Asus routers are smart investments for your networking requirements at the home, office and any other place. Among the best-selling routers from Asus, RT-AC88U and RT-AC3100 are 2 close competitors. If you are thinking of bagging any of these two and are not sure which one will be the best, then this guide will help you.
In the battle of RT AC88U vs RT AC3100, you will notice plenty of similarities and differences. Based on them, you can pick the most appropriate one for a stronger and more stable connection at your home or workspace.
Let’s find out.
What is ASUS RT AC88U?
Before you dive into the conflict of RT AC88U vs RT AC3100, it’s better to get the features of both routers. Let’s start with Asus RT-AC88U, which is an 802.11 dual-band router. It utilises MU-MIMO technology to connect to multiple clients, and that too without interfering with the usual bandwidth allowed.
Go through the key specifications of the Asus RT-AC88U router below:
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wireless
- Frequency: Dual-band
- Wi-Fi Technology: 802.11ac
- Processor: 1.4GHz Dual-core
- Memory: 512 MB RAM, 128 MB Flash
- Number of LAN Ports: 8
- USB Type: 2.0, 3.0
- Number of Antennas: 4
- Data Transfer Rate: 3167 Mbps
Get optimal data transfer speed through wired means, and the credit goes to its Gigabit LAN and USB ports. Additionally, you can resin an excellent wireless data transfer speed from its dual-band technology. The combination of 5GHz and 2.4GHz connection provides you with a cumulative data transfer rate of 3167 Mbps.
Empowered with a Broadcom chipset named NitroQAM, the AC router can handle higher bandwidths. On the other hand, you need not sweat over the installation and setup of the Asus RT-AC88U. With the help of the innovative setup wizard, you can easily connect it to your computer and set it up.
Take the user guide and follow all the on-screen instructions from the web-based router setup console. In addition, you can create a web interface for handling your router configuration on your smartphone. The router also allows you to map your guest network pages.
Overall, if you are looking for a router that can handle great gaming standards and regular networking, then AC88U is a suitable choice. However, the model is a bit old, and the price might sound comparatively more expensive than other routers with the same features.
What is ASUS RT-AC3100?
Next, we will review the latter in the controversy of RT-AC88U vs RT-AC3100. This particular Asus router is an 802.11ac-enabled networking device with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor. Like RT-AC88U, Asus RT-AC3100 supports dual-band technology.
Let’s have a quick look at its key features:
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wireless
- Frequency: Dual-band
- Wi-Fi Technology: 802.11ac
- Processor: 1.4GHz Dual-core
- Memory: 512 MB RAM, 128 MB Flash
- Number of LAN Ports: 4
- USB Type: 2.0, 3.0
- Number of Antennas: 4
- Data Transfer Rate: 3167 Mbps
As you can compare both routers’ key specifications and find no specific difference except for the number of LAN ports. This router also offers a data transfer rate of up to 3167Mbps with a cumulative of 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
On a contrary note, this router acquires 4 adjustable antennas with an Airadar beamforming feature. These antennas make wireless data transfer easy, and you can transmit data around an area of up to 5000 square feet. Achieve buffering-less internet connectivity due to the presence of the NitroQAM (1024-QAM) chipset.
Get high-speed internet for gaming, live streaming, 4K UHD streaming, and more through Asus RT-AC3100. Configure the built-in game boost page to connect to WTFast Gamers Private Network for an improved online gaming experience.
In addition, you can track your home network activities via this masterpiece router from Asus. Just use the AiProtection feature to recognise viruses and malware. Additionally, you can block malicious or vulnerable websites. On the other hand, Trend Micro makes sure that your online experience remains safe and secure.
Differences between RT AC88U vs RT AC3100
On the surface level, you will find Asus RT AC88U and RT AC3100 routers pretty similar. Then, how will you pick up the one from the battle of RT-AC88U vs RT-AC3100? Check out the following attributes where these routers might differ a bit, and you will find the perfect match for your networking needs.
Design
If you are a gaming enthusiast, then a good-looking router should be under your radar. In that case, you will find the Asus RT-AC88U pretty attractive. Asus has designed this router, particularly for gamers. You will get 4 removable antennas on RT-AC88U. LED indicators and ports are present on the front and rear sides of the router.
Whereas Asus RT-AC3100 acquires a similar design. This router also has 4 antennas. 2 of them are at the rear side of the router, and the other 2 are on the sides. To distinguish between these 2 Asus routers, you will notice some red embellishment on the antennas of the Asus RT-AC88U.
Clearly, both are winners in this category.
Ports
As you have already seen, the Asus RT-AC88U has more LAN ports than the Asus RT-AC3100. There are 8 RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports on the Asus RT-AC88U router. In addition to this, the same router model has a single WAN port, a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port, and a power connection.
In addition to this, you will locate the WPS button, power button, and reset button at the rear end of the Asus RT-AC88U router.
Compared to RT-AC88U, the Asus RT-AC3100 has 4 RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Clearly, this router has 4 fewer LAN ports. Moreover, you will get a WAN port, a USB 2.0, a USB 3.0, and a power jack on the Asus RT-AC3100.
In terms of connectivity, the Asus RT-AC88U is a better option. You will get 8 LAN ports, which will keep you on a better connectivity side.
Hardware & Performance
With the help of NitroQAM technology and a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, the Asus RT-AC88U can deliver amazing throughput speed. The 5GHz band on the router can offer a maximum throughput of up to 2167 Mbps. Additionally, the 2.4GHz band can sustain a data transmission speed of up to 1000Mbps.
Similarly, the Asus RT-AC3100 offers the same throughput speeds for both its bands due to the same chipset present in it. While testing, the Asus RT-AC88U sustained a speed of around 97 Mbps and around 75 Mbps at a distance of 30 feet with the 2.4GHz band.
The throughput speeds were 537 Mbps and 302 Mbps, respectively, for the same circumstances specified above for the 5GHz band of Asus RT-AC88U. How fast is Asus AC3100? With the 5GHz band on Asus RT-AC3100, the throughput speeds were 500 Mbps and 295 Mbps at closest and 30-feet-away proximities.
So, both these routers show similar speed throughputs, and the reason lies in their hardware. However, we think that the Asus RT-AC88U is ahead of the Asus RT-AC3100 in terms of better performance.
Final Words…
If you prioritise looks, performance, and ports, then we think that you have selected the winner from the RT AC88U vs RT AC3100 battle. The Asus RT-AC88U is a better choice, given the preferences here.
However, the price might seem a bit expensive. Make sure that you have MU-MIMO-supported devices to connect to any of these Asus routers. This discards the chances of messing with bandwidth and delivers a lag-free experience.
