RT-AX3000

**TL;DR:** Get another ASUS AiMesh-compatible router. It does not need to be an ET8 (which is WiFi 6E). Not sure why, but it's difficult to find affordably priced brand-new WiFi 6E ASUS equipment right now. You'll need to check the secondary market, like eBay. There you can get a used ET8 with power supply for about $100. Another option is the ASUS RT-AXE7800 (can find used on eBay in US for $150 or less). But for aesthetics and to just have everything match, getting another ET8 would probably be the best option. If you MUST have a brand new unit and don't care about WiFi 6E, you can get any ASUS AiMesh WiFi 6 router and just add that to the mesh, connected via ethernet. A good option on Amazon (WiFi 6) is the ASUS RT-AX3000S for about $90. Even if you have WiFi 6E clients, they'll still use WiFi 6 and work quite well. But in the basement, where the WiFi 6 router is, there won't be any 6ghz network signal (WiFi 6E), unless it is accessible from the upstairs ET8. So to reduce complication and make everything more uniform, if I were in your shoes I'd buy a used ET8 from eBay for about $100 and add it to the mesh. Then you'd have WiFi 6E throughout the home, on every level, with full fast client handoff support between mesh units. **One Warning:** The ASUS mesh network will only support in the GUI/mesh infrastructure the highest WiFi standards supported by the mesh router. Example: You have an ET8 as the router. That means you can only go as high as WiFi 6E for support/manageability in the ASUS router GUI or mobile app. If you buy a WiFi 7 ASUS AiMesh router and add it to your mesh, ASUS will only see the router's WiFi 5/WiFi 6/WiFi 6E components. It won't see WiFi 7. This is the way the software works unfortunately. **More details:** Nice job, you have ethernet so you could use any router, as you don't have a dependency on wireless backhaul to the mesh. Depending on your use case(s)/scenario, you may or may not want to get another ASUS. To explain further: If you get an ASUS AiMesh compatible router, you can add it to your existing mesh in an "AiMesh" configuration, then set it up with wired backhaul (in the ASUS GUI you can set it to "prefer WAN/ethernet backhaul", I don't remember the exact phrasing). I recommend buying another AiMesh compatible ASUS router and setting up in wired backhaul, in this way, as it gives you the following benefits: (1) Can manage all routers/mesh nodes in the same ecosystem with a single piece of software (ASUS router GUI on web browser, or the mobile client); and (2) You get the benefit of quick mesh node hand-off for the clients. Example - a mobile phone is used in basement, the person using the phone goes upstairs, and the client (the phone) automatically switches to use another ET8 mesh node upstairs (due to it having a stronger signal). Another option is to buy any old router, and just add it in the basement (via wired ethernet) to your existing network as an Access Point. Be sure the router can be configured as an Access Point. Most of them can, but it is something you need to verify before purchase (just check the manual first). If you go this route, you won't be able to manage the router in the ASUS app. Instead, you'd have to manage that router with its own software (typically a separate mobile app or web interface/web browser GUI). And fast client hand-off may not work as cleanly (depends on how well it is supported by that router). Since the cost savings of buying any router versus an ASUS AiMesh router is negligible (only costs about $100 for a used ET8), I'd just get a used ET8 off eBay. Good luck!