Wi-Fi 7 is starting to appear on more consumer devices, and ASUS now has several routers and mesh systems on the market that support the new standard. In my latest video, I tested a few of their offerings, including a high-end indoor model (BT10), a mid-range option (BT8), a low-end unit (BD5), and their BD5 outdoor access point that’s weatherproof.
These are all part of ASUS’s AiMesh / Zenwifi system, meaning they can work together in a mesh configuration to extend coverage throughout the home. You can find all of the devices I featured here on Amazon (compensated affiliate link).
Setting these up was pretty straightforward. I started with the BT10 as the primary router in the basement and connected the others around the house. For larger homes, ASUS recommends three access points. Smaller homes might get by with two, and you can mix and match models. Placement is important if you’re using wireless backhaul—each device needs to overlap with the next to maintain connectivity. For the best performance, though, wired backhaul is the way to go. If your home is already wired with Ethernet, that’s ideal. If not, MoCA adapters can use existing coaxial cable for a wired-like connection.
The difference in performance between the models is noticeable. The BT10 supports three bands (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) and uses a 4×4 radio configuration. In my tests, wireless backhaul between two BT10 units positioned across the house (and a few floors up) from each other hit an average of 727 Mbps, peaking near 1 Gbps. Meanwhile, the lower-end BD5, which has just a dual-band 2×2 setup, only managed about 265 Mbps over the same wireless link.
For homes with fast internet connections—especially over 2.5 Gbps—the BT10 is a better fit, since it includes 10 Gb Ethernet ports. The BT8 and BD5 top out at 2.5 Gb. During testing, I was able to achieve full throughput on a 10 Gb connection using the BT10’s routing features, so it’s definitely capable of handling modern broadband speeds.
Wi-Fi 7 performance on client devices was also solid, though I was limited by the 2×2 radios in my iPhone 16 Pro Max and ASUS laptop. Even so, I saw speeds over 1.4 Gbps down and 1.6 Gbps up while in the same room as the access point, which is impressive for wireless. Performance does drop off the further you get away from the access point, however.
The outdoor unit shares specs with the BD5 but adds weatherproofing and Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, which simplifies installation. I powered it with a PoE injector and was able to cover my entire acre of backyard without any issues. Setup was quick using the ASUS app, which walked me through the entire process in about 20 minutes to start, and just a few minutes for adding additional mesh units.
The app also offers some useful features, like creating isolated networks for IoT devices and setting up child-safe profiles with content filters and bandwidth limits. There’s also a traditional web interface that’s familiar to anyone who’s used ASUS routers before, although it hasn’t changed much in over a decade.
Overall, the BT8 and BT10 models deliver strong performance, especially when hardwired. Even the low-end model performs well if you avoid relying solely on wireless mesh. The biggest drawback is the limited number of Ethernet ports on the base units, so a network switch may be necessary for wired backhaul setups. The outdoor unit is a nice addition, though I would have preferred a longer AC power cable in the box for those that don’t want to go with a PoE solution.
These ASUS mesh routers aren’t cheap, and pricing can fluctuate due to tariff issues—even on products made in Taiwan or Vietnam. Still, for those looking for high-end Wi-Fi 7 gear, they offer solid performance and flexibility.
Disclosure: Asus provided these units free of charge. No other compensation was received and they did not review or approve my video or this post before they were published. All opinions are my own.