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ASUS Blue Cave Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price in UK:~£200Avg. price in US:~$180Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:2600 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

ASUS Blue Cave Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

7.9

Overall score

Score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 79% of models
Score components

90%

7.8

Technical Score

10%

8.0

User score

â–²Better than 79% of routers
7.8

Technical Score

Technical score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 79% of models
Score components

26%

7.2

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

9.8

Networking

14%

9.1

Security

12%

7.6

Hardware

10%

8.5

Management

â–²Better than 79% of routers
8.0

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User reviews

30%

8.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(767)
amazon
3.9
(245)
amazon
4.2
(49)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(814)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(182)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

â–²Better than 59% of routers
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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Verdict

The ASUS Blue Cave is a stylish AC2600 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router powered by an Intel AnyWAN GRX350 dual-core 1.6 GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 128MB of flash memory. It features a unique antenna-less design with four internal antennas in a 4x4 configuration, delivering theoretical speeds of up to 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band and 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. Its main characteristics include support for ASUS AiMesh, Alexa voice commands, IFTTT integration, and lifetime AiProtection security powered by Trend Micro. Pros include its elegant aesthetic that fits modern home decor, strong 5GHz performance, and a robust feature set usually found in gaming routers. However, cons include slower USB 3.0 file transfer speeds compared to competitors, the lack of wall-mounting options, and the absence of multiple status indicator LEDs, relying instead on a single central light ring.

Technical Specifications of router ASUS Blue Cave

Technical Score
Technical score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 79% of models
Score components:

26%

7.2

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

9.8

Networking

14%

9.1

Security

12%

7.6

Hardware

10%

8.5

Management

7.8
ASUS Blue Cave has a technical score of 7.8 points, which is higher than that of 78.9% of products in this category.
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User reviews

30%

8.1

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(767)
amazon
3.9
(245)
amazon
4.2
(49)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(814)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(182)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.0
ASUS Blue Cave has a user score of 8.02 points, which is higher than that of 58.6% of products in this category.
Popularity
Popularity
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Popularity:
ASUS Blue Cave has a popularity score of 8.1 points, which is higher than that of 67.9% of products in this category.
8.1
ASUS Blue Cave has a popularity score of 8.1 points, which is higher than that of 67.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components:

60%

7.9

Overall score

40%

9.5

Price

8.3
ASUS Blue Cave has a value-for-money score of 8.3 points, which is higher than that of 75.5% of products in this category.
Brand name
Asus
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
â–² Better than 39% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 39.5% of routers and equal to 25.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
â–² Better than 25% of models
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.8% of routers and equal to 68.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
2,600 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
2,600 Mbps
â–² Better than 69% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 2,600 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 69.4% of routers and equal to 0.3% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
â–² Better than 41% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 40.9% of routers and the same as 31.6% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WPS
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WPS
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WPS Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 79.3% of routers and equal to 1.7% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
DoS protection
yes
â–² Better than 13% of models
This router includes DoS protection. 12.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
URL filter
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router supports URL filtering. 3.4% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
IPv6 support
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This router supports IPv6. 11.5% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
Dynamic routing
yes
â–² Better than 48% of models
This router supports dynamic routing. 47.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
Inter-VLAN routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
VLAN tagging
yes
â–² Better than 38% of models
This router supports VLAN tagging. 38.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
N. of LAN ports
4
â–² Better than 24% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.7% of routers and the same as 69.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
â–² Better than 27% of models
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.1% of routers and on par with 59.9% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
N. of USB ports
1
â–² Better than 39% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 39.5% of routers and the same as 39.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Category Benchmark
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
Management interface
Web UI, App
â–² Better than 33% of models
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 33.4% of routers and equal to 57% of routers.
ASUS Router app
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
â–² Better than 79% of models
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 78.9% of routers and equal to 19.9% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
Traffic monitoring
yes
â–² Better than 18% of models
This router includes traffic monitoring. 18.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
yes
Captive portal
yes
â–² Better than 77% of models
This router offers captive portal features. 76.7% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
2x 1.6 GHz
CPU clock speed
2x 1.6 GHz
â–² Better than 68% of models
This router runs at 2x1.6 GHz, which is faster than 67.7% of routers and on par with 0.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
512 MB
RAM capacity
512 MB
â–² Better than 64% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 512 MB of RAM, which is more than 64.4% of routers and the same as 22.8% of routers.
Internal storage
0.125 GB
Internal storage
0.125 GB
â–² Better than 45% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.125 GB of internal storage, which is more than 45.1% of routers and the same as 22.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
Hardware acceleration
yes
â–² Better than 31% of models
This router offers hardware acceleration. 31.4% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
0
N. of external antennas
0
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
Show more

ASUS Blue Cave vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports automatic failover
    Automatic failover
    yes
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.9% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Supports dedicated mesh backhaul
    Dedicated mesh backhaul
    yes
    ★ Better than 92% of models
    This router offers dedicated mesh backhaul, while the average router does not. 8.3% of routers offer dedicated mesh backhaul.
  • 285,012 more NAT sessions
    NAT concurrent sessions
    300,000
    â–² Better than 80% of models
    Market range: <0 – >300k
    This router has more concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (300,000 vs 14,988). The average router supports 14,988 concurrent NAT sessions.
    300,000 vs 14,988
  • Supports captive portal
    Captive portal
    yes
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    This router supports captive portal, while the average router does not. 23.5% of routers support captive portal.
  • 76.3% faster Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    2,600 Mbps
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (2600 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    2,600 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • 2x more RAM
    RAM capacity
    512 MB
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    This router has more RAM than the average router (512 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    512 MB vs 256 MB
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    MU-MIMO
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This router supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    Mesh Wi-Fi
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports dedicated mesh backhaul
    Dedicated mesh backhaul
    yes
    ★ Better than 92% of models
    This router offers dedicated mesh backhaul, while the average router does not. 8.3% of routers offer dedicated mesh backhaul.
  • 76.3% faster Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    2,600 Mbps
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (2600 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    2,600 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    MU-MIMO
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This router supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 1 more spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    4
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more spatial streams than the average router (4 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    4 vs 3
  • 64 more connected devices
    Maximum connected devices
    128
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <0 – >250
    This router supports more connected devices than the average router (128 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    128 vs 64
  • Supports automatic failover
    Automatic failover
    yes
    â–² Better than 75% of models
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.9% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • 285,012 more NAT sessions
    NAT concurrent sessions
    300,000
    â–² Better than 80% of models
    Market range: <0 – >300k
    This router has more concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (300,000 vs 14,988). The average router supports 14,988 concurrent NAT sessions.
    300,000 vs 14,988
  • Supports captive portal
    Captive portal
    yes
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    This router supports captive portal, while the average router does not. 23.5% of routers support captive portal.
  • 2x more RAM
    RAM capacity
    512 MB
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    This router has more RAM than the average router (512 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    512 MB vs 256 MB
  • Suitable for gaming
    Suitable for gaming
    yes
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 36.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 4 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    4
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    2 x 1.6 GHz
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (2x1.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    2x1.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 4.6 W higher power consumption
    Power consumption
    12.7 W
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses more power than the average router (12.7 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    12.7 W vs 8.1 W
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    SMB, FTP, time machine
    â–² Better than 53% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    SMB, FTP, time machine vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 2.22x more expensive
    ASUS Blue Cave is more expensive than the average router (£200 vs £90).
    £200 vs £90
  • 115 mm thicker design
    Thickness
    160 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <28 mm – >98 mm
    This router is thicker than the average router (160 mm vs 45 mm). The average router is 45 mm thick.
    160 mm vs 45 mm
  • 81.8% heavier weight
    Weight
    800 g
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    Market range: <200 g – >1.2k g
    This router is heavier than the average router (800 g vs 440 g). The average router weighs 440 g.
    800 g vs 440 g
  • 32.5 mm higher height
    Height
    80 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <30 mm – >180 mm
    This router is taller than the average router (80 mm vs 47.5 mm). The average router is 47.5 mm tall.
    80 mm vs 47.5 mm
  • Weaker Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WPS
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WPS, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WPS vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 2.22x more expensive
    ASUS Blue Cave is more expensive than the average router (£200 vs £90).
    £200 vs £90
  • Weaker Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WPS
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WPS, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WPS vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    SMB, FTP, time machine
    â–² Better than 53% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    SMB, FTP, time machine vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • 4.6 W higher power consumption
    Power consumption
    12.7 W
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses more power than the average router (12.7 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    12.7 W vs 8.1 W
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 115 mm thicker design
    Thickness
    160 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <28 mm – >98 mm
    This router is thicker than the average router (160 mm vs 45 mm). The average router is 45 mm thick.
    160 mm vs 45 mm
  • 81.8% heavier weight
    Weight
    800 g
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    Market range: <200 g – >1.2k g
    This router is heavier than the average router (800 g vs 440 g). The average router weighs 440 g.
    800 g vs 440 g
  • 32.5 mm higher height
    Height
    80 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <30 mm – >180 mm
    This router is taller than the average router (80 mm vs 47.5 mm). The average router is 47.5 mm tall.
    80 mm vs 47.5 mm

Graphic comparison of ASUS Blue Cave and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
767 Reviews
amazon
3.9
245 Reviews
amazon
4.2
49 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
814 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
182 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS Blue Cave?

  • Unique, modern design with no external antennas that fits well in home decor
  • Strong 5GHz performance and fast overall speeds for a mid-range AC router
  • Excellent built-in security features powered by Trend Micro (AiProtection) with no subscription fee
  • Highly customizable web interface and user-friendly mobile app
  • Supports Alexa voice commands and IFTTT for smart home automation
  • Compatible with Asus AiMesh for expanding coverage with other Asus routers

What customers dislike about ASUS Blue Cave?

  • Slow data transfer speeds when using the USB 3.0 port for network storage
  • Lacks support for third-party firmware (like OpenWrt) due to its Intel chipset
  • Older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard, which is less future-proof than Wi-Fi 6 (AX)
  • Short-range throughput can sometimes be inconsistent compared to routers with external antennas
  • Occasional reports of the router failing to auto-reconnect if the internet connection drops
  • Light from the 'cave' can be bright at night (though it can be turned off)

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

S
smallnetbuilder.com
11/04/2018
Summary of the review
ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router Reviewed Would you like to see a comparison of the performance benchmarks from these specific reviews?
T
tomsguide.com
06/03/2019
Summary of the review
Asus Blue Cave Dual-Band Router Review KitGuru
T
trustedreviews.com
26/09/2018
Summary of the review
Asus Blue Cave Review
D
dongknows.com
12/07/2018
Summary of the review
ASUS Blue Cave Router Review: A Hole Lot of Excellent Wi-Fi - Dong Knows Tech
C
cnet.com
11/05/2018
Summary of the review
Asus Blue Cave Smart Wi-Fi router review - CNET
K
kitguru.net
08/05/2018
Summary of the review
ASUS Blue Cave AC2600 WiFi Router Review
P
pcmag.com
03/05/2018
Summary of the review
Asus Blue Cave AC2600 Dual-Band Wireless Router for Smart Homes Review
T
thetechrevolutionist.com
17/07/2018
Summary of the review
ASUS Blue Cave Review – Not the usual router - The Tech Revolutionist
F
funkykit.com
19/07/2018
Summary of the review
Asus Blue Cave AC2600 Dual Band WiFi Router Review

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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