ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 AXE11000 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (2 pack), Coverage up to 6000 sq ft, Subscription-free Network Security, Advanced Parental Controls, Instant Guard, VPN, Dual 2.5G Ports

Great performing 2-node mesh system. WiFi 6E isn't really faster than with my old WiFi 6 Netgear access point, but is more stable, and 2.5 GBPS Ethernet backhaul has sped up my LAN by reducing congestion. Having integrated and fairly comprehensive control of WAN, LAN and WiFi parameters all in one place is great.While waiting for the router system to arrive, I read thru the on-line FAQs, and so had an idea of what to expect from the setup process, and was able to pre-decide on some setup options (not enabling Smart Connect, WPA2 vs WPA3, reusing SSID names, how to connect wired backhaul, etc.) Setup with the Android app went smoothly, including simultaneously installing a firmware update on both the main router and remote node. I set the 2.4GHz band to allow WPA2 using the backwards-compatible "WPA2/WPA3 personal" mode, so 2.4GHz WPA3-capable devices can still use the more secure mode, without locking out IoT and older devices, and WPA3-only for 5GHz and 6GHz bands. When the new mesh network came up, all of my WPA2 devices quickly reconnected on their own with no intervention on my part. My WPA3 devices detected the change to a new network, and all had to be individually reconnected.When I brought up the nodes with Ethernet backhaul, they connected great at 2.5GBPS, and Auto backhaul select chose the faster Ethernet over slower 6GHz backhaul. Ethernet backhaul works fine through an unmanaged 2.5GBPS switch. The key thing is to make sure you connect the remote node's 2.5GBPS WAN port to the main router's 2.5GBPS LAN port.WiFi 6E isn't faster than good WiFi 6, it just adds the extra 6GHz band for backhaul, or the few devices that can use it. My Pixel phone connects fine at 6GHz, at 1.2GBPS. 5GHZ connections are solid and fast throughout my house. 2.4GHz devices have solid connections, even cameras mounted on outside walls of the house. Initially, the AI system tended (sometimes illogically) to connect nearly everything to the "main" router, but over the course of a week or so of use, has transferred several connections to the node router, where they logically belong. One can also bind specific devices to a specific node, if one doesn't like the AI's choices.The Android app interface works well, with the settings and information most people need available. The Web interface is much more comprehensive, with much more in depth control settings, and a lot of good system reports. There is a built-in Ookla Speed Test app, measuring from the router WAN port being much more accurate than from a PC a couple of layers down in the network. The WAN settings allow DNSSEC and DNS-over-TLS encryption to be enabled. There is also available WAN-level, no-subscription, TrendNet malware/bad site blocking protection - can't comment on it's effectiveness, as there've been no hits in the month or so it's been on-line.

I setup my home to be as automated as possible with WIFI Switches, Outlets, Lights, Home security with Windows/Doors/Motion Sensors and 8 external and 3 internal cameras, Sprinkler system, water heater and a number of extra devices. In total I have over 120 + WIFI devices and needed a system that can support them all. I have used ASUS routers for many years and have been happy with their performances. I have an older ASUS GT-AX11000 Raptor as my main router feeding 5 older ASUS routers and configured in an AIMESH network. This worked great, however as my WIFI devices started to grow, my system was slowing down. I then decided to upgrade my main router with an RT-AXE7800 Tri Band Router, and I had a major increase in speed and it too accepted my OLDER routers into an AIMESH. This was short lived since I had FIRMWARE update which somehow impacted my new router in the fact that is would loose internet connectivity and periodically drop the other routers off the AIMESH. I reverted back to my older configuration until I was able to get this resolved.Just incase I started to review other alternatives and found the ASUS ZenWIFI Pro ET12 which came in a 2 pack. It had very similar features as the RT-AXE7800, however its processors where more up to date and and its cover was much larger. So I decided to get it and I was amazed how quickly I was able to set it up. Granted at first when trying to get the second unit connected, it would not find it, to place it into the AIMESH. I stopped what I was doing and looked to see if it may require a FIRMWARE update, sure enough it did and the second unit that came with it was automatically added into the AIMESH. I also was able to add my older RAPTOR routers (GT-AX11000 and GT-AC5300) and the RT-AX88U into the AIMESH and have them placed in different locations around my home with great signal strength.What amazed me was that I have two older RT-AC88U routers and tried to add those into the AIMESH. However, they could not be added into the AIMESH (I am assuming its due to their dual band 2.4 limitations) but I was able to add them as repeaters which now I placed 1 in my garage and the other in the back yard for further coverage.I have this system now running for over two weeks and I have had ZERO issues and the performance while streaming shows and gaming had major performance increases. Even with 120+ device, this new system has handled them like a champ.