Best aimesh addition to dsl-ax82u

[Superhands]

Hi, I have a need to start expanding my network, currently I have a dsl-ax82u. What would be the best option to extend it?

Add another router like the rt-ax82u?

Or add something like the ZenWifi XDS6 which seems to be the same ax5400 but in a smaller more unobtrusive form factor. Any pros or cons of going for that?

Are there any other cheaper options but maintaining the ax5400 speed worth considering?

 

thanks

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[UK Sentinel]

If you looking for a AiMesh type scenario (wireless), then as long as the AiMesh node is also supports AX (wifi 6) then this is the most compatible approach.

As you say, the RT-AX82U is an excellent choice as it uses the same wifi chipset, so keeps hardware compatibility as close as possible especially when firmware updates are involved.

In reality, any AX series ASUS router should be capable of being an AiMesh node, but I have seen so many stories online of AiMesh failures and compatibility issues over the years, matching wifi chipsets helps considerable, if the budget can support this approach.

I did have running for a while an old DSL-AC68U running as a Aimesh node (wireless) with my DSL-AX82U as AiMesh Prime, but did take some tweaking (WPA2/WPA3) to get it working.

If you are running and Ethernet (cabled) Node, then the above is not relevant.

BTW: ASUS did have an issue when two AX router (Prime / Node) where configured as AiMesh, they still used Wifi 5 as the wireless back-haul, but this was fixed in AiMesh 2.0.

 

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[UK Sentinel]

Only negative I can foresee in selecting the RT-AX82U is that as the RT-AX82U was first released in 2020, then it could only have one or two more years of firmware support remaining, potentially.

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[Superhands]

Thanks I think I may opt for the xds6 as it looks a little more unobtrusive as long as there aren’t any incompatibilities.

to the zenwifi devices use the same asuswrt OS?

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[UK Sentinel]

FYI: The XDS6 is a dual-band router and has no USB port, while something along the lines of say the XT8 is tri-band and also has an USB port.

But the XDS6 is great value and does support AiMesh.

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