Xiaomi AX3600 - Router performance test

Wi-Fi router Mi AIoT AX3600 WiFi 6 is one of the newer proposals of the Chinese manufacturer of smartphones, network equipment and consumer electronics. The device supports the Wi-Fi 6 standard , or IEEE 802.11ax on two frequencies, providing throughput according to the specification of up to 2976Mbps. Seven antennas, including six used for classic connections at 2.4 GHz 2 × 2 IEEE 802.11ax 574 Mbps and 5 GHz 4 × 4 IEEE 802.11ax , 2402 Mbps, as well as one dedicated to AIoT marked with an LED should provide a good range and good network performance even for multiple devices simultaneously. This is helped by a powerful six-channel external signal amplification.


The device is distinguished by its remarkable design, a black color scheme combined with blue notification LEDs and symmetrically spaced antennas, with a subtle gold finish, almost invisible stripe. The operating system of the Mi AIoT AX3600 router from Xiaomi is MiWiFi - Open-WRT based firmware, with the ability to automatically update as a newer version of the software becomes available. On board, a powerful Qualcomm IPQ8071A chip, which consists of a CPU 4-core 64-bit A53 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz and NPU 2-core 1.7 GHz network acceleration engine. RAM 512 MB allows to support, according to the specification, up to 248 devices at the same time. So how does the hardware of this class perform in use?

Performing tests of the Xiaomi AX3600 router was preceded by its initial configuration. The device comes with a power adapter, a short Ethernet cable and a user manual in a simple package with a description of the hardware capabilities. In addition to seven antennas, the router has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, including one dedicated for WAN. Next to them is a power input and a hardware reset button. There is no USB port, which is a disadvantage for equipment at this price level. Quite a spacious casing of the device is, according to the manufacturer, to ensure optimal ventilation and flow of generated heat, without causing overheating.
Software access to the Xiaomi Mi AIoT AX3600 and the introduction of the first settings is feasible through the WebUI or the dedicated Mi Wi-Fi application available on Android and iOS. The application, although it has a Polish language option, is not fully translated, many options and messages are still in Chinese, so it is optimal to choose the English language version. It is a matter of ` refinement by Xiaomi in updates.



MiWiFi software on the router was version 3.0.16, before testing was uploaded to firmware 3.0.22. Web user interface is available in English, but it was made in a neat and quite clear way, does not create major problems. Some options are somehow hidden, which may be a problem for users who want to make more advanced configuration. The device with up-to-date software is stable. Unlike the Xiaomi AX1800 router model , the Mi AIoT Router AX3600 allows in both firmware versions to set any channel compliant in the Polish region in the 5 GHz frequency band, which automatically makes it more versatile.

The Xiaomi AX3600 can be configured in various modes of operation, including as an access point. This can be set in the menu Switch modes -> Switch between router mode and repeater mode, after selecting the item Wired network repeater. The router provides advanced configuration, QoS, DDNS, IPv6 support, as well as special solutions for network players. Xiaomi Mi AIoT AX3600 also supports all elements of the WiFi 6 standard, including beamforming technology, BSS coloring, WPA3, MU-MIMO. The software includes a number of helpful descriptions and a configuration guide, so that even less advanced users are able to configure the Xiaomi AX3600 router.

The tests of the AX3600 network device were conducted in conditions similar to our tests of the AX1800 model, which allows us to compare their results. The Xiaomi AX3600 router was placed in an rightmost room on the ground floor of the building, and measurements were taken at the points indicated in the graphics where access points were located. To make a map of the signal we used AirSurvey software. WiFiPerf software is responsible for speed tests, using iperf3 test server. To correctly read the signal level map look at the coloured scale at the bottom of the graphic.



As you can see, the signal strength was distributed well, despite the bigger obstacles in the form of a thick wall. Also the floor influenced a lot of attenuation, but still maintaining the possibility of obtaining a connection with acceptable parameters.

The AX3600 showed a good stability of operation during the tests. However, it has relatively low transmit power compared to expectations. This may be due to a problem with operating with adaptive transmit powers tailored to a particular client. Operating on a wide 160 MHz channel and at maximum bandwidths may result in less coverage, particularly behind obstructions such as walls. This may also be caused by the chip used, which along with the increase of the width of the supported channel and maximum throughput may reduce the transmitting power. The solution is to use narrower channels, 80 MHz or even 40 MHz.



The network analyzer shows that the AX3600 router, with a maximum channel width of 160 MHz, does not enter adjacent bands without creating major interference. The essential transmission takes place in a channel narrower on both sides by about 1-1.5 MHz. Only at levels below -80 dBm there is a slight humming of the transmitter, but it should not result in major interferences. This configuration seems to be optimal for minimal interference.

Speed tests of the Xiaomi AX3600 router allow to confirm the results observed on the coverage map. On small distance it works well and is fairly stable, but when it has to transmit through walls, floors, or other larger obstacles there are problems. Detailed results can be seen in the table below. For each of the measurement points there were tested upload and download.

Measurement point	Download	Send
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In close proximity to the router, with no obstacles in the way, transmission speeds are at a very good level with no major deviations. They satisfy the needs of most home users. With a single larger obstacle the maximum transfer rate drops, but still allows for stable connection with the network at 300-400 Mbps. Between floors the attenuation is so high that the transmission is strongly limited, but still quite stable. Unfortunately, the device is not marked as to which antenna is responsible for which 2.4 / 5 GHz frequency, so it is difficult to manually "improve" the range and frequency.

The specification of the Xiaomi Mi AIoT AX3600 seems to be excellent - the technical parameters delight the standard user, support for one of the latest WiFi 6 standards allows you to expand a modern network, and a dedicated AIoT antenna allows to quickly and safely connect Xiaomi's proprietary smart solutions with a dedicated network. However, tests show that the solution will work only in certain conditions, and not necessarily houses with a large area. The interesting aesthetics of the AX3600 router may appeal to some, but the lack of ability to hang it on the wall is a big drawback for some. It is relatively large, which also doesn't necessarily suit all tastes. The router allows for relatively high throughputs past the first obstacle, so when properly placed it gives good results. It fully supports the WiFi 6 standard, being also compatible with previous standards, so it allows to create an interoperable home or office network. This is a piece of equipment worthy of attention, especially for those using other Xiaomi solutions.