Pros: - 5GHz bands are FAST
- Getting 90/Mbps on Comcast on Wired or Wireless
- Easy Interface

Cons: - 2.4GHz band DOES NOT broadcast. It shows for a split second and disappears (see other notes)
- Bulky / Large

Other Thoughts: No idea why but the 2.4GHz won't broadcast and stay broadcasting at all. I was running the previous release of the firmware (Version 3.0.0.4.380.1355) and figured why not try the BETA firmware that's out right now (Beta Version 9.0.0.4.380.2697) and see if that fixes it. NOPE! Didn't work.

I have no idea why but the 2.4GHz band just won't broadcast. It shows up for a split second randomly and then disappears. I have the following settings currently and have tried the following settings:

- Smart Connect: 5GHz Smart Connect
- 2.4GHz SSID: Unique
- 5GHz SSID: Unique
- WPA2-Personal

The only device that is dependent on the 2.4GHz band is my NEST Thermostat. Otherwise, I can't get it to jump on 5GHz since it's not a Wireless AC device.

For a router this expensive, this needs to be fixed IMMEDIATELY. Contemplating returning it due to this issue.

NOTE: My Thermostat is less than 30 feet from the ASUS AC5300. And there are barely any walls in between them so there shouldn't be an issue with "distance" or any of that garbage.

Pros: The interface is amazing. ASUS is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition with their GUI.

Cons: Poor wifi strength on both 2.4ghz and 5ghz. A router with poor wifi range.. Well.. Is just useless
Struggles to maintain a 1300mbps link speed with my ASUS RT-AC68u bridges.

Other Thoughts: I was sadly disappointed to have such a poor wifi strength on this router, I really expected more...
I was attempting to upgrade from a Netgear Nighthawk x8 which I have perfect wifi strength but is missing quite a few features that ASUS has so I thought I would swap it out for the RT-AC5300
I was getting anywhere from between -6db to -18db less on the RT-AC5300 than the Netgear R8500. Even my old ASUS RT-AC68u gave me a stronger signal than the RT-AC5300. Very dissatisfied.
The RT-AC5300 was in the exact same location as the other routers that I compared it with. And yes I adjusted the antenna positions, channels, ect. The RT-AC5300 just doesn't have the signal strength as the other two.

I was so much wanting this router to work and to eliminate the possibility that I had a defective unit I have been tempted to purchase it locally to test another one.
I really love ASUS and have had quite a few of their products. Laptops x2, monitors x2, Ethernet switches x2, AC wifi dongle, RT-AC68u x3, RT-AC87u x3, RP-AC68u
Unfortunately some of their products are just simply duds. Such as the RT-AC87u.
It maybe that I simply had a defective unit which is unfortunate because these poor products are starting to sway my opinion of ASUS.

I returned the unit and purchased another ASUS RT-AC68u
In order to get the wifi throughput and signal strength I wanted I am using the Netgear R8500 as an AP.
To get the features I wanted such as VPN on my iPhone I am using the ASUS RT-AC68u as my router with the wifi off. Not the most ideal setup but it ultimately gave me everything I was looking for which was what I hoped the RT-AC5300 could do for me.
Currently have:
ASUS RT-AC68u - router mode with wifi off.
Netgear R8500 - AP mode enabled and using as DLNA server
ASUS RT-AC68u - bridge mode
ASUS RT-AC68u - bridge mode in game room

Manufacturer Response:

Greetings Valued Customer,

Thank you for sharing your experience with the RT-AC5300 router. Here at ASUS we take all customer feedback into close consideration. I'm sorry to hear about the issues you are experiencing. Regardig your concern and to isolate the issue, please clarify what is the firmware version that is currently running into your router? Have you tried to update the firmware version manually from our support website and do the hard reset to update the router settings?

We deeply value your relationship with ASUS and are committed to providing you with the highest level of service simply because our customers deserve the very best. If you need help with any technical questions or general inquiries, please contact me directly at customerloyalty@asus.com and place case # N160435229 in the subject line for a reference.

Thank you for choosing ASUS.

Best regards,
Donabell
ASUS Customer Loyalty

Pros: This is the best router money can buy hands down!

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: I don't know why people knock this router? It is the best and fastest to date! You never go wrong with ASUS!

Pros: well what could i say? its fast even at the end of my back yard. it has not gave me any huge problems yet (figers crossed). it gives me 130 mbps for where i live (suppose to be 100mbps). i havent started downloading anything big yet but i think it will do its job well. cool design. it can go lan or wifi witch is pretty nifty.

Cons: the antennas come off very easy. the signal is hard to get when im in the garage, it might be because the walls are made out of cinder blocks but im not sure. the price is not right for the US, cant utilizes the 5.3 gbps:/ softwere is a little confusing but thats something i can get use to

Other Thoughts: i just got the router today, other than my nit picking about it. its working flawlessly for the moment. i have to give it more time to get a feel for it and find out more as i go. i gave it 4 eggs because of the antennas are too easy to remove witch is not a good thing and has a good chance that they can brake in my book. other that that, i like it

Pros: Range, speed, throughput providing you leave some things turned of and configure some things that come with default sets

Cons: The price, firmware not where it should be and Asus needs to put more into its firmware or leave it to 3rd party firmware developers. Information is limited in several areas and some of the information is geared towards getting more sales than it is for those using it. Smart connect - like Windows Vista - not for use in present state...avoid it. Leave the USB 3.0 unless you don't mind a drop with your 2.4 ghz service as it does affect it. Next, go with the dual wan instead of leaving it with the single wan default setting but know what it does as you will lose 2 ethernet ports but in my case, highly desirable.

Other Thoughts: I would like to recommend it but Asus reminds me of a tight lipped Conservative who would rather avoid direct questions simply because they are short on direct answers. Much of their lip service begins with an apology followed up with how to contact them or something to try. It makes it tough to recommend even though I like their product so far, I would advise checking out third party software installed on these routers. DD-WRT being one but there are others including some that sell this router with pre-installed firmware which doesn't have any remote management links as this one does.
I've been trying to find out more about the media configuration using two Asus AC 5300 routers where one is set up as the base unit and the other setup as the media center. My question to Asus is, I have been trying to find out if this AC5300 router can be used with an Asus RT AC88U instead of having to use another AC5300 ? I am almost sure it can be but I'm not one to spend several hundred dollars just to find out and so far, limited information is not something I'm happy about. If you can put all your selling points in a flash, crash and burn manner, try adding some info to enhance sales of you products beginning with mu-mimo using two routers and configuring them to maximize media bandwidth speeds. I do want to know where the Asus RT AC 88U sits with the Asus RT AC 5300 as it has more etthernet ports and I'd prefer to buy and use one instead of buying another AC5300.

Pros: none. Didnt bother hooking it up

Cons: One of the Antenna broken

Other Thoughts: Just Garbage.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Aaron ,

Thank you for your time on posting this review, we are sorry to hear your experience with the ASUS router. Please allow me to assist you.

I understand that you are disappointed with your purchase on behalf of ASUS we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you, how is the unit now? the unit is covered by the re-seller and manufacturers warranty for any isolated factory defects.

For further assistance or if you want to discuss this matter with me, please email me at customerloyalty@asus.com and put case #N160335697in the subject line for a reference. I'm here to help you and all others with these issues, as our customer loyalty department dedicated to bringing a resolution to all issues related to our products.

If ever you want to call our representatives please check link below for the contact numbers.

http://www.asus.com/us/support/CallUs

Thank you for choosing ASUS.

Best regards,
Jerry
ASUS Customer Loyalty

Pros: this thing is super fast, very easy to setup, and so far stable as it is fast. only had it a few weeks will update if anything changes but as of now I'm super happy as a competitive gamer.

Cons: none so far other than price tag but I got a free WiFi HD with it so that helped soak up some of the purchase price.

Pros: 3 Radios, Guest Network, Super strong signal, fast, Easy setup.

Cons: None

Pros: - Loaded with features
- Super fast
- Nice little extras like the gaming vpn service
- Great UI

Cons: - No individual status lights on ethernet ports
- Huge!

Other Thoughts: Though there are a few cons to this router, I still rate it very highly. It's one of the best you can get, hands down.

Pros: I got this to replace the expensive paperweight, Asus rt-ac3200. The 5300 has great range and loaded with nice features. Good performance on the 2.4 range for the wireless pc's on my network. I haven't had to reboot the router after 2 days of use.

Cons: Slow performance on 5ghz, I'm actually getting much better speeds on 2.4. Iphones constantly dropping signal on 2.4 range, sadly that seems to be the norm with Asus routers lately. Lan speeds sluggish at times.

Other Thoughts: I will say that with the exception of the cons, the rest of my wireless network seems to work pretty well. I'd like to think a firmware update will correct those problems but after waiting months for a firmware fix for the constant wireless drops on the rt-ac3200, I'm not going to hold my breath.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for your time on posting this review, we are sorry to hear that you are not fully satisfied with the ASUS router. Please allow me to assist you.

Can I have a detailed information about the issue? have you tried changing the channel bandwidth? how far are you from the router when you are using the 5GHz frequency? Place your router in an open and strategic area since this device uses radio waves to communicate. Do not place your wireless device or computer right next to the router because the 18-inch radius around the router is a wireless dead zone.

For further assistance or if you want to discuss this matter with me, please email me at customerloyalty@asus.com and put case #N160259356 in the subject line for a reference. I'm here to help you and all others with these issues, as our customer loyalty department dedicated to bringing a resolution to all issues related to our products.

If ever you want to call our representatives please check link below for the contact numbers.

http://www.asus.com/us/support/CallUs

Thank you for choosing ASUS.

Best regards,
Jerry
ASUS Customer Loyalty