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Asus RP-AX58: minute review
Asus RP-AX58: Specifications
WiFi: WiFi 6
Wi-Fi speed: 3.0 Gbps
Ports: 1x Gigabit Ethernet
Antennas: 2 (internal)
Dimensions: 150 x 72 x 87 mm
We liked Asus's RP-BE58 range extender, which offers dual-band performance. WiFi 7 with good performance at a competitive price. However, most people still use older PCs and mobile devices that don't yet support Wi-Fi 7.
Admittedly, its dual-band Wi-Fi runs at a relatively modest 3.0Gbps, but that should still be more than enough for video streaming or gaming in most homes, and the RP-AX58 would be a good, affordable option if you just need to boost the Wi-Fi in an upstairs bedroom or anywhere else that has a Wi-Fi dead spot.
Asus RP-AX58: price and availability
- How much does it cost? $79.99/£64.99/AU$103.62
- When will it be available: Now
- Where to get it: USA, UK, Australia.
Wi-Fi 6 support means the RP-AX58 is currently available at a very competitive price of $79.99/£64.99/AU$103.62.
That makes it one of the most affordable range extenders we've seen lately, and it's significantly cheaper than the Wi-Fi 7-equipped Asus RP-BE58 as well as rivals like the TP-Link BE3600. It's available in most areas, and since Wi-Fi 6 has been around for a few years now, you can find it discounted quite often online if you want to shop around.
Asus RP-AX58: Design
- Compact, slim design
- No cables, connects directly to the wall outlet.
- 2x internal antennae
The RP-AX58 looks almost identical to its Wi-Fi 7 stablemate from Asus, with a similarly slim design that houses two Wi-Fi antennas inside the range extender's body.
It measures just 150mm high, 72mm wide and 87mm deep. range extenders It's designed to plug directly into an electrical outlet, so its compact design ensures that you can simply plug it into any convenient outlet in any room of your home or office.
There's a Gigabit Ethernet port on the right side of the range extender, which can also provide a wired connection (though the RP-AX58 will still connect to your main broadband router via Wi-Fi).
Asus RP-AX58: Features
- Supports Asus AiMesh technology.
- Compatible with most routers
- The app seems a little clunky
The Asus RP-AX58 offers dual-band Wi-Fi 6 operating in the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, ensuring compatibility with most PCs, consoles and mobile devices.
Its 3.0Gbps performance won't break any speed records, but it should be more than enough for use with most home broadband services, and fast enough to eliminate any Wi-Fi dead spots in rooms or other areas where Wi-Fi isn't performing well. The RP-AX58 will work with most brands of broadband routers, but it also supports Asus' AiMesh technology, which allows it to act as part of Wi-Fi mesh network in combination with Asus's own routers or mesh systems.
However, the Asus Extender app has several disadvantages. As I've seen, the app's home screen displays jumbled text on my iPhone screen (although this isn't an issue on the iPad's larger screen).
However, even when the text is clear, it is… well… still a little unclear. The app prompts you to enter a “default password” for the Wi-Fi network created by the range extender, even though the network doesn't actually require a password in the first place.
Only after connecting the RP-AX58 to an existing Wi-Fi network does the app give you the option to set a password. You can create an entirely new network name and password just to connect to the RP-AX58, or if you want to make things easier, you can simply tell the app to use the same name and password as your existing Wi-Fi network.
The RP-AX58's low price means it doesn't have many extra features, but that's not a problem if it's effective at eliminating Wi-Fi dead spots.
Asus RP-AX58: Performance
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6
- Speed ​​3.0 Gbps
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet port
The use of Wi-Fi 6 and its maximum speed of 3.0Gbps seems almost quaint compared to the incredible speeds of the latest Wi-Fi 7 devices. However, few people really need multi-gigabit speeds for home or office Wi-Fi, so the RP-AX58 should still provide all the speed needed for most home broadband services.
Asus RP-AX58 tests
Ookla Speed ​​Test – 2.4GHz (Upload/Upload)
There are three partitions within a 30-foot radius: 120 Mbps/120 Mbps.
20 GB Steam Download – 2.4 GHz
Three partitions within 30 feet: 120 Mbps.
Ookla Speed ​​Test – 5.0 GHz (Upload/Upload)
There are three partitions within a 30-foot radius: 150 Mbps/150 Mbps.
20 GB Steam Download – 5.0 GHz
Three partitions within a 30-foot radius: 150 Mbps.
It worked well with my own Wi-Fi dead spot, located in an office at the back of the building, which my regular office router has difficulty reaching. I set up the RP-AX58 in a hallway outside my office and immediately said goodbye to the dead zone—and to PowerLine adapters which I usually use to provide a wired connection in this room.
My office broadband runs at 150Mbps, and the slower 2.4GHz band provided by the RP-AX58 was able to deliver a perfectly reliable 120Mbps in the back office for Steam downloads and the Ookla speed test.
Admittedly, Asus' RP-BE58 range extender was slightly faster in this frequency range, achieving speeds of 135Mbps, but the RP-BE58 is more expensive due to modern Wi-Fi 7 support, and 120Mbps speeds will still be enough for hassle-free web browsing and video streaming.
And, as expected, the faster 5.0GHz band provided a full 150Mbps speed available for broadband in our office for both Ookla and Steam. Owners of new Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices may prefer a more modern router or range extender that can deliver better Wi-Fi 7 performance, but if you just need to boost Wi-Fi in one or two rooms of your home, the RP-AX58 will get the job done without breaking the bank.
Is Asus RP-AX58 worth buying?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Check |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
It's an entry-level option, but the RP-AX58 is an affordable option for combating Wi-Fi dead spots. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
Slim design that plugs directly into a wall outlet without taking up too much space. |
4 / 5 |
|
Functions |
The entry-level price means entry-level features, but the RP-AX58 elevates your home Wi-Fi experience. |
3 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 at 3.0Gbps is far from impressive, but it should still handle most online tasks with ease. |
3 / 5 |
|
Final score |
This is the latest generation of Wi-Fi, but it's still a great option for those of us who haven't yet upgraded to the latest Wi-Fi 7. |
3.5 / 5 |
Buy if…
Don't buy it if…
Also consider
If you're still undecided about the Asus RP-AX58, I've compared its specs to two other options that may be a better fit.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Asus RP-AX58 |
TP-Link AXE5400 |
Asus RP-BE58 |
|
Price |
$79.99/£64.99/AU$103.62 |
$139.99/£119.14 |
$99.99/$79.99/AU$150 |
|
WiFi |
WiFi 6 |
WiFi 6E |
WiFi 7 |
|
Wi-Fi speed |
3.0 Gbps |
5.4 Gbps |
3.6 Gbps |
|
Antennas |
2 (internal) |
4 (external) |
2 (internal) |
|
Ethernet ports |
1x Gigabit Ethernet |
1x Gigabit Ethernet |
1x Gigabit Ethernet |
|
Dimensions |
150 x 72 x 87 mm |
348 x 106 x 80 mm |
150 x 72 x 87 mm |
