more ASUS routers to extend your network. This kind of flexibility is great, but does AiMesh perform well? If you create an AiMesh network, will it increase your Wi-Fi speed? To find out, I’ve made a thorough analysis in which I compare the performance you get with just one ASUS router against the benefits of using two routers with either a shared wireless backhaul or an Ethernet backhaul. This is what I’ve learned:
The apartment in which I've tested ASUS AiMesh
I configured the AiMesh system using the instructions from this guide: Turn on & configure the backhaul on ASUS routers with AiMesh. First, I used the ASUS RT-AX59U alone, then I added the ASUS RT-AX58U as a secondary AiMesh node and used a shared wireless backhaul on the 5 GHz band. Lastly, I connected the two AiMesh routers with a network cable and enabled the Ethernet backhaul.
Setting up the backhaul for AiMesh
I evaluated the Wi-Fi performance through measurements made in three different places:
Signal strength on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz band)
I then used SpeedTest to check the speed of the internet connection when using the 2.4 GHz band. As shown below, AiMesh delivered faster downloads in the rooms furthest from the main router. For example, in Room 2, when using a shared wireless backhaul, the download speed was 80% faster. In the same room, the Ethernet backhaul delivered a download speed that was 58% faster.
SpeedTest - The download speed on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
When measuring the upload speed, the AiMesh performance was mixed. I measured great improvements only in Room 1. Here, the upload speed was 64% higher when using a shared wireless backhaul and 85% higher when using an Ethernet backhaul.
SpeedTest - The upload speed on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
Continuing my measurements on the 2.4 GHz wireless network, I used the PassMark Performance test to transfer data between two computers connected to the network. This test is the most important because it shows me the transfer rates a router or AiMesh system can offer between the devices that are part of the network. Look at the numbers below as the real-life maximum bandwidth you get inside the network.
As you can see, the download speed improved dramatically when using AiMesh, instead of just one router. In Room 2, the download speed improved by 138% when using a shared wireless backhaul and by 165% when using an Ethernet backhaul. These are some impressive numbers, don’t you think?
Network downloads on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
The upload speed improvements were good too, but not as impressive, at least not in Room 2. Uploads were 68% faster when using a shared wireless backhaul. When using an Ethernet backhaul, the upload speed was 59% higher.
Network uploads on Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz)
Signal strength on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz band)
The Wi-Fi 6 performance delivered by ASUS RT-AX59U was already excellent for an apartment like mine. To truly challenge it, you would need a larger living space. Therefore, I didn’t expect major improvements when using an AiMesh network. This was confirmed by SpeedTest, which measures the speed of the internet connection.
As you can see below, only an Ethernet backhaul delivered consistent improvements in download speed everywhere in my apartment. The most meaningful improvement was in Room 2, where I noticed an uplift of 19%.
SpeedTest - The download speed on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
Upload speed performance was a mixed bag. But, again, this is because my apartment is rather small, and a mid-range router like the ASUS RT-AX59U is fine, providing excellent coverage on its own.
SpeedTest - The upload speed on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
I moved on to the PassMark Performance test and transferred data between two computers connected to the network. Again, I got better results when using an Ethernet backhaul.
Network downloads on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
When measuring the upload speed, I had better results than with SpeedTest. For example, in Room 1, the upload speed improved by 19% when using a shared wireless backhaul and by 8% when using an Ethernet backhaul.
Network uploads on Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz)
One aspect not revealed by the charts shared earlier is how stable network transfers get when using an Ethernet backhaul for your AiMesh network. For example, see the graph below, which shows you a network data transfer from Room 2, the room most distant from the main router. It’s like you’re using a wired network, not Wi-Fi.
How a wireless transfer looks when using an Ethernet backhaul
While the download speed didn’t significantly improve because my apartment is too small to showcase the potential of AiMesh on the 5 GHz band, the stability of network transfers was outstanding.
The test setup: How did I create the AiMesh network?
I live in an average-sized apartment where I don’t have much need for a mesh Wi-Fi system. In general, most Wi-Fi 6 routers can provide good coverage and speed. However, the purpose of my experiment is to measure the benefits delivered by an AiMesh network, so I used the space I had available and set up two mid-range routers made by ASUS to work together:- ASUS RT-AX59U - a new and elegant router equipped with a quad-core MediaTek MT7986A processor, running at 2 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of storage space for the firmware.
- ASUS RT-AX58U - one of my favorite mid-range Wi-Fi 6 routers. This one has a tri-core Broadcom BCM6750 processor, running at 1.5 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 256 MB of storage space.
- The router’s room or Room 0 - I record the maximum speeds when no walls absorb the wireless signal in the room where the main router is placed.
- Room 1 - is separated by one wall from the main router, so the wireless signal and the Wi-Fi speed I get should be lower here.
- Room 2 - is separated from the main router by two walls absorbing the wireless signal. Also, the wall between Room 1 and Room 2 is twice as thick as the one between Room 0 and Room 1.
The AiMesh performance on the 2.4 GHz band
When analyzing the 2.4 GHz band, I started by measuring the signal strength in the three rooms highlighted in the diagram showcasing my apartment and its layout. As you can see below, the signal strength improved by up to 29% in the rooms that were further from the main router when using an Ethernet backhaul and up to 20% when using a shared wireless backhaul.The AiMesh performance on the 5 GHz band
I moved on to the 5 GHz band, using the same Wi-Fi 6 standard, and repeated the same measurements on the same laptop. Again, the AiMesh network delivered better signal strength everywhere in my apartment. For example, in Room 2, the one furthest away from the main router, I noticed an improvement of 21%.What are the benefits of AiMesh in terms of wireless performance?
While my apartment is less than ideal for such an analysis, I can still draw some valid conclusions from the numbers I got in my measurements and my previous testing experience:- Even if used in smaller living and office spaces, on the 2.4 GHz band, an AiMesh network delivers significant improvements in signal strength and in the speed at which data is downloaded and uploaded.
- On the 5 GHz band, an AiMesh network provides excellent value when used in larger spaces where the signal strength can become problematic or in living areas with thick walls that easily absorb the radio waves.
- A shared wireless backhaul can deliver good results, even though it is shared with the other devices in your network. But, for the best results, a dedicated wireless backhaul is even better. However, to create one, you need to use tri-band or quad-band ASUS routers, which tend to have higher prices. On such routers, you can set one of the available bands to be used as a dedicated wireless backhaul for your mesh network, providing the maximum possible throughput and improved stability.
- For stable data transfers on the 5 GHz band it’s best to use an AiMesh network with an Ethernet backhaul. This type of backhaul is also ideal when dealing with thick walls that block radio waves. In such spaces, you would need more AiMesh routers for a wireless backhaul, which increases the price and doesn’t deliver the performance improvements you’d expect. Therefore, using a couple of cables to connect your AiMesh routers will provide significantly better signal quality, coverage, and faster data transfers.
Discussion (22)
I am pretty sure ac88u was bottlenecked by its CPU on working as aimesh node(repeater). Asus hnd platform (ac86u) had a stronger CPU to handle the traffic so you saw better performance in the secondary bathroom. I would suggest you put ac88u as the main unit and setup two 86u as nodes, that should boost your coverage and speeds.
Yes, I created our own mess system using a RT-AX88Uwith a pair of RT-AX92A I found straight away, that when adding our old Asus Router as part of the mess system, it didn’t perform well. While factory settings have been fair, it’s nowhere near as fast as advertised without tweaking which lead me here.
Using Blue Cave as the main and two Lyra Trio as the nodes.
Somehow the speed drops very badly everywhere in my apartment.
On its own. The Cave does better. What’s going on? Everything is at default
Noticed the AIMesh Node when place on the 1st floor was hardly pulling any download speed. Is there any setting to sort this out.
Should I expect the same download/upload speed from the Main router as the node?
thanks
had rt-ac88u and bought a new rt-ac86u.
but unable to add the88u as a node. search reveals the 88u as a node but at end of set up i will get a message unable to add.
i have uploaded both merlin 384.13 firmwares. resetted the node and still not luck. this is not as simple as it is made to be
OK, I got the additional AC-RT3100 and set it up as an AIMesh Node. That node was placed on the second floor in a back bedroom nearer to the garage as well as the den. Den issue and garage issue with slow or non-connectivity RESOLVED! Other issue cropped up however which has taken a couple of days to sort.
Issue: Node goes offline periodically and only a reset will bring it back – BUMMER!
Resolution: NOT ASUS Tech Support!
First, I can tell you that – in my experience anyway – Asus tech support is terrible! I did some sleuthing in various forums and pinged some of my MVP brothers and sisters and found out the solution.
Turns out that you need to make a couple of modifications in the ASUS Router in the Wireless menu option and Professional Tab – (Main) app.
First – Turn off Universal Beamforming and Airtime fairness (if the node is online, doing this in the main router does it for both).
Second – Use a fixed channel on both bands, rather than an ‘auto’ channel selection (again, if the node is online, doing this in the main router does it for both). I went with the channel that the router app said it was already using.
Now the node is working fine, high speeds all over and it has taken almost half of all of my 50 devices and all are running fine.
As an aside related to ASUS support. The only thing I got after 5 different techs was, reset to factory defaults, go through the process again (endless loop here) and always keep the node connected to the main router with an Ethernet cable – DUH! That defeats the purpose of having a WiFi AIMesh network!
Bottom line, no Ethernet cable connected WIFE working great on both and my entire network is now humming along happily – IN SPIT of Asus tech support. It is a great idea and their routers are awesome but their tech don’t have a clue – at least in my experience (I used to be a Senior Escalation Engineer at Microsoft so I do know a bit about tech support).
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m glad that you have found a solution.
I have an ASUS RT-AC3100 and love it. I have another RT-AC3100 arriving in a few days and plan to set that up as AI Mesh. I have an older home (built in 1928) so lots of plaster walls and even a brick wall between my den and living room. The den is the most problem area currently. It is the room my wife and I spend time in the evenings watching Netflix so dropped or weak signals is a real problem. I have the router in the center of the house in the attic. I added an extended antenna which helped some but still have an issue with signal in there. I also have a detached garage that is about 30 feet from the house where I have a web enabled TV and Amazon Fire stick as well as a Garadget web enabled door opener and an Amazon Echo (I have 7 of them around the house and garage). I have turned the house in to a Smart home with Nest, TPLink, Amazon and Samsung devices scattered throughout (wall switches, outlets, locks, thermostat and cameras (Zmodo). All my TVs have Amazon Firesticks (no cable) and my cable is ATT Fiber Gigabit. Altogether, I have 52 devices on my network including all the above and 2 Samsung S8 phones and a variety of tablets and PCs. Amazon actually asks me from time to time to test products since my network is so diverse and dwelling construction is so challenging. I have tried all the Mesh devices on the market and found them all to be severely lacing in my situation Only the Asus RT-AC3100 has consistently performed moderately well to handle all of my retirements. I look forward to testing the ASUS AI Mesh solution and will provide input after I have it all set up and tested. Oh, I am also a 15 time Microsoft MVP in various networking and server product alignments so I have a good bit of experience and enjoy testing and diagnostic work. 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your experience with AiMesh. 😉
Yesterday, I configured GT‑AC5300 and RT‑AC5300 in a mesh setup (aimesh). First I set up the GT‑AC5300 as my main router/aimesh router node and then I set up the RT‑AC5300 as a slave AiMesh node. When I started both of them (connected to LAN and internet), they both updated automatically to the latest firmware (mentioned below). I have been testing their AIMESH functionality and the VPN functionality and they both seem to be pretty good. One thing I have noticed that having these 2 routers too close to each other can cause AI mesh to work in a hopping confused way (which is probably expected). So increasing the distance between the 2 helped with having the clients stick to the main or node. Also for the backhaul I have the node connected to the router via ethernet, which I believe they both consistently connect at 300mbps. I am pretty pleased with these 2. The cost however for having these 2 in a mesh setup is pretty high and probably justifiable on a very large home…bigger than 3000 sq feet. Hope this helps a bit for anyone considering AIMESH specifically with these 2 routers.
RT‑AC5300 Version 3.0.0.4.384.21045 released 2018/06/12
GT-AC5300 Version 3.0.0.4.384.21045 released 2018/06/01
Great article.
Question, did you connect all routers by ethernet cables or they connnected to the mesh system wirelessly?
thanks
Wirelessly.
I have two AC3100 and the network speed is much lower on the 5G network when I use AIMesh. While signal strength goes up to 5 bars in Windows, performance drops from 351 mbps to 13mps! I am using the latest Asus FW as of today (5/16/2018). Send a support request and log to Asus a few days ago. So far no response.
two AC5300. Working well with first mesh firmware. Recent firmware update a total disaster. I have now downloaded the old firmware and started over. I also noted if you change any setting in wireless good luck. Wifi just stops transmitting, from the router. Also mobile app update doesnt work properly.
They need considerable software debugging. Not ready for primetime use.
I have an ASUS AC68U that has been solid and worked for years, but there was a slight deadspot where my downstairs FireTV lives. I managed to get a hold of a new Asus router and re-purposed my older one to be configured as the aimesh-node. The results are impressive, I no longer have dead zones downstairs. I recommend this setup in case you want to re-use your old Asus routers (as long as you update to the latest firmware). Helps improve signal without giving up on your old hardware as junk.
Great article and timely for me. I’m planning an upgrade from my Netgear R6300 + 2 extenders to a mesh system. I need solid WIFI coverage for a 2,000 square foot basement, 2,000 square foot first floor, and 1,500 square foot second floor. A pair of high performance tri-band routers with AiMesh seems like what I need. I’m not impressed with the “boxed” mesh WiFi Systems for large homes. Will AiMesh Work with 3 routers? I like good WiFi on my deck and patio too!
Yes, AiMesh will work with three routers, even more.
I used ASUS RT AC3100 & ASUS RT-AC1900P. The 3100 upstairs and the 1900 down in the basement where there was barely to none wi-fi. The speed and signal is significantly stronger and faster and a place where there was none
Great article:
I have created an AiMesh with 2 AC5300 routers in my home, a large 2 storey house with a lot of walls and other obstacles. I had issues with weak wifi signals at both ends of the house and have found the AiMesh setup has completely eliminated the issue.
I set the routers up using a back haul cable and let the routers decide if they would talk to each other through wireless or via the cable. The setup was relatively painless after I found some instructions on how to achieve what I wanted to do online.
In all I am very pleased with the AIMesh setup although the AC5300 router is a great device to begin with.
Thanks for sharing your experience. 😉
Excellent review – this is exactly what I needed to make my decision. I’ve been using ac5300 in bridge mode from a ac3100 and I was wondering if the aimesh would provide the stability I was looking for. I am going to go to try it out and let you know.
Thanks for appreciating our work. Looking forward to your feedback, after you create your own AiMesh.