ASUS RP-AX58 AX3000 Dual Band WiFi Extender

This extender is a good choice if you have an ASUS brand router to extend, and you prefer mounting it in a power outlet. If you have another brand access point main router, I would not choose this extender. Although it has good rage, it is a little difficult to set up in my opinion. (I have a set up tip later.) It is a little expensive, and may not work consistently with other brand routers in my experiences. I will explain those issues later. For non ASUS routers, I have had better experiences with the inexpensive TP-Link RE315, or if you want better performance, the RE715x.

If you want to extend an ASUS router, I would suggest buying another ASUS router and using it in a mesh configuration for the same price as this extender. (Like the RT-AX58U) The second router will have better range, better specs and have support for a guest network. If you want to set up an ASUS AI Mesh configuration and prefer to use a power outlet, this extender is your only option. Once set up correctly, this extender has been solid for me. It is configured by logging into your main ASUS router from either a web browser or the ASUS router app. No account sign up is needed. Both work good. The app is easier to use. The web browser has other options not available in the app. Both the access point and extender are configured through the access point main router including firmware updates and all the settings. No further need to log into the extender.

Now the not so good. This extender does not extend a guest network if you have one set up. To login to the extender, there is an ASUS “extender” app (as opposed to the ASUS “router” app) When I purchased this extender, the “extender” app constantly crashed. ASUS recently updated the app after ignoring it for a few years and it may work better now. I had to use a web browser for initial login. (You can also use the “router” app, which did not crash.) If you have a different brand main router, log into the ASUS extender and search for your wireless network. Join the network using your wireless password. The extender should connect and extend your network. This has not been consistent with non ASUS routers for me and the connection drops for short periods sometimes in my experience.

If you have an ASUS main router, my big tip is to connect the extender with an Ethernet cable to the access point router. (Only if it is an ASUS router.) Trying to set up the extender wirelessly was hit or miss to say the least. Basically, you log into your ASUS main router, go into the network map and add an AI Mesh extender by searching for it. (Follow the instructions supplied with the extender.) I definitely suggest using the Ethernet cable for initial set up. Use the same WiFi SSID for all the signals except the guest network if you have one or turn on smart connect. After set up, you can disconnect the cable and place the extender anywhere it can reach a signal and it will automatically set up the WiFi mesh. All mesh routers, extenders, clients, and their traffic, is monitored and configured through the access point. Very nice.

I’m a tech savvy end user who needed a range extender, and I thought, I’ve got an Asus router (<6 mo old, top of the line) so how about trying the same brand. The instructions just don't match my experience setting up this product, and didn't matter what I did, couldn't get it to connect. Tried calling Asus tech support per the note in the package, was on hold for 20" and finally it hung up on their end. Terrible customer experience, will avoid this brand in the future.

Method 1 on the printed quick start guide is to connect via the Asus extender app, which I downloaded. It said to plug the extender in and connect my phone to the Asus wifi network, which I did. It says to enter the Asus default password – no password was given, and my phone didn’t ask for one. The connection came and went. Finally it connected and gave many more instructions about renaming the network and assigning new password – without any explanation of why, and the consequences. NOT consumer friendly. Maybe if you’re an educated network guy that works for Cisco you might know. Anyway, finally after entering all of that, the app crashed (iphone 14pro, up to date).

Method 2 is to connect using the WPS buttons. I followed directions, pushed the WPS button on the router til the blinking light came on, then the same on the extender. Both lights blinking and then…the instructions end. They are still blinking as I write this, twenty minutes later.

I have zero patience for companies that should know better, but don’t. Asus is a large company, yet I know consumer is a large piece of their business. Their instructions don’t match, are incomplete. They should take a clue from other tech companies like Ring.

Returning.