With the emerging of wifi7 products, wifi 6e products are still worth of buying. Thanks to the prices are getting drop over time. Let’s take the ultimate models of Netgear and Asus and delve the details to see which one is suitable to meet your home network.
In this article:
- Netgear wifi 6e routers
- Netgear wifi 6e routers comparison
- Netgear RAXE500 vs RS500
- Netgear Nighthawk Raxe500 vs Asus Axe11000
Netgear Nighthawk Wifi 6e Routers
In addition of Orbi wifi 6e series, currently there are few models of wifi 6e routers that netgear released to the markets and three of the top notch models are:
- Raxe300
- Raxe450
- Raxe500
Like Netgear, Asus introduces few models wifi 6e routers and two of them are Asus gt-axe11000 and Asus gt-axe16000 wifi 6e routers. We’ll focus on Netgear raxe500 and Asus gt-axe11000 to see which one is suitable to meet your home network.
The market share for middle range network segment products is huge enough as opposed to high end top notch products. The demand of axe11000 routers is not as large as the market share of the medium network segment. However, vendors must release this premium product, at least providing vendor branding with leading-edge technology. Today you can find that few models of top notch wifi7 products available on the market, while the entry level ones come later.
The Wifi 6e is the enhancement of wifi-6 technology with the addition of @6GHz radio band so that the wifi 6e router provides three distinct radio bands besides @2.4GHz and @5GHz. If you are wondering if there are compatible adapters with 6GHz band radio, today you can find few models of PCI-E adapters available on the market with wifi 6e technology.
Netgear wifi 6e Routers comparison
The price points for each of the three series differ around $100, and the most expensive one is Netgear raxe500. The price of the first time raxe500 was released to the market was around $599.99. And today it is dropped up to $340 on Amazon.
These three product series have few hardware spec differences you can refer to table 1 below.
Multi-Gig Internet Ports
These three series provide a multi-gig internet speed plan when the requirement exists. Under normal circumstances the default of these three routers uses 1.0Gbps WAN port. However, if you need multi-gig internet speed, the 2.5Gbps multi-gig port can be configured to work as high speed WAN port instead of LAN port. The default setting for this 2.5Gbps port is high speed LAN port.
Almost all wifi 6e routers come with multi-gig internet speed port including Asus rog rapture gt-axe11000 and also TP-Link Archer AXE300 which comes with a 5.0 Gbps wan port.
Port Configuration
How to enable this 2.5Gbps port to work as a WAN port? Indeed, this port by default functions as multi-gig LAN port, so if you need a multi-gig internet port then enable the port to become a WAN port. Use your web browser and access http://www.routerlogin.net enter the admin user and password, and then select Internet to open the Internet Setup page. Select the Multi-Gig Port (2.5/ 1Gbps) radio button in the WAN preference and click Apply.
Unlike netgear raxe300, the netgear raxe450 and raxe500 in addition to providing the option of a 2.5Gbps multi-gig port as a wan port, both routers also provide the option of an aggregated wan port with LAN port-1 to provide an aggregated link multi-gig WAN port so you can still take advantage of the 2.5Gbps port as a high speed LAN port.
Make sure your modem has two Ethernet ports and supports aggregated link (LACP / Link Aggregation Control Protocol). One of the cable modems that you can use is Netgear cm1100 which is equipped with two Gigabit ports and supports LACP. You can find that Arris surfboard s33 also comes with two Gigabit Ethernet ports; however S33 does not support LACP.
Spec comparison table Netgear Raxe series
Table 1 below shows you spec comparison for the three Netgear series with wifi 6e technology. All the three models come with three distinct radio bands.
Table1. Netgear wifi 6e router series
| Netgear raxe300 | Netgear raxe450 | Netgear raxe500 | |
| Wifi technology | Simultaneous tri-band axe7800 | Simultaneous tri-band axe10000 | Simultaneous tri-band ax11000 |
| Signal rate | 600Mbps @2.4GHz 2×2; 4.8Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 2.4Gbps @6GHz 2×2 | 912Mbps @2.4GHz 4×4; 3.84Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 4.8Gbps @6GHz 4×4 | 1,200 Mbps @2.4GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @6GHz 4×4 |
| Ethernet Ports | 1x Gigabit WAN / LAN port; 4x 1.0Gbps (2x port aggregated LAN); 1x 2.5Gbps (configurable LAN/ WAN port) | 1x Gigabit WAN port – aggregated with 1x 1.0Gbps LAN port; 4x Gigabit LAN port with port aggregated ; 1x 2.5Gbps configurable LAN / WAN port | 1x Gigabit WAN port (support aggregated with LAN port); 4x Gigabit LAN port with aggregated link support; 1x 2.5Gbps WAN / LAN configurable |
| USB Ports | Type C USB 3.0 | 2x USB 3.0 | 2x USB 3.0 |
| Processor | Quad core 1.7GHz processor | Quad core 1.8GHz processor | 1.8GHz quad core processor |
| MSRP | $129.99 | Unspecified | $274.99 |
Raxe500 is the highest series among the three, and this one becomes one of the rivals for Asus Rog Rapture gt-axe11000.
Netgear Raxe500 vs RS500
When it comes to choose between the previous wifi 6e model and latest wifi 7 one, Netgear introduces few models of wifi 7 routers and one of them is Netgear RS500 which aggregated bandwidth is comparable with Raxe500.
What make those series set apart? You can refer to table 2 below that represent spec comparison table between Raxe500 and RS500. The price difference between the two series is around $40, RS500 is more expensive than raxe500. With RS500 you have all the features of wifi 7 including MLO (Multi-link operations), and wider channel bandwidth up to 320MHz.
Table 2 Netgea Raxe500 vs RS500
| Netgear Series | Netgear Raxe500 | Netgear RS500 |
| Wifi Standards | Simultaneous tri-band ax11000 wifi 6e | Simultaneous tri-band BE12000 wifi 7 |
| Signal rates | 1,200 Mbps @2.4GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @6GHz 4×4 | 0.7 Gbps @2.4GHz 2×2; 5.8 Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 5.8 Gbps @6GHz 2×2 |
| Channel bandwidth | Up to 160Mhz | Up to 320 Mhz |
| Ethernet Ports | 1x Gigabit WAN port (support aggregated with LAN port); 4x Gigabit LAN port with aggregated link support; 1x 2.5Gbps WAN / LAN configurable | 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN port 3x 1.0 Gbps LAN ports |
| USB Port | 2x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 3.0 |
| Processor | 1.8GHz quad core processor | 2.0 GHz Quad core processor |
| Memory | Unspecified | 512MB Flash; 2GB RAM |
| Price | $274.99 | $319.99 |
With more bucks you can taste the next generation of wifi 7. You may also like to see Asus RT-BE96U vs Archer vs Netgear.
Now, it’s back to the previous model of Netgear raxe500 discussion.
The main competing product for Raxe500 available in the market so far is Asus Rog rapture gt-axe11000. The price difference in the retail market for these two router models is not too much, and when it comes to choose between the two models, which one is suitable to meet your business need?
Netgear Nighthawk Raxe500 vs Asus Axe11000
As a reference, the following table 2 below shows you specs and features comparison table between netgear raxe500 and asus gt-axe11000. Both models of routers use the same wifi 6e technology, both of which work @ axe11000 network segment, three distinct radio bands and the same 4×4 data streams each radio band.
Body appearance
At first glance, the body appearance of raxe500, raxe450 and raxe300 looks sleek and elegant like other lines of netgear routers based on wifi6 technology in general, including netgear rax70, rax80, rax120 and netgear rax200 that use internal antenna design.
Raxe500 uses 8x internal antennas placed on its left and right wings of the body, there are four antennas on each wing. Compare with Asus which uses 8x external antennas so it looks rigid like the design of Asus routers in general.
WAN
Hardware-wise, these two router models have the same number of Ethernet ports including a multi-gig 2.5Gbps port which is configurable for either to function as wan or lan port (default is as LAN port), as well as multi-gig internet demand by utilizing aggregated wan and lan port, both of which support. How to configure a multi-gig 2.5Gbps to function as a wan port has been discussed previously, the same concept applies on asus.
In terms of internet connection, there is a major difference on asus where the gt-axe11000 provides dual wan support if you use one of the usb ports as a secondary wan connection by installing a compatible usb modem. This dual wan connection can be configured as ‘failover’ or ‘load balance’ as needed. If a continuous internet connection is a must, it’s a good idea to choose failover. When the wired internet service (the main internet) is disrupted, the internet switches to the secondary internet. When the main internet connection is back to normal, the internet will be ‘fallback’ to the main connection if the ‘allows fallback’ setting is checked.
Game features
Both of these routers provide maximum speed which is ideal for gamers, and you shouldn’t have any doubts about the performance of this router for online gaming. Unlike the raxe500, the asus rog rapture gt-axe11000 provides special features for smooth and responsive gaming needs and indeed in accordance with the series given with the code rog (republic of game), this router is designed to pamper gamers in mind.
Network protection
In general home users are mostly ignorant of the security of their wifi routers, even small and medium office computer networks that do not have IT divisions or IT personnel will ignore security protection. Asus comes with aiprotection pro gives you a system security assessment of what you have to control against vulnerability or security holes in your network system. This is very useful as an early warning of the possibility of your network system against the wild of internet attacks. Not only that, asus also provides malicious sites blocking, vulnerable protection, and control so that connected devices are not exposed to virus attacks. Most recent Asus wifi 6 router products come with this free lifetime Asus aiprotection pro for your peace of mind regarding network security.
Netgear raxe500 and all other series give you option to subscribe Netgear Armor, an internet threat security protection for all of your connected devices including viruses, hackers, spam and phishing.
Spec Comparison Raxe500 vs Asus
Take a look at the following spec comparison table between Netgear raxe500 axe11000 and Asus Rog Rapture gt-axe11000.
Table 2 Netgear raxe500 vs Asus
| AXE11000 Model | Netgear Nighthawk Raxe500 | Asus Rog Rapture GT-AXE11000 |
| Wifi technology | Simultaneous tri-band axe11000 wifi 6e with 12-streams | Simultaneous tri-band ax11000 wifi 6e gaming router with AiMesh support |
| Wifi Signal Rates | 1,200 Mbps @2.4GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @6GHz 4×4 | 1,200 Mbps @2.4GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @5GHz 4×4; 4.8 Gbps @6GHz 4×4 |
| Antennas | 8x Internal antennas | 8x external antennas with power amplifiers |
| Ethernet ports | 1x Gigabit WAN port (support aggregated with LAN port #1); 4x Gigabit LAN port with aggregated link support (Port #3 and #4); 1x 2.5Gbps WAN / LAN configurable | 1xGigabit WAN port (supports WAN aggregation link) 1×2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port 4x Gigabit LAN with Link aggregation |
| USB ports | 2x USB 3.0 | 2x USB 3.2 |
| Network Protection | NETGEAR ARMOR Advanced cyber security service –paid one subscription; Support WPA3 | Asus AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro with regular auto security signature update |
| Processor | Powerful quad-core 1.8GHz processor | 1.8GHz 64-bit Quad-core CPU with 1GB RAM and 256MB Flash |
| Operation mode | Wireless router; Wireless access point (WAP); Wireless bridge mode | AiMesh router; Aimesh node; AP; Repeater and Media bridge |
| Dual WAN | N/A | Yes, failover or load balance |
| Other | Works with Alexa and Google assistant | Works with Alexa Three level game accelerator |
| Weight | 3.2 lb (1400 grams) | 3.92 lb (1782 grams) |
| Price on Amazon | $274.99 | $249.99 |
The price difference between these two products is not too much. Click the product’s link below to learn more details and see current price on Amazon (#ads).
- Click here to SHOP and read more details Netgear Raxe500 on Amazon (#Ad)
- Or you may like to Click here for Asus Gt-axe11000 (#Ad)
Related products
Should you like to taste the latest generation of mesh wifi 7 product, you may consider entry level wifi 7 series. Tp-Link and Asus introduce the products that sit at the entry level network segment, see here TP-Link Deco BE25 and Asus BD5 mesh wifi 7.