Asus RT-AX1800S review

Asus RT-AX1800S

The Asus RT-AX1800S is one of the most affordable router models out there, and it’s a solid performer with a ton of features. Don’t be fooled by its low price tag as it’s able to stand up to competitors that cost significantly more, and even out-perform them in some areas.

The Asus RT-AX1800S is a sleek, black router that won’t turn heads but won’t age quickly either. It’s a design that won’t draw any attention to itself but won’t be out of place in most homes either.

Asus provides a good amount of documentation for this router, with more than you’d typically expect. This makes the setup process a breeze, even for those less familiar with networking hardware. You can use the Asus RT-AX1800S with either the phone app or the web-based UI, both of which work well with the router.

The Asus RT-AX1800S is loaded with features, from QoS prioritization to Alexa integration and mesh configuration. You can also set up VPNs, which is something many routers don’t offer. Parental controls are pretty basic, allowing you to block all connected devices, but that’s it. Security is handled by Trend Micro, and you won’t need to pay anything to use it.

Asus RT-AX1800S specs

Here are the Asus RT-AX1800S specs:

• In terms of performance, the Asus RT-AX1800S delivers solid speeds, with tests showing 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 1,201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. The actual speeds you get in real-world tests will vary, though, ranging from 300 to 430 Mbps at 5 GHz and 120 to 230 Mbps at 2.4 GHz.
• The router handled latency well in our tests, with pings hovering between 4 and 6 ms. This won’t blow any other router out of the water, but it’ll be fine for most people.

The Asus RT-AX1800S is a solid router for its price, offering a ton of value for $69. You’d have to spend a lot more to find a better performer at this price point, so if you’re looking for the best cheap router, the Asus RT-AX1800S should be on your list.