ASUS
ASUS RT-AX88U
- Native integration
- Local control
- Wi-Fi
- Ethernet
Prices verified October 2026
Our verdict
An older AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 router with eight gigabit LAN ports that people still buy for the stock ASUSWRT firmware and the third-party Merlin build. It is no longer a bargain: the Amazon listing I checked was close to GBP 320 with one unit left, which is silly money for a Wi-Fi 6 router now. If you already own one it is a great Home Assistant and VPN-client box; if you are buying new, look at the newer ASUS models first.
What can Home Assistant control on the ASUS RT-AX88U?
Home Assistant core has an asuswrt integration for ASUS routers running ASUSWRT firmware, connecting over telnet or HTTP(S) (not SSH per the docs), giving device trackers, connected-device count, traffic and speed sensors, load and temperature sensors; HTTP(S) mode adds CPU, memory and uptime sensors. Merlin (third-party) firmware specifics were not verified for the integration.
Specs
| wifi | AX6000 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (per Amazon listing) |
|---|---|
| firmware | ASUSWRT, AiMesh capable |
How does the ASUS RT-AX88U compare?
| Product | From | Protocol | Local control | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS RT-AX88U (this product) | — | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Yes | Native |
| Amazon eero Max 7 | £599.99 | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Cloud | HACS |
| Amazon eero Pro 6E | £179.99 | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Cloud | HACS |
| ASUS RT-BE58U | £124.99 | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Yes | Native |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the ASUS RT-AX88U work with Home Assistant locally?
- Yes. The ASUS RT-AX88U is controlled locally in Home Assistant through a built-in Home Assistant core integration (asuswrt), so it keeps working if your internet connection or the ASUS cloud goes down. Control and state updates stay on your own network.
- Which protocol does the ASUS RT-AX88U use, and do I need a hub?
- The ASUS RT-AX88U uses Wi-Fi. To pair it with Home Assistant you need no hub — it joins your Wi-Fi network directly. ASUS's own hub is not required when you integrate through a built-in Home Assistant core integration (asuswrt).
ASUS
ASUS RT-AX88U
Check price at Amazon UK