Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review
Our Verdict
By adding admission to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the 6GHz spectrum, the tri-ring Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 takes the lead equally the first loftier-operation Wi-Fi 6e router. While it's best at close quarters and is one of the most expensive routers yous can buy, the RAXE500 is worth every penny if yous take the need for speed.
For
- Summit speed with 6GHz band
- Customizability
- Security software
Against
- Expensive
- Throughput declines quickly with altitude
- xc-day support policy
- No parental controls
Tom's Guide Verdict
By adding access to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the 6GHz spectrum, the tri-ring Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 takes the lead equally the first high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router. While it'due south all-time at shut quarters and is one of the virtually expensive routers you lot can buy, the RAXE500 is worth every penny if y'all take the need for speed.
Pros
- +
Top speed with 6GHz band
- +
Customizability
- +
Security software
Cons
- -
Expensive
- -
Throughput declines chop-chop with distance
- -
90-twenty-four hour period back up policy
- -
No parental controls
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500: Specs
Wi-Fi Spec: AXE11000
Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No
Ports: i WAN/four LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB iii
Processor/Retentiveness/Storage: Quad-core 1.8GHz/1GB/512MB
Wi-Fi flake: Broadcom
Peak 802.11ac performance: 2.396Gbps (at fifteen feet)
Range: 105 feet
Size: 12.0 x 8.half dozen ten seven.3 inches
Estimated Annual Electricity Toll: $13.seventy
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 innovates with the first Wi-Fi 6e router that moves data over the 2.4-, 5- and 6GHz frequency bands, combining the abrupt looks of Netgear's current routers with the latest and greatest Wi-Fi standard. With an AXE11000 rating, the tri-band device more than lives up to the hype past delivering nearly 2.5Gbps of real-earth data. Information technology's the sort of performance that earned it the 2021 Tom'due south Guide Award for all-time Wi-Fi router. On the downside, the RAXE500's bandwidth falls off sharply as you lot go farther from the router. Still, information technology managed an impressive 105-foot range.
Our Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review shows that the new Wi-Fi 6e router adds lots of configuration options to the category-leading short-range functioning, while keeping devices and the network clean with Netgear's Armor security software. Unfortunately, Netgear makes extended protection and additional security updates a subscription-based actress that could add together nigh $200 to the already spendy price of the RAXE500. Even so, if you crave the newest, fastest and coolest looking router around, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 fits the beak as one of the all-time Wi-Fi routers y'all tin can buy.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: Pricing and availability
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 can be found through several major electronics retailers, and is presently ane of only a handful of Wi-Fi 6e products bachelor to purchase. At $599, it'southward roughly triple what some high-performance Wi-Fi half-dozen routers become for and shut to $200 more than the similar-looking Wi-Fi half-dozen-equipped Netgear Nighthawk RAX80.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: Design
Stealing a folio from the Nighthawk AX8 router, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 can be thought of as its newer, and larger, brother. It retains the A-Wing design that makes it await like something out of a Star Wars prequel – it'south a far cry from conventional looking routers like the Linksys Max-Stream MR8300 – simply at 12.0 10 eight.half dozen x iii.3 inches, it's amongst the largest routers available. Each wing has four antennas inside and when they're opened, the RAXE500 is 4-inches taller.
The black winged RAXE500 router can exist subconscious away or proudly displayed and is as shut to sculpture as networking gear gets. Underneath, the RAXE500 has thick prophylactic anxiety and two inserts for hanging it on a wall. It has vents upwardly front end and underneath also every bit a cooling fan; during our evaluation, the fan ran intermittently and the router never got above 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
Different traditional triband routers with a 2.4GHz ring and two 5GHz bands, the RAXE500 is the offset of a generation of Wi-Fi 6e systems that provide access to the 2.four-, v- and 6GHz data-delivering bands. Compared to Wi-Fi 6 systems, the RAXE500 opens a broad expanse of 6GHz spectrum, more than doubles the available information channels available and offers an extra vi ultra-wide 160MHz channels. Information technology adds up to almost 5Gbps of extra data carrying capacity.
Built around Broadcom Wi-Fi 6e hardware, the RAXE500 includes a quad-core 1.8GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage space for the router's firmware and settings. Capable of servicing 12 simultaneous data streams, the RAXE500 has beamforming to friction match the transmission characteristics to the receiver, MU-MIMO for serving a big number of devices and 1024QAM for increasing the router'due south efficiency when multiple systems are demanding data. The RAXE500 can motion upwardly to 1.2Gbps on the two.4GHz band, 4.8Gbps on the 5GHz ring and an additional iv.8Gbps on the 6GHz band for a total of 10.8Gbps.
Its connections are in the back, and the RAXE500 has a Multi-Gig information input port that tin can work with the latest broadband modems to deliver up to two.5Gbps. If the Multi-Gig port is not beingness used, it tin can act as an extra downstream 1Gbps Ethernet connection; at that place are iv other dedicated downstream 1Gbps networking ports available for a total of v wired networking ports. It should be enough for about but is less than the 8 wired LAN ports that the TP-Link Archer AX6000 provides. The RAXE500's first two wired Ethernet ports can exist aggregated for acme speed.
In improver to buttons for using the router'south Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) and turning off the organisation's Wi-Fi transmissions, rendering the RAXE500 as the equivalent of a wired router, there's a pair of USB connections for mounting hard drives on the network. There'due south a power connection too every bit an on/off button and a recessed reset push button that reverts the RAXE500's settings to the way it left the factory.
Happily, the RAXE500 has a switch for turning off the dozen LEDs that light upwards when the router is operating, although this tin can likewise be washed in the router's software. There are activity lights for power, Net and its three data bands likewise equally its wired Ethernet ports and the ii USB connections.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: Functioning
With its ability to move data back and forth in the 2.4-, 5- and 6GHz bands, the Nighthawk RAXE500 blew other routers away. Using Ixia's ixChariot'south network simulation software and a Samsung Milky way S21 Ultra – ane of the rare devices that can have advantage of Wi-Fi 6e's potential – I created a decorated network with x simulated users. Later setting the router up 15-anxiety from the S21 phone and using the RAXE500'due south SmartConnect, channel 36 (for 5GHz) and aqueduct 33 (for 6GHz), the RAXE500 delivered a peak throughput of 1.153Gbps for the 6Ghz ring and another i.242Gbps for the 2.4- and 5GHz bands. That'southward a total of ii.396Gbps at 15 anxiety.
That's a 42 percent jump over the Netgear Nighthawk AX8's already-impressive ane.389Gbps. Other Wi-Fi 6 routers were similarly left in the digital dust, with the Asus Ac-RT86U's managed 929.7Mbps, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 moving 884.4Mbps and the Linksys MR9600 delivering 822.0Mbps. That'south a almost three-fold improvement with the router and client shut to each other.
On the downside, as was the case with the AX8, the RAXE500's throughput falls off chop-chop with distance, making it the router to utilise close up. With 50 feet between the RAXE500 and the Galaxy S21 phone, the total throughput dropped to 215.8Mbps, well off the pace ready by the TP-Link Archer AX6000 (396.4Mbps) or the Linksys MR9600 (363.3Mbps). At this altitude, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 was mid-pack at 277.1Mbps.
At 75-feet, the RAXE500 moved 148.6Mbps versus the AX8's 142.3Mbps. The winner at this distance was the Asus Air-conditioning-RT86U's 250.1Mbps with forty per centum more than delivered bandwidth. Our testing uses a terminal distance of 90-anxiety, and the RAXE500 managed to motility 18.9Mbps, enough for some Hd video and some web browsing. The Netgear AX8's bandwidth was a like xx.8Mbps while the TP-Link Archer AX6000 and Linksys MR9600 were offline at this distance. The RAXE500 had a range of 105-feet.
The RAXE500 was ane of the all-time at distributing Wi-Fi throughout an older business firm with thick walls and floors. In my 100 year one-time home with the Galaxy S21 phone twenty anxiety and a wall abroad from the router, it yet managed to take hold of ane.137Gbps of bandwidth from the RAXE500. That'southward the best we've seen and most 5 percent more data menses than the 1.078Gbps the AX8 was capable of. By contrast, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 and Asus RT86U moved virtually xl percent less information at 738.0Mbps and 698.5Mbps.
It was just as good at sending a strong signal through a ceiling to a chamber a floor above the router'southward location. It delivered 851.0Mbps, while the TP-Link Archer AX6000 able to move 671.4Mbps and the Netgear AX8 pushed 629.5Mbps.
A reliable router over a week of daily use moving files, online gaming, shuffling through email and watching 4K videos, it passed our saturation test. While a Macbook Air played YouTube videos and a Galaxy S21 phone played online music, a Dell XPS xv streamed an Net radio feed and an HP Elitebook moved files onto and off a networked RAID server. None of the audio or video balked or had artifacts.
Equally it was moving bytes back and along, the RAXE500 used a tiptop of xv.4 watts, which drops to v.4 watts when the router is idle but nevertheless turned on. It took about 10 seconds to wake it upwards with a data asking from a connected client. If the router is used for viii hours and day and information technology'south idle the residuum, the system should price about $13.lxx a year, bold you pay the national average of 13 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity. That'southward a third more the Netgear Nighthawk AX8'south $10.50 and twice the $6.80 that the Linksys MR9600 costs to utilize.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: Setup
Like many competitors, the Nighthawk RAXE500 provides the option of using a connected browser to set it up or logging onto Netgear's Nighthawk app. At that place are versions for Android and iOS. Both approaches provide illustrations and instructions for setting information technology up. Using the app and a Samsung Milky way S21 Ultra phone, the showtime step is to go the Nighthawk app, install information technology and accept its license.
I had to allow the app to see my telephone's location to get things going. Then, I created a Netgear business relationship, which required an email verification.
After I plugged the router in and restarted my broadband modem, I followed the illustrated instructions by picking the type of networking gear I had. Then, I snapped a pic of the router'south QR lawmaking.
Subsequently the router restarted and displayed a slide show of the Armor security software's attributes, I confirmed that the router was continued to the Internet. Adjacent, I changed the system'southward names and passwords for the combined ii.4- and 5GHz LAN and one for the 6GHz transmissions. I finished off by answering two verification questions.
As it finished up, the router gave me the option of press all the settings, but in instance. Finally, the RAXE500 asked if I wanted to use ii factor authentication for making changes to the router'southward settings. Information technology connected on the beginning try with an iPad. The gear up process took all of 16 minutes to turn the RAXE500 into an operating tri-band network.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: Configuration
The RAXE500 has a multitude of options for customizing the router. This can be done via the app but there are many more options available past using the connected browser arroyo. All it takes is typing "netgearlogin.com" into the browser's address and inbound the router's administrative password, and a broad variety of configuration choices are bachelor.
The router's Home page shows lots of operating data, including the current firmware version along the top. In addition to Internet status, the Wi-Fi name and password, it shows how many devices are connected. There's information on the status of the Armor security software and the Invitee Network too as if any drives are connected. Click on any for details, like whether Multi-Gig inputs are enabled for the Net department.
At any fourth dimension, the interface let me run the setup procedure over or ready port forwarding. The RAXE500 allows subtle changes, similar altering the RTS Threshold, changing the Fragmentation Length or picking between the long or short Preamble.
At any time, information technology's piece of cake to run a speed test of the Internet connectedness equally well as check on the connection's details. In addition to running as a router, the RAXE500 can be fix upward as a wired admission point. Unlike gear from Asus and Linksys, information technology can't be converted to a mesh routing arrangement.
As is the instance with many of Netgear's products, the RAXE500 comes with the company's Armor security software just does without the Disney Circumvolve or any parental controls. The company plans to add its own parental control app in the near time to come. Based on Bitdefender's Total Security software, Armor has apps for all popular programs, from Windows and Mac to Android and iOS; the lineup lacks a Linux option, though. It does a skilful job of defending the network and its devices but only includes updates for a month. After that it costs $70 per year. By contrast, Asus includes lifetime updates for its AIProtection Pro defenses.
Like other Netgear products, the visitor includes a year of warranty protection but only 90 days of service and support. That's a pittance compared to the two years that Asus provides for its high-performance routers. Upgrading to a 2 year warranty with support costs $120.
Happily, the Netgear free online support is open up to all and contains lots of self-serve help. In addition to troubleshooting assistance and help setting the router up, the site has firmware, an installation guide and videos on tap.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500: Verdict
Welcome to the Wi-Fi 6e era. The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is the first of an expected onslaught of tri-band Wi-fi 6e routers that push Wi-Fi functioning to the limit. It's been worth the await because the RAXE500 blows the competition out of the h2o with the ability to move virtually 2.5Gbps at shut range. Information technology not merely speeds past Wi-Fi half dozen routers but is the fastest router on the planet and sets a new standard for high-performance Wi-Fi. More to the point, it is the ideal router for the real earth because in add-on to security software, the RAXE500 punches a strong signal through walls and floors to aid make full an older house with lots of nooks and crannies.
Rather than beingness stuck with using either a continued browser or an app, Netgear lets you lot cull which way you desire to install and configure the RAXE500. It offers 1 of the most complete assortments of customization options – From RTS Threshold to which Wi-Fi channels it uses – and then that the RAXE500 can be set up the mode you want it to.
It costs twice as much equally lower-performing routers, like the TP-Link Archer AX6000 or the Linskys Max Stream MR9600, but the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is worth it considering it delivers more than data. In other words, the RAXE500 not just brings Wi-Fi up to date but raises the performance bar for others to try to meet. Sure, it's expensive, but if you lot want to be the showtime on your cake to tap into the functioning potential of Wi-Fi 6e, this is your kind of router.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/netgear-nighthawk-raxe500
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