Asus RT-BE58U router review: Entry-level WiFi 7

It feels like not so long ago that WiFi 6 was the new tech on the block. Fast-forward to more recent times, and that still perfectly practical WiFi standard has been superseded by the WiFi 6E revision and its faster WiFi 7 sibling. As is the trend, though, new tech typically attracts a higher asking price; just ask the beyond-$1,000 RRPs for the TP-Link Archer GE800 router and Amazon Max 7 WiFi mesh system. But thankfully those seeking WiFi 7 futureproofing don’t have to invest quite as much when there are cheaper alternatives like the Asus RT-BE58U router.

Before we get into the breakdown of the Asus RT-BE58U, here’s a look at today’s most popular NBN plans from our comparison engine.

What we like about the Asus RT-BE58U router

The pros for the Asus RT-BE58U are plentiful, and they start with the $299 asking price. My internet sleuthing could only unearth one cheaper WiFi 7 router: the TP-Link Archer BE230. But the RT-BE58U is so feature-rich, the $50 RRP difference between the Asus and TP-Link routers feels a lot smaller. Those perks start on the back of the RT-BE58U with a 2.5Gbps internet port, which is fast enough for the upcoming NBN 2000 plans.

Next to that speedy internet port is a versatile USB 3.0 port. Given how it’s promoted in the Asus Router companion app, I initially thought that USB port was exclusively for 4G backup. But when I dug into the feature suite in the logically laid-out web portal, I realised it could do a whole lot more: network storage, router-level file downloads, file backups, and even acting as a printer server for compatible USB printers.

That’s the sort of functionality I’d expect for a pricier router, but the pros don’t stop there. You can easily enable remote access, for external access to your home network or USB-attached storage. The RT-BE58U also has straightforward parental controls, AI threat protection, and adaptive Quality of Service (QoS) that works most of the time. More impressively, the QoS settings can be simplified to prioritise different internet tasks (via companion app) or, if you prefer, individual devices (via web portal). And if you want to boost your network, the RT-BE58U supports mesh expansion, too.

Download the companion app before you get started for a mostly straightforward guidance through the initial setup process. There are also prompts for initial settings tweaks, including admin password, wireless network name, and even guidance about the aforementioned 4G backup feature. When devices are using the speedier 5GHz WiFi band, latency is low while download and upload speeds are high. I also appreciate the user-friendly companion app, which is a great tool for basic monitoring as well as encouraging more advanced tweaks for curious explorers.

What we dislike about the Asus RT-BE58U router

With so many features and such a low RRP, there were always going to be some compromises with the Asus RT-BE58U. And those started after unboxing. While the 2.5Gbps internet port is a great inclusion, the four gigabit Ethernet ports feel less mindful of futureproofing, more so given the cheaper TP-Link Archer BE230 at least has a single 2.5Gbps LAN option. 

 Other disappointments kicked in during the setup stage. Unfortunately, the RT-BE58U follows the all-too-common trend of putting a convenient QR code inconveniently beneath the router. It means you effectively need to remember to use the QR code before setup, otherwise you’re dealing with cables if you try to flip the router after connecting everything.

Admittedly, connecting the included Ethernet cable to the correct port is easy because it’s the only colour-coded option. Still, despite some decent handholding via companion app setup, web portal access was more frustrating both during and after the initial configuration. The RT-BE58U has multiple warnings and pop-ups about accessing a non-HTTPS device, and the Chrome warning text may even lead you to miss the option to bypass that to access the web portal at all.

You can get away with managing most tasks via the companion app, but there are some unique and deeper settings in the web portal that are worth tinkering with if you’re a more advanced user. It’s just a shame they’re deterred. Firmware updates were also odd. The one I had to install sent me on a notification loop that took multiple refreshes to even get the download started.

But all of those issues pale in comparison to the problems I had inside and outside my apartment whenever the RT-BE58U automatically shifted wireless devices to the 2.4GHz band. The RT-BE58U doesn’t seem to have an issue with ‘band steering’ between the faster, shorter-range 5GHz band and the longer-range, slower 2.4GHz band. That’s a good thing outside of the missing 6GHz band that’s common among WiFi 7 routers. Still, the RT-BE58U is a little too quick to jump to the 2.4GHz band, particularly when it comes to WiFi interference.

My apartment building has a lot of wirelessly penetrable glass at the front but a thick external wall and floor out the back alongside thick internal walls between the front and back of my home. At its worst, there was a 97% hit to download speeds in the back-corner study, which also didn’t even measure any upload speeds. 

The back-of-apartment bathroom results were better but not by a whole lot: a 32% hit to download speeds and a 60% hit to upload speeds. Download and upload speeds at the property fence were slower than those bathroom scores, and worse still across the road. All of those slower speeds were measured on the 2.4GHz wireless band, apparently with ‘Good’ signal strength, which is second only to ‘Excellent’ as far as Google Pixel 7 Pro WiFi rankings are concerned.

Asus RT-BE58U – Final Thoughts

Those 2.4GHz results are concerning for any home that, like mine, typically has issues with WiFi dead spots, or anyone hoping to use a new router outside their property. But even with that major gripe and the other smaller ones, the extensive range of top-end features available at a bargain price make the Asus RT-BE58U a WiFi 7 router that’s well worth considering for anyone looking for a taste of futureproofing without the corresponding RRP.