Asus XT12 ZenWiFi Pro Tri-Band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz/5 GHz) Wi-Fi 6 Black 4 Internal. Asus zenwifi pro xt12

29.05.2023 Buris Article

Asus XT12 ZenWiFi Pro Tri-Band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz/5 GHz) Wi-Fi 6 Black 4 Internal

Delivery to UK Mainland on orders placed before 4:30pm Mon-Fri currently estimated 1-2 Working Days due to current service disruption. Additional charges may apply dependant on location, floor standing cabinets and other heavy/bulky items.

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Asus XT12 ZenWiFi Pro Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Black 4 Internal

Wider Range with Superior Speed

ZenWiFi Pro is the new paradigm for whole-home mesh Wi-Fi, combining performance and beauty in a perfectly balanced package. It takes the productivity and entertainment capabilities of your whole-home network to the next level, with scalable capacity for the new generation of home networking ecosystems.

Massive Capacity

Wi-Fi 6E has up to seven extra high-speed 160 MHz channels, giving you multi-gigabit speeds with stable and consistent connections. It dramatically increases network capacity while reducing congestion, delivering higher performance for every Wi-Fi 6E device.

Streams, Bandwidth

ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is a 12-stream device, with combined total data rates up to 11000 Mbps. This boosts its capacity for transmitting and receiving data to large numbers of devices simultaneously, reducing dead zones and giving ZenWiFi Pro ET12 the performance edge for the busiest home networks.

RangeBoost Plus

Asus RangeBoost Plus is the latest, most powerful version of our renowned RangeBoost technology, and it improves coverage for all your Wi-Fi devices including legacy devices. Using a next-gen flagship Broadcom Wi-Fi chipset and a 2.0GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU, RangeBoost Plus leverages multiple exclusive Asus technologies to dramatically improve Wi-Fi signal range and coverage by up to 38%.

Easy Scalability for Flexible Networking

With Asus AiMesh, it’s easy to add extra nodes for improved coverage or new features — simply add any AiMesh-compatible router!

Dual 2.5G LAN and WAN Ports

ZenWiFi Pro XT12 has both a 2.5G LAN port and a 2.5G WAN port, so you can enjoy full 2.5 Gbps speeds all the way from a compatible ISP to your compatible wired devices.

Flexible Backhaul Choice

ZenWiFi Pro XT12 lets you allocate either the second 5 GHz Band or wired Ethernet for the backhaul connection between nodes. Alternatively, you can choose automatic mode and let ZenWiFi Pro XT12 choose the best connection type based on your environment. The choice is always yours!

Effortless Setup and Management

The easy-to-use Asus Router app offers simple setup and easy management for your ZenWiFi Pro ET12 system, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

Advanced Controls

If you want to take advantage of the advanced capabilities of ZenWiFi Pro ET12, the powerful web interface gives you access to at-a-glance status reports and in-depth settings via a handy dashboard. YOu can use it to configure your router’s QoS settings, VPN operation, port configuration and much more.

Engineered for Performance

ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is engineered to deliver maximum Wi-Fi performance — with throughput improved by up to 18% — from the latest Broadcom Wi-Fi chipset and CPU. The eight external antennas are carefully located and angled within the special transparent compartment on the top of the router, minimising interference while maximising signal coverage.

Commercial-Grade Security for Your Home

Home network security is crucial when you have multiple connected devices, especially if your network hosts devices without virus protection, such as IoT devices. ZenWiFi Pro ET12 includes lifetime free AiProtection Pro, including advanced Parental Controls, and also uses the latest WPA3 security protocol.

Privacy, Anywhere

Instant Guard gives you one-click secure internet access via ZenWiFi Pro ET12 from anywhere in the world, thanks to its encrypted data-tunneling VPN technology. With ZenWiFi Pro ET12, you can take your home network with you wherever you go — and say goodbye to web-based third-party VPNs!

Full specification and details for the 1 pack can be found in the Product Datasheet PDF file

Full specification and details for the 2 pack can be found in the Product Datasheet PDF file

Asus XT12 ZenWiFi Pro Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Black 4 Internal

Wider Range with Superior Speed

ZenWiFi Pro is the new paradigm for whole-home mesh Wi-Fi, combining performance and beauty in a perfectly balanced package. It takes the productivity and entertainment capabilities of your whole-home network to the next level, with scalable capacity for the new generation of home networking ecosystems.

Massive Capacity

Streams, Bandwidth

RangeBoost Plus

Asus RangeBoost Plus is the latest, most powerful version of our renowned RangeBoost technology, and it improves coverage for all your Wi-Fi devices including legacy devices. Using a next-gen flagship Broadcom Wi-Fi chipset and a 2.0GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU, RangeBoost Plus leverages multiple exclusive Asus technologies to dramatically improve Wi-Fi signal range and coverage by up to 38%.

Easy Scalability for Flexible Networking

With Asus AiMesh, it’s easy to add extra nodes for improved coverage or new features — simply add any AiMesh-compatible router!

Dual 2.5G LAN and WAN Ports

ZenWiFi Pro XT12 has both a 2.5G LAN port and a 2.5G WAN port, so you can enjoy full 2.5 Gbps speeds all the way from a compatible ISP to your compatible wired devices.

Flexible Backhaul Choice

Effortless Setup and Management

The easy-to-use Asus Router app offers simple setup and easy management for your ZenWiFi Pro ET12 system, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

Advanced Controls

Engineered for Performance

Commercial-Grade Security for Your Home

Privacy, Anywhere

Instant Guard gives you one-click secure internet access via ZenWiFi Pro ET12 from anywhere in the world, thanks to its encrypted data-tunneling VPN technology. With ZenWiFi Pro ET12, you can take your home network with you wherever you go — and say goodbye to web-based third-party VPNs!

Full specification and details for the 1 pack can be found in the Product Datasheet PDF file

Full specification and details for the 2 pack can be found in the Product Datasheet PDF file

Due to the size, weight and delicate nature of Data and Server Cabinets, specialist couriers are required so they arrive on site in pristine condition.

We do our utmost to bare the delivery costs meaning we can deliver your cabinet free of charge to most areas, unfortunately there are some areas of the UK we are charged a lot more to deliver to and whilst we absorb as much of this cost as we viably can in certain cases we have to pass on some of these costs. Below is a list of these areas and the additional costs of delivery per cabinet.

Comms Express Limited
Unit 7 Grafton Place
Dukes Park Ind Estate
Chelmsford, Essex
CM2 6TG
Tel: 0800 488 0000
Fax: 0800 488 0001 0800 488 0000
Fax: 0800 488 0001.-
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 08:30. 17:30
Last orders 17:30
Last orders for next working day delivery 17:00

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 Review: a next-gen mesh Wi-Fi

In the early days, if you are looking for a router with the best specs in the market, Asus is typically the brand to go to. But, the age of mesh Wi-Fi is here. Each year, we’re expecting a mesh Wi-Fi system that can truly provide a faster speed. That’s where the Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 comes in.

For a really long time, Asus FOCUS their efforts on gaming routers such as the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000. Now, the new ZenWiFi Pro XT12 powered by a Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 AX11000 wireless technology is the first Asus mesh Wi-Fi with better specifications than their gaming routers.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 will retail at RM3888 for the 2-Pack model in Malaysia. It’s the first product in the market with the latest 2.0Ghz Quad-Core CPU from Broadcom despite the ongoing chipset shortage. Asus says it can provide up to 6000 sq ft of Wi-Fi coverage for bigger house or condominium.

That’s not all as the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 also comes with a totally new Wi-Fi 6 radio that can support up to 11000Mbps. It has the latest RangeBoost Plus technology and 10 antennas for the ultimate coverage and performance. For the first time, Asus also included dual 2.5G Ethernet ports on their product.

I’m happy to say that the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 delivers fantastic performance for both productivity and entertainment. It’s the fastest and best mesh Wi-Fi system you can buy in the market right now and it can handle whatever you throw at it without breaking a sweat.

ZenWiFi Pro XT12 Mesh Performance

I’ll start by talking about the mesh Wi-Fi performance since that’s probably what you care the most if you clicked on this review. Fear not: it’s extremely good. Asus really give it the best hardware they can source in the market and it does result in a really good Wi-Fi performance.

On short distance, I can get over 800Mbps easily on the ZenWiFi Pro XT12. That’s nothing to brag off considering most Wi-Fi 6 routers can support over 800Mbps over short-distance.

Guest what? I can reach over 800Mbps when connected to the mesh node after 2 walls from the main unit. That’s really impressive! The new RangeBoost Plus technology is truly ground-breaking with class-leading performance. I find it hard to believe but the performance is replicable on every speed test.

On the ultimate test where I have multiple conference calls running at home while streaming multiple 4K HDR videos on YouTube with all ASUSWRT features enabled, the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 managed to saturate my entire Gigabit Internet connection with all devices connected to the Wi-Fi network.

That’s how powerful is the 2.0GHz Quad Core CPU on the ZenWiFi XT12 Pro. It remains really consistent and reliable even on the most demanding situations, ensuring a smooth and seamless Wi-Fi connection to all connected devices. Asus optimized the product really well to handle even the most challenging situation.

And, since the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 comes with dual 2.5G Ethernet ports. This will be great for those having a 2 Gigabit Internet connection. You can even use 2.5G Ethernet backhaul to the mesh node for an even better performance and the ZenWiFi Pro support that as well.

Roaming is greatly improved since Asus added 802.11k/v roaming assist on their AiMesh products. All my devices have no issue switching between the coverage of the mesh points as I walk around at home. The switching is almost unnoticeable without my Wi-Fi calls dropping as I move around.

While it’s not as fast as 802.11r fast roaming, the difference is very minimal in reality. That’s because 802.11r fast roaming does not support WPA3 encryption and Asus prefers better security rather than minimal gain in roaming. Not to mention that most laptops do not support 802.11r fast roaming as well.

ZenWiFi Pro XT12 Design

Asus squeezed all the components of the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 into a boxy, rectangular casing. It looks more like a gaming console (hint: Xbox Seriex X) rather than a wireless router. I like the design as it looks premium with high quality materials and solid build quality like all Asus routers.

I also like the fact that the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is passively cooled with multiple chunk of heatsink. This means I will not deal with noise or dust issues few years down the road. The system is barely warm to the touch even after a week of usage and it’s totally acceptable.

However, the port selection is rather limited here. Asus removed the USB ports but I that’s a fair tradeoff for the dual 2.5G Ethernet WAN/LAN ports. I am certainly nitpicking here but I wish there can be more 2 additional LAN ports on this product considering that it is designed for power users.

Firmware and Features

Like all routers sold by Asus, the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 runs the signature ASUSWRT software. Asus optimized the software really well to take full advantage of the powerful hardware. The web interface is not the most user-friendly in the market but it offers very extensive customizations and advanced settings.

However, I find the Asus Router app to be the complete opposite. It’s very easy to use and very user-friendly. Thus, I recommend to just use the Asus Router app and configure the system. Most of the key features of the mesh Wi-Fi system can be accessed easily by just using the app.

The app will show information about connected devices including their signal strength, current speed and more. You can also access advanced features such as AiProtection Pro parental control, AdaptiveQoS, guest Wi-Fi and change some settings like DNS address easily on the Asus Router app.

The star of the show is AiProtection Pro with free lifetime update for the network security and parental control suite. The network security feature is powered by TrendMicro and it’s really robust. It will detect harmful websites and prevent all connected devices from accesing them.

The AdaptiveQoS feature is really helpful for work from home these days. It will optimize the network for the best performance based on the selected profile. For example, the work profile willl ensure a smooth connection for work related apps such as Zoom calls and Microsoft Team.

Customization also one of the strengths of the ZenWiFi XT12 Pro. This is probably the only mesh Wi-Fi system on the market where it lets you to manually assign your device to be always connected to a particular mesh node. It’s really useful for IoT devices such as wireless CCTV cameras that prefer a consistent connection.

Closing Thoughts

The ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is the best mesh Wi-Fi you can buy in the market right now. It has the one of the fastest processor and the fastest Wi-Fi 6 radio in the market, resulting in a really fast performance that will be hard to beat. Coupled with really good AiMesh software, the end result is a very refined and premium product.

At RM3888, it’s a huge bill to swallow. However, the peace of mind and the amazing performance pays for itself. It is the only mesh Wi-Fi system in the market that can realistically deliver Gigabit speed on the mesh node at practical distance, that’s truly a class-leading product. Well done Asus.

Class-leading Wi-Fi performance with RangeBoost Plus technology
Lightning fast 2.0Ghz Quad-Core CPU
Free lifetime update on AiProtection Pro security software

It’s about time reviews of high-end kit start calling out lack of support for vlans. As more and more people are investing in various pieces of smarthome kit, there’s an exponentially increased risk of one of these devices becoming a target for hackers. It’s no longer acceptable that these devices should sit on the same Wi-Fi network as the PC, tablet or mobile that you do your online banking on. If a cheap smartplug for example (typically bug-ridden and unpatched) gets hacked, then the hacker is on your network, monitoring traffic and potentially stealing data or targeting the next device … Read more »

The entire range of routers offer multiple guest Wi-Fi network which can be configured to be segregated from the normal LAN network. It’s not a comprehensive VLAN implementation where you can tag selected LAN ports and Guest Wi-Fi but it does work pretty well.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 review

This means, however, that every month a new line of Wi-Fi 6 routers enters the market, all of which boast speeds that most devices and mere mortals will never experience, but which are also all future-proof, at least until a new model enters the market in four months. The new router/mesh Wi-Fi system from Asus, the ZenWiFi Pro XT12, or XT12, joins the list because companies still feel the need to label their products in a way that is memory-friendly in 2022.

When it comes to networking devices like routers, Asus is one of the leading manufacturers. Since it has been providing dependable and performance-based networking products for many years, the company has developed a loyal customer base. The company released the very capable ZenWiFi Pro XT12 to join the Mesh Wi-Fi bandwagon.

Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 AX11000 wireless technology powers this whole-home mesh Wi-Fi device from Asus. You can get up to four times the capacity and two times the speed of Wi-Fi 5 with the ZenWiFi Pro XT12’s support for Wi-Fi routers. All of this is made possible by cutting-edge technologies like 160 MHz MU-MIMO, uplink and downlink OFDMA, and BSS Color. also, you can check our article on Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 review.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 review: Design

The ZenWiFi Pro XT12’s components were crammed by Asus into a boxy, rectangular shell. Instead than resembling a wireless router, it appears more like a gaming console (hint: Xbox Seriex X). We like the design because it is made of premium materials and has a sturdy construction, much like all Asus routers. We especially appreciate the ZenWiFi Pro XT12’s use of numerous heatsinks for passive cooling.

This means that in a few years, we won’t have to deal with noise or dust problems. Even after a week of use, the system is barely warm to the touch, which is perfectly adequate. However, there aren’t many ports available in this place. A fair trade-off for the two 2.5G Ethernet WAN/LAN connections, according to us, is that Asus deleted the USB ports. We are certainly being picky, but given that this product is made for heavy users, I wish there may be an additional 2 LAN ports.

Features

The software has a lot of features and is easy to use. It provides thorough information on network and client status, and a tab called Insights makes suggestions on topics like what’s available but hasn’t been used and configuration upgrades. There are the customary parental controls in addition to an Advanced tab that permits the connecting of additional Asus AiMesh devices, QoS settings, custom voice assistant setup, and standard router capabilities like Port Forwarding.

The XT12’s Instant Guard feature allows you to direct traffic from any public Wi-Fi hotspot you connect to so that its AiProtection screening may look for viruses and other online dangers. Although the app is helpful, it’s worth using a web browser to set up the more complicated settings because it has so many options. For the duration of the router’s life, the AiProtection Pro service offers continuous security updates and real-time malware detection for every device connected to the network.

Along with basic vulnerability checking, it can block dangerous websites and stop infected devices from connecting. The parental/user controls give the device timers for off-time, scheduling, and internet usage. It can also block messaging services, P2P and file transfers, streaming and entertainment websites, as well as a variety of inappropriate content (although this is never 100% reliable). you can read our article on Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 review.

With an iPhone 13 Pro Max and MacBook Pro M1 Max placed close to the main node/router, we were able to connect to the internet at a speed of about 700 Mbps, which is about average for the many systems we’ve tested. In contrast, the speeds dropped by just 25–30% when we connected to the second node, as opposed to 40–60% on the other mesh systems.

This was only tested on the 5Ghz-1 Band. In contrast, 2.4 GHz devices will cover a larger area, but at much slower speeds. Unfortunately, our testing revealed that using the 5Ghz-2 Band resulted in slower connection speeds than using the 5Ghz-1 Band. Perhaps there aren’t many devices using this frequency just yet, but Asus may have done this to future-proof the XT12 system.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 review: Performance

Since you probably clicked on this review because you were interested in mesh Wi-Fi performance, let’s start there. Be not alarmed; it is quite good. Asus makes use of the best hardware on the market to achieve the highest Wi-Fi performance. We can easily achieve speeds of more than 800Mbps over short distances with the ZenWiFi Pro XT12. There is nothing to be proud of considering that the majority of Wi-Fi 6 routers can provide more than 800Mbps over close ranges.

We can achieve speeds of more than 800Mbps when connected to the mesh node two walls away from the main unit. That is truly amazing! The new RangeBoost Plus technology is truly revolutionary, offering performance that is unrivalled in its class. The performance is consistent across all speed tests, which is hard for us to believe.

In the ultimate test, where we had simultaneous conference calls running at home and streamed multiple 4K HDR videos on YouTube with all ASUSWRT capabilities enabled, the ZenWiFi Pro XT12 was able to completely saturate our full Gigabit Internet connection with all devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. It is consistently dependable and consistent, even in the most trying situations, ensuring a seamless Wi-Fi connection for all connected devices. Asus has greatly improved the device’s optimization to handle even the most challenging situation.

The ZenWiFi Pro XT12 also has two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet connections. This will be excellent for those with a 2 Gigabit Internet connection. The ZenWiFi Pro supports adding 2.5G Ethernet backhaul to the mesh node for even faster speeds. Roaming has significantly improved since Asus added 802.11k/v roaming assistance to their AiMesh products. All of our devices seamlessly switch between the mesh points’ coverage as we move around the house. The switching is hardly noticeable as we move around, and our Wi-Fi calls are unaffected.

Price

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 costs a staggering 800, £699, or AU1,499 and is currently offered in the most of important regions. As a result, it ranks as one of the priciest Wi-Fi router/mesh packages available. It belongs to a relatively untapped sector for prosumers and small and medium-sized businesses that Synology’s RT6600ax recently brought to light. also, you can learn our article on Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 review.

The issue is that, despite being significantly more visually offensive, the Synology provides even more features, comparable performance, and costs (gulp) around one-third less than the XT12, depending on where you are in the world. When additional units are linked, the Synology is also intended to function as a mesh, so you can get two of those and still save a lot of money compared to the Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12’s regular twin-pack.

Conclusion

The Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 costs RM3998, which is somewhat expensive, but considering the performance it offers, I think it’s worth it. Amazingly, a single unit can provide full Wi-Fi 6 performance over a distance of 30 metres. Additionally, it has Tri-Band Wi-Fi, which means more bandwidth and can support a large number of devices, making it suitable for Enterprise-level users. It is nice to have for home users and would offer future-proofing when Gigabit internet becomes more prevalent in every Malaysian home.

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 – tower router with Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5 Gb LAN

Routers, for the most part, are not among the design-appealing devices you’d want to show off. They are usually white or black boxes with antennas sticking out of them and you hide them somewhere behind your computer, TV or in a closet. But that doesn’t have to be the rule, and the new Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is proof of that. In addition to the unconventional design, the tested model impresses with its FOCUS on mesh networking, which Asus routers are known for.

Packaging and exterior

The XT12 has not avoided the traditionally colourful and beautiful design of the box, and the description on the back is also aimed at presenting the mesh solution and its advantages.

Since it’s a two-pack, there’s double of everything inside the box, so two routers, power cables and adapters. Somehow, however, there’s only one LAN cable, and you only need one documentation as well.

The XT12 impresses at first sight with its unconventional design. It is a kind of cube with a square base, 11.5 cm long and 24.1 cm high, the top is transparent and one of the corners is bevelled.

Most routers have two or four antennas. The XT12 received up to ten internal ones, which is understandable given its support for up to three bands, but still quite unique.

Routers targeted for use in a mesh network typically do not offer the same features as dedicated routers sold one at a time. Still, you get two for the price of one. The XT12, however, is somewhat unique in this area. It offers a quartet of RJ-45 connectors, two of which are 2.5 Gb and the other two 1 Gb. One of the faster pair is designated as a WAN port and the other is used for LAN.

As we already know from tests of the AX88U, for example, we can transfer speeds higher than 1 Gb over Wi-Fi 6, which means that the wired connection is slower than the wireless one, which is quite illogical. The top model AX89X solved this problem with 10 Gb ports, which are not yet found in cheaper models. When testing the inexpensive RT-AX53U, I introduced the idea that 2.5 Gb connectors would make a lot of sense for Wi-Fi 6 routers, and the XT12 is the first model where we can see this idea in practice.

What did not please me, on the other hand, is the complete absence of USB ports. I consider this a big oversight, as even the cheapest pieces already have at least USB 2.0, although the 3.0 standard would have been better. I’ve been using the USB port for a year now to connect a 2.5″ SSD and fast and easily accessible storage that you can connect to a PC anytime if you need to, but the vast majority of the time the drive is just connected to the router. Among other things, the USB port could also be used to connect a printer or other accessories, and you’ll unfortunately lose all of that with the XT12.

The RGB backlit logo, which also serves as an information LED about the router status, tries to save the situation. Inside the router we find 256 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM and a 2.0 GHz quad-core 64-bit processor, which makes it one of the better pieces. Important from the router’s point of view are the configurations of the individual bands. The XT12 offers a 4×4 configuration for both the 2.4GHz and both 5GHz networks, making the theoretical maximum speeds 1148 Mbps for the 2.4GHz and 4804 Mbps for each of the 5GHz networks. Overall, the router thus offers bandwidths of up to 11 Gbps (114848044804), but this is more of a marketing designation, especially when the manufacturer refers to it as the AX11000 ultimate AX performance. But it doesn’t change the fact that the XT12’s wireless connectivity is really excellent. It is also important to mention that the router offers the important 160 MHz Band, which was introduced along with Wi-Fi 6 and is one of the important features of this standard.

Of the Wi-Fi 6 new features, OFDMA and TWT are not missing, which is just a plus. The overall equipment of the XT12, except for the lack of USB ports, looks very good on paper and in practice. Another interesting feature is the ability to aggregate 1 Gb LAN connectors to achieve 2 Gb speeds for connection to, for example, a NAS. A better solution would be to have all ports 2.5 Gb, but we will hopefully see that in a future model. Software support and installation via the web GUI but also the app is great as always and there is probably no point to elaborate on this topic anymore. If you’re interested, I recommend reading some of the older Asus router tests.

Methodology

The aim of the tests is to show the real transfer speeds between the router and the client in a panel building environment, not under laboratory conditions. This means that there are many other Wi-Fi networks in the area, and during the 10-meter distance test, the signal must pass to the third room, with the individual rooms separated by reinforced concrete walls but open doors.

Upload and download tests are performed using the TamoSoft Throughput Test application, where we select the results of TCP upload and TCP download. The router is connected to a MSI GE76 Raider with a 2.5 Gb LAN connector and a Killer 1675x Wi-Fi 6E card, and a second laptop with an Intel Wi-Fi AX210NGW, which also supports Wi-Fi 6E. The transfer takes exactly one minute. All tests are run three times and the results are the average of the three measurements.

In the immediate vicinity

The new product achieves very good results in Wi-Fi speed tests, which thanks to the 160 MHz bandwidth and 4 × 4 configuration is not such a big surprise, but rather a confirmation of paper assumptions and expectations. Still, it’s nice to see how the inexpensive AX53U fares. The AC88U, on the other hand, is already starting to show its age.

From a distance of ten metres

Ten antennas and Rangeboost Plus also achieve high numbers in the distance test and especially in the upload. Surprisingly the AC88U did well in downloading, but this is more of an exception proving the rule.

Wired transfers

When testing cable transfers between the two devices, we see that the XT12 offers very balanced upload and download numbers, offering 30–50 % higher rates compared to the other models.

Power draw

We measure the power draw with a new methodology using a UNI-T UT71E multimeter. We compared the power draw at both idle and full load during the speed tests. The AX53U had the lowest power draw, with an idle power of 3.1–3.2 W; after the LAN cable and Wi-Fi tests, the power draw increased to a maximum of 4.4 W. Second in order was the XT12, which hovered around 11 W and only slightly exceeded 12 W at maximum. The oldest AC88U had the highest power draw with an idle draw of 13.3 W and a peak of 14.5 W. An interesting finding during the test was that when the LAN cable was plugged in, the power draw on all routers increased by about 1 W.

Routers, for the most part, are not among the design-appealing devices you’d want to show off. They are usually white or black boxes with antennas sticking out of them and you hide them somewhere behind your computer, TV or in a closet. But that doesn’t have to be the rule, and the new Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is proof of that. In addition to the unconventional design, the tested model impresses with its FOCUS on mesh networking, which Asus routers are known for.

Conclusion

Asus ZenWiFi Pro XT12 is a stylish and very unconventionally designed router that definitely does not deserve to be hidden somewhere in a corner or closet, quite the opposite. It has the potential to become a fashion accessory that you display in your living room or bedroom and every visitor to your home will be interested in it.

Often, however, such fashion oriented pieces of hardware fail in all other aspects and offer no qualities other than design. Fortunately, this is not the case with the XT12, as it is a very capable router with very solid speeds as well as excellent software features.

I also very much welcome the use of 2.5 Gb LAN/WAN ports, which solve the problem of the vast majority of routers with Wi-Fi 6, namely slow wired connections. What I consider to be a missed opportunity and a rather large step in the wrong direction is the absence of USB connectors, which, as I mentioned, I use on a daily basis and would miss them with the XT12. Apart from that, I can only criticise one thing and that is the price.

The XT12 is on sale as both a standalone router, and in a two-pack, which we had for testing. The price of a standalone router is around 440 EUR and a two-pack costs 730 EUR, which is quite a lot. And I write this as an owner of the top model AX89X, which hovers just over 500 EUR, but offers two 10 Gb ports, eight LAN ports, USB ports, etc, etc.

Of course, the FOCUS of XT12 and AX89X is completely different, but I can’t help wondering if it’s not better to save a bit more and buy two AX89X, connect them with a 10 Gb cable and achieve even significantly faster transmissions and enjoy the richer equipment offered by the rather cut down XT12 in comparison.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

Sources:

https://www.comms-express.com/products/Asus-xt12-zenwifi-pro-tri-Band-2-4-ghz-5-ghz-5-ghz-Wi-Fi-6-black-4-internal/
https://www.blacktubi.com/review/Asus-zenwifi-pro-xt12/
https://www.compsmag.com/reviews/Asus-zenwifi-pro-xt12-review/
https://www.hwcooling.net/en/Asus-zenwifi-pro-xt12-tower-router-with-Wi-Fi-6-and-2-5-gb-lan/?amp=1