Tips from China: Xiaomi and ASUS Wi-Fi 7 routers at great prices

In the next installment of Tips from China, we will look at WiFi 7 routers that are either not available in the Czech Republic at all or cost significantly more here. I’ll say upfront that if you don’t have WiFi 7 devices yet, you won’t utilize their full potential. But if you want to be ready for the future, already own modern electronics supporting this standard, or simply want a faster network, let’s see what China has to offer.

Xiaomi Router BE5000 – cheapest WiFi 7 (1,170 CZK)

The Xiaomi Router BE5000 offers speeds of up to 5011 Mb/s at a price for which you wouldn’t even get a decent WiFi 6 router in the Czech Republic. Chinese reviews primarily praise its coverage thanks to Xrange 2.0 technology and integrated gaming accelerator.

You’ll find one 2.5G port and three gigabit LAN ports here. For larger spaces, it supports a mesh network with up to ten routers. The design is typically Xiaomi – a white box with five antennas that you can hide anywhere.

Weaknesses? Chinese firmware with limited English and a gaming accelerator that likely only works with Xiaomi devices. The firmware cannot be switched to a global version if you wanted full English or Czech.

Verdict: The cheapest entry into WiFi 7, but expect a language barrier and zero support outside of China.

Price: 1,170 CZK

Xiaomi Router BE6500 – best price/performance ratio (2,103 CZK)

For two thousand, you get the Xiaomi Router BE6500 with speeds of up to 3570 Mb/s. The main advantage over the cheaper BE5000? Four 2.5G Ethernet ports instead of one, which you’ll appreciate when connecting a NAS, gaming console, or powerful PC.

Xiaomi promises 358% better long-range coverage compared to WiFi 6. It supports a mesh network of up to ten routers and integration into the Mi Home ecosystem. Control via the mobile app works, but again, expect English.

Verdict: The best choice for a household with devices requiring a wired connection. You won’t find four 2.5G ports at this price anywhere else.

Price: 2,103 CZK

ASUS TUF Gaming BE3600 – solid mid-range (2,422 CZK)

The ASUS TUF Gaming BE3600 offers speeds of 3600 Mb/s with an emphasis on stability. A quad-core processor at 2.0 GHz and 1 GB DDR4 RAM can handle even demanding network traffic. You’ll find one 2.5G port configurable as WAN or LAN.

The drone-inspired design looks aggressive, but the cooling, thanks to aluminum heatsinks and a nanocarbon surface, works excellently. AiMesh support allows network expansion with other ASUS routers.

The advantage of ASUS routers is firmware in English, possibly even in Czech (unfortunately, I couldn’t confirm this) and occasional updates. The AiProtection security feature from Trend Micro protects the network from malware, with no monthly fees. Open NAT works in three steps without complex setup.

Verdict: For gamers and users who want a router with support and updates. Significantly better firmware than Xiaomi.

Price: 2,422 CZK

ASUS TUF Gaming BE6500 – top-tier at a reasonable price (3,216 CZK)

The most powerful in our selection. The ASUS TUF Gaming BE6500 offers speeds of up to 6500 Mb/s and four 2.5G Ethernet ports. A quad-core processor at 1.5 GHz with 1 GB RAM can handle even demanding network tasks.

Multi-Link Operation allows simultaneous connection in 2.4 and 5 GHz bands for a more stable connection. The design is again drone-inspired, this time with a hollow structure for better heat dissipation. 24/7 tested durability means the router can run continuously without issues.

Security features are top-notch – three-level protection includes firewall, VPN server, AiProtection, and more. Smart Home Master allows IoT device management. Mobile tethering via USB supports both 4G LTE and 5G modems.

Verdict: The best choice for demanding users who want maximum performance and functionality.

Price: 3,216 CZK

Conclusion: When is a WiFi 7 router from China worth it?

WiFi 7 routers from AliExpress make sense if you have realistic expectations. You’ll save thousands of crowns, but you’ll pay for it with Chinese firmware, zero warranty, and potential update issues.

For the average user who simply wants faster WiFi and has basic English, the ASUS TUF Gaming BE3600 for 2,422 CZK is the best choice. You get English firmware, decent support, and stable operation.

If you need maximum performance and four 2.5G ports, go for the ASUS TUF Gaming BE6500 for 3,216 CZK.

Xiaomi routers are cheaper, but for technically savvy users who can handle the interface or are content with the mobile app, the BE6500 for 2,103 CZK can be an interesting option.

Do you have experience with WiFi 7 routers from China? How did they perform for you?