Cutting-edge Wifi 7 technology has been making waves in the market for a while now. Asus, a prominent player in the networking industry, has recently introduced its highly anticipated entry into the Wifi 7 realm with the groundbreaking Asus RT-BE96U router. Netgear, another leading brand, has also stepped up to the plate with its own debut, the impressive Nighthawk RS700. Additionally, TP-Link has made a strong statement by launching not one, but two models of their Deco Wifi 7 series, along with two models of their Archer Wifi 7 routers.
In This Article:
- Asus RT-BE96U
- Asus RT-BE96U vs Asus ROG Rapture
- Asus BE19000 vs TP-Link vs Netgear
- Spec comparison table
Now, the burning question arises: How does Asus’s exciting Wifi 7 router debut, the Asus RT-BE96U, stack up against the fierce competition from TP-Link and Netgear in the Wifi 7 router market? Are its cutting-edge features and performance enough to outshine its rivals? as Asus RT-BE96U vs Netgear, and Asus RT-BE96U vs TP-Link compete head-to-head in the world of Wifi 7 routers.
What Asus RT-BE96U does
Just prior to the highly anticipated release of Asus’s Wifi 7 debut, the RT-BE96U, the brand had already made waves in the networking world with its ultimate Wifi 6E product, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 and GT-AXE11000. TP-Link, too, stepped up to the plate with their Archer AXE300, which is a similar offering to Asus’s GT-AXE16000, both being top-of-the-line products leveraging the latest Wifi 6E technology. While they share the same 6GHz radio band, there are significant differences between the two.
Asus RT-BE96U vs Rog Rapture GT-AXE16000
Wifi 6E technology boasts a data throughput capacity using a 160GHz channel bandwidth, but Wifi 7 technology takes it to the next level by offering up to twice the channel bandwidth of Wifi 6E. With an impressive capacity of up to 320MHz channel bandwidth, Wifi 7 stands as the highest capacity Wifi technology to date.
MLO Technology
Another noteworthy distinction lies in the multi-link operation (MLO) support. The latest Wifi 7 products, such as Asus RT-BE96U, are equipped with MLO, which enables simultaneous connections across multiple bands, including the aggregation of 5GHz and 6GHz bands. On the other hand, products like the Asus GT-AXE16000, as well as other Wifi 6 or Wifi 6E devices, lack the ability to connect with aggregated bands, making Wifi 7 a clear winner in terms of speed and performance.
Thanks to aggregated bands, Wifi 7 systems can deliver even faster speeds, taking advantage of the combined bandwidth, a capability not present in single-band connections found in Wifi 6 and Wifi 6E devices. Embrace the future of wireless technology with the power-packed Asus RT-BE96U and experience unparalleled speed and efficiency like never before. We’ll see shortly how Asus RT-BE96U vs Netgear and Asus RT-BE96U vs TP-Link will perform.
Seamless Switching
Both products offer support for multiple SSIDs on each band. However, there is a notable distinction in the way compatible Wifi 7 connected devices handle the concurrent connection to multiple SSIDs, along with the added feature of aggregated bands.
While the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 lacks support for aggregated bands and seamless switching, the Asus RT-BE96U stands out by providing both of these advanced functionalities. This means that with the RT-BE96U, your compatible Wifi 7 devices can connect seamlessly to multiple SSIDs while taking advantage of the benefits of aggregated bands, resulting in a smoother and more efficient wireless experience.
Wifi 7 Adapters?
However, to fully unlock all the remarkable benefits of Wifi 7 features, it’s essential that your connected devices also support Wifi 7 technology. For instance, the 6GHz capability of Wifi 6E falls short in delivering data using the impressive 320MHz channel bandwidth achievable with Wifi 7. As of now, there are few available Wifi 7 adapters on the market, such as Asus PCE-BE92BT and TP-Link BE9300. Both are PCI-e wifi 7 adapters for desktop and support 320MHz channel bandwidth. There are also few models of wireless PCI-e card for laptops; however you require opening the complicated laptop casing to install it into the PCI-e slot.
Let’s delve into a comprehensive spec comparison table between the two Asus products, highlighting the differences in Wifi generations. One notable dissimilarity lies in the gaming feature present in the GT-AXE16000, which is part of the ROG (Republic of Gamers) product line, specifically designed with gamers in mind.
Spec Comparison Table Asus Series
Table 1 Asus RT-BE96U vs Asus ROG Rapture
| Asus Products | Asus RT-BE96u | Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 |
| Wifi technology | Tri-band be19000 wifi 7 router | Quad band axe16000 |
| Signal rates | 1,376Mbps @2.4GHz 4×4; 5,764Mbps @5GHz 4×4; 11,529Mbps @6GHz 4×4 | 2.4GHz up to 1148Mbps 5G-1Hz up to 4804Mbps 5G-2Hz up to 4804Mbps 6GHz AX: up to 4804Mbps |
| Channel bandwidth | Up to 320MHz | Up to 160GHz |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | Yes | N/A |
| Seamless Switching | Yes | N/A |
| Antennas | 8x external antennas | External antenna x 8 (non-detachable) Internal antenna x 4 |
| Processor | 2.6GHz quad core processor 256MB Flash and 2 GBRAM | 2.0GHz quad-core processor 256MB NAND flash and 2GB DDR4 RAM |
| Ethernet Ports | 1 x 10Gbps for WAN/LAN 1 x RJ45 10/100/1000Mbps for WAN/LAN 3 x RJ45 10/100/1000Mbps for LAN, 1 x 10Gbps for LAN | 1 x 2.5 Gigabit WAN Port 2 x 10 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports 4 x Gigabit LAN Ports |
| USB Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB 2.0 | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port 1 x USB 2.0 Port |
| Security | Asus AiProtection Pro | AiProtection Pro |
| Gaming features | Standard QoS feature | Game Boost/acceleration Game Radar WTFast ROG_First OpenNAT (Game Profile) |
| Weight | 2,425 grams | |
| Price | $469.99 | $399.99 |
Both the RT-BE96U and asus rog rapture series include AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro for any kinds of internet threats to help defend the network.
Now, let’s see how asus rt-be96u vs netgear and asus rt-be96u vs tp-link will perform, we’ll see shortly in the following paragraphs.
Asus vs TP-Link vs Negear wifi 7 routers
All the three products are sitting in the same BE19000 network segment based on the same next generation of wifi-7 technology with total aggregated bandwidth up to 19,000Mbps when connecting to the same wifi 7 devices.
They are all having the same next coming Multi-Link Operation (ML)) and seamless switching features. Both of these features are available yet, probably end of Q4 2024 which is wifi 7 is officially released.
Ethernet Ports
All the three products have the same number of two 10.0Gbps; however they have different model and role. All the three products support 10Gbps Port for WAN connection to the high speed modem.
Asus offers one 10Gbps Port dedicated for WAN port, and the other 10Gbps is for LAN port, and if your internet plan is under 1Gbps, you can use the other 1x1Gbps for WAN port instead of using the 10Gbps.
TP-Link BE800 (and also its higher level series TP-Link Archer BE24000) on the other hand offers two types of 10Gbps Ports. 1x 10Gbps is auto sensing you can use either for WAN or LAN port. And the other 10Gbps is RJ45 /SFP+ combo port, you can only use it either the RJ45or SFP+ in a time. SFP+ port id typically used for fiber optic connection, either fiber modem or LAN fiber connectivity.
Aggregated Link
Netgear RS700 has slightly different feature as Asus as previously discussed, the 1x10Gbps is dedicated for WAN port is featured aggregated link with other LAN port. And the other 1x 10Gbps is used for LAN port. Both Asus and Netgear don’t come equipped with 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, but Archer does with four ports for LAN.
So what is the function of 10Gbps for WAN port, so far the available cable modem comes mostly with 2.5Gbps port such as Arris S33 or Netgear CM2000?
You know that the next generation of cable lab technology is DOCSIS 4.0 that supports 10Gbps WAN internet connection. Currently the DOCSIS 3.1 technology applied to most high speed DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem come with 2.5Gbps Ethernet port WAN connection to the wireless routers. So that’s why all of these three products and those upcoming models based on wifi 7 standards are designed with 10Gbps WAN port. Actually today you can find few fiber optic internet services support 10Gbps internet plan such as Sonic.
Security protection
With the emerging of connected devices to your wifi network in home that are exposed to the wild internet, you need at basic need of network protection against any internet threads. Asus offers lifetime AiProtection network protection powered by Trend Micro.
On the other hand, both TP-link offers HomeShield and Netgear with Netgear Armor, each are not free, but they are paid security plan services.
Spec comparison table Asus vs TP-Link vs Netgear
Read more details on the following spec comparison table for the three wifi 7 products.
Table 2. Asus vs TP-Link vs Netgear wifi 7 routers
| wifi 7 Router Products | Asus RT-BE96U | TP-Link BE800 | Netgear Nighthawk RS700 |
| Wifi 7 technology | Yes, with AiMesh support | Yes, with EasyMesh support | Yes, |
| BE19000 (1,376Mbps @2.4GHz; 5,764Mbps @5GHz; 11,529Mbps @6GHz | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Antennas | 8x external antennas | 8x Optimally Positioned Antennas | 8X high performance internal antennas with high-powered amplifiers |
| 10.0 Gbps Ethernet Ports | 1 x 10Gbps for WAN/LAN 1 x 10Gbps for LAN | 1x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN 1x 10 Gbps SFP+/RJ45 Combo WAN/LAN | (1x) 10Gbps WAN port (Ability to aggregate the Internet port and a LAN port) (1x) 10Gbps Ethernet LAN port |
| 2.5Gbps Ethernet Ports | N/A | 4x 2.5 Gbps LAN | N/A |
| 1.0 Gbps Ports | 1 x RJ45 10/100/1000Mbps for WAN/LAN 3 x RJ45 10/100/1000Mbps for LAN, | N/A | 4x Gigabit LAN wit aggregated feature |
| USB Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB 2.0 | 1x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 3.0 Type-A |
| Processor | 2.6GHz quad core processor 256MB Flash and 2 GBRAM | Unknown | Quad-core 2.6GHz processor 512MB NAND Flash and 1GB RAM Powered by Broadcom’s powerful BCM6726/3 WiFi 7 chips |
| Security Feature | Free lifetime AIProtection Pro | TP-Link Home Shield | Netgear Armor |
| Dimension | Unspecified | 11.9 x 10.3 x 3.8 in (302 x 262.5 x 96 mm) | 11.09in (281.70mm) x 4.88in (124.03mm) x 5.59in (142mm) |
| Price | $469.99 | $379.99 | $439.99 |
Price Points
Both Asus RT-BE96u and Netgear Nighthawk RS700 come tagged with the same price point around $700 each unit at the first time they come to the market, and today the prices drop significantly. On the other hand, TP-Link Archer BE800 come with $100 cheaper price than the other two products.
Click the product’s link below to learn more details, see the current price and possible best deals on Amazon (#ads).
- Now, Shop Asus Rog-Rapture BE96U on Amazon (#ad)
- Or Click here for Archer BE800 on Amazon (#Ad)
- Or slimmer model click here for Netgear SR700 (#Ad)
Related products
You may like to see new introduction of TP-Link Deco BE85 Mesh wifi 7, a new series in addition its ultimate wifi 7 model Deco BE95. See here Deco BE85 vs Asus BT10 mesh wifi 7.
For the entry level of wifi 7 products, you may also like to consider Asus BT6 vs Deco BE63, new lines of BE10000 network segment which comes with lower budget.