Asus RT-N66U vs. AC68U vs. AC87U/R

[smitbret]

I have been using T-Mobile's CellSpot router that I hacked and flashed back to stock AC68U. I love the AsusWRT firmware because it allows me to set the router as the NETBIOS Master Browser. So, I am stuck on Asus unless there is a different router that can be setup that way.

I dropped T-Mobile's service and they want their router back so I may have to get a new one. T-Mobile will charge me $99 if I don't return it which is actually a pretty good deal for an Asus RT-AC68U but I hate, hate, hate the upright form factor. I want one that lays flat or I can mount on the wall.

Anyway, here is the nitty gritty details. All I need out of the router is good routing ability and solid wireless N performance. I have a TP-Link Archer C7 that I can set as an AP if I need wireless AC but it's v1 of that router and it has issues with my Ooma Teleo and my Blackberry Z10. The RT-AC68U has had no problem with any devices.

Bottom line, how do these 3 routers compare for normal network routing and wireless N performance? I am not ready to drop the $$$ for any of the newer ones and I just don't need that much wireless bandwidth at this point. Is there any point to consider a Refurbished or Open Box AC87R/U? My gut says that the N66U is plenty for what I need but if general routing is greatly improved with either of the other two then I can pony up.

A cursory glance through reviews and rating would leave me to believe that routing throughput would be roughly equal between the AC68U and the AC87U with the N66U lagging a little behind. I doubt it would be noticeable with the N66U but I am the kind of guy that likes to "spring for the bigger engine".

Opinions?

 

[Elixer]

IMO, you really can't go wrong with either of those, and, as you said, the router you now have is a good deal at $99.
You can wall mount it, with a bit of tinkering if you want: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:98590

I know a friend who used industrial strength velcro to do the same, and that sucker would stay there even in a tornado. It is the same stuff that hold up those big fire extinguishers.

About the routing, you don't specify what you are doing, but, unless you have 100% router usage 24/7, I don't think you would notice a few % different between them.

 

[boomerang]

I dropped T-Mobile's service and they want their router back so I may have to get a new one. T-Mobile will charge me $99 if I don't return it which is actually a pretty good deal for an Asus RT-AC68U but I hate, hate, hate the upright form factor. I want one that lays flat or I can mount on the wall.

FYI, the 66 versions can be laid flat or wall mounted. I have the AC and the N version. Both can be configured either way. There is a stand that comes with them that doesn't have to used that props them up at an angle.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I have an AC66U. In your position, I'd want the 68. More than double the CPU power of the N66U or AC66U - sooner or later, you'll enable some "nifty" feature of the firmware that will make you glad you had the extra oomph.