Asus RP-AX58 review
Wi-Fi Spec: AX3000Number of Antennas/Removable: 2/NoPorts: 1 Gbps LAN Peak 802.11ax performance: 490.2 Mbps (10 feet from extender)Range: 115 feetSize: 5.9 x 2.8 x 2.2 inchesEstimated Annual Electricity Cost: $7.40
Although it's stuck in the Wi-Fi 6 era of home networking, the Asus RP-AX58 makes the most of the networking spec and comes close to the performance of a Wi-Fi 7 extender. However, it lacks the ability to use the 6GHz networking band, has a gigabit Ethernet port and does without a USB connector for a data drive. Still, it's one of the most economical ways to push a data signal into new areas of a home.
My Asus RP-AX58 review will help you decide if this is the best Wi-Fi extender for your home or if you'd be better off with something more powerful or perhaps even upgrading to one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems instead.
The Asus RP-AX58 extender sells for $80 in a variety of stores, making it slightly more expensive than the Linskys RE7350 ($70) but a bargain compared to the Netgear Nighthawk EAX17 ($130) or the TP-Link RE655BE ($230).
It's been designed to extend a wireless network by upwards of 2,200 square feet.
Clothed in a matte white finish, the Asus RP-AX58 extender measures 5.9 x 2.8 x 2.2 inches, making it one of the largest extenders on the market. Its two prong plug means it will work in older houses that lack grounded outlets and its back is covered with vents to keep it cool. The extender can accommodate an adjacent plug and stand on its own if used with an extension cord.
The RP-AX58's front has a raised diagonal peak that runs from corner to corner with an angled LED bar at the bottom. When it glows white, the extender is working fine, but red indicates no active signal.
Like the others, there isn't an on/off switch, but its WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) key lets you quickly add it to a network. There's also a recessed reset button for starting the setup procedure over again. It works with Asus's AiMesh networking as an additional node, as a generic extender or as either an access point or a media bridge.
That said, the RP-AX58 lacks a USB port for adding a data drive. Its gigabit per second wired Ethernet connection is second best compared to the RE655BE's 2.5 Gbps port, though.
In a series of real world tests at my 3,500 square foot home using the Keysight IxChariot networking benchmark configured to simulate 10 data-hungry users, the RP-AX58 did an outstanding job of filling in Wi-Fi dead zones. Using a Netgear Nighthawk RS600 router and the extender set up 40 feet away, it was able to wring more data out of thin air than other Wi-Fi 6 competitors.
With the extender and Acer Swift Edge 16 test system next to each other, the extender's throughput hit 449.6 Mbps, about 50% off the pace set by the Wi-Fi 7-powered RE655BE's 663.5 Mbps. With 10 feet between the extender and test system, the throughput rose to 490.2 Mbps, well off the RE-655BE's 719.5 Mbps, but well ahead of the other Wi-Fi 6 extenders, like the RE7350's 203.7 Mbps or the EAX17's 383.1 Mbps.
At 40 feet, the extender pushed 201.1 Mbps of data to the test system. This is on a par with the EAX17's 197.9 Mbps but well behind the RE655BE's class leading 376.7 Mbps. Its 115 foot range was the longest I've seen for an extender and perfect for those with larger homes.
Asus RP-AX58
Linksys RE7350
Netgear EAX17
TP-Link RE655BE
10 feet
490.2 Mbps
203.7 Mbps
383.1 Mbps
719.5 Mbps
40 feet
201.1 Mbps
80.6 Mbps
197.9 Mbps
376.7 Mbps
Over the course of two weeks, I used the RP-AX58 daily to move emails, transfer data and watch 4K videos. Its passive cooling kept the extender's temperature below 98 degrees. Its 5.3 watt power consumption was middle of the pack. If it runs all day and night, the RP-AX58 should add about $7.40 to your annual power bills if you pay the national average of 16 cents per kilowatt hour.
Based on the Wi-Fi 6 standard, the RP-AX58 can work with data traveling on the 2.4 and 5.0GHz bands but can't tap into the higher-performing 6GHz band. It uses 2x2 streaming with the data traveling through two internal antennas; neither are aimable.
It taps into all the 802.11AX protocols, from beamforming and MU-MIMO to 1024 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) but can't use 320MHz data channels. Over the 2.4- and 5.0-GHz bands, it can move 574 Mbps and 2.402 Gbps for a rated 3 Gbps theoretical peak output.
Asus gives the option of using the WPS quick connect protocol to link the extender with a router, using a connected browser to tap into the device's internal interface or the company's Extender app which is available for iOS and Android. I chose the latter and got the Wi-Fi ball rolling by tapping on 'Set up Extender' after it connected.
Next up, I picked the extender. Be careful, there are likely to be two nearly identical listings; I chose the one that included '(Connected)'.
While the interface said that I needed to wait a few seconds, it took nearly two minutes to connect to the extender and get the installation going. I needed to name the room it would live in and pick the LAN to be extended. I added the network's passcode.
To simplify roaming, I used the same name and passcode. Then, I finished up by adding an administrative password. After a firmware upgrade, it connected on the first attempt. Start to finish, it took 6 minutes and 20 seconds.
The app's main screen shows the network topology, the extender's IP address and its names. The '+' sign is for adding another extender. There's something that's rare for a networking app: a handy FAQ section up top should you have trouble.
The three line hamburger link in the upper left is for everything else with tips for placement and starting up.
That said, the Network Tool includes a nice Network Analyzer that shows all the local Wi-Fi networks and a Wi-Fi Signal page with a signal strength graph. There are Ping and Trace Route diagnostics but it's missing basics like the ability to use the detailed networking data to adjust the extender's settings or turn the LEDs off.
Asus matches TP-Link with a two year warranty and unlimited support for the RP-AX58 extender. Others, like Linksys, cover their extenders for a year and Netgear only offers 90 days of support unless you pay extra.
In addition to the FAQ help on the app, the RP-AX58 support pages have a lot to offer, including places to get new firmware, help with setup and a deep list of FAQs. Some of the items are generic to the company's extenders and there's no manual available, only a quickstart sheet.
It may not be the fastest extender on the planet, but Asus wrings the most performance out of the Wi-Fi 6 standard with its RP-AX58. It misses the ability to tap into Wi-Fi 7's 6GHz data band and 4K QAM but the RP-AX58 is one of the fastest ways to extend a wireless network, particularly close up and will fit right into an Asus AiMesh network as an additional node.
While it lacks access to the top performing 6GHz band, getting the RP-AX58 could be the best $80 you can spend on a network if you don't want to upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
American Military News
7 hours ago
- American Military News
AI toys and games? Barbie maker Mattel teams up with OpenAI to create new products
Your next toy or game may be able to converse with you. Mattel, the El Segundo toy maker behind Barbie and Hot Wheels, said Thursday that it's teaming up with OpenAI, which created popular chatbot ChatGPT, to 'bring the magic of AI to age-appropriate play experiences.' The companies are planning to unveil their first product later this year but haven't said what it will be. A person familiar with the collaboration said it will be for people at least 13 years old. While Mattel's products are popular among kids, the company also markets toys to adults. The joint effort between the toy company and major player in artificial intelligence shows how AI is permeating every part of life, including playtime. 'AI has the power to expand on that mission and broaden the reach of our brands in new and exciting ways,' said Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer at Mattel, in a statement. 'Our work with OpenAI will enable us to leverage new technologies to solidify our leadership in innovation and reimagine new forms of play.' Mattel will have to tackle data privacy and security concerns that come with selling kids products connected to the latest technology. In 2015, Mattel worked with San Francisco startup ToyTalk on a doll known as Hello Barbie. The doll connected to the internet through Wi-Fi and could chat with children and even tell jokes. The toy maker also released Hello DreamHouse, which lit up parts of the house in response to voice commands. The recording of voice data required for the toys sparked concerns from security experts and privacy advocates. They worried about data breaches and the potential hackers could use the toys to talk to kids. Both toys were discontinued. Mattel said in its news release that it will 'emphasize safety, privacy, and security in the products and experiences that come to market.' Mattel also makes popular games such as Uno and Apples to Apples. The company sells a game called Pictionary vs. AI in which players draw pictures and AI guesses what they are. Tech companies are integrating AI assistants into other products including smart glasses. OpenAI announced in May that it was working with Jony Ive, a former Apple executive known for designing iconic products such as the iPhone, to release new AI products. Mattel workers are also using AI to create toys. The toy maker is deploying ChatGPT software to help with tasks such as product development. 'With OpenAI, Mattel has access to an advanced set of AI capabilities alongside new tools to enable productivity, creativity, and company-wide transformation at scale,' said Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer at OpenAI, in a statement. ___ © 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Tom's Guide
10 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Hisense U8QG vs Hisense U8N: Which Mini-LED TV wins?
The Hisense U8QG is Hisense's 2025 flagship model, featuring a wealth of vibrant colors, gaming capabilities, and an exceptional sound system. The Hisense U8N is a premium Mini-LED TV with a budget-friendly price, boasting incredible brightness and numerous features. Hisense TVs are known for their incredible brightness and color output built on value prices, and none shine through quite as well as its flagship models. The 2025 Hisense U8QG and the 2024 Hisense U8N are brilliant sets in their own right, built with Mini-LED backlighting, gaming features galore, plus a trove of luminance. They also have audio that far surpasses most other TVs on the market. Speced with Google TV and a handy gaming hub, these value-minded offerings are designed for those who want an excellent picture without a significant investment. While they don't exactly match the performance of some of the best OLED TVs, these Hisense flagships do have some incredible metrics to consider, but it's worth taking a look at which among them might prove the better buy for your next TV upgrade. Hisense U8N Hisense U8QG Sizes 55", 65", 75", 85" 55", 65", 75", 85", 100" Ports 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0 3x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C Resolution 3,840 x 2,160p 3,840 x 2,160p Refresh rate 144Hz 165Hz HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Smart TV software Google TV Google TV ATSC 3.0 support? Yes Yes Processor Hi-View Engine Pro Hi-View Engine Pro Given that they are both flagship Hisense Mini-LED TVs launched just a year apart, you can expect to see very similar design elements on both sets. Above is the rear of the U8QG, which boasts two subwoofers at the top and a slew of ports on its right. Interestingly, the USB-C video output is positioned closer to the front of the screen, making it a little easier to charge devices and connect to nearby PCs if you're into that sort of thing. One thing that immediately stands out, especially considering the side profile of the U8N below, is the bulkiness of the 2025 TV. It has heft and requires at least two people to set it up, with its 65-inch model weighing just under 53 pounds. Both the U8N and U8QG utilize a pedestal-style stand, which varies in size depending on the TV. It connects to the panel with relative ease, but there's no real way of changing the orientation higher or lower, which makes it a little tough to slot in an accompanying soundbar if needed. Not that you need one when it comes to the U8QG, as it sports a 4.1.2-channel speaker with a 72W output. This will also vary depending on the size you get, but a 20W subwoofer is quite the all-around audio system that stands against the competition. Meanwhile, the U8N has just a 2.1.2 audio system on a 50W output, but it does still have a 20W subwoofer. This will meet the demands of most users, as it boasts serious sound, but you will be missing out on a wider surround sound profile. Unlike the U8QG, which has just three HDMI 2.1 ports and a USB-C video output, the U8N comes equipped with just two HDMI 2.1 and two HDMI 2.0. While the USB-C is nice for PC gamers or those who may want to charge devices close to the TV, it feels a bit too niche to subtract from a whole row of HDMI ports. A more interesting addition might have been an HDMI 2.2 port, but we may have to wait until next year before we see that on most TVs. All that being said, I think it's safe to give the U8QG a big thumbs up for this section. While it's bulkier and does miss out on an HDMI port, I think most users would be willing to give that up in favor of increased audio performance. Plus, it's one extra HDMI 2.1 port over the latter's mere two, and you could plug a Mini PC or one of the best handheld gaming consoles for your gaming pleasure. It's a little too niche for most users, if you ask me, but it's hard to beat those audio specs. Winner: Hisense U8QG Before we dive into which of these TVs delivers better picture quality, let's take a look at how their test results stack up. Hisense U8N Hisense U8QG SDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 3,469 2,908 Delta-E (lower is better) 3.2 2.4 HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 3,397 3,916 UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage 96.77% 97.53% Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage 82.07% 83.98% Input latency (milliseconds) 13.1 9.7 Similar to design, the U8N and U8QG will bear somewhat identical test metrics; however, it's interesting that the new 2025 set has significantly reduced its brightness output in standard content, while HDR sees a massive boost. It's important to keep in mind that higher brightness doesn't always equate to better overall performance. In most cases, it should lead to mitigated glare, but that's not quite the case for the U8QG. At least HDR content looked fantastic on this set, but that's more to do with its color volume. The U8QG improves the Delta-E, which requires a lower score for better performance, but anything lower than a score of 3 is largely imperceptible. But even at the time of its release, the U8N was likewise just as fantastic in terms of color. It almost shattered our color gamut record at the time, and as the metrics show, the U8QG amplifies these, if only slightly. A major boon we faced in testing the U8N has more to do with color accuracy, which doesn't bode well for animated content or vibrant shows and movies. Still, it's impressive that both U8-series Mini-LED TVs managed to hit over 80% of the Rec2020 color gamut, which is often relegated to lower scores on most TVs. That's the quantum dots doing all the heavy lifting. And when it comes to gaming, the testing here proves the U8QG is simply the better option. We tend to like TVs with input latency under a 10ms rating, and the U8QG's 9.7ms is to be praised, especially given that it lines up with some OLEDs on the market, like the LG B4. Both offer incredible picture performance, but there are some upscaling concerns to consider on the U8N The higher HDR brightness, enhanced input latency, and improved shadows in darker scenes give the U8QG an edge over its predecessor. Winner: Hisense U8QG With Google TV, you'll not only have a slew of free channels to enjoy but many of the best streaming services to dive into. You'll have to contend with some ads, but they're very minimal when compared to other offerings like Roku OS or Fire TV. But even if you don't find the content you want, there's an ATSC 3.0 tuner for you to dive into 4K broadcasts. You'll need a compatible antenna to get the most out of NextGen TV, but it's a handy option for those who may want extra coverage when it comes to content. One notable feature that few are discussing when it comes to Google TV is its smart home compatibility, which makes it a hub for your entire ecosystem. That means you don't have to splurge on any additional products, like the Google Nest Hub, to get broadened controls over your smart home devices. When looking past their underlying interface, you'll also find a slew of awesome gaming features that make them ideal candidates to slot among the best gaming TVs. As already mentioned, you'll be missing out on two HDMI 2.1 ports when going with the U8N, but you'll also be down one with the newer U8QG. It sacrifices this port in favor of a USB-C video output, which doesn't meet the demands of most gamers. At least it does give you the keys to some unbridled gaming support with a 165Hz refresh rate. It's one of the few TVs to offer that spec this year, sitting next to some major OLED releases in the LG G5 and Samsung S95F. And a low input latency also means you get serious coverage in this regard. But it's tough to look past the HDMI equation. Would you rather have two HDMI 2.1 ports in favor of three with a USB-C port? Or are you willing to live with those additional HDMI 2.0 ports on the U8N's mere 144Hz? It's a mild dilemma, but one certainly worth thinking about. As with most modern TVs, both sets come equipped with a range of additional gaming features, like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) as well as Dolby Vision support for select titles. There's also a handy game bar that lets you change settings on the fly and look at particular elements, like FPS and the like. Even in the face of its rather wonky HDMI dilemma, I still see the U8QG as far surpassing the U8N. You might not be a PC gamer ready to hit those highs on offer with a 165Hz refresh rate, but it doesn't hurt to future-proof your setup. Winner: Hisense U8QG Hisense U8N Hisense U8QG Specs (25) 21 23 Design (25) 20 22 Performance (25) 21 23 Features (25) 23 24 Total Score (100) 85 92 While this comes down to a preference basis, it's hard to look past the myriad enhancements the U8QG has in store. The Hisense U8QG simply kills it on a number of levels, most of all in the gaming category. It also largely improves upon many of the issues that were holding the base U8N back, like a subpar sound system and wonky color accuracy. You also get FreeSync Premium Pro support with a 165Hz refresh rate, which might really only pertain to PC gamers, but definitely gives it a huge leg up. If you're merely a console gamer and don't mind the higher input latency, the cheaper U8N might be a better option. As for that pricing, a 65-inch Hisense U8N is around $899 on Amazon, while the 65-inch Hisense U8QG is currently $1,498 on Amazon at the time of writing. That's a significant price disparity that will prompt you to consider the compromises. Both TVs still offer absurd brightness metrics and loads of gaming options, so don't fret too much over the TV of your choice, as it'll be grand no matter what model you go with.
Business Insider
12 hours ago
- Business Insider
Cisco price target raised to $67 from $63 at Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs raised the firm's price target on Cisco (CSCO) to $67 from $63 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The company announced enterprise oriented networking solutions which should strengthen its longer-term position within campus networking refresh opportunities related to Wi-Fi 7 and AI-driven upgrades, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm adds however that while these new solutions should better position Cisco within the ongoing campus networking refresh cycle, these new products may take time to ramp and see customer adoption. Confident Investing Starts Here:
