Some two years after the release of the RP-AX56U range extender, Asus finally made available the better version, the RT-AX58U.
This brief take will compare the two and help you decide which to get. But if you are in a hurry, the RP-AX58U is an easy pick, considering it comes with the same affordable price tag of $100.
However, if you live in areas where DFS channels are not reliably available, the new Wi-Fi broadcaster has no advantage over the previous model. That’s because the two are essentially the same.
Asus RP-AX58 vs RP-AX56: The same range extenders for the most part
The two broadcasters look exactly the same and are actually the same, except for one exception: The latter features twice the bandwidth on the 5GHz band on a good day, thanks to the support for Wi-Fi 6’s 160MHz channel width.
Both are modest 2×2 Wi-Fi broadcasters with a single Gigabit port.
On the inside, they share the Asuswrt firmware with identical web user interfaces and feature sets. Both can work as Wi-Fi repeaters (extenders), media bridges, access points (for a wired home), or AiMesh satellite nodes for those with an existing Asus router.
That said, if you want to find out what the RP-AX58 can do, my review of the RT-AX56 will explain it all.
Asus RP-AX58 vs RP-AX56: Hardware specficications
| Full Name | Asus RP-AX56 AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Repeater | Asus RP-AX56 AX1800 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Repeater |
| Model | RP-AX58 | RP-AX56 |
| Dimensions | 5.91 x 3.43 x 2.83 in (15 x 8.71 x 7.18 cm) |
5.91 x 3.43 x 2.83 in (15 x 8.71 x 7.18 cm) |
| Weight | 6.7 oz (190 g) | 6.7 oz (190 g) |
| Wi-Fi Bandwidth | Dual-band AX3000 | Dual-band AX1800 |
| 5GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel with) |
2×2 AX: Up to 2.4Gbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
2×2 AX: Up to 1.2Gbps (20/40/80MHz) |
| 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Specs (channel with) |
2×2 AX: Up to 574Mbps (20/40 MHz) |
2×2 AX: Up to 574Mbps (20/40 MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Wireless Security | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 |
| Mobile App | Asus Router | Asus Router |
| Web User Interface | Yes | Yes |
| Available Operating Mode | Access Point (AP) Reaper (Extender) Media Bridge AiMesh Node |
Access Point (AP) Reaper (Extender) Media Bridge AiMesh Node |
| Mesh-Ready | Yes (AiMesh 2.0) with wireless or wired backhaul | Yes (AiMesh 2.0) with wireless or wired backhaul |
| Gigabit Port | 1x LAN | 1x LAN |
| Multi-Gig Port | None | None |
| Release Date | February 2023 | February 2021 |
| Price (at Launch) | $99.99 | $99.99 |
Asus RP-AX58 vs RP-AX56: The nuanced differences
As mentioned, the only thing that set the RP-AX58 apart from the RT-AX56 is its support for the 160MHz. And on the surface of it, it seems that would make the former the winner. In reality, that depends.
For one, if you live in an area where DFS channels can’t be used reliably, such as near an airport, the two are the same broadcasters. The RP-AX58 would use an 80MHz channel with a ceiling Wi-Fi bandwidth on the 5GHz band of 1.2Gbps anyway.
Secondly, if you use either via wired backhauling, which is recommended, their Gigabit port is the bottleneck. You’ll get the sustained rates of sub-Gigabit at most out of either, regardless of how fast their Wi-Fi speeds are.
So, the only situation where the RP-AX58 is clearly better than the RP-AX56 is when:
- You use it as a wireless extender / AiMesh satellite node or a media bridge. And
- The use of the DFS channels is reliably available. And
- The original broadcaster (router or AiMesh primary router) also supports 160MHz
In short, the areas where the RP-AX58 is better are quite narrow. The two are the same for the most part. But there’s no situation where it’s worse than the previous model.
Pros
Reliable and relatively fast Wi-Fi (for the specs) with good coverage
Can work as an Access Point, a Media Bridge, an Extender, or an AiMesh node (via wireless or wired backhaul)
Convenient design, excellent web interface
Cons
Modest 2×2 specs; only one Gigabit port; no Mulit-Gig support
Bulky for a snap-on device
Conclusion
The Asus AX3000 Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender is a compact, convenient Wi-Fi broadcaster for those needing to scale up Wi-Fi coverage.
It works especially well for homes with an existing Asus AiMesh router and is worth its current $100 price tag.
If you’re pondering between it and the older RP-AX56 model, there’s no situation where the RP-AX58 would hurt. But it seems Asus has decided to make it easier by discontinuing the former. In other words, the RP-AX58 is meant to be the replacement instead of an alternative. And if so, it’s an excellent one.