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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Netgear Orbi 970 Series RBE973S: Comparison
ASUS RT-AC86U and Netgear Orbi 970 Series RBE973S differ on coverage area: ASUS RT-AC86U at 2500, Netgear Orbi 970 Series RBE973S at 10000, which puts Netgear Orbi 970 Series RBE973S ahead on that measure.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) |
| Router Type | Standalone Router | Mesh System |
| Band Configuration | Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) | Quad-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz-1 dedicated backhaul + 5GHz-2 + 6GHz) |
| Coverage Area | 2500 | 10000 |
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0 | Router: 1x 10Gbps WAN, 1x 10Gbps LAN, 4x 2.5Gbps LAN. Satellite: 1x 10Gbps LAN, 2x 2.5Gbps LAN |
| Special Features | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, WTFast gaming acceleration, AiProtection Pro security | Dedicated 5GHz backhaul band, NETGEAR Armor security subscription available, Orbi app management |
| Speed Class | AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined) | BE27000 |
Price comparison
| Retailer | ASUS RT-AC86U | Netgear Orbi 970 Series RBE973S |
|---|---|---|
| Netgear | View on Netgear | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
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 Orbi 970 Series RBE973S
6 / 10 Expert Rating
Strong, reliable performance that multiple independent reviewers agree doesn't justify a roughly $1,000 premium over comparable competitors like the Deco BE85.