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phoinix | Staff 9.6K Views
Aug 28, 2026 5:38 PM

[Resale, AC] $174.08 | ASUS RT-BE88U Dual-Band High Performance WiFi 7 Router (Used - Like New) at Amazon

$174

$350

50% off
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Amazon Resale via Amazon [amazon.com] has ASUS RT-BE88U Dual-Band High Performance WiFi 7 Router for $248.68 - 30% at checkout = $174.08.
Shipping is free.

Offers [amazon.com]: (on conditions [amazon.com])
  • Like New: $174.08
Discount at checkout

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Save 30% at checkout

amazon.com/dp/B0D55SWRSM [amazon.com]

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Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amazon Resale via Amazon [amazon.com] has ASUS RT-BE88U Dual-Band High Performance WiFi 7 Router for $248.68 - 30% at checkout = $174.08.
Shipping is free.

Offers [amazon.com]: (on conditions [amazon.com])
  • Like New: $174.08
Discount at checkout

Savings
Save 30% at checkout

amazon.com/dp/B0D55SWRSM [amazon.com]

Please report the deal if expired (click report -> expired)
My other deals | Other Resale deals

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Community Reviews

The RT-BE88U is a feature-heavy WiFi 7 router that stands out for extra Ethernet ports, a 10Gb SFP plus port, 2GB of memory, and strong real-world performance with Merlin firmware and dual-WAN setups. It can run full-speed wireless benchmarks without crashing, and the added 2.4GHz spatial stream may help a little with connections and range. The main tradeoffs are that it lacks 6GHz, range on 5GHz and 40 foot tests can trail the BE86U, and mounting options are limited. Used condition also adds risk, including a DOA unit and a flaky start before stabilizing.

  • The RT-BE88U can run actively developed open-source firmware like AsusWRT Merlin without crashing or bogging down.

  • The RT-BE88U can handle dual-WAN setups with 2.5Gbps plus 1Gbps fiber while still achieving full-speed real-world WiFi benchmarks.

  • The RT-BE88U can be a practical choice when 6GHz range limits are acceptable for higher bandwidth needs.

  • The RT-BE88U can be a strong option for wireless coverage when range-focused performance matters more than extra wired features.

  • The RT-BE88U lacks 6GHz support, which can make it under-deliver compared with WiFi 7 options that include 6GHz.

  • The RT-BE88U used condition can arrive DOA, and the seller may refuse replacement even when return or replace is expected.

  • The RT-BE88U has limited mounting options, since existing 3D-printed mounts may only support a port-side-down orientation.

  • The RT-BE88U may not deliver a noticeable upgrade for households with only one newer WiFi 7 device.

Common Questions (5)

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23 Comments

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Aug 31, 2026 3:50 AM
5 Comments
Joined Nov 2021
johnnycakes512Aug 31, 2026 3:50 AM
5 Comments
Looks dead. I had put this in my cart, but when I go to checkout now, it's no longer showing the discount.
Aug 31, 2026 9:18 PM
12 Comments
Joined Oct 2025
GreenStep601Aug 31, 2026 9:18 PM
12 Comments
Quote from tropicalb View quoted comment :
I'd return the BE86U and get the BE88U. Why? Because the BE88U has 2x the memory (2GB instead of 1GB), more ethernet ports, and an additional 10GB SFP+ port. BE88U also gives you an additional spatial stream on 2.4ghz (4x4 vs 3x3 on the BE86U). More spatial streams = more concurrent connections + marginally better range and maybe even a little more speed (but probably not too much since 2.4ghz is a very saturated/crowded wifi band). You may not notice a huge difference at 4x4 vs 3x3, but it is still more.

I also don't think 2GB RAM by itself is enough to warrant switching, but more memory isn't a bad thing and combined with all the other stuff, I would certainly return the BE86U for the BE88U.
Check this review out concerning the BE86U:
https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-be8...er-review/

Wifi results are basically identical across the board with the BE88U except for WiFi 6(AX) 5Ghz. The BE86U is almost twice as fast on the 40ft range test. The 10ft test is a much smaller gap, but still favors the BE86U. The reviewer confirmed this result in the comments. I've also seen some other reviews that tend to support these results, but of course test conditions will differ. Curious if this was a software bug or a limitation in the hardware. The BE86U is the newer model between the two, so maybe some additional tuning for the 5Ghz radio? For those that care, the NAS benchmarks also favored the BE86U in his testing which surprised me.

Bottom line, I went with the BE86U. Wifi results from a range perspective tend to favor the BE86U in the older protocols (AX/AC). Please feel free to post data otherwise, I may have missed it. I already have a OPNsense router handling my traffic, so don't need all the extras the BE88U provides. I just need a solid access point for wireless coverage which the BE86U seems more than capable.
1
Sep 1, 2026 4:13 AM
1.2K Comments
Joined Aug 2021
tropicalbSep 1, 2026 4:13 AM
1.2K Comments
Quote from GreenStep601 View quoted comment :
Check this review out concerning the BE86U:
https://dongknows.com/asus-rt-be8...er-review/

Wifi results are basically identical across the board with the BE88U except for WiFi 6(AX) 5Ghz. The BE86U is almost twice as fast on the 40ft range test. The 10ft test is a much smaller gap, but still favors the BE86U. The reviewer confirmed this result in the comments. I've also seen some other reviews that tend to support these results, but of course test conditions will differ. Curious if this was a software bug or a limitation in the hardware. The BE86U is the newer model between the two, so maybe some additional tuning for the 5Ghz radio? For those that care, the NAS benchmarks also favored the BE86U in his testing which surprised me.

Bottom line, I went with the BE86U. Wifi results from a range perspective tend to favor the BE86U in the older protocols (AX/AC). Please feel free to post data otherwise, I may have missed it. I already have a OPNsense router handling my traffic, so don't need all the extras the BE88U provides. I just need a solid access point for wireless coverage which the BE86U seems more than capable.
Thanks for the review & info. I'm familiar with Dong Ngo (the person behind dongknows.com) and respect his reviews, as he
meticulously scrutinizes the devices he tests, ensuring the reader obtains a wealth of info about each product.

I'm shocked that the BE88U is so much slower than the BE86U on the 5ghz band, according to that review result. Makes no sense! That review is from October 2024, nearly 2 years ago.. one wonders if the firmware has been improved on the BE88U sufficiently since the time of that review. Perhaps now the BE88U performs as well (or better) than the BE86U.
Sep 4, 2026 5:09 AM
990 Comments
Joined Jun 2017
BabyTantrumSep 4, 2026 5:09 AM
990 Comments
Ac router selling for this much in 2026. It must be good. I use WiFi for everything except my streaming media player. So WiFi technology is important for me, and most of my devices are WiFi 6 or newer. Even devices on older WiFi standards benefit from AX enhancements.
Sep 5, 2026 10:38 PM
816 Comments
Joined Jul 2017
Nintendo1474Sep 5, 2026 10:38 PM
816 Comments
Quote from BabyTantrum View quoted comment :
Ac router selling for this much in 2026. It must be good. I use WiFi for everything except my streaming media player. So WiFi technology is important for me, and most of my devices are WiFi 6 or newer. Even devices on older WiFi standards benefit from AX enhancements.
It's not wifi 5/802.11AC, no clue why that's in the title. This is WiFi 7/802.11BE
Sep 6, 2026 7:08 PM
384 Comments
Joined Dec 2015
chuqSep 6, 2026 7:08 PM
384 Comments
Quote from Nintendo1474 View quoted comment :
It's not wifi 5/802.11AC, no clue why that's in the title. This is WiFi 7/802.11BE
In this case, AC refers to "after coupon", not the 802.11ac standard.
Sep 11, 2026 10:33 PM
75 Comments
Joined Dec 2003
blsgatorSep 11, 2026 10:33 PM
75 Comments
Got one and it was a great deal except it was DOA. I chatted where it said return or replace. Would not replace and couldn't order again as the extra discount was just for one Oh well will keep my rt-ax88u. It was acting flaky but has since stabilized

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Sep 12, 2026 2:44 AM
2.4K Comments
Joined Sep 2005
pdp76Sep 12, 2026 2:44 AM
2.4K Comments
Quote from blsgator View quoted comment :
Got one and it was a great deal except it was DOA. I chatted where it said return or replace. Would not replace and couldn't order again as the extra discount was just for one Oh well will keep my rt-ax88u. It was acting flaky but has since stabilized
I know older Asus routers had a way to boot into the bootloader with some button presses so you could reflash the firmware, not sure if this one still has a feature. If you still have the router, maybe you can try?

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