You can now turn your routers into Wi-Fi mesh with ASUS AiMesh

In theory, a single solid router should solve all of your Wi-Fi woes. But real life is messy. A wall, electronics, or furniture is enough to deflect radio signals and create Wi-Fi dead spots.

In theory, a single solid router should solve all of your Wi-Fi woes. But real life is messy. A wall, electronics, or furniture is enough to deflect radio signals and create Wi-Fi dead spots.

One way to solve these Wi-Fi dead spots is with a Wi-Fi mesh system. In case you haven’t heard of them, a Wi-Fi mesh system is a pack of Wi-Fi devices. One serves as a router, while one or two other serve as ‘nodes.’

Instead of using a single router to try and cover a home, a Wi-Fi mesh system uses nodes spread throughout the home to distribute Wi-Fi. These systems often work well, but they can get expensive.

ASUS AiMesh unlocks the power of mesh

ASUS AiMesh does something rather clever. It is a technology that enables existing ASUS routers (selected models) to create a Wi-Fi mesh network, no hardware upgrade needed. All you need to do is to install a (free!) firmware upgrade.

ASUS AiMesh currently works with these ASUS routers:

• RT-AC68U
• RT-AC68U V2
• RT-AC86U
• RT-AC88U
• RT-AC5300
• ROG Rapture GT-AC5300

How ASUS AiMesh works

You’ll need two of the supported routers for AiMesh. Once you upgrade the firmware, you can set up the network using the AiMesh menu in the ASUSWRT web interface (more setup details here). You can also manage the entire AiMesh network via the ASUS Router App on your mobile device.

Like other Wi-Fi mesh systems, AiMesh uses either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band for backhaul data transmission. If you’re using a tri-band ASUS router, AiMesh will try to use the 5GHz network for faster transmissions.

AiMesh supports both star- and daisy chain-type mesh networks. A star-type mesh network requires all nodes to be within the range of the router, like points on a star. This limits the distance at which you can place nodes. A daisy chain-type system enables nodes to ’daisy chain’ each other, increasing working distance. Some Wi-Fi mesh systems only support either a star- or daisy chain-type system.

AiMesh also supports Ethernet connections. If you connect the ASUS routers through wired Ethernet, AiMesh will use it for backhaul communication instead. Not every house will have convenient Ethernet ports, but if you do, this is the preferred way to set up any mesh network, as it leaves the Wi-Fi bands free for data transmission.

ASUS AiMesh or an all-in-one mesh system?

So, should you use ASUS AiMesh or an all-in-one mesh system?

ASUS AiMesh works if you already have an existing ASUS router that supports it. When you upgrade to another ASUS router that also supports AiMesh, you can put both to good use.

ASUS AiMesh also makes sense if you’re not sure whether you really need a mesh system — if you’re moving into a new house, for example. You could get an ASUS router first and see how it works. If it covers your entire house, you’ve just saved some money. If there are some Wi-Fi dead spots, however, you can add another ASUS router.

Another added advantage to ASUS AiMesh is that you get access to all of the advanced features on ASUS routers such as AiProtection, game accelerator, AiCloud and more. AiMesh also lets you separate SSIDs for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands if you want.

Getting Wi-Fi to work can be difficult, but it’s getting easier, with innovations like ASUS AiMesh.