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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Comparison
ASUS RT-AC86U and Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 differ on speed class: ASUS RT-AC86U at AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined), Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 at AXE7800 (up to 7.8Gbps combined), which puts Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 ahead on that measure. They match on router type and coverage area.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | WiFi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Router Type | Standalone Router | Standalone Router |
| Band Configuration | Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) | Tri-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz + dedicated 6GHz) |
| Coverage Area | 2500 | 2500 |
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0 | 1x 2.5G WAN/LAN, 4x Gigabit LAN |
| Special Features | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, WTFast gaming acceleration, AiProtection Pro security | Dedicated interference-free 6GHz band, NETGEAR Armor security (subscription), WPA3 |
| Speed Class | AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined) | AXE7800 (up to 7.8Gbps combined) |
| MU-MIMO/OFDMA | MU-MIMO | Yes, 4x4 on 6GHz |
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 RAXE300
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A sensible, no-frills way into WiFi 6E for small to mid-size homes, though it's outclassed on ports and coverage by pricier Nighthawk models.