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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max: Comparison
What is the difference between ASUS RT-AC86U and Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max?
These two are close on paper, and cpu cores is the only measure that separates them at all: ASUS RT-AC86U 2 cores against Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max 4 cores. Ram is not the same on both, 512 MB on the ASUS RT-AC86U versus 8192 MB on the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max. Flash storage is not the same on both, 256 MB on the ASUS RT-AC86U versus 32768 MB on the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max.
Which should you buy, ASUS RT-AC86U or Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max?
The ASUS RT-AC86U is the one to take for budget gamers not ready to pay for WiFi 6 and buyers wanting a strong secondary AiMesh node, though it is not built for anyone wanting current WiFi 6 or 6E efficiency and large homes needing tri-band mesh coverage. Take the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max for buyers building a serious multi-access-point UniFi network who need centralized routing, security, and NVR camera storage in one box. Avoid it for anyone wanting WiFi coverage out of the box, this device has no wireless radio and requires separate UniFi access points. Our rating of the ASUS RT-AC86U (7/10): an aging but still-capable gaming router whose strong processor and AiMesh support keep it relevant well past most WiFi 5 routers' shelf life. Our rating of the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max (8/10): A purpose-built UniFi gateway for serious multi-AP networks, not a router for anyone wanting WiFi out of the box.
Frequently asked questions
Do the ASUS RT-AC86U and Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max differ on cpu clock?
Yes. CPU Clock reads 1.8 GHz on the ASUS RT-AC86U versus 2 GHz on the Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max.
Is the VPN Server the same on the ASUS RT-AC86U and Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- ASUS
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Ubiquiti
Model Number
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- RT-AC86U
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
Device Type
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- Standalone Router
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Gateway/security appliance (no WiFi radio)
WAN Port Speed
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 1GbE
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 10GbEBest
Max LAN Port Speed
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 1GbE
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 10GbEBest
LAN Port Count
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 4 ports
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 8 ports
Multi-Gig Port Count
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 0 ports
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 3 ports
CPU Cores
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 2 cores
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 4 coresBest
CPU Clock
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 1.8 GHz
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 2 GHz
RAM
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 512 MB
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 8192 MB
Flash Storage
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- 256 MB
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- 32768 MB
Built-in Security Suite
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- Free Lifetime
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Built-in IDS/IPS (55,000+ signatures), no subscription required
VPN Server
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- Yes
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Yes
VPN Client
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- Yes
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Yes
Mesh Ecosystem
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- AiMesh
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- UniFi
Management Interface
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- Web UI and App
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Cloud Controller
Local Management
- ASUS RT-AC86U
- Yes
- Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose ASUS RT-AC86U if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | ASUS RT-AC86U | Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
ASUS RT-AC86U
7 / 10 Expert Rating
An aging but still-capable gaming router whose strong processor and AiMesh support keep it relevant well past most WiFi 5 routers' shelf life.
Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A purpose-built UniFi gateway for serious multi-AP networks, not a router for anyone wanting WiFi out of the box.