MikroTik MikroTik hAP ax2 US Version (C52iG-5HaxD2HaxD-TC-US)

Very fast and secure with lots of options. Probably one of the best user interfaces for any piece of tech I've used. Extremely lightweight with basically no issues going from one setting to the next. Lots of options to customize exactly how it works. And it's a trusted European brand which means you don't have to worry about Chinese spyware.

By chance, I ended up with two internet providers in my home. Having worked all my life in IT and with network gear, I know that load balancing between two WAN connections can be expensive. However, MikroTik offers a solution that even their cheaper versions can handle. When I saw the MikroTik WiFi 6 router priced under $100, I bought it without hesitation to replace my slow Netgear, which was incapable of managing two WAN connections. The hAP ax2 is designed to handle multiple connections, so I made the switch. The configuration process is by no means easy, but there is ample documentation and guides available online. After some effort, I successfully set up a configuration that load balances traffic equally between my two connections, allowing me to use both ISPs simultaneously. Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the MikroTik hAP ax2. It has significantly improved my network's efficiency and reliability. If you're looking for an affordable router that can handle multiple WAN connections, I highly recommend this one. Just be prepared to invest some time in the setup process!

I thought it will be Chinese router repackaged in Latvia. But found out that it all actually made in Latvia, Which is not a big surprise, considering Latvia produced all electronic for Soviet Union before. Software interface is good as well. Should admit WiFi is not very strong and for big house you may need WiFi repeater.

It is small and capable. The 1st one 5g band worked less than 24 hr. The 2nd works great. Some learning curve for setting up 2nd ssid and time to get used to the interface. Recommend.

The MikroTik hAP ax² is a compact yet formidable router tailored for small office/home office (SOHO) environments. Despite its budget-friendly price, it delivers enterprise-grade capabilities including dual-band WiFi 6, advanced firewall configuration, traffic shaping, and robust VPN support. Its sleek design hides a powerful engine ideal for remote access, bandwidth control, and secure networking across borders. For professionals seeking reliability and flexibility without overspending, the hAP ax² is a standout choice.

I've been using the MikroTik hAP ax² as my primary home router and access point and overall, it's a reliable and capable device that punches above its weight in terms of features and security. If you're looking for an affordable, customizable networking solution, this one deserves serious consideration—especially if you're into tinkering with advanced settings. Here's a breakdown of my experience. Pros: Versatile All-Around Performance. This router excels as both a router and an access point. It handles everyday tasks like streaming, browsing, and connecting multiple devices without breaking a sweat. The dual-band WiFi 6 support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) ensures good speeds in ideal conditions, and the gigabit Ethernet ports provide solid wired connectivity for devices that need it. Top-Notch Security. Security is where the hAP ax² really shines. The built-in firewall is robust and highly configurable, giving you granular control over your network traffic. One standout feature is the ability to set up DNSSEC with a NAT redirect. This means even if a device on your network has static DNS settings (like pointing to Google's 8.8.8.8), the router can intercept and redirect it to use your secure DNS setup. It's a great way to enforce network-wide security policies and prevent users or devices from bypassing protections. In an era of increasing cyber threats, this level of control is a big win for privacy-conscious users. Customization and Reliability. Running on RouterOS, it's incredibly flexible. You can dive deep into configurations for VLANs, QoS, and more. It's stable under load and hasn't required any reboots in my usage. Cons: WiFi Signal Strength Falls Short. While the WiFi performance is solid in close proximity—speeds are fast and connections are stable—the signal doesn't penetrate walls as well as I'd hoped. In my home setup, it works great in the same room or even one room away, but drop-offs become noticeable in adjacent rooms beyond that. It's not a deal-breaker for smaller apartments, but it's worth noting for bigger homes. If you're dealing with a larger home and want noticeably better WiFi performance and range, consider stepping up to the MikroTik hAP ax³ instead. It features external high-gain antennas (up to 5.5 dBi) that provide significantly improved coverage and penetration through walls compared to the ax²'s internal antennas, along with a more powerful CPU and a 2.5G Ethernet port for future-proofing. Overall Verdict: The MikroTik hAP ax² is an excellent choice for tech-savvy users who prioritize security and customization over plug-and-play simplicity—especially in smaller to medium-sized spaces. At its price point (around $100-120), it's a bargain for what it offers, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. If WiFi range is your top priority or you have a bigger home, the hAP ax³ is the better pick for superior wireless coverage. Highly recommended for enthusiasts either way!

The picture doesn't do it justice. It's a beautiful looking little router. I was testing the wifi propagation and throughput all morning. The range is very impressive, and if you have WiFiMan installed on your phone you can watch it seemlessly move you from the 2GHz to the 5GHz radio as necessary just like Wifi6 should. And can I just say Mikrotik doesn't get enough credit for their WiFi products? I know it's not their main thing, but the team or person who engineers their wifi products are absolute geniuses. The control you have over the radios are hands down unbeatable, and now that they have wifi6, they are back on top in my book. Now, for people looking for a normal router, please be advised Mikrotiks are kind of for the wireless geeks and network engineers. They're so powerful ISP's can use them as border routers, and they do. That said, don't let it scare you if you're not in I.T. Mikrotik has a nice WinBox phone app which has an easy "quick setup" tab that does all the work for you. There's a browser interface as well, and most routers for homes like this come with a basic setup already in there. This one surprisingly came with an admin and wifi password built in. Anyway, if you like to deep dive into the router and look at really neat stuff, and packet capture every device connected and stuff like that, then this is the router for you. As an I.T. professional, specifically I'm a wireless technician, I love Mikrotik. I hope they post more products on Amazon so people who just want a few items can get it without going through a distributer.

This is my go-to for small deployments where Ruckus or Unifi aren't a good fit. Very reliable and far superior to any other single device option for flexible routing+wifi. We use a bunch at work in normal wired WAN+NAT+AP mode in addition to more unique setups like "WISP" mode where one wifi radio runs in station mode for the WAN backhaul. The SW flexibility is also great, containers are useful and the scripting allows for some clever solutions. One word of warning: configuration can be tricky for novices. Folks with years of networking experience should have no issues, but Mikrotik is unique and does require some getting used to. And another bonus warning: don't be tricked into trying to use consumer grade devices like glinets. They are great for short term use but are unreliable for multi week setups.

Very nice pro router, Winbox management app best management interface (and i'm a senior network engineer) + WEB and hierarchical CLI. This is a real swiss army knife with all functions and protocol you can imagine and then some. Unbeatable for the price, punch way above anything below 1000$ and even more. Worldclass Wireguard, OSPF, VLANs, routing, firewalling, natting, Mangle, DNS/DOH, VX-LAN, CAPsMAN, RADIUS, IoT/MQTT, scripting, RoMON, DOT1X, MPLS, etc... No support and licence fees, free life updates

I’m using the MikroTik hAP ax2 as my main router together with a few other non-MikroTik devices as access points, and the difference is clear. The router processes requests much faster, so I see a real speed boost compared to my old setup. Stable, reliable, and packed with features — an excellent choice for home or small office!

As a network engineer, I find this device a pleasure to use. It offers configuration features typically found only on high-end enterprise equipment. I'm using it for a site-to-site VPN with WireGuard, and the performance is exceptional. While it's not for the inexperienced, anyone who can follow a setup guide can easily configure it for basic home use (router + AP). For those unfamiliar with the setup process, here are the steps: 1) Plug in the device. 2) Connect your modem to port 1 (WAN). 3) Connect to the MikroTik WiFi network (credentials are on the bottom; if you have trouble reading them, take a picture and zoom in). 4) Navigate to 192.168.88.1 to configure (default user: admin, password is also on the bottom of the device). 5) Set your WiFi network name and password, then click "Apply Configuration." (You'll need to reconnect to WiFi after this using the new credentials you configured). Enjoy!

Perfect brand. Works stable as rock. Tones of settings, but has quick setup menu as well. Very reliable device.

Best function/performance for the price. Update: great support and service from this seller. After sometime my device got a problem and they replaced it with a higher model.