ASUS launched its very affordable wireless router – ASUS RT-AC53 AC750 quite a while ago. Anybody, who wants savor reasonably fast network with all basic network features and add-ons like VPN, Parental Controls and more, but without breaking the bank might consider purchasing it.
ALSO READ: ASUS RT-N18U Router Review: An Elegant Piece Of Hardware!
ASUS RT-AC53 AC750: Overview
- MediaTek MT7620A processor @ 580MHz
- 64MB RAM
- 8MB Flash
- IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, IPv4, IPv6
- 3 x Antenna
- Wireless Band: Dual-band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz)
- Connectivity: 2 x Gigabit LAN Ethernet port, 1 x Gigabit WAN Ethernet port
- Data Transfer Speed – Up to 433 Mbps
- VPN support: PPTP, L2TP
- Power supply: 12 V / 1 A
- Dimensions: 35 x 320 x 190 mm ; Weight: 680 g
ASUS RT-AC53 AC750: Unboxing
The packaging is pretty nimble pretty much like any other ASUS routers. Opening up the box, you will find the router, a network cable, a power adapter, warranty paper, and quick setup guide. There was no support disc included.
The one noticeable things apart from the usual stuff in the router is that much like RT-N18U, the RT-AC53 is also packed with detachable power plugs for different types of power outlets. The unboxing experience is basic, quick and easy, just as you would expect from an affordable router.
ASUS RT-AC53 AC750: Design
It’s not very usual that we get aesthetically clean looking budget-end router to review, but this time for sure. The ASUS RT-AC53 (much like RT-N18U) features a textured design which you will notice in the first look, making the router look and feel premium in hand.
ASUS RT-AC53 AC750: Hardware Specifications
The hardware features of the ASUS RT-AC53 wireless router are modest. It features a MediaTek MT7620A processor with 580 MHz frequency, 64 MB of RAM memory and 8 MB of storage space for the firmware. It comes with all the modern networking standards, including 802.11ac and 802.11n.
The theoretical bandwidth for 2.4 GHz is of 300 Mbps and 433 Mbps for the 5 GHz frequency, leading to a total of 733 Mbps. However, this router offers up to 1 Gbps wired Ethernet connections but it has only two Ethernet ports alongside the one for connecting it to the internet.
All aside, it comes with three external antennas are very tall and they cannot be detached from the router, out of which two are 2.4 GHz wireless frequency, while the other one is of 5 GHz, which quite unusual, as most modern routers focus on the 5 GHz frequency more.
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ASUS RT-AC53 AC750: Set-up
Setting up the RT-AC53 is pretty much like other ASUS routers. It gives out a few easy configuration steps in order to get you started. Connect the ASUS RT-AC53 router to your computer using the bundled network cable, plug-in the power adapter, then the Internet connection cable from your Internet provider and start your favorite browser.
Go to 192.168.1.1 or http://router.asus.com
The router detects the network type and setup accordingly. Not just that the whole setup involves the user to change the admin’s username and password, apparently enhancing the security of the network. At the very end, you will be shown a summary of your settings.
The overall user interface looks the same as on all other ASUS routers and it is organized the same way. All settings are organized in a logical manner and you won’t have any issue in finding your way. Advanced users will be pleased by the detailed level of control they get. Here are some features that were included;
Guest Network
You can set up to six guests wireless network that provides internet access but restricts access to your network. You can enable up to three 2.4GHz guest networks and up to three 5GHz guest networks.
Traffic Manager Quality of Service (QoS)
This feature enhances that let you use to set speed limits for individual devices on your network.
Parental Controls
A basic parental controls module that you can use to set a schedule for the devices that are used by your children. You cannot use it to filter adult content or any other type of content that is inappropriate for children.
DDNS
A service that allows you to connect to the router from the internet, even if your internet provider gives you a dynamic public IP address.
VPN Server
You can set the router to work as a VPN server and you can also use it to turn your network-connected devices into VPN-enabled clients via the OpenVPN and PPTP protocols, without additional VPN software.
ASUS Router
A mobile app for iOS and Android, which allows you to monitor and manage your wireless router from your smartphone.
Network Tools
It is used for analyzing the network and identifying what’s wrong. They are useful when you need to troubleshoot problems.
ASUS RT-AC53 AC750: Performance
Finally to the performance, a place where all the on-paper hardware details come to life.
Wireless
We have tested the ASUS RT-N18U against D-Link 2750U (which we already have in our office, comparatively a cheaper version than AC53). In our testing, ASUS’ router outperformed the competitor with a large margin, especially in terms of reachability. When the client was in the bedroom, nine feet from the router, the RT-N18U delivered what Tenda couldn’t.
Unlike RT-N18U, the ASUS RT-AC53 comes with dual-band and the performance, which includes its throughput and overall experience was way above the D-Link 2750U, which we have been using for a while now.
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Wired
We measured the download and upload speeds when transferring a 594MB file to and from two computers connected to the network via Ethernet cables. Again, ASUS RT-AC53C was the fastest in terms of download speed than D-Link 2750U. From a hardware perspective, this router is promising and it could be the best buy in its price range
Pros
- Powerful hardware
- Nifty features which include the possibility to make it run as a VPN server
- Priced very affordably
Cons
- No USB port available for connecting external devices
- The signal strength could have been better.
Verdict
The ASUS RT-AC53C is priced at Rs 2,900 (at the time of writing). If you want absolute great hardware with promising performance, Gigabit Ethernet ports, high security with VPN features and with a very affordable price, this router is what you’re looking for. We totally recommend it.
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