If you’re looking for a Netgear Wi-Fi 6E router and can’t stomach the cost of the RAXE500 — and I don’t blame you! — there’s now an alternative. Today, the networking vendor unveiled the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 8-Stream AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E router.
Just from the name alone, you’ll note that this is a lesser version with a total bandwidth of 7800Mbps compared to 11000Mbps of the previous model.
But maybe that’s all you’d need anyway.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300: Half the goodness of Wi-Fi 6E
The most significant difference between the RAXE300 vs the RAXE500 is the fact the new router features 2×2 hardware specs on the latest 6GHz band and therefore has only half the capacity — that’s 2400Mbps (2.4Gbps) instead of 4800Mbps (4.8Gbps).
However, since we only have 2×2 clients, namely the Intel AX210 chip, in real-world usage, you might not see any difference, the client can only connect at 2.4Gbps anyway.
But when there are multiple active 6GHz clients in the network, the RAXE300 will deliver slower real-world speed than the RAXE500.
The RAXE300 also has a lesser 2.4GHz band, which is less of an issue since this band is generally slow anyway. On this frequency, chances are you’ll see no difference in real-world experience between the two.
On the 5GHz band, which is still the most popular, the RAXE300 shares the same 4×4 top-tier specs as the RAXE500. That means it can deliver up to 4800Mbps of bandwidth, or 2400Mbps if you live in an area with a radar station due to the use of DFS channels.
Hardware specifications: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 vs RAXE500
| Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 8-Stream AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router | Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 12-Stream AXE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | RAXE300 | RAXE500 |
| Wi-Fi Technology | Tri-Band AXE7800 | Tri-Band AXE11000 |
| First Band | 2.4GHz 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 Up to 574Mbps (20/40MHz) | 2.4GHz 4×4 Wi-Fi 6 Up to 1148Mbps (20/40MHz) |
| Second Band | 5GHz 4×4 Wi-Fi 6 Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 5GHz 4×4 Wi-Fi 6 Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Third Band | 6GHz 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E Up to 2402Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) | 6GHz 4×4 Wi-Fi 6E Up to 4804Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) Support | Yes | Yes |
| AP Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh-ready | No | No |
| Number of 160MHz Channels | 7x on one 6GHz band 2x on one 5GHz band | 7x on one 6GHz band 2x on one 5GHz band |
| Gigabit Network Port | 4x LAN, 1x WAN/WAN | 4x LAN, 1x WAN/LAN |
| Multi-Gig Network Port | 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN | 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN |
| LAN Link Aggregation | Yes (LAN3 and LAN4) | Yes (LAN3 and LAN4) |
| WAN Link Aggregation | No | Yes (WAN + LAN1) |
| Dual-WAN | Maybe (WAN+LAN1/2.5Gbps) | Yes (WAN+LAN1/2.5Gbps) |
| USB | 1x USB 3.0 | 2x USB 3.0 |
| Mobile App | Netgear Nighthawk | Netgear Nighthawk |
| Processing Power | 1.7GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 512MB RAM | 1.8GHz 64-bit CPU 512MB Flash, 1GB RAM |
| Dimensions (no antennas) | 11.86 x 8.16 x 3.23 in (30.13 x 20.79 x 8.2 cm) | 11.7 x 8.3 x 3.07 in (29.8 x 21.1 x 7.8 cm) |
| Weight | 2.23 lb (1.01kg) | 3.2 lb (1.45 kg) |
| Release Date | January 2022 | January 2021 |
| Price (at Launch) | $399.99 | $599.99 |
Similar design and feature set
Despite the different specs, on the inside, the RAXE300 inherits the same feature set and network settings as the RAXE500.
The new router comes with a web user interface and the Netgear Nighthawk app. You must opt for the app (and sign up for a login account) some extra features, including Netgear Armor online protection or Parental Controls. Both are available as annual subscriptions.
Considering Netgear has been neutering its home routers’ web interface in favor of the mobile app, the RAXE300 will likely have fewer network settings or built-in features than the RAXE500. But that’s to be determined.
Netgear says the new Nighthawk RAXE300 can blanket some 2500 ft2 (232 m2) in terms of Wi-Fi coverage. That’s a ballpark, and likely exaggerated number — a router’s Wi-Fi range depends on the environment, so your mileage will vary.
Pricing and availability
Netgear says the new Nighthawk RAXE300 Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router will be available in the first quarter of 2022 and carry a more reasonable price tag of $399.99 — that’s some $200 less than the RAXE500.
Considering its middling specs, the price might still seem a bit high. However, if you have primarily 5GHz clients and just a few 6GHz devices, which is the case with most homes, this new router seems to be a more sensible purchase than its older cousin.
That’s if you’re a fan of Netgear. Otherwise, check out Wi-Fi 6E routers from other vendors for more options.
I’m I the only one tired of high end routers only having 4 ports on the back? With all the Dongles & Hubs modern routers should have at least 8 ports
You’re not alone, Duell. There are a few of them that have more ports, though, like the Asus RT-AX88U or TP-Link AX11000.