Testing my ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 Mesh System [Speed][Range][Roaming] & ...

Video Chapters:
01:08 Stability Test
02:41 Firmware Upgrade Test
05:14 Speed Test
06:54 Roaming Test
08:26 WiFi Range Test
In this video, I will be testing the ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 Mesh system to determine its stability and reliability. Additionally, I will be evaluating the system's WiFi speed, range, and roaming capabilities. I hope you enjoy the video and consider subscribing to the channel for more content. Thank you!
#Asus #zenwifi #XT9 #WiFi6
Wireless Routers used in this video:
►ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 [2PKs White]
amzn.to/3ZRfdFG
►ASUS ZenWiFi XT9 [2PKs Black]
amzn.to/3UjgnbC
►ASUS RT-AX86U
US: amzn.to/3dv3V4Y
►ASUS ROG Rapture GT6
amzn.to/3K8cyTR
Disclosures:
This video description contains affiliate links which means as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to buyer). This will help my channel, so thank you if you decide to use my links!
#commissionsearned
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Disclaimer:
1- This video is for educational/informational purposes only. The information in this video should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information in this video before making any decisions based on such information or other Content. I do not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of whatever nature (direct, indirect, consequential, or other) which may arise as a result of your use of the information in this video.
2- 160MHz bandwidth may be unavailable in the 5GHz band in some regions/countries, due to regulatory restrictions. And to benefit from WiFi 6 router features, compatible WiFi 6 devices are required.
3- Due to regulatory restrictions, the expanded UNII-4 spectrum is only available in some regions/countries.

[@superedge99]

Good video, it really shows how solid the XT9 is, and more than meets the needs of most people. I wanted good wifi coverage far down my 130ft driveway, so I placed an XT9 prominently on the garage interior wall and mounted it inside an 8x8x4 inch aluminum baking pan to direct the signal straight down the driveway (I left space between the wall and the baking pan for the wired backhaul, power cord and venting) I not only get wifi signal on the entire driveway, but I even get 5ghz signal across the road (150 feet) I'm glad that I tried this baking pan modification, it made the wifi coverage MUCH better for this situation.

[@Behfor]

Thanks for sharing your interesting solution :-)

[@toolate6971]

Great video! I can appreciate the iPerf speed test you've done.

[@Behfor]

Glad you liked it, thanks 👍

[@Vaughnwb]

Hey Behfor, Thanks again for the video. I miss the bongos LOL. I would love a video on how to analyze wifi signas and picking the best channels, I us ASUS as well and want to know the advantages and disadvantages of letting everything be automatic versus manual channel picking.

[@Behfor]

Thanks for your input! Great suggestion :-)

[@Pipe-Layer]

Thank you for thinking of comparing the RT-AX86U against the XT9 ! I happen to own the AX86U and was thinking of adding a couple XT9's. Then I was second-guessing if I could get similar performance be just adding more AX86U's. You solved my question. 👍🏼

[@Behfor]

Glad this video was helpful for you and really appreciate your support 🙂👍

[@secooper1966]

Thanks!

[@Behfor]

You're welcome and thanks for your support :-)

[@rustythrombosis5417]

Great videos! I couldn’t decide between the XD5, the ET8, the XT8, or the XT9. I think the dedicated wireless backhaul cinched it for me. Those were some impressive speeds. I’ve got one question that maybe you can help me out with… I’d like to install a node in my garage for two reasons, 1, obviously the better household coverage, and 2, I need my wireless cameras to have better than average coverage, which requires the range. My question is… how high can I install these on my garage wall? The higher the better for safety of the node, but the XD5 said not to install on the wall higher than 2 meters, which isn’t high enough. The optimal position for me would be a few inches below my ceiling. Can this be achieved? Again, thanks for the great video. It’s funny how I’ve probably watched a dozen videos already, and nobody came near the amount of detail you did.

[@a.h.d.h.2803]

Like and liked the video, as usual, great job! I have an Asus RT AX 92 U duo pack (so two devices, one of wich the router the other a node in my Ai Mesh network) and an Asus RT AC 68 U-, also a node in the same Ai-mesh network. The RT AX 92U's share a wired backhaul, while the RT AC68U's backhaul is wireless. If I update the firmware the Asus RT AC 68U shows up as well in the firmware update page of the router software. So I can update flawlessly both different models in the software. Could you not, since only the two devices Zen Wifi XT9's show up in your software as the Asus GT 6 did not? Or did you test the firmware updat without the GT 6 connected to the Ai-Mesh network?

[@jesmpk2298]

Awesome. Can the setting be saved in a config file for both the main and the node just in case? I read connecting a USB drive doesn't work that well. Is that accurate?

[@Mr_Shymoniak]

@behfor once again great review I purchased the ax86u because of you and now my situation has changed. I’m on the fence with the xt9 and the gt6 for my 1750 square foot new purchased home. Primary node in the basement and the ai node upstairs to cover my entire home (the ASUS ax86u will not cover my home for some reason) what mesh system would you go with please advise me :). Cheers.

[@arfloresd]

I have an AC86U working in AIMESH with ASUS BLUE CAVE, the wireless backhaul was terrible, lots of disconnects, I decided to go with a wired backhaul, full reset to factory and now they are working better, but blue cave said it’s not compatible with roaming, I wanted to have the same settings recommended in another video for seamless roaming. Would it be better to buy an GT-AX6000 and use this other two as aimesh nodes or go for a xt8 zen for similar price?

[@djrezharoldtavarez7146]

Hello I have 2 ET 12 and want to add another node in my garage. Do you recommend another et12, XT9 or RoG GT6? Thanks

[@ONI1013.]

Hi great video. Quick question. If we configured all the routers bands to use same SSID, do we still need to enable the AiMesh Mesh Node function, or keep it to default Router Mode (AiMesh Router)? The second node already has strong wireless backhaul to the main router. And I only have one main router and one secondary router. I also noticed that some devices’ signal strength are between -70 dBm to -80 dBm, even though my house only 1980 sq feet with just dry wall. Two stories. Is this normal for devices within such a smaller house?

[@benoitfauteux4920]

Hi! What would be a good match if i wanted a main router plus a pair a xt9? It will be wired backhaul to both. Ax1100? Ax7800? Something else? Thanks!

[@Mr_Shymoniak]

I was thinking of using the ASUS gt ax6000 as my main router and my existing ax86u as a mesh node and not wired backhaul. What does everyone think about that or selling my current set up and getting this xt9 because of the wireless dedicated back haul

[@khalid2022qq]

So if I have rt ax 86u and zen xt9. Which one will be the main route

[@Cheadlebiker]

I want to buy AC86U but it has problems with Wi-Fi dropping is this a issue with all ASU’s routers I just love how you easily explain everything thanks Behfor

[@Behfor]

You're very welcome! The wifi dropping could be due to many reasons and it's not necessarily something wrong with the wireless router. For example maybe there is interference on the channel you are using in your area and changing the channel might fix that issue. Now if the wireless router does not broadcast wifi at all then there is something wrong with that router, it could be software or hardware related. So to answer your question, no this issue is not common in all ASUS routers. Thanks :-)

[@user-tp1re9ro2e]

Thanks for this video! You have XT9 and RT-AX86U. Can you check how RT-AX86U works in mesh system with WIFI backhaul. In configuration where RT-AX86U is a main router, and two XT9 are nodes. I'm really curious if the main router will use the extra 5GHz module from the nodes. Is asus website I saw that if a node has two 5GHz modules - then one can be used for dedicated bandwidth (dedicated only for node of cause). But on forums I saw screenshots where nodes use both 5GHz wifi for clients. I hope asus has fixed this. But if you know the answer, it would be great to hear from you :D

[@ONI1013.]

Isn’t this where you would set the XT9 to be in AiMesh mode, so it can combine any other router to be within same network and work as one WiFi network?

[@user-gr4qk2ix1e]

Great Review but how many Clients can be connected at same time? I cant find that info in the data sheet and I have over 80 devices in my network.. actually Im using a Deco Xe75 pro and eventually lose connection from some devices like wyze cams or problems to use chromecast in 12 speakers with 650mb intenet connection. Greetings from Mexico!

[@Behfor]

Thanks, unfortunately there is no specific number because it all depends on how network intensive your clients are. If most of them are smart home devices you should probably be fine if you do load balancing.

[@mdboucher2001]

Hi, thanks for your video! Would that work for WIFI calling on my cell, switching between nodes without dropping the connection?

[@Behfor]

Hi, yes if they are installed/setup correctly to make sure there is seamless roaming, it should work fine for wifi calling. You can also prioritize the VoIP traffic in the QoS. Thanks.

[@mdboucher2001]

@@Behfor thank you!

[@NikosRentas]

Is there any special setting needed to switch node? I can't seem to connect to the node automatically and when I force it it kicks it out and back to the main one.

[@Behfor]

This should help you: www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1046957/

[@pookiefoot]

Can you compare between zenwifi XT9 and RoG GT6. what the difference between them. Thanks

[@todda2888]

This!

[@Pendactarum]

I haven't found an answer for myself, maybe someone can tell me. I have ZenWIFI xt8, I want to connect it throughout the house as one network. But, from the provider I have a modem with WIFI, to which I connect ZenWIFI xt8, then ZenWIFI xt8 create their own network around the house. And it turns out that from the provider I have 1 WIFI with my own network, and from xt8 I have my own Mesh system. What's wrong and how can I do it as one with my provider. I need ZenWIFI xt8 switching technology-the device itself chooses which communication channel better

[@liukuohao1]

When you compare to the RT-AX86U, the signal can travel further because external antenna spread out the signal like a donut shape. Whereas the XT9 are using internal antennas spread the signal like a ball shape. You can imagine the donut shape,, horizontally the signal can travel further compares to the XT9.

[@Elricky124]

Does this apply for all internal antenna router designs, such as the xt12 ?

[@superedge99]

@@Elricky124 Yes, the xt12 had a similar antenna array that goes for the "ball" shaped signal spread.

[@jeremyjpegan]

@liukuohao1 My RT-AC86U has been great for my house for the last 8 years. It’s seems like it’s nearing end of life as I am having to reboot it as the WiFi is not working and then works for like an hour after reboot then cuts out again. What do you recommend I replace it with?

[@superedge99]

@@jeremyjpegan do you want to stick with a dual band router vs a triband router?

[@jeremyjpegan]

@@superedge99 my last router gave me no problems until now. I guess Im looking for advice. I aaume tri-band would route traffic better...? I do like ASUS though. What do you think?

[@MisaelRabadan1]

Have you tried using the 5.9GHz as a connection point with an iPhone?

[@Behfor]

No I don't have an iPhone

[@Gladiator1972]

Some are saying this router doesn't play nice with the Apple TV streaming device?

[@elchavode6479]

I cant get this thing work i just got it today....now i have call asus before i return back to Amazon. Plug in to wan to moden no signal....

[@LusciousPopsicle]

Can I use both as nodes instead of one as a router?

[@Behfor]

You can but it doesn't make sense, each network needs only one router.

[@FeryatBen]

Mesh sistemlerinde Roaming bazen sorun çıkarabiliyor. Kapatmak en doğrusu.

[@Behfor]

Ben sadece biraz Türkçe biliyorum ! sagol :-)

[@FeryatBen]

@@Behfor ❤👏

[@superedge99]

But aimesh roaming works FLAWLESSLY

[@venti4268]

No 2.5 GB ethernet lan ports? Looks like the system only has 2.5 GB wan..

[@Behfor]

Yes there is only a 2.5 G WAN on each unit

[@Mr_Shymoniak]

@behfor once again great review I purchased the ax86u because of you and now my situation has changed. I’m on the fence with the xt9 and the gt6 for my 1750 square foot new purchased home. Primary node in the basement and the ai node upstairs to cover my entire home (the ASUS ax86u will not cover my home for some reason) what mesh system would you go with please advise me :). Cheers.

[@Behfor]

Thanks. You should first establish what WiFi technology you need, then look into mesh systems in that category. The GT6 and XT9 are WiFi 6, but we also have WiFi 6E and WiFi 7. So the first step is to know that. In my experience, the GT6 was very rock solid. Thanks again.

[@Mr_Shymoniak]

@@Behfor based on your recommendations I want a tri band wifi 6 system, but I want it to have 2 - 5ghz bands because if I put one node in my basement and one node in my second floor the 6ghz won’t be enough ( ALL OF MY DEVICES only use 5g and 6g would be the back haul) so a wifi 6e system makes no Sense and a wifi 7 system makes even less sense. So back to my original question you would recommend the gt6 tri band as the system for me?