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ASUS RT AX56U Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price in UK:~£130Avg. price in US:~$150Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi speed:1800 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:yes

ASUS RT AX56U Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

8.1

Overall score

Score
8.1/ 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 86% of models
Score components

90%

8.0

Technical Score

10%

8.2

User score

â–²Better than 86% of routers
8.0

Technical Score

Technical score
8.0/ 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 86% of models
Score components

26%

7.2

Wireless

20%

6.3

Ports

18%

9.3

Networking

14%

9.9

Security

12%

8.2

Hardware

10%

8.5

Management

â–²Better than 86% of routers
8.2

User score

User score
8.2/ 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 65% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User reviews

30%

6.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
(12)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(319)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

â–²Better than 65% of routers
  • asus-rt-ax56u
asus-rt-ax56u

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Verdict

The Asus RT-AX56U is an AX1800 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, and 256MB flash memory, delivering speeds up to 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1201 Mbps on 5GHz. Its main characteristics include 802.11ax technology with MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and 1024-QAM for enhanced efficiency in multi-device households, alongside four Gigabit LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port, and two USB ports (3.1 Gen 1 and 2.0). Key pros include its compact design, excellent wireless performance for its class, and lifetime free AiProtection security. However, it lacks 160MHz bandwidth support, has non-removable antennas, and its VPN speeds may be limited compared to higher-end models.

Technical Specifications of router ASUS RT AX56U

Technical Score
Technical score
8.0/ 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 86% of models
Score components:

26%

7.2

Wireless

20%

6.3

Ports

18%

9.3

Networking

14%

9.9

Security

12%

8.2

Hardware

10%

8.5

Management

8.0
ASUS RT AX56U has a technical score of 8 points, which is higher than that of 86.3% of products in this category.
User score
User score
8.2/ 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 65% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User reviews

30%

6.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
(12)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
(319)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.2
ASUS RT AX56U has a user score of 8.2 points, which is higher than that of 64.7% of products in this category.
Popularity
Popularity
6.7/ 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 50% of models
Popularity:
ASUS RT AX56U has a popularity score of 6.7 points, which is higher than that of 50.5% of products in this category.
6.7
ASUS RT AX56U has a popularity score of 6.7 points, which is higher than that of 50.5% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
8.6/ 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 89% of models
Score components:

60%

8.1

Overall score

40%

9.8

Price

8.6
ASUS RT AX56U has a value-for-money score of 8.6 points, which is higher than that of 89.2% of products in this category.
Brand name
Asus
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
â–² Better than 65% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is more advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 26.7% 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
1,800 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
1,800 Mbps
â–² Better than 59% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,800 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 59.4% of routers and equal to 3.5% 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
WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS
â–² Better than 79% of models
This router supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 79.1% of routers and equal to 7.1% 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
no
Dynamic routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
This router does not support dynamic routing. 52.5% 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
2
N. of USB ports
2
â–² Better than 79% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.2% of routers and the same as 20.6% 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
4x 1.5 GHz
CPU clock speed
4x 1.5 GHz
â–² Better than 79% of models
This router runs at 4x1.5 GHz, which is faster than 79% of routers and on par with 4.9% 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
0.25 GB
Internal storage
0.25 GB
â–² Better than 68% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.25 GB of internal storage, which is more than 68.2% of routers and the same as 16.1% 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
2
N. of external antennas
2
â–² Better than 45% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 45.1% of routers and the same as 13.1% of routers.
Show more

ASUS RT AX56U vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 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 OFDMA
    OFDMA support
    yes
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 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
  • 1 more USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    2
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 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.
  • 10% better value for money
    ASUS RT AX56U has better value for money than the average router (8.6 vs 7.8).
    8.6 vs 7.82
  • 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 OFDMA
    OFDMA support
    yes
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 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 TWT
    Target Wake Time (TWT) support
    yes
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 36.4% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • 22% faster Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    1,800 Mbps
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1800 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    1,800 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WPS vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 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
  • 1 more USB ports
    N. of USB ports
    2
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 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.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    4 x 1.5 GHz
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.5 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    4x1.5 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 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.
  • 2x more internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.25 GB
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    This router has more internal storage than the average router (0.3 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.25 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 5 newer release date
    Release date
    2020
    â–² Better than 66% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2020 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    2020 vs 2015
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • 44.4% more expensive
    ASUS RT AX56U is more expensive than the average router (£130 vs £90).
    £130 vs £90
  • 44.4% more expensive
    ASUS RT AX56U is more expensive than the average router (£130 vs £90).
    £130 vs £90
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access

Graphic comparison of ASUS RT AX56U and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.8
12 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.4
319 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS RT AX56U?

  • Affordable entry-level Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) performance for its class
  • User-friendly ASUSWRT interface and highly-rated mobile app for easy setup
  • Comprehensive security features including AiProtection Pro by Trend Micro
  • Solid range and stable performance on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
  • Compact, unobtrusive design with wall-mounting options
  • Reliable AiMesh support for expanding coverage with other ASUS routers
  • Includes both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports for storage and printer sharing

What customers dislike about ASUS RT AX56U?

  • Maximum throughput is lower compared to higher-tier Wi-Fi 6 models
  • Only two external antennas, which are not removable
  • Some users reported sluggish real-world speeds on the 2.4GHz band despite good signal
  • Limited to 2x2 MIMO and lacks support for 160MHz channel width
  • May require occasional resets to refresh the connected device list in the UI
  • Older hardware like the RT-AC86U may still outperform it in specific VPN tasks

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

M
mbreviews.com
13/04/2020
Summary of the review
Asus RT-AX56U (AX1800) Review(www.techpowerup.com) | June 10, 2020 | ASUS RT-AX56U AX1800 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router Review(www.blacktubi.com) | February...
M
mbreviews.com
26/06/2021
Summary of the review
Asus RT-AX55 vs RT-AX56U: You get what you pay for Would you like a comparison of the speed benchmarks found in these specific reviews? Copy

Video reviews

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