ASUS RT-ACRH13 AC1300 Dual-Band WiFi Router: features and specs

The ASUS RT-ACRH13 is a dual-band AC1300 WiFi router for home networks. It has four external antennas, four Gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port for sharing storage. This page explains what its specs mean and what to confirm before setting one up.

What AC1300 means

AC1300 is a label that adds up the maximum speeds of the two bands. ASUS lists up to 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 400 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, for a combined 1267 Mbps. The two numbers are never available to a single device at once; each device connects to one band at a time. Real speeds also depend on distance, walls and your internet plan, and ASUS notes that actual throughput and coverage vary with network conditions, building materials and traffic.

Dual band and 2x2 MU-MIMO

The 5GHz band is generally faster and less crowded, while 2.4GHz travels further through walls but is slower and more prone to interference. Having both lets you place phones, laptops and streaming devices on the band that suits them. The router uses 2x2 MU-MIMO, which in general allows it to communicate with more than one device at the same time instead of taking turns. ASUS says connected devices must be 802.11ac compatible for best results.

Antennas and range

Four external 5dBi antennas are listed for improved range and multi-device performance. External antennas can usually be angled, which helps with coverage in different floor plans.

Wired ports and USB 3.0

There are four Gigabit ports for wired devices such as a desktop PC, a console or a TV box. A built-in USB 3.0 port lets you share an external drive or flash drive across the network, and ASUS lists support for Windows and Mac systems. Operating modes include wireless router mode and access point mode, the latter being useful for adding WiFi to an existing network.

Setup and management

Setup runs through the ASUSWRT web-based interface, and the ASUS Router App lets you monitor and manage the network from a mobile device. The listing also mentions parental control features. Security options include WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA Enterprise, WEP (64- and 128-bit) and WPS support. WPA2 is the sensible choice for modern devices, since WEP is outdated.

Size and power

The router measures about 5.8 x 1.4 x 8.1 inches (15 x 3.6 x 21 cm) and weighs 0.5 lb (about 0.23 kg). The power supply takes 110V to 240V at 50 to 60 Hz, with a 12 V DC output at up to 1.5 A.

Who it suits

It is a fit for homes or flats that want a straightforward router for streaming, browsing and video calls, with a few wired devices and a shared drive. It is an AC (WiFi 5) router, not the newer WiFi 6.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm you have a modem or internet connection that the router can plug into.
• Check that your internet plan's speed fits within what the router supports.
• Count wired devices against the four LAN ports.
• Check that your devices support 802.11ac for the best results.
• Think about placement, since the antennas and walls affect coverage.
• Read the manual for first-time setup and security settings.

The short version

• Dual-band AC1300 router with up to 867 Mbps on 5GHz and 400 Mbps on 2.4GHz.
• 2x2 MU-MIMO and four external 5dBi antennas.
• Four Gigabit ports plus one USB 3.0 port.
• ASUSWRT interface and ASUS Router App; router and access point modes.

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