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ASUS RT N16 Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£280
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 300 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 1 Gbps
  • Wireless coverage: ?

ASUS RT N16 review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

6.6

Overall score

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 components:

90.0%

6.6

Technical Score

10.0%

6.9

User score

Good
6.6

Technical Score

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 components:

26.0%

4.0

Wireless

20.0%

6.2

Ports

18.0%

8.9

Networking

14.0%

9.1

Security

12.0%

6.0

Hardware

10.0%

7.3

Management

Good
6.9

User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

2.3

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(27)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(27)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Good
  • 4.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    1.3

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    5.3

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    3.0

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    9.0

    Maximum connected devices

  • 4.6
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    8.3

    Weight

    30.0%

    1.3

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

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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.

Verdict

The Asus RT-N16 is a single-band 2.4GHz wireless-N router featuring a 533MHz Broadcom CPU, 128MB of DDR2 RAM, and 32MB of flash memory. It offers high-speed connectivity with five Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN, 4 LAN) and two USB 2.0 ports that support printer sharing, FTP file services, and standalone BitTorrent downloads via ASUS Download Master. Main advantages include its robust support for third-party open-source firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato, three external detachable antennas for extended coverage, and the ability to handle up to 300,000 concurrent sessions for heavy P2P usage. However, the device is limited by its lack of a 5GHz band, relatively slow USB file transfer speeds, and reported stability issues when using the original stock firmware.

Technical Specifications of router ASUS RT N16

Technical Score

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 components:

26.0%

4.0

Wireless

20.0%

6.2

Ports

18.0%

8.9

Networking

14.0%

9.1

Security

12.0%

6.0

Hardware

10.0%

7.3

Management

6.6
ASUS RT N16 has a technical score of 6.62 points, which is higher than that of 50.7% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.8

User reviews

30.0%

2.3

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
(27)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(27)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

6.9
ASUS RT N16 has a user score of 6.85 points, which is lower than that of 86.5% of products in this category.
Popularity
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.
2.3
ASUS RT N16 has a popularity of 2.3 points, which is lower than 64.2% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

6.6

Overall score

40.0%

9.0

Price

7.4
ASUS RT N16 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.4 points, which is lower than 58.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Asus
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
ASUS RT N16 uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.2% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz
ASUS RT N16 supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 75.3% of routers and equal to 22.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

300 Mbps
ASUS RT N16 delivers 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 73.5% of routers and equal to 17% of routers.
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

20 MHz + 40 MHz
ASUS RT N16 supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.9% of routers and the same as 34.8% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X
ASUS RT N16 supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 62.2% of routers and equal to 4.9% of routers.
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

yes
ASUS RT N16 includes DoS protection. 11% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
ASUS RT N16 includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 3.6% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS RT N16 supports URL filtering. 1.8% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

yes
ASUS RT N16 supports IPv6. 10.9% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS RT N16 supports dynamic routing. 46.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS RT N16 supports inter-VLAN routing. 78% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS RT N16 supports VLAN tagging. 37.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
ASUS RT N16 includes QoS controls. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

4
ASUS RT N16 has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.4% of routers and the same as 69.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

1 Gbps
ASUS RT N16 offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.2% of routers and on par with 59.8% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

1
ASUS RT N16 has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

2
ASUS RT N16 has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.3% of routers and the same as 20.4% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
ASUS RT N16 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App, CLI
ASUS RT N16 uses Web UI, App, CLI for management, which is more advanced than 96.3% of routers and equal to 1.2% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI
ASUS RT N16 supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS RT N16 includes traffic monitoring. 17.5% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
ASUS RT N16 offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
ASUS RT N16 does not offer captive portal features. 23.9% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

1 x 0.48 GHz
ASUS RT N16 runs at 1x0.48 GHz, which is slower than 81.3% of routers and on par with 0.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

128 MB
ASUS RT N16 has 128 MB of RAM, which is more than 33.3% of routers and the same as 16.8% of routers.
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

0.03125 GB
ASUS RT N16 has 0.03125 GB of internal storage, which is less than 56.4% of routers and the same as 2.5% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

yes
ASUS RT N16 offers hardware acceleration. 19.3% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

3
ASUS RT N16 has 3 external antennas, which is more than 58.5% of routers and the same as 13.3% of routers.
Show more

ASUS RT N16 vs the average router

  • Supports inter-VLAN routing
    ASUS RT N16 supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 22.2% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
    What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
    When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS RT N16 supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 22.2% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
  • 295,904 more NAT sessions
    ASUS RT N16 has more concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (300,000 vs 4,096). The average router supports 4,096 concurrent NAT sessions.
    What it is: The number of simultaneous NAT-tracked connections the router can handle before tables become a bottleneck.
    When it matters: When many apps and devices open lots of parallel internet sessions at the same time.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=16000 sessions

    ASUS RT N16 has more concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (300,000 vs 4,096). The average router supports 4,096 concurrent NAT sessions.300,000 vs 4,096
  • Better management tools
    ASUS RT N16 uses the management interface Web UI, App, CLI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
    When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS RT N16 uses the management interface Web UI, App, CLI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.Web UI, App, CLI vs Web UI, App
  • 1 more USB ports
    ASUS RT N16 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
    When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 1 USB port

    ASUS RT N16 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.2 vs 1
  • 1 more spatial streams
    ASUS RT N16 has more spatial streams than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
    What it is: Shows how many parallel Wi-Fi spatial streams the router can use for wireless data transmission.
    When it matters: When modern clients need higher throughput from wider multi-stream Wi-Fi connections.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 4 spatial streams

    ASUS RT N16 has more spatial streams than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.3 vs 2
  • Suitable for gaming
    ASUS RT N16 is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.2% of routers are designed for gaming.
    What it is: Highlights whether the router is aimed at gaming-focused use, such as lower-latency traffic handling or gaming-oriented controls.
    When it matters: When gaming traffic, lower latency, or easier prioritization of consoles and gaming PCs matters in your network setup.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS RT N16 is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.2% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 3.1 W lower power consumption
    ASUS RT N16 uses less power than the average router (5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    What it is: The amount of electrical power the router draws during normal operation, usually measured in watts.
    When it matters: When the router stays on all day and you care about heat output and long-term electricity cost.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <6 W

    ASUS RT N16 uses less power than the average router (5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.5 W vs 8.1 W
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    ASUS RT N16 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
    When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS RT N16 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 1 more spatial streams
    ASUS RT N16 has more spatial streams than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    ASUS RT N16 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
  • Supports inter-VLAN routing
    ASUS RT N16 supports inter-VLAN routing, while the average router does not. 22.2% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
  • 295,904 more NAT sessions
    ASUS RT N16 has more concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (300,000 vs 4,096). The average router supports 4,096 concurrent NAT sessions.
  • 1 more USB ports
    ASUS RT N16 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
  • Better management tools
    ASUS RT N16 uses the management interface Web UI, App, CLI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
  • Suitable for gaming
    ASUS RT N16 is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.2% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 3.1 W lower power consumption
    ASUS RT N16 uses less power than the average router (5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.

Total
Wireless
Security
Networking
Ports
Management
Hardware
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    ASUS RT N16 supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
  • 79.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    ASUS RT N16 has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • Narrower channel widths
    ASUS RT N16 has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
  • No band steering
    ASUS RT N16 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    ASUS RT N16 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • Limited firmware updates
    ASUS RT N16 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
  • Less capable NAS services
    ASUS RT N16 includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    ASUS RT N16 has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.48 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
  • 6 years older release date
    ASUS RT N16 is an older model than the average router (2,009 vs 2,015). The average router release year is 2,015.
    June 2009
  • Limited firmware updates
    ASUS RT N16 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
    When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS RT N16 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    ASUS RT N16 supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
    When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

    ASUS RT N16 supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • 79.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    ASUS RT N16 has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
    When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2700 Mbps

    ASUS RT N16 has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.300 Mbps vs 1450 Mbps
  • Narrower channel widths
    ASUS RT N16 has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
    When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

    ASUS RT N16 has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 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 vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    ASUS RT N16 has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.48 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
    When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS RT N16 has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (1x0.48 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.1x0.48 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • No band steering
    ASUS RT N16 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
    What it is: Can guide dual-band or tri-band clients toward the more suitable frequency band automatically.
    When it matters: When you want devices spread more intelligently across 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz bands.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS RT N16 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    ASUS RT N16 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
    What it is: Uses signal-shaping techniques to direct wireless energy more effectively toward connected clients.
    When it matters: When coverage at the edge of the home needs to stay more stable for active devices.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS RT N16 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • 3.11x more expensive
    ASUS RT N16 is more expensive than the average router (£280 vs £90).
    ASUS RT N16 is more expensive than the average router (£280 vs £90).£280 vs £90
Total
Overall
Wireless
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of ASUS RT N16 and other routers

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.4
27 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
27 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS RT N16?

  • Excellent hardware specifications including a powerful processor and ample RAM for its class
  • Strong support for third-party, open-source firmware like DD-WRT and Tomato
  • Includes Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN, 4 LAN) for high-speed wired connections
  • Dual USB 2.0 ports support printer sharing and basic network-attached storage (NAS)
  • User-friendly web interface (EZ UI) with helpful visual network mapping
  • Strong wireless signal strength and stable coverage once configured correctly

What customers dislike about ASUS RT N16?

  • Stock firmware is often reported as buggy, unstable, or prone to signal drops
  • Single-band only (2.4GHz); lacks support for the less congested 5GHz band
  • USB ports may not provide enough power for some bus-powered portable hard drives
  • Bulky physical design that is larger than many comparable routers
  • Built-in media server is not DLNA certified, which can cause issues with some consoles
  • Slow data transfer speeds when used as a NAS compared to dedicated storage devices

Expert reviews

T
tomshardware.com
20/04/2010
Wireless Networking: Nine 802.11n Routers Rounded Up Would you like to know more about the third-party firmware options (like Tomato or DD-WRT) that t...

a little longer This 2010 Tom's Hardware review evaluates nine 802.11n routers, focusing on the transition from legacy 802.11a/b/g to the new standard to deliver higher performance and wider coverage, with a core focus on Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology. A key advantage was the significant leap in throughput, offering up to 300-600 Mbps and stronger signal...Read more

S
smallnetbuilder.com
20/10/2009
New To The Charts: ASUS RT-N16 Multi-functional Gigabit SuperSpeedN Router - SmallNetBuilder Would you like more information on the third-party firmwa...

The SmallNetBuilder review of the ASUS RT-N16 characterizes it as a feature-rich, 2.4 GHz 802.11n router boasting strong hardware, including Gigabit ports and two USB 2.0 ports for sharing. The router's standout capability is its support for third-party firmware, notably DD-WRT, enabling advanced customization. However, the review notes disappointing wireless throughput, with...Read more

C
cnet.com
23/09/2009
Asus RT-N16 Wireless Router review: Asus RT-N16 Wireless Router

The Asus RT-N16 is a powerful single-band 802.11n router featuring Gigabit Ethernet and two USB ports for printer/storage sharing, aimed at network enthusiasts. While offering robust hardware, the unit is noted for its bulky physical design. Performance-wise, it provides excellent close-range throughput, but the stock firmware is criticized as buggy and unstable. Additional...Read more

K
kitguru.net
24/09/2010
Asus RT-N16 Wireless Router Review - KitGuru

The Asus RT-N16 router is positioned as a high-performance, business-style device featuring Gigabit Ethernet and dual USB 2.0 ports for enhanced network functionality. Key strengths include the intuitive EZQoS software for managing high-bandwidth activities and excellent support for third-party firmware, such as DD-WRT, to improve stability. However, the router is criticized for its...Read more

T
tweaktown.com
30/07/2010
ASUS RT-N16 Multi-Functional Gigabit Wireless N Router Review

The ASUS RT-N16, reviewed by TweakTown in 2010, is a, large 2.4GHz 802.11n router featuring Gigabit Ethernet and dual USB ports, supporting NTFS file systems for improved peripheral sharing. It provides solid, consistent connection speeds of 120-150Mbps in close range, with excellent, low-ping performance in gaming tests and robust multi-functional capabilities, such as simultaneous...Read more

C
cnet.com
30/08/2010
Asus RT-N16 review: Asus RT-N16

The Asus RT-N16 is a feature-rich, single-band Wireless-N router boasting high-end specs like Gigabit Ethernet, 128MB RAM, and two USB 2.0 ports. While offering a user-friendly interface, it suffers from a bulky design and a crowded back panel that hinders access to ports. Pro performance is hindered by buggy stock firmware that causes unstable, resetting signals despite decent...Read more

S
smallnetbuilder.com
07/01/2010
ASUS RT-N16 Multi-functional Gigabit SuperSpeedN Router Reviewed - SmallNetBuilder

The Asus RT-N16 is a 2.4GHz 802.11n router featuring high-performance hardware, including a 480MHz Broadcom CPU, 128MB of RAM, and 32MB of flash, along with Gigabit ports and USB 2.0 functionality for storage and printers. While offering extensive P2P session support, the stock firmware is hampered by poor documentation for advanced features like WDS bridging. Performance is...Read more

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