Page 5 - Conclusion
Is the ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid the first mesh router I am testing that actually makes sense? In the context of which it is designed for, I would say so. It uses a 1300 Mbps HomePlug AV2 powerline connection for backhaul instead of relying on a weak wireless interface, which guarantees a level of Wi-Fi performance to anywhere in your house, especially for those that have hard to penetrate walls. Of course, the guaranteed bandwidth is not high -- at least not 1300 Mbps high. Based on my tests, the HomePlug AV2 powerline connection provided about 130 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up, which, while far from being slow, is still a bit below what an internet connection is in 2022. Still, it is probably better than anything a wireless backhaul can deliver if your house has thick walls, and the ZenWiFi AX Hybrid still supports Ethernet and Wi-Fi backhaul if necessary. When it comes to wireless performance, the ZenWiFi AX Hybrid delivered respectable performance compared to other Wi-Fi 6 models, despite being rated at only AX1800. I also like its reasonably compact form factor and good looks that will fit nicely anywhere. The stock ASUS firmware is familiar, user-friendly, and feature-loaded, and even has some advanced features you would not normally expect from a consumer-grade product. For about $330 at press time, keep in mind this is a niche product. Most people will have no need for a power line backhaul, and you are paying $30 more than the ZenWiFi XD6, which has a much faster Wi-Fi AX5400 rating, but does not have a power line backhaul. All in all, if you are looking for a mesh router to overcome walls where wireless signals are hard to go through and you do not have built-in CAT5e or better cabling, the ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid is the answer to your problem.
ASUS provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 7.0/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The ASUS ZenWiFi AX Hybrid is a niche mesh router system featuring a power line backhaul to guarantee a level of Wi-Fi performance to anywhere in your house, even if it has thick walls.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Configuration and User Interface
4. Performance Tests
5. Conclusion
