ASUS RT Router vs DSL modem router

[ajprice]

I'm router shopping. My current setup is:

Plusnet fibre
BT Openreach modem
Technicolor 582n router (standard freebie Plusnet box)

I'm looking at an Asus router, as they are decent and recommended by NordVPN which I bought not long ago to put VPN on the router.

2 options are

RT-AC88U (8 port) https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking/RT-AC88U/
with the Openreach modem

DSL-AC88U (4 port) https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking/DSL-AC88U/
built in modem and I'll possibly get a switch to add ports if I need them

From what I can see, they have the same spec except for the DSL having the router and 4 ports instead of 8. The DSL is cheaper at PC World than the RT (£189 vs £269).

Are there any differences I'm not seeing between the RT and DSL. If I go DSL, is there any advantage or disadvantage to using the built in modem instead of the Openreach box?

Cheers.

[ajprice]

Thanks for the heads up on the processors, that RT-AC86U looks like it will be fine for the job.

[hutchst]

The DSL is cheaper for a reason. The RT is higher specced. I've got the RT-AC88U, hooked up to a 4G modem. It's a monster. I have VPN running on the RT flawlessly. Stock ASUS firmware, no need for 3rd party stuff.

I have no regrets, but everybody's needs are different.

[ajprice]

The RT AC86U is on the Amazon spring sale for £135 (it was moving around between £180-200). I've got some Amazon money from getting Topcashback on NordVPN, so at about £90 of actual money I'm going for it.

Cheers for the help!

[troc]

I have the RT-AC88U and as above, it’s a monster. I bought it as it has brilliant WiFi range so I don’t have any treaters or any need for a mesh system and it also supports pair bonding so I have a 2gbps connection to the NAS and various other devices in the house (connected via a netgear smart switch). Expensive but no regrets.

You can stick with the default ASUS firmware or install 3rd party stuff, depends on how complicated your set-up is but there’s not real need to as the basic system is pretty good.

I’ve not used the router as a nas or anything like that but I reckon it would be fine too. I think you can even use if for apple’s time machine.

I also run a vpn on there so I can connect to home from abroad and it’s not caused any issues.