Ultimate mesh system
The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is without doubt one of the quickest mesh techniques accessible at this time. It has a novel design that appears trendy with out coming throughout as cheesy, and with the three radios combining to ship a complete throughput of 10.8Gbps, this mesh system has greater than sufficient bandwidth to spare. You additionally get glorious protection going as much as 6,000 sq. ft. by way of the router and satellite tv for pc mixture, and there are 2.5 Gigabit WAN and LAN ports. It’s simple to scale the mesh system must you want to take action sooner or later, and ASUS presents in depth software program customization that you just simply do not get with Orbi, eero, or Nest mesh techniques. You are paying lots right here, however you are getting a unbelievable general bundle.
ForTerrific performanceUnique designMore throughput than you will need2.5 Gigabit LAN and WAN portsTies into ASUS’s AiMesh platformMore customization choices than different mesh systemsAgainstCostlyDesign is probably not to everybody’s tastes
Unmatched worth
The ZenWiFi ET8 delivers the most effective options of the ET12 at almost half the worth. You get Wi-Fi 6E connectivity together with the 6GHz band, and the system is ready to cowl 5,500 sq. ft. There’s a 2.5 Gigabit WAN port, the tri-band router delivers a throughput of 5.6Gbps, and it’s simply scalable by way of the AiMesh platform. You do not miss out on any of the software program customization or safety features both, and when you’re searching for a Wi-Fi 6E mesh system that provides the most effective worth, there actually is not something that comes near the ET12.
ForStable performanceStellar connectivity2.5 Gigabit WAN portWorks with the AiMesh platformExcellent software program customizabilityMuch higher worth than different mesh systemsAgainstNo 2.5 Gigabit LAN ports5GHz band is hobbled
ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 vs. ASUS ZenWiFi ET8: Design and featuresWhy you may belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you may select the most effective for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)Standalone ASUS routers have standard designs, however that is not the case for the model’s mesh techniques. Both the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 and ET8 have fascinating designs that stand out in their very own manner. That’s significantly true for the ET12, which has a towering design that immediately grabs consideration.The ET12 mesh equipment accommodates a router and a satellite tv for pc, and each nodes are pretty giant. The key deign trait is the see-through high part that homes the antennae. Each node will get eight high-gain antennae, masking an space of as much as 3,000 sq. ft. The acrylic housing does a fantastic job differentiating the design, and on the middle is an illuminated ASUS brand that simply seems to be plain cool. I’m a fan of routers with LED lighting — I used the AmpliFi Alien for a number of years — and ASUS did all the correct issues on the design entrance.(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras)It’s not only a fairly design both; the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 has all of the options you want in a high-end mesh system. It works over the Wi-Fi 6E customary and contains the 6GHz band with 160MHz channels, and makes use of a 12-stream configuration, broadcasting at 4×4 over the two.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. It has a complete bandwidth of 10.8Gbps, which is greater than what you will find yourself utilizing.The 5GHz and 6GHz bands every have a throughput of 4804Mbps, and the 4×4 MU-MIMO together with inclusion of wider channels means you are assured to get excellent connectivity all through your own home. You get a 2.5 Gigabit LAN and WAN port as properly, alongside twin Gigabit Ethernet ports.(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)The ZenWiFi ET8 does not have the identical flamboyancy, as a substitute providing a sublime white chassis that is diminutive subsequent to the ET12. The smaller measurement makes the ET8 extra appropriate to a mainstream viewers, and what it lacks it aptitude it makes up for in options. You get Wi-Fi 6E connectivity together with the 6GHz band and 160MHz channels, and whereas the bandwidth is decrease at 5.6Gbps, it is nonetheless greater than satisfactory for many customers. There’s additionally a 2.5 Gigabit WAN port, however the LAN ports are restricted to Gigabit.What’s significantly fascinating is you can select the backhaul on both router. The 6GHz band is chosen because the wi-fi backhaul by default, however when you intend to make use of Ethernet (and you actually ought to), you’ve the flexibility to vary to a wired backhaul with relative ease and even choose the 5GHz band.ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 vs. ASUS ZenWiFi ET8: Performance(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras)The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 delivers blistering efficiency from each the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, and truthfully, it is without doubt one of the finest Wi-Fi 6E mesh routers accessible at this time. This mesh system takes full benefit of Gigabit web connections, and is positioned to take advantage of 2.5 Gigabit connectivity must you determine to improve down the road.Now, the ET8 additionally does a fantastic job in its personal proper, however its largest limitation is that the two.4GHz and 5GHz radios transmit and obtain at 2×2, with solely the 6GHz band hitting 4×4 streams. This would not be a difficulty if all of the units in your house include Wi-Fi 6e connectivity, however that is not going to be the case, and as such they’re going to primarily depend on the 5GHz band, which is restricted to a bandwidth of 1,201Mbps.The 6GHz will get 4804Mbps, and I really feel like ASUS ought to have paid extra consideration to the 5GHz band right here. While the 5GHz band may have benefitted from a 4×4 stream, it nonetheless manages to ship constant bandwidth, and also you should not see any connectivity or latency points for probably the most half. But when seen in opposition to the ET12, it’s missing.ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 vs. ASUS ZenWiFi ET8: Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)ASUS does not make as many mesh techniques as its rivals, nevertheless it does not must: the model’s distinctive AiMesh ecosystem permits any mixture of standalone routers to be added in a mesh configuration, giving prospects significantly better flexibility. That stated, the 2 ZenWiFi fashions we’re speaking about right here do a terrific job delivering a full-fledged mesh community out of the field.If you want a quick Wi-Fi 6E mesh system that does not miss out on any options, the ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is the plain alternative. Yes, it prices almost twice as a lot because the ZenWiFi ET8, however you might be getting almost double the throughput, and the 12-stream system is designed for multi-Gigabit web connections.So when you’re contemplating switching to 2.5 Gigabit fiber connectivity, the ET12 is nearly the most effective mesh system to your wants. Unlike different manufacturers, ASUS hasn’t restricted the software program customizability of the ET12, and also you get all of the superior settings and configuration choices that you’re going to discover within the model’s standalone routers.If you simply want a Wi-Fi 6E mesh system to be used with a Gigabit dwelling community, the ZenWiFi ET12 has unmatched worth. Sure, it does not have the identical daring styling and you do not get the identical bandwidth, nevertheless it ought to nonetheless be satisfactory for many customers, and you do not lose out on whole-home protection.Regardless of no matter router you are going with, you will get ASUS’s safety suite as customary, and you do not have to pay something additional to take action — not like different mesh techniques.
Ultimate mesh system
The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 is without doubt one of the strongest Wi-Fi 6E mesh techniques accessible at this time, so when you want a high-end answer that can provide dependable connectivity for a number of years to return, it’s a no-brainer.
Unmatched worth
The ZenWiFi ET8 is the sensible Wi-Fi 6E alternative — it has all of the options you care about, and you do not have to pay a premium.