ASUS RP-AC87 Wireless AC2600 Dual-Band Repeater Review

A Closer Look

There isn’t a lot to show on a repeater, at least normally. The ASUS RP-AC87 is little different as it comes with a few very nifty features. While it packs a punch, both performance and feature wise, it also has a large size compared to other repeaters on the market.

General Design

It still retains a stylish look and a familiar ASUS layout. The mesh styled surface breaks the form up and gives it a sleeker appearance. It is the same that we’ve seen on products such as the [repeater] and [wireless drive]. Some ASUSTOR NAS devices also come with this design pattern.

Buttons and Connectors

There are three buttons on the RP-AC87, and that doesn’t sound like a lot. But it is just a repeater and most products in this class do not have the third button. The reset button is standard and you’ll find that on almost any headless device.

The WPS button is seen on most products and it allows for the simplest connection between your wireless network and this device. A simple press on this button and a press on your router or access point’s WPS button and the two will connect automatically.

The third button is a power button. On the RP-AC87 it’s a switch, but that’s details. While you’ll want it running continuously in most scenarios, having a power button is a convenient feature in other situations. It allows you to turn the device off while you keep it plugged into its power outlet.

In between the three buttons is the Gigabit Ethernet connector. The use of it variates depending on the operation mode the RP-AC87 is set to.

Antennas

The four external antennas are fixed, meaning you can’t replace them. At least not the easy way. That’s not a big deal as they deliver a great performance as-is. They are also adjustable in various directions, allowing you to get the best reception possible. You can turn them 360 degrees and angle them up to 90 degrees.

Rotatable Power Plug

The rotatable power plug is an awesome feature as it allows you to place the extender in the best possible direction. Not every outlet is turned the same way, so why should all power plugs be turned the same way? It is a feature that we’ve seen on other devices before, but not for the UK version. It is nice to see the feature expanded to another market.

Device Cooling

The device is passive cooled so that you won’t have any noise coming from it. It is built with plenty of air vents on all four sides which allow air to circulate. As we saw in the photo above, the rear side also features air vents for more circulation. Still, as with all passively cooled devices, you should mind its placement regarding heat and ventilation.