Review: Asus ZenWiFi XD6 AX5400

Many networking products vendors have started focusing a lot on Wi-Fi 6 standard and mesh networking and one of the brands that are big on those technologies is Asus. The company’s new ZenWifi XD6 AX5400 is a mesh dual-band system ideal for those who aren’t just looking for a strong connection. Aside from strong WiFi, the XD6 can also provide exceptional speed throughout the entire coverage area. This is all thanks to the high-speed AX-5400 WiFi 6 radio.

Inside the box, you get an AX5400 router and one satellite extender for setting up your mesh WiFi network. In addition, you also get an RJ-45 cable and the power adapter, along with the warranty info and a quick-start guide. In terms of the design, the XD6 looks very similar to the XT8. This two-pack system can provide a wireless network that on paper can cover an area of 5400 sq. ft.

In terms of backhaul, the Asus ZenWifi XD6 can offer it through Ethernet and WiFi. The router intelligently chooses the most reliable method for you based on connection quality. If you prefer, you can also manually choose the type of backhaul connection. Now, since the XD6 supports WiFi 6, you can get a total bandwidth of up to 5400 Mbps.

Setting up the device is a walk in the park, thanks to the ASUS Router app. All you need to do is download the app, turn on ZenWiFi XD6, create a WiFi network and an admin account, follow the onscreen instructions, and you will be good to go in minutes. With the XD6, you also get lifetime free cloud-based security powered by Trend Micro, which makes sure your privacy on connected devices is protected. In addition, you also get top-notch Parental Controls, which offers URL filtering, among other features.

Wireless performance on the XD6 was excellent, irrespective of whether you use one of the units or both of them together as part of a mesh WiFi system. During our tests, we got connectivity speeds of over 750Mbps – we used the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G which supports the WiFi 6 technology.

Despite the fact that it is only a dual-band system, the ZenWiFi XD6 performed really well as a mesh WiFi system. During our speed test using a Huawei Matebook 14 which also supports WiFi 6 standard, we were able to clock around 600Mbps, which is quite impressive.

However, in order to benefit from a faster speed, you need to manually select the 160Mhz mode, since the system prefers to use the 80Mhz mode by default. And when you roam around the house you get a flawless WiFi performance, since the Xd6 uses 802.11k/v to assist devices in making roaming decisions. This means your devices will automatically switch over to the faster network if you were to move from one room to another.

Asus also offers its Instant Guard app which gives you one-click secure internet access via the ZenWiFi XD6 series from anywhere in the world, thanks to its encrypted data-tunneling VPN technology. In terms of ports, you get plenty. The XD6 features four ports on each unit, which includes an RJ-45 for the Gigabit Base-T for the WAN, and three RJ-45 for the Gigabit Base-T for the LAN.

The Asus ZenWiFi XD6 is available at a price of AED 1999. In addition to providing excellent WiFi coverage and fast WiFi speeds, the ZenWiFi XD6 is a fantastic mesh WiFi system. It offers very good performance and comes packed with many features and customisation options that you may not find in other mesh WiFi networking products on the market. If you are looking for a great wireless experience for a large home, then the Asus ZenWiFi XD6 comes across as highly recommended.

Price: AED 1999