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ASUS Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Gaming Router (AC3100) with MU-MIMO, Supporting AI Protection Network Security by Trend Micro, AI Mesh Wi-Fi System (RT-AC88U) (Renewed)

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4.2 210 ratings

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This product is inspected, tested, and refurbished, as necessary to be fully functional according to Amazon Renewed standards.

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Brand	ASUS
Model Name	Asus AC3100
Special Feature	WPS
Frequency Band Class	Dual-Band
Wireless Communication Standard	5 GHz Radio Frequency, 802.11ac, 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency
Compatible Devices	Personal Computer
Frequency	5 GHz
Recommended Uses For Product	Gaming
Connectivity Technology	wireless
Color	Black

About this item

This Certified Refurbished ASUS gaming Wi-Fi router is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
ASUS mesh Wi-Fi router with 1024-QAM technology - 80% faster 5 GHz at up to 2100 Mbps, 66% faster 2.4 GHz at up to 1000 Mbps; Utilities: Firmware restoration. 33% greater 2.4 GHz coverage with a 4-transmit, 4-receive (4T4R) antenna design, able to reach our widest-ever coverage up to 5000 square feet
Expansive Connectivity Options of this ASUS mesh AC3100 router with exclusively has 8 x Gigabit LAN ports for up to eight Ethernet-compatible devices to connect simultaneously.
Powerful 1.4 GHz dual-core processor ASUS gigabit Wi-Fi router, Faster USB data transfers enjoy up to over 100 MB/s speed and the router download/upload speed (WAN-LAN throughput) up to 1.8 Gbps
Equipped with the latest 4x4 802.11ac MU-MIMO technology and 8 Gigabit LAN ports backed by ASUS-exclusive AI Protection powered by Trend Micro, the dual-band RT-AC88U delivers speed you crave and security you need. The combined data rate of 3167 Mbps with whole-home extended coverage and Smart Connect ensure fast, stable connectivity for all your Wi-Fi devices

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Product information

Product Dimensions

30 x 6.5 x 18.8 inches

Item Weight

6 pounds

Manufacturer

ASUS Computer International Direct

ASIN

B07HP852KX

Item model number

RT_AC88U

Customer Reviews

4.2 210 ratings

4.2 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#31,922 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
#1,161 in Computer Routers
#7,425 in Climate Pledge Friendly: Electronics

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

Date First Available

September 26, 2018

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This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.

Pre-owned

Products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.

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Pre-owned Certified: Electronics

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Climate Pledge Friendly

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Your purchase is eligible for Amazon Renewed coverage in conjunction with Amazon's Return Policy and the A-to-z Guarantee.

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All products have been professionally inspected, tested, cleaned, and refurbished as necessary by Amazon-qualified suppliers.

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All Amazon Renewed purchases will come with accessories equivalent to those that shipped in the box when new. These items may not be original but will be compatible and fully functional. Amazon Renewed products will be packaged in either original packaging or in a new and clean cardboard box.

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Product will be restored to its original factory settings and will be in one of the following cosmetic conditions Premium, Excellent, Good or Acceptable. Learn more

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Product Description

This pre-owned refurbished AC88U ASUS Wi-Fi gaming router has been professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new. When a customer buys a new product and returns or trades it in for a newer or different model this product becomes part of Amazon Renewed or pre-owned, refurbished products. It is carefully inspected and tested to work and look like new by Amazon-qualified suppliers. Mesh Wi-Fi router 1024-QAM technology - 80% faster 5 GHz at up to 2100 Mbps, 66% faster 2.4 GHz at up to 1000 Mbps; Utilities: Firmware restoration. 33% greater 2.4 GHz coverage with a 4-transmit, 4-receive (4T4R) antenna design, able to reach our widest-ever coverage up to 5000 square feet. Equipped with the latest 4x4 802.11ac MU-MIMO technology and 8 Gigabit LAN ports backed by ASUS-exclusive AI Protection powered by Trend Micro, the dual-band RT-AC88U delivers the speed you crave and the security you need. Powerful 1.4 GHz dual-core processor ASUS gigabit Wi-Fi router, Faster USB data transfers enjoy up to over 100 MB/s speed.

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	This Item ASUS Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Gaming Router (AC3100) with MU-MIMO, Supporting AI Protection Network Security by Trend Micro, AI Mesh Wi-Fi System (RT-AC88U) (Renewed)	Recommendations ASUS AC3100 WiFi Router (RT-AC3100) - Dual Band Wireless Internet Router, Trend Micro Lifetime AiProtection, AiMesh Compatible, Parental Control, MU-MIMO	dummy ASUS RT-AX58U Dual Band WIFI Router (RT-AX3000) (Renewed)	dummy ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6 Wireless Gaming Router (GT-AX11000) - Tri-Band 10 Gigabit, 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPU, WTFast, 2.5G Port, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, AURA RGB	dummy ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700) Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Gaming Router, 2.5G Port, Gaming Port, Mobile Game Mode, Port Forwarding, Subscription-free Network Security, VPN, AiMesh Compatible	dummy ASUS RT-AX55 AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gigabit Router, 802.11ax, Lifetime internet security, Parental Control, Mesh WiFi support, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, 4 Gigabit LAN Ports, Beamforming
	Buying options	Try again! Details Added to Cart	Try again! Details Added to Cart	Try again! Details Added to Cart	Try again! Details Added to Cart	Try again! Details Added to Cart
Price	—	$299.99	-39% $84.99 New Price: $139.99	-11% $399.71 List: $449.99	-20% $199.99 List: $249.99	-18% $89.99 List: $109.99
Delivery	—	Get it as soon as Monday, May 13	Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11	Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11	Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11	Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
Customer Ratings	4.2210	4.24,750	4.3795	4.53,629	4.63,626	4.413,683
User interface	—	3.8	4.6	4.3	4.3	4.1
WiFi signal	—	3.6	4.5	4.3	4.5	4.1
Tech Support	—	3.0	3.9	3.7	3.7	3.6
Quality of material	—	3.6	—	4.9	—	4.6
Value for money	—	—	4.2	3.4	—	4.2
Sold By	—	Mateo National Wholesale LLC	Azusa-IoT	Olive Branch Enterprises	Amazon.com	Amazon.com
connectivity tech	wireless	Ethernet	Wi-Fi Ready	USB, Ethernet	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB	Ethernet, Wi-Fi
number of ports	—	4	4	15	6	5
data transfer rate	3167.0 megabits per second, 1000.0 megabits per second	3167 megabits per second	—	11000 megabits per second	5700 megabits per second	1800 megabits per second
wireless standard	2.4 ghz radio frequency, 802 11 AC, 5 ghz radio frequency	802 11 ABGNAC	802 11 A, 802 11 B, 802 11 N, 802 11 AC, 802 11 AX	802 11 AC, 802 11 AX	802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 A	802 11 AX, 802 11 AC, 802 11 N, 802 11 G, 802 11 A
frequency band class	dual band	dual band	dual band	tri band	dual band	dual band
lan port bandwidth	8	—	—	10 gigabits per second	2.5 Gigabit	Gigabit

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

210 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers like the ease of use, speed, and coverage of the networking router. For example, they mention it's easy to set up, has excellent 5GHz connectivity, and covers a large area. That said, opinions are mixed on performance, and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

22 customers mention18 positive4 negative

Customers like the ease of use of the networking router. They mention it's easy to set up and has a app on their phone. They also say it has gotten great signal and the port forwarding features are easy to setup and monitor. Customers also say the router is solid and has not had a single issue after setup. They say it'll allow them to upgrade to DD-WRT and really take control of their WiFi.

"I've had Asus routers before and they are great. User interface is easy to navigate with a lot of options...." Read more

"...I have a plex server and the port forwarding features were so easy to set up and monitor.For parents, the features are great...." Read more

"Outstanding performance. Very simple set up and can be configured so many different ways. Is compatible with Verizon 100 mbps service." Read more

"Quick and easy setup. I've had this in production for all of 3 hours, but I already love it...." Read more

9 customers mention8 positive1 negative

Customers like the speed of the networking router. They mention that it has great speed, excellent 5 GHz connectivity, and is compatible with Verizon 100 mbps service. Some say that it is quick and easy to setup, and has a powerful router.

"...Is compatible with Verizon 100 mbps service." Read more

"...It still has excellent 5GHZ connectivity and speed. I have other ASUS AC2900 routers that work well...." Read more

"Quick and easy setup. I've had this in production for all of 3 hours, but I already love it...." Read more

"Easy installation. The range and speed are both substantially better than my prior unit. My teenage kids say that we now have "good" wifi...." Read more

8 customers mention8 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the coverage of the router. They mention that it has a good indoor range and covers their whole house with no problems. Some say that the router is easy to set up and has dual WAN both failover and load balancing.

"...If you just want a router with really nice LAN speeds and good range, and you're using a cable or DSL modem, it's pretty decent...." Read more

"...This router not only covers the whole house better, but we can both have online meetings and calls with no issues...." Read more

"...Good coverage to two floors (1,350 sq.ft. per floor)...." Read more

"Good indoor range.Easy to set up.Dual WAN both failover and load balancing...." Read more

42 customers mention26 positive16 negative

Customers are mixed about the performance of the networking router. Some mention that it works well with good signal, while others say that it stopped working one week after they were able to request a refund.

"...Wi-Fi range is very good with a strong stable signal.Hooking this up to my Starlink system, I have gotten speeds of over 200Mbps...." Read more

"...I have many smart devices attached. The WiFi signal is very strong and consistent throughout my home...." Read more

"EDIT: Seller offered to replace device.The router just stopped working one week after I was able to request a refund...." Read more

"...password -- but once we got over that hurdle, we've been very happy with the performance." Read more

11 customers mention7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the networking router. Some mention it's good value, while others say it'll be an expensive paperweight.

"...Probably wouldn't buy it again, but it was a good deal at the time." Read more

"...Now it is a very expensive paperweight. Looking into better options because this was a headache." Read more

"Great price , works great , easy setup and has a app on your phone to monitor the usage of your wifi usage" Read more

"Worth every penny." Read more

5 customers mention2 positive3 negative

Customers are mixed about the quality of the networking router. Some mention that it offers far more control than most other brands out there, and the features are great for parents. However, others say that it puts out shoddy firmware at best, and is the worst router they've ever owned.

"...found that ASUS refuses to support thier routers & puts out shoddy firmware at best...." Read more

"...This allows me to monitor and have control over their access...." Read more

"Absolutely junk. Don’t bother. I got one, booted it up, configured, and did a firmware update. It didn’t work after that...." Read more

"This unit offers far more control then most any of the other brands out there...." Read more

5 customers mention0 positive5 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the durability of the router. They mention that it did not last a year, had serious failure issues with the hardware, and had poor support. Some customers also say that the router died after 4 months and looks like failed software from the 90s.

"...with this model number PRIOR to mid 2020 have had serious failure issues with the hardware...." Read more

"...It freezes, takes forever, very graphic, and heavy. Looks like failed software from the 90s...." Read more

"Poor Support - router died after 4 months..." Read more

"Did not last a year..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

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brokenwave

Nice modern router

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

I've had Asus routers before and they are great. User interface is easy to navigate with a lot of options.
I bought this as a refurbished router for $80 and it arrived in new condition.
Wi-Fi range is very good with a strong stable signal.
Hooking this up to my Starlink system, I have gotten speeds of over 200Mbps.
Great choice for a medium/large house. I live in a 3400sf house and at the furthest point in my
house and still get 35Mbps on a 70Mbps plan. No issues with streaming shows.

Helpful

Mike Pemby

It's a bit more expensive, but it's kinda worth it.

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

Before I went with this model, I tried several other cheaper routers. This one won out over the others. First off I find the ASUS brand in gereral to be the winner in terms of customer support and the best interface for set up when it comes to their routers. Then 2nd I find this model of router to be a great device.

I currently have about 23 connected devices and there was more when my kids were here. The main console allows for so many things to easily change and monitor. I'll try to go over some of the many features which I am very pleased with.

It allows for you to have multiple guest wifis, which protects the main network. This is especially important now that so many of the devices in my home are smart devices and the wrong person accessing the router could turn off security cams and system and even open the garage door and get inside.

It allows you to connect a printer or hard drive to run from the network. I have a plex server and the port forwarding features were so easy to set up and monitor.

For parents, the features are great.
I have both my kids set up on their own wireless connections. They both are separate from each other and the rest of the network. This allows me to monitor and have control over their access. I set their wifi signals to slow to a useless crawl on weekdays evenings after 11, and I can have content blocked without making it an obvious thing. It allows you to see all the domains each device on the network goes to, so that I don't need to appear that I have invaded all their privacy, but can still keep watch in case.

My son is into pc gaming and the router can easily be set for ideal gaming focused use and then turned off when that's not what I need at that time.

And if you have any trouble Asus has great support service. While I'm a pretty tech savvy person, networking has never been my favorite thing to deal with. This takes a lot of that frustration off my shoulders.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Jensen

Died a week after the return policy expired UPDATED

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2020

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

EDIT: Seller offered to replace device.
The router just stopped working one week after I was able to request a refund. The router constantly thinks the ethernet cable is unplugged while the same cable works with my much less expensive Belkin router.
This is not a dig at ASUS, I actually really like the router (when it worked).

Helpful

Peace, Love and Joy

Great coverage and speed - great router.

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2019

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

I needed a new router and decided on this one. I have many smart devices attached. The WiFi signal is very strong and consistent throughout my home. My previous router needed an extender to provide adequate signal throughout my 2200 sq. foot home. I have no complaints with this one. My only negative experience was in the initial setup. Instructions are minimal. However, a call to tech support gave me the answers that I needed. I was shocked that a human answered the call and took me through the process. I was up and running in 10 min. They had me do a firmware update, a reset, and a few clicks in setup and I was up and running. Fantastic tech support. One other thing - I didn't realize I was buying a refurbished product until I happened to pick up the box to store it away and saw the refurbished sticker on the box, but that's on me for not realizing that renewed sort of means refurbished. Anyway, I'm happy with this product because my network is running great!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Ben Lawry

Nice router, but tethering feature is a bust, and tech support keeps giving me the runaround.

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

First off, if you're only looking to use this as a wifi router with a "typical" ethernet-based modem for your internet, this router is fantastic. My beef with it comes from major issues with its USB-to-Android tethering feature.

I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Not the latest and greatest at the time of this writing, but it works well for me. This router is supposed to be able to tether via USB cable to your phone so you can share internet that way. I connect my phone to the USB port, follow the router's USB WAN instructions, tether it from the Android settings page. The phone claims it's tethered, and the router shows it as connected to the phone, but the router claims it still has no internet connection. So I contacted ASUS tech support.

At first they gave me the boilerplate "here's how you use the configuration settings pages" response, which I gladly responded to - they have no way to know I'm a tech savy guy with a Master's degree in Computer Science, so of course, it's gonna take some back and forth to figure out what they're dealing with. Then it got silly.

I was passed between three different techs, who all told me the same "follow the instructions" type responses. Finally, I got a guy from their teir-2 support level who suggested I try different phones. In total, I've tried a Samsung Galaxy Note 8, a Samsung Galaxy S7, a Motorola G5, and a Motorola E5+, all on different carriers. None of them work, all of them have the exact same issue, end yet they all tether to a PC just fine. Teir-2 support tells me "There's a known issue with Galaxy Note 8 and S8, contact Samsung" (first of all, I tested an S7, not an S8). They didn't even respond to the issues with the two Motorola Phones. They included yet another "follow the on-screen instructions" type response. If that had worked the first three times I contacted you, we wouldn't be here!!

It's been several weeks now and I still can't use this router the way it's been advertised, using my android phone and unlimited data plan as a modem. If you just want a router with really nice LAN speeds and good range, and you're using a cable or DSL modem, it's pretty decent. If you want USB tethering, stay away, it just doesn't work, and ASUS doesn't seem to be interested in fixing it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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Manish Galada

Great router

Reviewed in India on August 18, 2021

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

WiFi signal is amazing.

Aimesh works amazingly. Very easy setup

Ian77

Great Router

Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2020

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

Some of the best bang for the buck you'll find. Covers my house from basement to loft, with no dead spots. Super easy install and firmware upgrade. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

C Lei

Great performance

Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2019

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

Upgraded from RT-AC1200, and I have noticed increase in speed for my wireless network.

kusal rana

ITEM DELIVERED TO ME WITHOUT FULLY RENEWING

Reviewed in India on September 13, 2019

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

ITEM DELIVERED TO ME WITHOUT FULLY RENEWING

DOA :: Le WIFI 2GHZ non fonctionnel

Reviewed in Canada on May 5, 2020

Size: AiMeshStyle: RT-AC86U (AC2900)Verified Purchase

DOA :: Le WIFI 2GHZ non fonctionnel dès l'arrivé. J'ai demandé un remboursement et j'ai retourné l'Équipement. Acheté un neuf pour le même prix chez Newegg ...

One person found this helpful

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ASUS Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Gaming Router (AC3100) with MU-MIMO, Supporting AI Protection Network Security by Trend Micro, AI Mesh Wi-Fi System (RT-AC88U) (Renewed)

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This product is inspected, tested, and refurbished, as necessary to be fully functional according to Amazon Renewed standards.

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