ASUS RT-BE96U WiFi 7 Router

If you’re serious about performance and want full control over your network, this is it. Whether you’re working from home, streaming in 8K, gaming on low ping, or running a small server rack in your garage—the RT-BE96U doesn’t flinch. It’s also one of the most feature-rich routers ASUS has ever dropped, which is saying something.

Design

This router does not believe in subtlety. The RT-BE96U looks like a spaceship with attitude, complete with sharp edges, matte black finish, and a whole fleet of external antennas—eight, to be exact. If you’re into slick and minimalist? Move along. If you want your router to look like it could pilot the Millennium Falcon? This is your ride.

That bold look isn’t just for show. The open chassis and spacing between the fins help with airflow and heat dissipation, which is critical when you’re pushing this much data. Around back, it’s a port party: dual 10G ports, four 1G LANs, and a 2.5G WAN/LAN combo. You also get two USB 3.0 ports, so feel free to plug in storage, printers, or whatever else you’re running.

Features

The RT-BE96U is all-in on WiFi 7, and it makes sure you feel it. You get tri-band support, including the 2.4GHz, two 5GHz bands, and the supercharged 6GHz band for WiFi 7-capable devices. It also includes 320 MHz channels, 4K QAM, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO)—which lets devices connect across multiple bands at once for more speed and less latency.

But here’s the kicker: this router gives you more control than your cable company ever dreamed of. With the ASUS Router app or the full web GUI, you can fine-tune QoS, firewall settings, VPN, parental controls, and even create VLANs. And if you’re serious about your gaming, there’s Adaptive QoS, Game Boost, Open NAT, and gear acceleration built right in. You’re not just buying a router—you’re buying a control panel for your digital life.

Setup

If you’re the plug-and-play type, the ASUS Router app makes setup easy. It walks you through the basics in under 10 minutes, from setting up your SSID to choosing which bands to use and assigning admin access. Once you’re up and running, the app doubles as a remote control center so you can manage everything without logging into a desktop.

But if you want to get your hands dirty, the web-based UI is packed with advanced options. Port forwarding? Check. Dual-WAN failover? Yup. VPN server and client modes? You bet. ASUS gives you full access to tweak just about every setting imaginable. This router doesn’t babysit—it gives you the keys and says, “Go nuts.”

Performance

Look, no exaggeration—this thing is a monster. The speeds are absolutely wild, especially on the 6GHz band with a WiFi 7-capable device. We’re talking multi-gig wireless speeds, low latency, and buttery smooth video conferencing, gaming, streaming, and everything in between. The tri-band setup also means less congestion, since devices can be split across four networks.

And range? Stellar. The RT-BE96U can handle large homes on its own, and if you’ve got dead zones, it supports AiMesh, so you can link it with other ASUS routers to blanket your whole house. Even with walls, doors, and other Wi-Fi nightmares, this thing holds up. It’s built for demanding homes, and it shows.

Verdict

If you’re a network control freak, gamer, power user, or just someone who wants zero compromise, the ASUS RT-BE96U is a dream machine. It’s got the power of enterprise hardware packed into a consumer-friendly device. It’s fast, flexible, and future-proof. You can use it as a simple WiFi 7 powerhouse—or unlock every advanced feature and tweak it like a pro.

For casual users, it might be a bit much—both in terms of price and capability. But if you’ve got multi-gig internet, tons of devices, or the need for serious customization, this router earns its keep. It’s not just a router. It’s the nerd castle firewall gatekeeper overlord of your digital kingdom. And it rules.

📊 Comparison Chart: ASUS RT-BE96U vs RS700S, BE9300, and BE800

💬 WiFi Guy’s Take

The ASUS RT-BE96U is basically a networking beast in a blazer—sleek, fast, and armed to the teeth. It’s got massive speed headroom (up to 19 Gbps), dual 10-gig ports, USB sharing, and full AiMesh support. If you’re building the ultimate home or office setup and you want features that don’t get hidden behind paywalls, this is your go-to tank.

When you stack it up next to the NETGEAR RS700S, you’re looking at a close race. The Nighthawk offers similar raw power and a nice design but skips USB ports and is a bit more closed off in terms of ecosystem. The NETGEAR BE9300 is the budget-friendly sibling here—it’s still fast and reliable but lacks mesh support and 10GbE flexibility. Meanwhile, the TP-Link Archer BE800 from TP-Link is a monster in its own right, offering dual 10G ports and multi-gig everywhere, though its software lacks the polish ASUS brings to the table.

In short:
If you’re a gamer, a 4K streamer, or running a household with 50 devices begging for bandwidth, the RT-BE96U is your new best friend. It’s not cheap, but it’s built to dominate now and five years from now. Total overkill for casual users—but a dream for serious tech heads.

FAQs

Q: Is the RT-BE96U compatible with WiFi 6 and older devices?
Yep. It’s backward compatible with WiFi 6, WiFi 5, and WiFi 4 devices. Your older tech will still connect just fine.

Q: Does this router support mesh networking?
Yes. It works with ASUS’s AiMesh system, so you can link other ASUS routers and cover a massive area.

Q: Can I use both 10G ports at the same time?
Yes. One can be WAN and the other LAN, or both LAN depending on your network setup.

Q: Is it hard to set up all the advanced features?
There’s a bit of a learning curve if you’re new to network management, but ASUS offers helpful guides and the UI is pretty user-friendly for power users.

Q: Do I need WiFi 7 devices to benefit?
Not necessarily. Your current devices will still see improved performance, but to get full speed out of the 6GHz band and MLO, you’ll want WiFi 7 gear.

Asus RT-BE96U – Video

Alternatives to the RT-BE96U

• TP-Link Archer BE800 – WiFi 7 tri-band router with flashy LED matrix and 10G support

• NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S – WiFi 7 with a cleaner design and slightly simpler interface

• ASUS GT-BE98 – If you want to take things even further with a full-blown gaming beast

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Last update on 2025-10-12 at 05:49 Affiliate links and Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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