RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Asus’ Solid Twins
This RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000 matchup is to answer all the questions I’ve been getting since the review of the former.
Apparently, my lumping the original RT-AX88U in the review made things harder for folks to figure out which to get out of this particular pair.
Or maybe it’s just hard by default. I can’t say which is better. They are two distinctive Wi-Fi 6 routers with identical hardware on the inside.
But the bottom line is if you’re not hot on design and aesthetics (or the lack thereof,) pick the one that costs less.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Different routers of the same specs and features
You’d have no issue telling the RT-AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 apart. They look totally different.
The former has a traditional look of a typical Wi-Fi router, dating back to the beginning of Wi-Fi, whereas the latter tries hard to impress with a bold design and a flashy Aura game light.
And that’s about i. On the inside, the two are virtually the same. The table below will give you the details of how similar the two are, despite their distinctive looks.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Hardware specifications
The table below details the similarities and differences between these two routers.
 |
 |
|
| Model | RT-AX88U Pro | GT-AX6000 |
| Wi-Fi Bandwidth | Dual-Band AX6000 | Dual-Band AX6000 |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) |
4×4 AX: Up to 1148Mbps (20/40MHz) |
4×4 AX: Up to 1148Mbps (20/40MHz) |
| 5GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel width) |
4X4 AX: Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
4X4 AX: Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Asus’s “Pro” Features (Guest Network Pro and VLAN) |
Yes | Yes |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| AP Mode | Yes | Ye |
| AiMesh-ready | Yes | Yes |
| Gigabit Ports | 4x LAN | 4x LAN |
| Multi-Gig Ports | 1x 2.5Gbps WAN-only, 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN |
1x 2.5Gbps WAN, 1x 2.5Gbps LAN |
| Link Aggregation | Yes (LAN and WAN) |
Yes (LAN and WAN) |
| Dual-WAN | Yes | Yes |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 3.0 1x USB 2.0 |
| Mobile App | Asus Router | Asus Router |
| QoS | Yes | Yes |
| Parental Control | Yes | Yes |
| Processing Power | 2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 256 MB Flash, 1 GB RAM |
2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 1GB RAM |
| Built-in Online Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Asus Gaming Features | Yes | Yes |
| Aura Game Light | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 in (30 x 18.8 x 6.04 cm) |
13 x 6.6 x 2.6 in (33.02 x 16.76 x 6.6 cm) |
| Weight | 2.23 lbs (1.01 kg) | 2.47 lbs (1.12 kg) |
| Release Date | January 2023 | January 2022 |
| Firmware Version (at review) |
3.0.0.4.388.22250 | 3.0.0.4.386.47629 |
| Power Input | 100 – 240V | 100 – 240V |
| Power Consumption (per 24 hours) |
≈ 285Wh | not measured |
| Wall-mount-ready | No | Yes |
| US Price (at launch) |
$349.99 | $399.99 |
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Detail photos
In case you need more visuals to identify the two, below are a few photos comparing the two.
Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000: Performance and grading
The two routers are also very similar in performance, and consequently, they are both rated similarly.
Pros
Excellent Wi-Fi wired, and network storage performance
Tons of useful features, including AiMesh 2.0 and Pro-only Guest Network Pro and VLAN
Two 2.5GbE Multi-Gig ports with Dual-WAN and Link Aggregation support
Universal setting backup and restoration
Cons
Pro-enabled features are still in the Beta
Only 6 networks port (instead of 9 in the previous variant)
No Wi-Fi 6E, not wall-mount-ready
Pros
Fast, reliable Wi-Fi with excellent coverage
Dual Multi-Gig ports with Dual-WAN, Link Aggregations, and more
Tons of helpful networking features and settings, including AiMesh 2.0 and gaming-related applications
Robust web UI, well-designed mobile app, no login account required
Multi-Gig, WAN/LAN Link Aggregation support
Excellent NAS performance when hosting a portable drive
Bold-looking design, no fan, runs cool
Cons
Lowest Multi-Gig grade (2.5Gbps), there could be more ports considering the router’s massive physical size
Impractical antenna design, bulky, not practically wall-mountable
The takeaway
As mentioned, it’s impossible to say which is “better” in this Asus RT-AX88U Pro vs GT-AX6000 matchup. The biggest thing that sets them apart is their appearance.
The good news is both are excellent Wi-Fi 6 routers. And you can upgrade either to Wi-Fi 6E via an access point.
So again, pick whichever fits your style, or cheaper if you can’t decide. Or get both and build a Multi-Gig mesh system with them.
For those who keep asking me what I’d pick, for the last time, I already have both — multiple units of each, in fact. But that has nothing to do with money or style. Wanna try it? Changing your name to “Dong” would be the first step in the right direction.