ASUS RP-AC87 Wireless AC2600 Dual-Band Repeater Review

Bohs Hansen / 7 years ago

Final Thoughts & Pricing

Pricing

We don’t know the pricing at this time. The availability is expected for July/August 2017.

Conclusion

ASUS’ RP-AC87 is larger than most other wireless repeater and extender, but it also brings a performance and features to match. You get a 3-in-1 wireless network device with single-band speeds up to 1700Mbps in perfect conditions that plug right into a power outlet.

My test setup isn’t geared towards this kind of device, and that’s something that we clearly see today. My apartment is too small in combination with my router being too powerful. A range extender simply isn’t needed. I will come back to this device with an improved setup at a later time, but it will require a lot of testing to be able to get consistent and comparable results. I need to limit my router’s capabilities without bottlenecking it. Still, we saw performance improvements in several scenarios, even in my setup. And it is a completely different story once we get a setup in a multi-level home or office which is where the RP-AC87 will shine.

ASUS added some cool features that I’m sure a lot of people will welcome. There is the rotatable power plug, allowing for a more versatile setup. It also comes with four external antennas where most extenders only have two. That alone gives the unit an advantage in regards to signal strength. The three different operation modes and built-in Gigabit Ethernet port add further usage possibilities besides just extending the range of your network.

The browser user interface is quite nice for a network extender. It is quick and responsive, easy to navigate, and it has a nice list of settings and options for you.

Pros

AC2600 Performance (800+1700Mbps)
Four external antennas
Three operating modes: Bridge, Access Point, and Extender
Easy setup with WPS
Mobile Companion app and browser interface
Perfect for very large homes

Cons

Not useful in small homes
Antennas not replaceable

“The ASUS RP-AC86 is a perfect wireless extender for large homes and offices, but it certainly isn’t limited to that. Multiple operating modes, modern AC speeds, and easy configuration makes it a winner.”