ASUS RT-AX88U vs Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 (AX8 / AX6000)
Both flagship Wi-Fi 6 routers force a setup password — they just put you on different subnets to do it.
| Field | ASUS RT-AX88U → | Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 (AX8 / AX6000) → |
|---|---|---|
| Category | router | router |
| Login address | http://router.asus.com | http://routerlogin.net |
| Gateway IP | 192.168.50.1 | 192.168.1.1 |
| Username | admin | admin |
| Password | — no default — | — no default — |
| Credential type | Set on setup (no default — you create one on first login) | Set on setup (no default — you create one on first login) |
What actually differs
Neither router has a usable factory default. The RT-AX88U forces you to create a login account during ASUS's QIS setup wizard (legacy account name is admin) at router.asus.com (192.168.50.1). The RAX80 forces an admin password at first login at routerlogin.net (192.168.1.1), per Netgear's KB 1148.
ASUS's flagship line sits on 192.168.50.1 rather than the 192.168.1.1 most consumer routers use — worth knowing if you're troubleshooting a network with both an ASUS and a Netgear router on it, since they won't collide on the same default subnet.
Hold the Reset button on the back for at least 5 seconds until the power LED starts flashing, then release.
The Nighthawk AX8 setup wizard requires you to create your own admin password at first login, so recover access by factory resetting rather than hunting a default. Power the unit on, hold the recessed Reset button on the rear panel for about 7 seconds until the Power LED blinks, then let it reboot and go to http://routerlogin.net (192.168.1.1) to set a fresh admin password.
FAQ
- What is the default password for the ASUS RT-AX88U?
- ASUS RT-AX88U: — no default — — Created the first time the router is set up.
- What is the default password for the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 (AX8 / AX6000)?
- Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 (AX8 / AX6000): — no default — — Created the first time the router is set up.
- What's the real difference between the ASUS RT-AX88U and the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 (AX8 / AX6000)?
- Neither router has a usable factory default. The RT-AX88U forces you to create a login account during ASUS's QIS setup wizard (legacy account name is admin) at router.asus.com (192.168.50.1). The RAX80 forces an admin password at first login at routerlogin.net (192.168.1.1), per Netgear's KB 1148.