ASUS RT-BE96U Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router
By ASUS · Wifi Routers · Desk & Streaming Setup · More from ASUS
- BE19000 tri-band WiFi 7
- 320MHz channels in the 6 GHz band, 4096-QAM, Multi-link operation (MLO)
- Dual 10G WAN and WAN/LAN ports
- AiMesh extendable router
- Subscription-free network security
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Summary
A large, premium tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router with dual 10 Gbps ports, eight antennas and subscription-free Trend Micro security, built for homes that need multi-gig wired links and ASUS AiMesh. Check before you buy: MLO only arrived through a firmware update, and 6 GHz range falls off quickly with distance.
Strengths
- PCMag measured 2,451 Mbps on 6 GHz and 1,548 Mbps on 5 GHz at close range.
- Dual 10 Gbps ports plus link aggregation cover multi-gig internet and fast wired LAN.
- AiProtection Pro security and full parental controls are included without a subscription.
- AiMesh support lets it join or extend an existing ASUS mesh.
- 320 MHz channels and 4096-QAM in the 6 GHz band.
- The vented chassis, aluminum plate, three heatsinks and a 2 cm stand keep it cool.
Weaknesses
- MLO was not available at launch and arrived only through a firmware update.
- 6 GHz reach is weak, which PCMag calls a known limitation of the band.
- The chassis is large at 8.6 × 13.7 × 13.7 in and 4.1 lb.
- It launched at a $699.99 MSRP, a premium price.
- The second USB port is USB 2.0, slower than the USB 3.2 Gen 1 port.
Verified specifications
| Wireless standard | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), tri-band on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. |
|---|---|
| Rated throughput | BE19000 total, up to 1,376 Mbps (2.4 GHz), 5,764 Mbps (5 GHz) and 11,529 Mbps (6 GHz); these are IEEE physical-rate maxima, not measured throughput. |
| Wi-Fi 7 features | 320 MHz channels in the 6 GHz band, 4096-QAM, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), OFDMA, MU-MIMO, beamforming and WPA3. |
| MLO | firmware-gated; ASUS’s page said MLO firmware was in development as of September 2023, expected late 2023 or early 2024. |
| CPU and memory | quad-core 2.6 GHz CPU, 2 GB RAM, 256 MB flash. |
| Antennas | eight, non-removable and adjustable. |
| Wired ports | 1x 10GbE WAN/LAN, 1x 10GbE LAN, 1x 1GbE WAN/LAN and 3x 1GbE LAN; two of the 1GbE LAN ports support link aggregation, and multi-WAN is supported. |
| USB | one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port and one USB 2.0 port. |
| Security | AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro, one-tap security scan, Safe Browsing, and VPN features including WireGuard and the Instant Guard app. |
| Parental controls | age-based profiles, content filter, time scheduling and an activity dashboard. |
| Mesh | AiMesh extendable, so it can serve as a node with other ASUS extendable routers. |
| Management | web console and ASUS Router mobile app; the web console exposes more advanced settings. |
| Dimensions | 8.6 × 13.7 × 13.7 in (HWD); 4.1 lb. |
Full research notes and sources
Wi-Fi 7 and the MLO catch
The RT-BE96U is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router rated BE19000, with 320 MHz channels and 4096-QAM in the 6 GHz band, plus OFDMA, MU-MIMO and beamforming. The BE19000 figure is a sum of IEEE physical-rate maxima across the three bands (up to 1,376 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 5,764 Mbps on 5 GHz and 11,529 Mbps on 6 GHz), not real-world throughput.
Multi-Link Operation, which lets a client use more than one band at once, was not there at launch. ASUS’s own page said MLO firmware was in development as of September 2023 and would arrive in late 2023 or early 2024. Update the firmware before you count on it.
Performance and range
PCMag’s instrumented test (May 2024) measured 150 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 1,548 Mbps on 5 GHz and 2,451 Mbps on 6 GHz at close range, falling to 83, 906 and 311 Mbps at 30 feet. USB transfers of a 1.5 GB folder ran at 82 MB/s write and 83 MB/s read. Signal mapping showed strong 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz coverage but weak 6 GHz reach. The 6 GHz band is also indoor-only and needs 6 GHz-capable clients.
Ports, mesh and software
Wired connections are the point of this router: a 10GbE WAN/LAN port, a second 10GbE LAN port, a 1GbE WAN/LAN port and three 1GbE LAN ports, two of which support link aggregation, with multi-WAN support. USB is a mix: one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port and one USB 2.0 port. AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, is subscription-free and adds a one-tap security scan and Safe Browsing; VPN support covers WireGuard and the Instant Guard app. Parental controls add age-based profiles, content filtering, time scheduling and an activity dashboard. The router runs AiMesh, so it can join other ASUS extendable routers. Manage it from the web console or the ASUS Router app; the web console exposes more advanced settings.
Maintenance and cooling
The hexagonal chassis has eight non-removable antennas and cools through designed vents, a full-sized aluminum plate and three aluminum heatsinks with nanocarbon coating, plus a 2 cm stand for under-body airflow. Keep the vents and the stand clearance clear. Firmware updates come through the web console or the app. WPA2/WPA3 enterprise is available only on a single router, not in AiMesh mode. USB-powered devices that draw more than 5V/500mA (USB 2.0) or 5V/900mA (USB 3.1 Gen 1) need their own power.
Is it worth it?
At its $699.99 MSRP the RT-BE96U is a premium buy; PCMag’s own advice is that the GT-BE98 Pro offers faster 6 GHz performance and more multi-gig ports for about $100 more. The router makes most sense if you need dual 10 Gbps ports, want AiMesh with existing ASUS gear, or want Trend Micro security without a subscription.
Which model this is
This page covers the ASUS RT-BE96U, a BE19000 tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router. It is not the ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro, the RT-BE92U, the RT-BE90U, the RT-BE82U or the ZenWiFi mesh systems.
The US listing is ASIN B0BZFK3BF8.
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews:
Owner reports:
- No owner reports were collected for this model.
