OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

ASUS RT-BE96U review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£620Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi speed:19000 MbpsLAN port speeds:?Mesh Wi-Fi:yes

ASUS RT-BE96U Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 8 expert and video reviews and 4 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

ASUS RT-BE96U
8.5/10

Overall score

Score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 95% of models
Score components

40%

9.0

Technical score

25%

8.5

Reviews score

25%

8.5

List score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

★Better than 95% of routers
8.1

Value for money

Value for money
8.1/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

70%

8.5

Overall score

30%

7.2

Price

▼Worse than 54%
9.0

Technical score

Technical score
9.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 98% of models
Score components

26%

9.6

Wireless

20%

7.3

Ports

18%

9.6

Networking

14%

9.8

Security

12%

9.0

Hardware

10%

8.4

Management

★Better than 98%
8.5

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 77% of models

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

8.4

Popularity

Grades by review (8)
5 reviews: 5 with a printed score, 0 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 77%
8.5

List score

List score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (4)
List score: in 4 of 80 lists (5%)
★Better than 90%
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
  • asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
asus-rt-be96u
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the ASUS RT-BE96U

Based on 4 · 3

Reviewers love the fast Wi-Fi and plentiful wired ports, but find it bulky and are let down by its band setup.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
Loading category ranking...

Routers model ranking

Ranked #25 of 524 models in Routers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of router ASUS RT-BE96U

Technical score
Technical score
9.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 98% of models
Score components:

26%

9.6

Wireless

20%

7.3

Ports

18%

9.6

Networking

14%

9.8

Security

12%

9.0

Hardware

10%

8.4

Management

9.0
Reviews score
8.5
List score
8.5
Value for money
Value for money
8.1/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components:

70%

8.5

Overall score

30%

7.2

Price

8.1
Brand name
ASUS
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
This router uses Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), which is more advanced than 88.2% of routers and equal to 11.8% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 90.4% of routers and equal to 9.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
19,000 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 19,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 97.7% of routers and equal to 1.4% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz channel width options, which is more than 94.3% of routers and the same as 5.3% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2
This router supports WPA3, WPA2 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 70.5% of routers and equal to 3.9% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
What reviewers say
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
?
VLAN tagging
?
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
?
LAN port speeds
?
N. of WAN ports
?
N. of USB ports
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 USB ports, which is more than 81.9% of routers and the same as 17.9% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
What reviewers say
Management interface
Web UI, App
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 71.9% of routers and equal to 27.2% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
?
Show more
What reviewers say
CPU clock speed
4x 2.6 GHz
This router runs at 4x2.6 GHz, which is faster than 97.2% of routers and on par with 2.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
2048 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 2048 MB of RAM, which is more than 94.9% of routers and the same as 4.4% of routers.
Internal storage
0.25 GB
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.25 GB of internal storage, which is more than 71.9% of routers and the same as 16.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
8
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 8 external antennas, which is more than 95.3% of routers and the same as 4.5% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say

ASUS RT-BE96U vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 10.86x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (19,000 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    19,000 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • More Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 8x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (2048 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    2,048 MB vs 256 MB
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • 10.4% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 77% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.4

    Popularity

    Grades by review (8)
    5 reviews: 5 with a printed score, 0 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.5 vs 7.7
  • 4.9% higher list score
    List score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (4)
    List score: in 4 of 80 lists (5%)
    8.5 vs 8.1
  • 10.86x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (19,000 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    19,000 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • More Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Wider channel widths
    This router has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz + 320 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • Supports TWT
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 42.6% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Supports link aggregation (LACP)
    This router supports link aggregation (LACP), while the average router does not. 14.1% of routers support link aggregation (LACP).
  • 1 more USB ports
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server, time machine vs SMB, media server
  • 8x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (2048 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    2,048 MB vs 256 MB
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x2.6 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    4x2.6 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 2x more internal storage
    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
  • Suitable for gaming
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 6 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (8 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    8 vs 2
  • 5 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2024 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2024 vs 2019
  • 6.53x more expensive
    ASUS RT-BE96U is more expensive than the average router (£620 vs £95).
    £620 vs £95
  • 4.15x heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (1,869 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    1,869 g vs 450 g
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 6.53x more expensive
    ASUS RT-BE96U is more expensive than the average router (£620 vs £95).
    £620 vs £95
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 4.15x heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (1,869 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    1,869 g vs 450 g

Video reviews

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

9.0
Ben Tech Gamer
≈ estimated
13/11/2025
Two-year follow-up · speed, range and settings
Verdict
ASUS RT-BE96U remains one of the better Wi-Fi 7 routers, with fast speeds and very customizable settings, but a weak 2.4 GHz band.
8.0
Level1Techs
≈ estimated
29/04/2024
Hands-on review · performance, firmware and value
Verdict
ASUS RT-BE96U is a big step forward with fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds, but firmware issues and an unclear price hold it back.
9.0
landpet
≈ estimated
03/02/2024
Unboxing · speed, range and app tour
Verdict
ASUS RT-BE96U is very fast, with good range and two 10 Gbit ports, which makes it a sound choice for multi-gig internet.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

10
highspeedinternet.com
✓ explicit
02/10/2026
Hands-on review · Feature-packed router
Verdict
The ASUS RT-BE96U suits busy homes that want loads of built-in features, from free security to VPN tools, but it only meshes with ASUS hardware.
8.0
uk.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
23/05/2024
Lab test · 6 GHz performance
Verdict
The ASUS RT-BE96U is a fast Wi-Fi 7 router with 6 GHz speeds and two 10GbE ports, but it is large and trails its ROG sibling on 5 and 6 GHz.
8.5
dongknows.com
✓ explicit
23/11/2023
Hands-on review · Wi-Fi 7 mesh
Verdict
The ASUS RT-BE96U is a bulky but solid first Wi-Fi 7 router, best for homes with multi-gigabit internet and Wi-Fi 7 devices, though it still lacks some features.
9.0
tomshardware.com
✓ explicit
31/05/2024
Lab test · 6 GHz focus
Verdict
The ASUS RT-BE96U suits homes with many 6 GHz devices or anyone wanting to future-proof their network, thanks to fast 6 GHz speeds and two 10GbE ports.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ASUS RT-BE96U

  • Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 up to 19,000 Mbps
  • 320 MHz channels on 6 GHz with 4096-QAM
  • Multi-link operation and multi-RU puncturing
  • Two 10G ports for multi-gig lines
  • 2 GB RAM and eight antennas
  • Link aggregation and NAS services
  • Lifetime internet security and AiMesh

What customers don't like about ASUS RT-BE96U

  • Very high premium price
  • Heavy at 1,869 g
  • Overkill for small homes
  • Needs multi-gig and 6 GHz clients to show its speed

Verdict

Eight antennas and three bands make the ASUS RT-BE96U a flagship Wi-Fi 7 router with 19,000 Mbps combined. Channels of 320 MHz on 6 GHz, 4096-QAM, multi-link operation and multi-RU puncturing target busy homes. Two 10G ports support multi-gig fibre or cable lines and fast wired devices. 2 GB of RAM supports demanding use. Link aggregation and built-in NAS services (SMB, FTP, media server and Time Machine) round out the wired side. Lifetime internet security is included, and AiMesh lets owners add more ASUS routers. It weighs 1,869 g, so it needs a sturdy shelf. The price is premium, near the top of the market. This router suits large homes with many devices and a multi-gig connection. Smaller flats will not use its capacity.

Compare ASUS RT-BE96U with other routers

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of ASUS RT-BE96U and other routers

No results found