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ASUS RT-AC86U vs Netgear Orbi RBKE963: Comparison
ASUS RT-AC86U and Netgear Orbi RBKE963 differ on coverage area: ASUS RT-AC86U at 2500, Netgear Orbi RBKE963 at 9000, which puts Netgear Orbi RBKE963 ahead on that measure.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | WiFi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Router Type | Standalone Router | Mesh System |
| Band Configuration | Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) | Tri-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz dedicated backhaul) |
| Coverage Area | 2500 | 9000 |
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0 | 1x 2.5G WAN, 1x 1G WAN, multiple Gigabit LAN per node |
| Special Features | 1.8GHz dual-core CPU, WTFast gaming acceleration, AiProtection Pro security | Netgear Armor security subscription option, Orbi app, seamless roaming |
| Speed Class | AC2900 (up to 2.9Gbps combined) | AXE11000 |
| MU-MIMO/OFDMA | MU-MIMO | Yes |
| Mesh Support | AiMesh compatible | Native Orbi mesh with dedicated 6GHz backhaul |
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 RBKE963
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A reliable, easy-to-manage WiFi 6E mesh kit that covers large homes without WiFi 7 pricing.