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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Netgear Nighthawk RAX70: Comparison
ASUS RT-AC86U and Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 differ on speed class: ASUS RT-AC86U at AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined), Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 at AX4200 (6-stream), which puts Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 ahead on that measure. They match on router type, band configuration and coverage area.
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 | 2500 |
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0 | 1x Gigabit WAN, 4x Gigabit LAN |
| Special Features | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, WTFast gaming acceleration, AiProtection Pro security | Netgear Armor security option, Nighthawk app, six-stream WiFi 6 design |
| Speed Class | AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined) | AX4200 (6-stream) |
| MU-MIMO/OFDMA | MU-MIMO | Yes |
| Mesh Support | AiMesh compatible | Compatible with Orbi satellite extension |
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 RAX70
7.3 / 10 Expert Rating
A dependable mid-range WiFi 6 router with enough stream capacity for a busy family home and a sensible upgrade path.