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expired Posted by Djcslice • May 22, 2022
expired Posted by Djcslice • May 22, 2022

Best Buy In-Store Offer: Recycle Old Modem/Router for ASUS RT-AX86U Gigabit Router

(Availability May Vary)

~$212.50

$280

Best Buy
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Deal Details
Best Buy has ASUS RT-AX86U Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router w/ AiMesh on sale currently for $249.99. Save an additional 15% Off when you trade-in/recycle your old networking device (ex; modem, router, modem/router combo or gateway) in exchange for a form of a 15% Off Recycle Coupon towards the purchase of this gaming router = ~$212.49 valid for in-store purchase only or when follow the instructions listed below.

Thanks to community member Djcslice for finding this deal

Note, stock/availability will vary by store location

Deal Instructions
  1. Visit any local Best Buy locations [Store Locator]
  2. Bring in any old networking devices (ex; modem, router, modem/router combo or gateway)
  3. Trade-in your device for a 15% Off Recycle Coupon towards the purchase of a modem, router, or gateway [Details]
  4. After receiving your unique coupon, proceed to purchase the ASUS RT-AX86U Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router w/ AiMesh (Black)
  5. Final price should be ~$212.49 after your 15% Off Recycle Coupon (~$37.49 Off)
    • Note, product is currently on sale at $249.99 price mark
About the Product
  • 10/100/1000 Ethernet Standard
  • 2.4 GHz + 5.0 GHz Frequency Band
  • WiFi 6 AX Networking Standard (5.7 gigabit per second)
  • 4x Antennas
  • RJ-45 Ports
  • AiMesh Support
Warranty
  • Includes a 2-year manufacturer's warranty w/ purchase (parts + labor)

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • Must trade in an old networking device to received a 15% Off recycle coupon towards the purchase of this gaming router
  • This is currently the best available price we've seen after the trade-in offer; typically hovers around the $230-$250 price mark
  • Product qualifies for 15-day free/easy returns w/ p urchase
  • Product/offer must be purchase in-store only
  • Limit one coupon per household, per offer
  • Recycled modems, routers or gateways will not be returned under any circumstances; may not be available in all locations and some stores may have additional limitations
  • Offer valid while promotional offer last/while stock is available
Additional Notes
  • Highly rated by customers for speed, setup and connection quality
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details - Discombobulated

Original Post

Written by Djcslice
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Best Buy has ASUS RT-AX86U Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router w/ AiMesh on sale currently for $249.99. Save an additional 15% Off when you trade-in/recycle your old networking device (ex; modem, router, modem/router combo or gateway) in exchange for a form of a 15% Off Recycle Coupon towards the purchase of this gaming router = ~$212.49 valid for in-store purchase only or when follow the instructions listed below.

Thanks to community member Djcslice for finding this deal

Note, stock/availability will vary by store location

Deal Instructions
  1. Visit any local Best Buy locations [Store Locator]
  2. Bring in any old networking devices (ex; modem, router, modem/router combo or gateway)
  3. Trade-in your device for a 15% Off Recycle Coupon towards the purchase of a modem, router, or gateway [Details]
  4. After receiving your unique coupon, proceed to purchase the ASUS RT-AX86U Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router w/ AiMesh (Black)
  5. Final price should be ~$212.49 after your 15% Off Recycle Coupon (~$37.49 Off)
    • Note, product is currently on sale at $249.99 price mark
About the Product
  • 10/100/1000 Ethernet Standard
  • 2.4 GHz + 5.0 GHz Frequency Band
  • WiFi 6 AX Networking Standard (5.7 gigabit per second)
  • 4x Antennas
  • RJ-45 Ports
  • AiMesh Support
Warranty
  • Includes a 2-year manufacturer's warranty w/ purchase (parts + labor)

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
  • Must trade in an old networking device to received a 15% Off recycle coupon towards the purchase of this gaming router
  • This is currently the best available price we've seen after the trade-in offer; typically hovers around the $230-$250 price mark
  • Product qualifies for 15-day free/easy returns w/ p urchase
  • Product/offer must be purchase in-store only
  • Limit one coupon per household, per offer
  • Recycled modems, routers or gateways will not be returned under any circumstances; may not be available in all locations and some stores may have additional limitations
  • Offer valid while promotional offer last/while stock is available
Additional Notes
  • Highly rated by customers for speed, setup and connection quality
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details - Discombobulated

Original Post

Written by Djcslice

Community Voting

Deal Score
+33
Good Deal
Visit Best Buy

Price Intelligence

Model: ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, 2.5G Port, Gaming & Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security

Deal History 

Sale Price
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  • Today

Current Prices

Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 4/25/2025, 07:40 PM
Sold By Sale Price
Office Depot and OfficeMax $290.19
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Top Comments

Its not the same hardware.

TL : DR
1. More memory
2. 2.5gb port
3. 2x usb 3.0

https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax86s-vs-rt-ax86u/
that's a nerfed version without 2.5G support.
The RT-AX86S is different than the RT-AX86U

117 Comments

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May 23, 2022
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Original Poster
May 23, 2022
325 Posts
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May 23, 2022
Djcslice
Original Poster
May 23, 2022
325 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Djcslice

Quote from dis_john :
Amazon currently has it for $215
ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86S) – Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, up to 2500 sq ft, Lifetime Free Internet Security, Mesh WiFi Support, Gaming Port, True 2 Gbps
The RT-AX86S is different than the RT-AX86U
1
Pro
May 23, 2022
8,697 Posts
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May 23, 2022
trza
Pro
May 23, 2022
8,697 Posts
Looks like it has Merlin support. Not sure if it's worth moving to Wifi6 yet though.
3
May 23, 2022
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May 23, 2022
993 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
May 23, 2022
Jsz0301
May 23, 2022
993 Posts
Quote from dis_john :
Amazon currently has it for $215
ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86S) – Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, up to 2500 sq ft, Lifetime Free Internet Security, Mesh WiFi Support, Gaming Port, True 2 Gbps https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09GP...UTF8&psc=1 [amazon.com]
that's a nerfed version without 2.5G support.
Original Poster
May 23, 2022
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May 23, 2022
Djcslice
Original Poster
May 23, 2022
325 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Djcslice

Quote from trza :
It's a different in packaging. They run the exact same firmware
Its not the same hardware.

TL : DR
1. More memory
2. 2.5gb port
3. 2x usb 3.0

https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax86s-vs-rt-ax86u/
Last edited by Djcslice May 22, 2022 at 06:26 PM.
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May 23, 2022
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Jsz0301
May 23, 2022
993 Posts

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Quote from Djcslice :
Its not the same hardware.

https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-ax86s-vs-rt-ax86u/
Kinda both. They share the same "hardware" minus ram size and a missing controller for second 3.0 and 2.5G.

The dual core BCM4906 is just a silicon disabled BCM4908 quad. Was an easy modification for ASUS to pull off to sell it at a slightly lower price point. Router shares FCC output certification meaning performance won't really change outside of unit to unit variance.

Both the processors are over 6 years old at this point, but ASUS charges an arm and a leg for routers with newer Broadcom silicon on newer nodes/die shrinks. IE GT-AX-6000.. cant win XD
1
May 23, 2022
774 Posts
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May 23, 2022
ArgoNavis
May 23, 2022
774 Posts
Quote from Djcslice :
I just picked one of these up in store. I have been waiting for it to go on sale at Best Buy to stack with the 15% off coupon you can get for trading in an old network device. This coupon only works in store.
What is Lifetime Internet?
1
1
Original Poster
May 23, 2022
325 Posts
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May 23, 2022
Djcslice
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May 23, 2022
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Djcslice

Quote from Jsz0301 :
Kinda both. They share the same "hardware" minus ram size and a missing controller for second 3.0 and 2.5G.

The dual core BCM4906 is just a silicon disabled BCM4908 quad. Was an easy modification for ASUS to pull off to sell it at a slightly lower price point. Router shares FCC output certification meaning performance won't really change outside of unit to unit variance.

Both the processors are over 6 years old at this point, but ASUS charges an arm and a leg for routers with newer Broadcom silicon on newer nodes/die shrinks. IE GT-AX-6000.. cant win XD
In my opinion, Asus' routers are better than any of the competition. Its a reasonably priced wifi 6 router, well rated and has an integrated mesh system that makes it more versatile than other standard routers and significantly less expensive than wifi 6 mesh systems.

At the end of the day, its a good price for this router, regardless if you are giving a recommendation to buy one.
1
1
Original Poster
May 23, 2022
325 Posts
Joined Feb 2005
May 23, 2022
Djcslice
Original Poster
May 23, 2022
325 Posts
Quote from ArgoNavis :
What is Lifetime Internet?
It cut off "security". I have updated the post title.
May 23, 2022
1,202 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
May 23, 2022
resseeker
May 23, 2022
1,202 Posts
Have the AX86U in several locations and it's fantastic! Merlin support is gravy.

Going to pick up one of these to add as a node.

Note: this is only a SD because of 15% discount. also, chase had some offers for selected few. check them before buying!
May 23, 2022
993 Posts
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Jsz0301
May 23, 2022
993 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Jsz0301

Quote from Djcslice :
In my opinion, Asus' routers are better than any of the competition. Its a reasonably priced wifi 6 router, well rated and has an integrated mesh system that makes it more versatile than other standard routers and significantly less expensive than wifi 6 mesh systems.

At the end of the day, its a good price for this router, regardless if you are giving a recommendation to buy one.
The original AX86U is/was priced well relative to other stuff they sell above and below it (MSRP). The only gripe I had with it was a slightly nerfed UNII-1 output and slightly buggy firmware/clients at release.

I'm just faulting ASUS' pricing metrics and stagnating true next gen hardware, but its not like other brands are in a hurry either..

GT-AX6000 for example is basically a true AX88U successor and prob the best 4x4 + 4x4 BCM based router on the market considering the newer platform, but I wouldn't recommend that people pay 2x the price when AX86U will be fine for most people Smilie


That aside the new Synology AX6600 tri brand is a really nice Qualcomm platform and the MSRP is actually quite reasonable. (supports UNII-4 high output over 1w)

I wish they made a 4x4 + 4x4 AX6000 version but beggars cant be choosers.
Last edited by Jsz0301 May 22, 2022 at 07:07 PM.
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May 23, 2022
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yesitsmario
May 23, 2022
1,685 Posts
What if local BB doesn't have it in stock there, will they order it for you for in store pickup or delivery?

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Original Poster
May 23, 2022
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Djcslice
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325 Posts
Quote from yesitsmario :
What if local BB doesn't have it in stock there, will they order it for you for in store pickup or delivery?
you might be able to order it for in store pickup and have them cancel the order and ring you up in store with the discount. YMMV

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