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Over the past few years, Mesh WiFi systems have gained immense popularity due to their capability of eliminating WiFi dead zones without having to set up and manage multiple WiFi routers. We have reviewed a range of WiFi systems in the past including the ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 (W-2-PK) and the ASUS ZenWiFi XT9. Today, we are reviewing the ASUS ZenWiFi XD5, a mesh WiFi system designed to cover an entire household.
The XD5 comes in a package of up to three nodes, and despite their compact size, they offer robust features, including support for the WIFI 6 standard with a remarkable maximum wireless bandwidth of up to 3000 Mbps. Inside the box, you get two units of the ZenWiFi XD5, the warranty information leaflet, quick setup guide, wall mount setup guide, safety information leaflet, advanced WiFi tips leaflet, 2x power adapters with international power plug converter attachments, 2x wall mounting screw packs, and one Ethernet cable.
The ZenWiFi XD5 boasts a sleek and minimalist cube-like design with rounded edges. The nodes are constructed from plastic with a matte finish and the ASUS logo is featured in a gold chrome finish. Available in black and white colour options, our review sample was white in colour.
It is lightweight, weighing only 307 gms, and its compact design makes it easy to place the device in various locations in the room without worrying about desk space. Moreover, the router’s design allows you to wall mount it.
On the bottom of the XD5 nodes, you will find two wall mount openings, a Gigabit WAN port, a Gigabit LAN port, a power adapter port as well as a WPS button. The XD5 nodes unfortunately do not come with USB ports.
On paper, the ZenWiFi XD5 dual-band mesh system offers a maximum bandwidth of up to 3000 Mbps. For the 5 GHz band, the XD5 supports dual-stream (2×2) 160 MHz channel widths that provide transfer speeds of up to 2400 Mbps, while for the 2.4 GHz band, it supports dual-stream and offers a maximum transfer speed of up to 574 Mbps.
The dual-pack ZenWiFi XD5 provides WiFi coverage for up to 3500 sq ft. The XD5 supports ASUS’s AiMesh system, which allows other AiMesh-supported ASUS networking devices to be easily added to a mesh network for seamless connectivity.
The Smart Connect mode allows the ZenWiFi XD5 to assign appropriate bands to devices automatically, and clients will only see a single network. Users can also create up to six guest networks, with three in each range, and set individual access and speed parameters for them.
Additionally, standard features such as AiProtection, Parental Control, and QoS tabs are available. These tabs on the router’s web browser admin panel offer additional network protection and provide tips on how to improve it, as well as enabling users to set restrictions for individual devices.
The administrative capabilities of the XD5 are similar to those of other relatively new ASUS routers, with unified tabs and very similar settings for most ASUS network systems. The mobile application offers slightly fewer settings, but the vast majority of necessary parameters are present. The design is also unified, making it easy for users who have worked with ASUS routers before to navigate the interface.
Setting up the ZenWiFi XD5 was a breeze thanks to the pre-synced nodes straight out of the box. Once one of the nodes is connected to the mains and modem, you will need to download the “ASUS Router” app to complete the setup process. The app is available for download from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Following the app’s on-screen instructions, I was able to set up the first node and accompanying satellite node in under 10 minutes on my Android mobile phone for a quick test of the XD5’s wireless performance.
For this review, I placed the main node in the living room of a 2 bedroom apartment. The second node was placed in the second bedroom. The connectivity tests were conducted in the living room, kitchen, balcony of the first bedroom, and in the second bedroom. Connectivity throughout the house was quite strong and seamless. We did not encounter any lags, dropped connections, and so on.
Despite its small, antenna-free design, the ASUS ZenWiFi XD5 mesh system delivers impressive WIFI 6 speeds. It also features a sleek design that blends in seamlessly with its surroundings and is effortless to set up using the ASUS Router app.
With top-notch connectivity, tasks such as downloading or sending large files become effortless, and using devices such as laptops to stream TV shows or communicate with smart home gadgets became problem-free. Overall, the ASUS ZenWiFi XD5 makes everyday tasks much more comfortable.
Price: AED 1299 (W-2-PK, reviewed), AED 1499 (W-3-PK), AED 699 (W-1-PK)
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