Getting the best high-speed internet can be a challenge, but it can be made easier by comparing the RT N56U vs RT N66U routers. These are some of the best routers in terms of power and value. In order to choose the best router for you, you have to compare them based on these four categories: The data transfer rate, the range and power, the approximate number of devices it can support, and the additional features.
At the end of the day, the router you choose has to fit in with your day-to-day life. It has to be reliable and meet your needs to perfection, which is why considering each category and comparing how both routers perform in them is of utmost importance!
Contents
RT N56U vs. RT N66U
● The same number of Wired Ethernet Ports
● Both have Dual-Band Frequency
● RT N66U is slightly more expensive than RT N56U
● Both with two USB ports
| Product | RT N56U | RT N66U |
| Number of Devices Supported |
Around 25 devices at once |
Around 40 devices at once |
| Data Transfer Rate |
300 MBs |
450 MBs |
| Wireless Connectivity |
✓ |
✓ |
| Approximate Range |
+1800 Square Feet |
+3500 Square Feet |
| 4×1 GB Ethernet Support |
✓ |
✓ |
| 5 LAN Ports | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual-Band Frequency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parental Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| Attachable Antennae Feature | ✓ |
1. RT N56U
● Transfer rate of nearly 300 MBs
● Comes with two USB ports
● Comes with four LAN ports
● Over 1800 square feet of coverage
● Dual-band frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
The ASUS RT N56U is a well-made and reliable product in the ASUS family of routers. The ASUS RT-56U range is something to take into consideration when comparing these two products. Plus, this product provides some additional features which will prove to be incredibly useful and make life a whole lot easier.
Approximate Number of Devices
The dual-band coverage is incredibly important when it comes to providing all users connected to this device with reliable and high-speed internet, and the ASUS RT N56U does this incredibly well! Regardless of the number of devices connected to your network, with the dual-band coverage, you are guaranteed a powerful signal evenly distributed among all of them.
The ASUS RT N56U comes with two USB ports you can use to add peripherals (such as printers or scanners) to the network, and if need be, you can also add additional storage on the network without too much hassle.
The ASUS RT N56U supports four 1-GB Ethernet ports. This is particularly useful when you are in need of some extra speed, which is essential when it comes to video streaming and online gaming.
With the capability to support 25 devices at the same time, this device allows both the user and their guests to enjoy video streaming and online gaming as well as connectivity with smart devices, all at once. You may not be able to have as many devices on your network if you stream too many videos on one device.
– Range and Power
The ASUS RT N56U specs are impressive for the price, giving you five internal antennas that are used for different frequencies in the dual-band system. The RT N56U has one WAN port and four LAN ports in the back of the router as well.
The ASUS RT N56U can hold a very strong signal, providing the user with coverage up to 1800 square feet away from the device. This router should cover most of your home depending on its size and where it’s placed inside. For the most part, if placed in the center of your home while activated, you will be able to use it in any room of the house.
– The Data Transfer Rate
The ASUS RT N56U has a data transfer speed of 300 Mb/s. The distance each device is from the router will, of course, play a role in the speeds you can reach. With this in mind, the closer you are to the device the better the connection will be!
The ASUS RT N56U can perform better if you allocate bandwidth. By doing so, you guarantee that the newer devices will be able to use more bandwidth, which, in turn, makes them run a lot faster.
– Additional Features
The ASUS RT N56U is a pretty standard device, but it does come equipped with certain special features such as four LAN ports onboard. There is one WAN port on the device as well.
The device weighs just over two pounds and its dimensions are 12.4 x 3.4 x 9.3 inches. This makes it one of the larger and more clunky routers, but this shouldn’t matter all that much as it does not often need to be moved around. It can make finding a space for it in the center of your home more of a challenge, though.
The ASUS RT N56U also has Giga Fiber Internet Support which allows you to attain speeds of up to 900MB/s to 1 GB/s. If you look at any RT N56U review, they will tell you that it is well worth the price.
2. RT N66U
● Transfer rate of nearly 450 Mb/s
● Comes with two USB ports
● Comes with four LAN ports and one WAN port
● Over 3500 square feet of coverage
● Dual-band frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
The ASUS RT N66U is a well-improved version of the ASUS RT N56U model. The RT N66U has many of the same features the N56U has, except it comes with more power and range than the previous version.
– Approximate Number of Devices
The dual-band coverage of the ASUS RT N66U is very much the same as the RT N56U, so you won’t notice any true technical differences in that aspect of the router.
The ASUS RT N66U, much like the N56U, comes with two USB ports which can allow the addition of peripherals to the network as well as extra storage (if needed).
Even though the NT N56U could hold a pretty good number of devices on its network at once, the RT N66U can actually hold up to around 40 devices, which is fantastic when it comes to streaming videos (be it movies, internet videos, or livestreams), online gaming (where reliability is a must), and of course, smart devices! You’ll be able to handle much more of a bandwidth load than previous versions of similar routers.
The ASUS RT N66U also has four Ethernet ports which, for the devices directly connected to these ports, means they will receive much higher speeds than if they were connected wirelessly.
– Range and Power
For the prices at which the ASUS RT N66U specs are sold, you will be getting quite the impressive device, giving you four LAN ports in the back of the router as well as two USB slots.
Regardless of where you decide to put the ASUS RT N66U, you can be certain that the device’s signal will (most likely) not have a single issue reaching every corner of your house. This device has a signal range of around 3500 square feet, so it shouldn’t have a problem keeping every device connected to it from getting a strong and reliable signal.
You will, of course, get much better results if you allocate the bandwidth appropriately and place the router in a central location in your home.
– The Data Transfer Rate
The ASUS RT N66U has a solid data transfer speed of 450 Mb/s. Just like with the ASUS RT N56U, the distance each device is from the router will affect the speeds you can reach. The connection will be better for each device on the network when closer to the router.
The ASUS RT N66U can perform better if you allocate bandwidth to newer devices which have the power and ability to make use of it. This is the same as the RT N56U, but with this router, the speeds you can reach are even greater.
– Additional Features
The ASUS RT N66U is a noticeably more advanced device than the N56U. The RT N66U comes equipped with the same special features that the RT N56U has, such as four LAN ports and one WAN port on the device as well.
The device weighs even less than the N56U, coming in at around 1.8 lbs. The N66U has dimensions of 11 x 14 x 3.5 inches. This makes it a more lightweight and smaller choice of router, although that shouldn’t matter all that much since it’s only a slight size difference.
The ASUS RT N66U has the benefit of being able to attach some additional antennas to help extend its range if needed.
FAQ
Who is the manufacturer of both ASUS RT-N66U and ASUS RT-N56U?
Both the ASUS RT-N66U and ASUS RT-N56U are manufactured by ASUS, a globally renowned company known for producing various tech devices including routers.
Can I install custom firmware on the ASUS RT-N66U and the ASUS RT-N56U?
Yes, both ASUS RT-N66U and RT-N56U support custom firmware installations like DD-WRT or Tomato. However, ensure you follow appropriate guidelines and understand the implications before making any changes.
How can I ensure optimal router performance after purchasing?
To achieve the best performance from either router, ensure to regularly update the router firmware with official updates from ASUS, position the router centrally in your home, and keep it elevated.
Where can I find official support for these ASUS routers?
Official support, firmware updates, and documentation for the ASUS RT-N66U and ASUS RT-N56U can be found on the ASUS official website in their support or download section.
Conclusion
Even though the ASUS RT N56U and the ASUS RT N66U may not be that different when it comes to their functionality and features, the real differences are in how each performs (their range and signal power) and the number of devices each device network can comfortably handle without slowing down.
Most aspects of the RT N66U surpass its competitor, except for the price. However, the price difference between these two products is relatively low, so there is little reason to choose the RT N56U over the N66U. Any ASUS RT N66U review you might come across will surely have the same conclusion, which demonstrates this product’s overall quality compared to its competitor.
If you’re someone who is on a very tight budget and has no need for an ultra-powerful router, then the ASUS RT N56U will serve you quite comfortably in most areas of your home.
