When we reviewed the first Google OnHub router ($34.00 at Amazon) (manufactured by TP-Link) back in September, we gave it high marks for its stylish looks, solid short-range performance, and ease of use, but we dinged it for not offering basic management features, such as parental controls. We were also disappointed that a few of its more appealing features were not yet enabled. The new Asus Google OnHub SRT-AC1900 ($219.99) may look a bit different than its predecessor, but it's still a cool-looking router that delivers good close-proximity performance and is very easy to set up. Unfortunately, it suffers from many of the same issues as the original OnHub, and it's a bit more expensive too.
Editors' Note: This review has been edited to remove mentions of the Asus Google OnHub SRT-AC1900's inability to support guest networks, which was the case when we tested the router in January, 2016. Google has added this functionality with a firmware update. The score has not been changed.
Design and Features
The Asus OnHub($29.97 at Amazon) shares the same cylindrical shape as the original model, but this time around the base is wider than the top instead of the other way around. It also has a speaker and an LED ring embedded in the base instead of the top. The light ring glows teal when the router is up and running, blue during setup, and amber when there is a problem that requires troubleshooting. The router stands 7.8 inches high and is 5.2 inches wide at the base. It tapers off to 4 inches wide at the top and has a slate-gray finish.
This dual-band AC1900 router is capable of maximum throughput speeds of 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band. It supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and is equipped with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, seven internal Wi-Fi antennas, a Bluetooth antenna, and a Zigbee 802.15.4 (home-automation) antenna. As is the case with the TP-Link OnHub, the Zigbee and Bluetooth features are not yet enabled, but will be activated via a firmware update at a later date.
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The Asus OnHub also has a built-in proximity sensor that enables the router's Wave Control feature, and a congestion-sensing radio that polls wireless activity and automatically changes channels to increase performance. Wave Control is a Quality of Service (QoS) feature that lets you give network priority to a predetermined client by waving your hand over the router. You can give the preferred client network priority for 1, 2, or 4 hours but you can't permanently assign priority to any device, nor can you assign a specific radio band to any device (both bands appear as a single network SSID).
You don't have to remove the outer shell to gain access to the ports like you do with the TP-Link OnHub. In fact, the Asus OnHub's shell is screwed in and not meant for removal. A meager selection of network ports is located in a recess at the base that holds a WAN (Internet) port, a single gigabit LAN port, and a Power jack. Just above the recess is a lone USB 3.0 port that is reserved for recovery use and is not meant for connecting external peripherals, such as USB drives and printers. In comparison, the Asus RT-AC68U Dual-Band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router($174.99 at Amazon) is equipped with four wired LAN ports and a pair of fully functional USB ports.
As with the TP-Link OnHub, you can't access this router's settings via a Web-based console. Instead, the Asus OnHub is controlled using the Google On app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The app is tastefully designed and offers lots of tips, tutorials, and troubleshooting advice, but it's missing some important management features, parental controls, QoS settings for multiple clients, website blocking, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) settings. However, it does allow you to select DHCP or Static IP addressing, enable Wave Control priority for a single device, operate the router in Bridge mode, create a custom DNS, and enable Port Forwarding. The opening screen displays a network map with connected devices and has a network-check utility that measures your mobile device's potential Internet upload and download speeds.
Installation and Performance
Installing and configuring the Asus OnHub is very easy, but you must have a Google account and a live Internet connection to use this router, and it must be set up using the mobile app. I already had the app on my iPhone from testing the TP-Link OnHub and had to use the Factory Reset option to remove the TP-Link OnHub router before I could get started.
When I restarted the app, I chose the Asus OnHub and followed the directions. First, I was instructed to get the setup network name and code located on the base of the router. I then went to my phone's Wi-Fi settings, connected to the OnHub using the code, and returned to the app. The router was immediately found, and I had to create a network name and password. The app informed me that it was building my network, the OnHub emitted a weird chime, and I was connected.
I typically run throughput tests on each band of a multiband router, but since the OnHub doesn't allow you to specify a band, my results are based on the router's ability to select the best band for optimal performance. On my close-proximity (same-room) test, the Asus OnHub's throughput speed of 307Mbps was impressive, trumping the TP-Link OnHub (297Mbps) and the Asus RT-AC68U (290.5Mbps) by a small margin. However, it couldn't keep pace with our leader, the D-Link AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router (DIR-890L/R)($357.25 at Amazon) (558Mbps)
Like its predecessor, the Asus OnHub does not offer very good range performance. Its throughput speed of 39.8Mbps on my 30-foot tests was significantly slower than the Asus RT-AC68U (305Mbps) and the Tenda AC1900 Wireless Dual Band Router AC15 ($39.99 at Amazon) (115Mbps), but pretty much in line with the TP-Link OnHub (38.6Mbps). Once again, the D-Link DIR-890L/R led the pack with a score of 310Mbps.
Conclusion
As with the original TP-Link Google OnHub, the Asus Google OnHub SRT-AC1900 makes it easy for anyone, particularly the technically challenged, to set up and maintain a dual-band network in their home. Its sleek looks will fit in with any home décor, and its thoughtfully designed app makes configuring your home network quick and easy. Unfortunately, the Bluetooth and Zigbee features are not enabled and you can't designate a radio band for specific client devices. Moreover, the OnHub lacks a fully functional USB port and is missing many of the management settings that you'd expect from a $220 router. It delivered good close-range-throughput speed in testing, but its long-range performance was less than stellar.
Our Editors' Choice midrange router, the Asus RT-AC68U, offers much better long-range performance and a full feature set, including four wired LAN ports, two USB ports, and plenty of management settings, and its list price is around $20 less expensive. For the best all-around performance and feature set, the D-Link AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router DIR-890L/R is your best bet, but it'll cost you upward of $300.
The Asus Google OnHub SRT-AC1900 is a dual-band 802.11ac router that is easy to set up and control with your smartphone. Although it looks slick and delivers good close-range throughput, it lacks many of the management features we expect at this price.
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