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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Netgear Nighthawk RAX40: Comparison
ASUS RT-AC86U and Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 differ on coverage area: ASUS RT-AC86U at 2500, Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 at 1500, which puts ASUS RT-AC86U ahead on that measure. They match on router type and band configuration.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Router Type | Standalone Router | Standalone Router |
| Band Configuration | Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) | Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) |
| Coverage Area | 2500 | 1500 |
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0 | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN |
| Special Features | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, WTFast gaming acceleration, AiProtection Pro security | NETGEAR Armor security (subscription), Nighthawk app management |
| Speed Class | AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined) | AX1800 (up to 1.8Gbps combined) |
| MU-MIMO/OFDMA | MU-MIMO | Yes |
Verdict
ASUS RT-AC86U
7 / 10 Expert Rating
An aging but still-capable gaming router whose strong processor and AiMesh support keep it relevant well past most WiFi 5 routers' shelf life.
Netgear Nighthawk RAX40
6.5 / 10 Expert Rating
An entry-level router riding on the Nighthawk name, adequate for small homes but modest next to Netgear's own higher-tier models.