2025 Smart Home Network Guide: Best Wi-Fi 7 ASUS Extendable Routers

Smart homes are no longer futuristic—they’re part of everyday life in 2025. And from voice-controlled lights and smart locks to 8K TVs and gaming devices, everything runs better with fast, reliable WiFi. That’s where ASUS WiFi 7 Extendable Routers come in. This guide will help you explore ASUS solutions built to ensure seamless connectivity, instant control, and future-proof performance for your entire smart home.

Ethernet vs. WiFi: Navigating Connectivity in Your Smart Home

Think about how many connected devices are in today’s smart homes—multiple smart lights and switches, multiple smart speakers and displays, multiple security cameras, smart thermostats, and at least one or two streaming or gaming devices. Most of these rely entirely on Wi-Fi―especially smaller gadgets like sensors, lights, and voice assistants. But for high-bandwidth devices like 8K TVs, gaming consoles, and AI-powered PCs, a wired Ethernet connection still delivers the best performance. And with new tech constantly entering the home, your network needs to be ready. That’s where high-bandwidth internet, multi-gigabit Ethernet, and WiFi 7 come in.

High-Bandwidth Internet Is the New Normal

Internet plans offering 1Gbps speeds or faster are quickly becoming the standard, with many households now opting for multi-gigabit connections. These ultrafast speeds are essential for smooth experience with a household full of connected devices.

Imagine downloading one of the latest AAA games, which are typically around 100GB. On a 300Mbps connection, it takes over 40 minutes. With 2.5Gbps, it’s done in 5–6 minutes, and on a 10Gbps plan, you’re playing in under 2 minutes. The difference is massive.

Why Multi-Gig Ethernet Matters

If your router can’t keep up, you won’t get the performance you’re paying for. That’s why having a router with multi-gigabit support is just as important as your internet plan.

Older routers with only 1G Ethernet ports can become a bottleneck, especially when your internet plan exceeds 1 Gbps. Multi-gigabit WAN and LAN ports (2.5G or 10G) ensure that your wired devices—like gaming PCs, media servers, or AI workstations—get the full speed and stability they need. They also help your network handle multiple high-demand devices at once without slowing down.

WiFi 7: Is It Time to Upgrade?

You may think WiFi 6 is already fast enough for a modern smart home. However, the truth is most WiFi 6 routers come with 1G WAN ports, creating a network bottleneck. WiFi 7 isn’t just faster—it’s built for the demands of modern smart homes. With up to 2.4X the speed of WiFi 6E, better stability, and ground-breaking Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for smoother performance, it’s ideal for homes filled with connected devices.

Most new smartphones—including the latest iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy—already support WiFi 7; so do next-gen gaming consoles like the PS5 Pro. Whether you're streaming 8K video, gaming online, or using mixed reality headsets, WiFi 7 ensures everything runs without lag or dropouts.

Other Considerations for Building the Ultimate Smart Home Network

A fast internet plan is a great start, but building a smart home network that truly works for you takes more than just speed. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Scalability and Coverage: Start by choosing the right network setup based on your living space. If you live in an apartment with around 2,000 square feet of space, a high-performance standalone router is sufficient to provide full coverage. However, for larger homes—especially those over 3,000 square feet or with multiple floors—a pre-configured mesh system offers more reliable and convenient whole-home coverage. Scalability is important. As smart homes evolve, new WiFi connectivity demands may arise, as when homeowners install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their garage or backyard. A router or mesh system that supports advanced mesh technology, such as ASUS AiMesh. Lets you scale up your network to accommodate your new needs.
• Network Security: Most smart home IoT devices lack built-in security, making them easy targets for cyberattacks. A secure network with threat detection and device isolation helps protect your data, privacy and devices.
• Setup, Management and Controls: Ease of setup and ongoing management are essential requirements. Look for systems that offer intuitive mobile apps or dashboards to monitor connected devices and manage bandwidth. Then consider advanced settings, such as creating separate networks for guests, children, or smart home devices, for better control and convenience.
• Always-On Connections: Smart homes rely on uninterrupted connectivity. A dropped signal can disrupt security alerts, voice assistants, or automations. To ensure reliability, choose a router that supports backup internet options like dual WAN or more cost-effective 4G or 5G mobile tethering. This way, your network stays online, even if your primary connection goes down.

Have It All with ASUS Extendable Routers

ASUS Extendable Routers are designed to meet the demands of modern smart homes. Featuring next-gen WiFi 7 and multi-gigabit Ethernet ports (up to 10Gbps), they deliver exceptional speed and stability for both wireless and wired connections. More importantly, they’re built to grow with your needs, offering a future-ready solution that adapts as your smart home expands. Unlike traditional setups that pair a router with separate extenders as necessary, ASUS Extendable Routers offer a unified, feature-rich experience that’s easier to manage and far more reliable.

• Seamless Whole-Home Coverage and Future-Proof Scalability with AiMesh

With ASUS-exclusive AiMesh technology, multiple routers work together to create a single, seamless WiFi network. This means you can move freely throughout your home—from the living room to the backyard—without ever needing to switch networks or worry about dropped connections. Transitions between routers are smooth and uninterrupted, ensuring a consistently strong signal wherever you go.

• Triple-Level Security for Smart Home Protection

ASUS Extendable Routers come equipped with robust, comprehensive security features that safeguard your entire smart home network—from every connected device to the router itself and internet connections . This is especially crucial in homes filled with IoT devices like smart locks, cameras, and sensors, which are more vulnerable to evolving cyber threats. With ASUS Extendable Routers, you gain peace of mind knowing your data and devices are protected by commercial-grade security.

• Effortless Setup and Control with the ASUS Router App

The ASUS Router app makes setup and management easy. From your phone, you can monitor devices, manage guest access, receive instant notifications, and benefit from automatic security updates, keeping your network secure and under control, anytime, anywhere.

Smart Home Master: Custom Networks Made Simple

The ASUS-exclusive Smart Home Master feature in the ASUS Router app elevates your network control by allowing you to create various dedicated networks tailored to specific needs, enhancing security, organization, and user experiences across your smart home.

• IoT Network: Easily group and manage all your smart home devices under a single, dedicated SSID. This improves compatibility—especially for older 2.4GHz devices—and also strengthens security across your entire IoT ecosystem.
• Kid’s Network: Create a separate network just for your children’s devices, complete with built-in parental controls. You can block inappropriate content, manage screen time, and ensure a safer online environment for your family.
• VPN Network: Establish secure, encrypted connections with your preferred VPN services—including Surfshark and NordVPN— even on devices that typically don’t support VPNs, such as game consoles and smart TVs. The app also simplifies advanced configurations like VPN Fusion for flexible, multi-VPN routing.

Best Wi-Fi Extender Alternatives

Traditional router and extender setups can lead to compromises that result in inconsistent speeds or limited control, but ASUS Extendable Routers, powered by AiMesh technology, deliver seamless, high-performance, secure Wi-Fi experiences that simplify your smart home network from day one.

KEY FEATURES: COMPARISON CHART

Feature	ASUS Extendable Routers	Traditional Router + Extender
Wi-Fi Network	Single, seamless network (AiMesh)	Multiple SSIDs, manual switching required
Performance	Consistent, high-speed coverage	Reduced speed and higher latency through extender
Security	Unified, robust protection across the network	Inconsistent security; potential vulnerabilities
Management	Centralized control via ASUS Router App	Separate interfaces for router and extender
Advanced Features	Full access to Smart Home Master features	Limited or unavailable on extenders

NETWORK PERFORMANCE: COMPARISON CHART

Spec	ASUS AiMesh Network (RT-BE88U + RT-BE58U)	Competitor 1 (BE9200 + AX3000 Extender)
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7 (whole home)	Wi-Fi 7 (main router only)
Max Data Rate	Up to 1.33Gbps	Up to 1.23Gbps
Backhaul/Fronthaul (extension area)	Wi-Fi 7 dual-band MLO	WiFi 6 single-band
Coverage	Up to 4,750 sq.ft.	Up to 3,500 sq.ft.
Mesh Support (Scalability)	AiMesh (ASUS ZenWiFi and travel router compatible)	EasyMesh (limited compatibility)
WAN Ports	10G & 2.5G Multi-WAN	2.5G
LAN Ports	Up to 4 x 2.5G (router) + 4 x 1G (mesh node)	4 x 2.5G (router) + 1 x 1G (extender)
Internet Backup	Multi-WAN (auto detection); 4G & 5G mobile tethering	Not supported

ADDED VALUE: COMPARISON CHART 

Feature	ASUS AiMesh Network (RT-BE92U + RT-BE58U)	Competitor 2 (BE9200 + AX3000 Extender)
Warranty	3 years	2 years
App Control	ASUS Router App (whole home)	Supported
Security	ASUS Network Security & AiProtection Pro (included)	US$199.98/2 years
Parental Controls	Included	US$17.99/year
IoT Network	Supported (whole home)	Main router only
Kid’s Network	Supported (whole home)	Not supported
VPN Network	Supported (whole home)	Not supported
Guest Network	Supported (whole home)	Main router only
VPN Support	Comprehensive VPNs + exclusive VPN Network	Limited
Initial Price	PHP 24,530.00	PHP 18,680.00
Hidden Costs	None	PHP 13,330.00
2-Year Total Cost	PHP 24,530.00	PHP 32,010.00

The Verdict: Better Performance, Bigger Savings

ASUS Extendable Routers don’t just outperform traditional setups. They also save you money. With no hidden subscription fees and full access to advanced features, you can save over US$360* in two years while enjoying a faster, more secure, and more reliable smart home network.

* Savings based on U.S. pricing and subscription rates as of May 2025.

Recommendations: Find the Right ASUS Extendable Router

Below are recommended ASUS solutions, based on various smart home needs.

• For 8K Streaming, Large Downloads & Video Calls: The RT-BE92U delivers blazing-fast tri-band WiFi 7 (up to 9700Mbps), 6GHz support for latest mobile devices, and flexible 10G & 2.5G multi-WAN—ideal for apartments up to 2,750 square feet.

If you live in a bigger or multi-floor house or apartment, the ASUS ZenWiFi BT8 or BD4 may be more convenient, offering pre-configured mesh coverage up to 5,900 square feet. (2-pack) and tri-band WiFi 7 (up to 14000Mbps).

• For Lag-Free Online Gaming: The TUF Gaming BE6500 combines high-performance hardware with an advanced game acceleration suite for PC, game console and mobile and optimized cooling for stable, low-latency gaming.

• For Outdoor Smart Home Devices: The ASUS ZenWiFi BD4 Outdoor ensures strong, reliable WiFi 7 (up to 3600Mbps) across your entire property—perfect for outdoor cameras, lighting, and entertainment

• For On-the-Go Connectivity: The RT-BE58 Go is a compact, tri-mode WiFi 7 travel router that extends your secure network wherever life takes you.

• For Eco-Conscious Users: The RT-BE82U and RT-BE58U are built using up to 30% post-consumer recycled plastics—delivering performance while making sustainability a priority.

• For Creators & Wired Power Users: RT-BE88U features long-range wired connectivity and an SFP+ port, making it ideal for content creators and high-bandwidth workflows.

• For existing ASUS WiFi 6 or 6E Laptop Owners Seeking to Upgrade to WiFi 7: The ROG USB-BE92 lets you plug-and-play on any WiFi 6/6E desktop or laptop, unlocking tri-band speeds of up to 6500Mbps with premium 6GHz support.

Be Ready for the Future with ASUS Extendable Routers

With ASUS WiFi 7 Extendable Routers, you’ll be equipped to embrace the future of smart living. Advanced features, seamless expandability, robust security, and commitment to user-friendly design make them the ideal choice for building a powerful, reliable, and future-proof smart home network in 2025 and beyond.