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

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.

Awesome router, especially for the price. Works great on for 1 Gbps links. I have 3 that I use for home use (each one installed in a different city), but with 3 x site-2-site VPNs, remote access, highly customized firewall, etc. It's really a beast for the size and price.

Great mini router and WiFi AP. Already own other MikroTik products so configuring it was easy but if not familiarized with router os the learning curve is steep. Plenty of options

This isn’t your ordinary AP, it’s *much* more. If you’re a Network Geek or the Average Joe this will fit your purpose. I’ve used mine for two months now and love the capability this thing offers. It’s like a Swiss Army knife of WiFi & networking. That said if you just want a simple setup, choose one of the easy setup options. I can’t speak to range as I live in a one floor condo. However, I can anywhere between 700Mbps - 800Mbps thru my cable modem using a Mac or iPad with this thing. You can do VLANs (I have) and 802.3ad link aggregation (I have), bridging, routing, firewalling, etc. Like I said Swiss Army knife. Love it.

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.

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!

Don't be afraid ! True, looking up the set up procedures almost gave my tech gut a cerebral hemorrhage and he went home the first day in defeat. Then he figured out this one, unlike their other routers has an auto feature! Hooray! Awesome , well made compact router, that is not hard to hook up...if you let it.

I love the gear from Mikrotik. It isn't necessarily the easiest to setup, but it is very powerful. With multiple ethernet ports and wifi, it can support a large number of clients. When integrated with other Mikrotik gear, security is increased by having centralized control. I plan to purchase more of these.

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.

This WiFi router is not for average people, its has its ups and downs. Firmware just got fixed in 7.20 version to be stable enough. WiFi 6 gives you 1gig speeds on supported devices.