Asus RT-AC86U vs AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable - Where are the differences?

Let's take a closer look at the differences between the Asus RT-AC86U* and AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable* routers in comparison.

For which connections are the routers suitable?

Basically, you can put any router behind any modem, but some routers also have an integrated modem. Does the Asus RT-AC86U have a modem installed? Does the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable have an integrated modem? We can answer this question with "yes" for only one device. Only the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable* has an integrated modem.

Most routers with built-in modems are only suitable for one type of Internet connection. With an external modem, the routers can of course still be attached to any connection. Basically, it is not possible to make a general statement about whether a device is better or worse. Rather, it depends on your connection. However, there are better and worse connections. However, we do not evaluate that directly in this comparison. Of course, the maximum data rate depends on your Internet connection.

Which router has the better WLAN?

WiFi 6, also called AX, is currently the newest standard in WLAN. The higher the standard, the better. This is where the routers differ. Only the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable* supports WiFi 6.

AC is the name for WiFi 5. Most often it comes in combination with WiFi 4 and is advertised as AC+N. If a device offers AX, it usually supports the older standards as well. Both the Asus RT-AC86U* and the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable* can support WiFi 5.

The WiFi 4 standard is also referred to as "N". If a device can do AX or AC, then it can usually do WiFi 4 (N). Here both models can do WiFi 4.

To offer more performance, some routers offer so-called dual band. In this case the router transmits on two frequencies. With the devices from the comparison you get this option only with the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable.

Triband is an optimization of the dual band. Here it is sent on three channels to achieve more power. This is where the routers differ. Only the Asus RT-AC86U offers you triband.

Let's have a look at the maximum data rate. In total, the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable* with 4800 + 1200 Mbit/s performs better here. The AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable offers 4800 + 1200 Mbit/s.

Which router has more antennas?

There are routers with internal antennas and routers with external antennas. However, more antennas do not necessarily mean more performance. In this context, the maximum data rate and WiFi standards must be considered.

Internal antennas have a fixed position. The direction of the radiation can thus not be changed easily.

Only with the Asus RT-AC86U you get external antennas. At the number there are 3. The advantage of external antennas is that they can be rotated. Thus, the direction of the radiation can be determined.

Comparison of connections

Let's take a look at the connectors from the Asus RT-AC86U and AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable. Neither router has a 100 Mbit LAN port.

Gigabit LAN you get with both routers.

Bei dem AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable bekommst du sogar 2,5 Gigabit LAN (1 Stück).

In addition to the LAN, some routers also have a WAN interface. If this is not available, a LAN port must be used to connect the modem. In this comparison, that is the case. Neither the Asus RT-AC86U, nor the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable have a WAN port.

Let's move on to the ISDN connection. In the meantime, this is hardly necessary and therefore also available in few devices. Both devices in the comparison do not have ISDN installed.

Functions of the routers in comparison

Let's take a look at the function from the Asus RT-AC86U and AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable in comparison.

media server (NAS): Both routers have a media server, also called NAS. With this NAS feature, you can store media on the device itself or on the network and manage it through the router.

WLAN Repeater: Some routers can also be used simply as repeaters. So you can amplify the signal of another router. Especially if you have several floors, this is interesting, because strong ceilings can interfere with the signal. Both models trump with a repeater function in this comparison.

WPS: With WPS, we stay on the topic of WLAN. WPS stands for "Wi-Fi Protected Setup". Here it concerns the simpler connection of devices to the WLAN. As a rule, this is done without the password. Both the Asus RT-AC86U and the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable offer you the possibility to use WPS.

DECT: With the help of DECT, DECT phones can be connected directly to the router. Thus, the router provides a convenient phone solution. Only with the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable* you can connect up to 6 DECT devices. With the Asus RT-AC86U you have to do without this function.

FAX: Even though FAX seems to be extinct for many, it is still actively used in some areas. At this point we have a difference, because only the AVM FRITZ!Box 6690 Cable has a FAX function.

IPv6: In case you're not aware - IP addresses with four blocks are running out, which is why the IPv6 standard was developed. Private households usually get only public IPv6 address. These must be supported by the router of course. There are some positive news for the models in this comparison. Both routers can work with IPv6.