The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro Wi-Fi 6 router puts the pedal to the metal. It's a big, flashy router that caters to the gaming crowd with 2.5Gbps, and 10Gbps Ethernet ports. It's simply overkill for 99.9% of users, unless you're already using (or thinking of) the 10Gbps broadband plans available from Singtel and StarHub.

At slightly over 2kg, the Rapture is an absolute unit. You definitely don't want to drop this router on your foot. It's not wall-mountable, and has a chunky power brick. Like the Asus gaming router I tested last year, the AX11000 Pro has a Republic of Gamers logo that can be configured to display the typical LED lighting effects. Grills at the top offer good ventilation. The router's chunky plastic housing feels slightly warm while running, but nothing more than that. There are eight thick, non-removable external antennas at the sides. Naturally, you'll find a plethora of ports. Besides the usual four Gigabit LAN ports, there's a 2.5Gbps port, and a 10Gbps port. Oh, and two USB ports, too.

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As usual, you'll need the Asus Router mobile app to set up the Rapture. It's simple enough to follow the instructions, though the app does have more options and settings than most. You probably won't need to access most of the router's settings. While the sheer number of settings may seem overwhelming, they are all sorted and listed plainly enough. There aren't any settings hidden in a submenu somewhere. I do recommend turning on the bundled AiProtection security suite, which can block malicious websites, and highlight potential issues such as the strength of your password. If you play mobile games, turning on Mobile Game Mode, which prioritises the bandwidth for your phone with a single click, may be helpful for online games.

You can create a mesh network with compatible Asus AiMesh routers, including older models. This could be handy for larger homes or houses with multiple levels. In fact, the router even supports a 160MHz channel using the UNII-4 spectrum (5.9GHz), but only as the wireless backhaul in a mesh network with other UNII-4 Asus routers (there's no client device for UNII-4). I know my place would certainly benefit from a mesh network. The AX11000 Pro clocked a middling download speed of 40Mbps in my distant bedroom. This is in stark contrast to the excellent 914Mbps download speed that I recorded in the living room where the router was located. Despite the relatively mediocre performance at the edges of the network, the connection was very stable. I didn't test the AX11000 Pro's 2.5Gbps or 10Gbps ports since I didn't have the equipment or the broadband plan for that.

Among the routers that have passed through my home through the years, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro is one of a handful that didn't elicit any complaints from my family members. Yes, it doesn't perform as well in speed tests at long range compared to mesh router systems. But it still produced a stable connection. However, the stumbling block here is its S$759 price tag, largely due to its niche features. Most users will never use some of its features, and they probably shouldn't get this router. Instead, a set of good mesh routers would likely be the better option. Alternatively, wait for Wi-Fi 7 routers. But if you're considering a 10Gbps broadband plan, then the Rapture is worth checking out. Get it from Lazada, and Shopee.

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Note: Review unit provided by Asus.