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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Zyxel Armor Z2: Comparison
ASUS RT-AC86U and Zyxel Armor Z2 differ on coverage area: ASUS RT-AC86U at 2500, Zyxel Armor Z2 at 2000, which puts ASUS RT-AC86U ahead on that measure. They match on wifi standard and router type.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Router Type | Standalone Router | Standalone Router |
| Band Configuration | Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) | Tri-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz-1 + 5GHz-2) |
| Coverage Area | 2500 | 2000 |
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0 | 1x Gigabit WAN, 4x Gigabit LAN |
| Special Features | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, WTFast gaming acceleration, AiProtection Pro security | USB 3.0 port for NAS/printer sharing, smart connect band steering, still actively sold as a budget legacy option |
| Speed Class | AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined) | AC2600 |
| MU-MIMO/OFDMA | MU-MIMO | MU-MIMO only (no OFDMA, pre-WiFi 6) |
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.
Zyxel Armor Z2
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A dated but still functional tri-band WiFi 5 router, reasonable only for budget replacement of similarly old hardware.