Asus ZenWiFi CT8
Simple setup, decent features and superb performance make this goodlooking system very attractive.
Last year, we drooled over Asus’ RT-AX92U Wi-Fi-6based mesh, which resembled two small routers, connected over a 5GHz backhaul connection, that could provide a single, Ethernet-like internet connection all over the house. We loved the bombproof reliability and speed it offered to everything that connected to it. Now here’s a cheaper AC version which is more consumer friendly in terms of looks, price and setup. How does it fare?
We think this might be the simplest device setup we’ve ever experienced (which is saying something with Wi-Fi). After downloading the partner app, the phone found the router and connected to it without us doing anything. It asked for Wi-Fi network names and whether we wanted two separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands or use one, combined network and then it just worked. To join the second node, we had to power it on within three metres of the first device, click “Search” and everything synchronised. We then moved it two floors up to our gaming-room-cumoffice and connected it to the PC which is normally connected to the primary router via a powerline adapter that achieves 90Mb/s performance. With the AX-based predecessor, the 4,804Mbps-rated backhaul connection saw this rise to a solid 386Mb/s: performance that prompted us to subsequently update our entire testing methodology.
The theoretical top speed is 3,000Mb/s spread across a 2.4GHz and two 5.4GHz 802.11AC bands. We used our regular Wi-Fi test by downloading large video files from a Synology DS1019+ NAS to a Wi-Fi-6equipped Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop in a three-storey Sydney town house. At close range it managed an excellent 503.2Mb/s. One floor up (between the nodes) scores fluctuated between 229.9Mb/s and 500Mb/s. On the top floor, near the second node, it fluctuated between 423Mb/s and 496Mb/s. Despite the occasional wobble with the top speeds, the connection itself never faltered and it was never slow. To doublecheck its reliability we also played a great deal of Call of Duty and found that ping and playability was consistent with wired performance.
Asus’ phone app is simple to use and offers a great many monitoring and management options alongside the usual Wi-Fi offerings. You can quickly see what’s accessing your network, block that access, or limit it. You can also group devices into easy-tomanage parental control groups. An ‘Insight’ tab offers tips regarding security and updates while Settings displays the usual Wi-Fi options including multi-faceted QoS and Port Forwarding. Asus’ AiCloud takes care of content on USB-connected storage devices while AiProtection monitors network security and updates. Advanced features, similar to the RT-AX3000 (opposite page) are available via the web interface. Our only gripe is having a stingy three Ethernet ports on each node.
At $549 it’s significantly cheaper than its older, big brother was at launch but that has now dropped in price to be only $50 dearer. However, while the Wi-Fi 6 variant is slightly more stable, few domestic users will need the extra speed, and the better looks and ease of management of the ZenWiFi will appeal to many.