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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£900
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 10800 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 1 Gbps
  • Wireless coverage: 325 m²

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

8.1

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

8.0

Technical Score

10.0%

8.8

User score

Excellent
8.0

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

8.2

Wireless

20.0%

6.7

Ports

18.0%

8.5

Networking

14.0%

10

Security

12.0%

6.8

Hardware

10.0%

7.7

Management

Excellent
8.8

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

8.3

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.7
(81)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(1285)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(81)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Excellent
  • 8.7
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    10

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    9.6

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    10

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    3.3

    Maximum connected devices

  • 4.4
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.4

    Weight

    30.0%

    10

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

  • netgear-nighthawk-raxe500
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  • netgear-nighthawk-raxe500
  • netgear-nighthawk-raxe500
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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a high-performance tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router (AXE11000) that offers combined wireless speeds of up to 10.8Gbps across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and a newly unlocked 6GHz band. Driven by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage, it features 12-stream connectivity and eight high-performance antennas hidden within its distinctive 'winged' design to provide coverage for up to 3,500 square feet and 60 devices. Its primary advantages include elite throughput for 8K streaming and gaming, a dedicated 6GHz band to avoid network congestion, and a versatile port array comprising four Gigabit LAN ports (supporting link aggregation) and a 2.5Gbps multi-gig port. However, it is noted for its high price point, a significant performance drop-off at long ranges, and the fact that advanced security features like Netgear Armor and smart parental controls require an ongoing paid subscription.

Technical Specifications of router Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

8.2

Wireless

20.0%

6.7

Ports

18.0%

8.5

Networking

14.0%

10

Security

12.0%

6.8

Hardware

10.0%

7.7

Management

8.0
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a technical score of 7.98 points, which is higher than that of 89.5% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

8.3

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.7
(81)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(1285)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(81)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.8
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a user score of 8.83 points, which is higher than that of 72.6% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 63.5% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

8.1

Overall score

40.0%

5.8

Price

7.4
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.4 points, which is lower than 60.5% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Netgear
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). 91.9% of routers use this Wi-Fi standard.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands. 93.6% of routers use the same band setup.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

10,800 Mbps
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers 10,800 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 96.3% of routers and equal to 0.3% of routers.
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz channel width options, which is more than 72.7% of routers and the same as 24.8% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

WPA3, WPA2, WPA
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA Wi-Fi security protocols. 87% of routers use this security setup.
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports DoS protection. 11.1% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports SPI intrusion protection. 3.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports mac address filtering. 1% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports URL filter. 1.9% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports IPv6. 10.9% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports dynamic routing. 46.8% of routers include dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 does not support inter-vlan routing. 22.2% of routers include inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports VLAN tagging. 37.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports QoS. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
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N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

5
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has 5 LAN ports, which is more than 93.1% of routers and the same as 2.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

1 Gbps
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.2% of routers and on par with 59.8% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

2
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has 2 WAN ports, which is more than 91.3% of routers and the same as 6.2% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

2
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.3% of routers and the same as 20.4% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is managed via Web UI, App. 33.4% of routers use this management method.
Firmware upgrade method
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App, Automatic
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 uses Web UI, App, Automatic firmware updates. 78.9% of routers use this update method.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports traffic monitoring. 17.5% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports guest Wi-Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi-Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 does not support captive portal. 23.9% of routers include captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

4 x 1.8 GHz
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 runs at 4x1.8 GHz, which is faster than 87% of routers and on par with 4.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

1,024 MB
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has 1,024 MB of RAM, which is more than 88.3% of routers and the same as 9.4% of routers.
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

0.5 GB
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has 0.5 GB of internal storage, which is more than 49.3% of routers and the same as 3.2% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports hardware acceleration. 18.6% of routers include hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

0
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
Show more

Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 vs the average router

  • 7.45x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (10,800 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
    When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2700 Mbps

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (10,800 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.10,800 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA3, WPA2, WPA.
    What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
    When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA3, WPA2, WPA.WPA3, WPA2, WPA vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • More Wi-Fi bands
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). 2.40% of routers support 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz.
    What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
    When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). 2.40% of routers support 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz.2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • 10 more spatial streams
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more spatial streams than the average router (12 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
    What it is: Shows how many parallel Wi-Fi spatial streams the router can use for wireless data transmission.
    When it matters: When modern clients need higher throughput from wider multi-stream Wi-Fi connections.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 4 spatial streams

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more spatial streams than the average router (12 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.12 vs 2
  • Supports OFDMA support
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
    What it is: Supports OFDMA, which divides Wi-Fi channels more efficiently among multiple active clients.
    When it matters: When many small, busy devices share the network and contention needs to stay lower.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • 1 more WAN ports
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more WAN ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 WAN ports.
    What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
    When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 1 WAN port

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more WAN ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 WAN ports.2 vs 1
  • 74.7% wider wireless coverage
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has wider wireless coverage than the average router (325 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    What it is: The estimated area the router is intended to cover with usable Wi-Fi signal.
    When it matters: When one router needs to serve a large apartment, multi-room house, or open office area.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >230 m²

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has wider wireless coverage than the average router (325 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².325 m² vs 186 m²
  • 1 more LAN ports
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more LAN ports than the average router (5 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
    When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 4 ports

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more LAN ports than the average router (5 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.5 vs 4
  • 7.45x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (10,800 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • More Wi-Fi bands
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports more Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). 2.40% of routers support 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz.
  • Supports OFDMA support
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • 10 more spatial streams
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more spatial streams than the average router (12 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
  • 74.7% wider wireless coverage
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has wider wireless coverage than the average router (325 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Wider channel widths
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
  • Supports TWT
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports target wake time (TWT), while the average router does not. 36.8% of routers support target wake time.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA3, WPA2, WPA.
  • 1 more WAN ports
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more WAN ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 WAN ports.
  • 1 more LAN ports
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more LAN ports than the average router (5 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
  • 1 more USB ports
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
  • Supports link aggregation (LACP)
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 supports link aggregation (LACP), while the average router does not. 14.6% of routers support link aggregation.
  • 768 MB GB more RAM
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has more RAM than the average router (1,024 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.8 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.

Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
Ports
Hardware
  • 7.3 W higher power consumption
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 uses more power than the average router (15.4 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • 10x more expensive
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is more expensive than the average router (£900 vs £90).
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is more expensive than the average router (£900 vs £90).£900 vs £90
  • 7.3 W higher power consumption
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 uses more power than the average router (15.4 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    What it is: The amount of electrical power the router draws during normal operation, usually measured in watts.
    When it matters: When the router stays on all day and you care about heat output and long-term electricity cost.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <6 W

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 uses more power than the average router (15.4 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.15.4 W vs 8.1 W
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
    When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 3 antennas

    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.0 vs 2
  • 3.3% worse value for money
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has worse value for money than the average router (7.38 vs 7,623).
    What it is: An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
    When it matters: When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
    Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has worse value for money than the average router (7.38 vs 7,623).7.38 vs 7.62
Total
Overall
Hardware

Graphic comparison of Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 and other routers

Attribute category
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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.7
81 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
1285 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
81 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500?

  • Phenomenal Wi-Fi 6E speeds, especially at short range on the 6GHz band
  • Support for multi-gigabit internet with a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port
  • Futuristic, 'sci-fi' inspired design with integrated high-performance antennas
  • Reliable throughput across all three radio bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz)
  • Includes physical and software-based controls to turn off LED status lights

What customers dislike about Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500?

  • Extremely high price point compared to other consumer routers
  • Advanced security features (Netgear Armor) require a paid annual subscription
  • Lacks standard built-in features like robust Parental Controls and Quality of Service (QoS) settings
  • Large 'wall-wart' style power adapter that is difficult to fit on crowded power strips
  • Reported performance issues and connectivity 'jams' when certain security features are enabled
  • Limited 6GHz range, as higher frequencies are more susceptible to physical interference from walls

Expert reviews

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The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 and RAX200 are top-tier, high-performance routers sharing a distinct stealth-bomber design and exceptional speeds. The premium RAXE500 supports 6 GHz Wi-Fi 6E, while the RAX200 focuses on 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6, with both offering extensive range suitable for device-heavy homes. Pros for both models include high throughput, strong 5 GHz performance (RAX200),...Read more

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tweaktown.com
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NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 WiFi6e Router Review

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a premium Wi-Fi 6E router featuring a distinctive "batwing" design with eight internal antennas, powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and featuring a versatile 2.5Gbps multi-gig port. Testing revealed exceptional throughput, with the 6GHz band reaching speeds near 1741Mbps at close range and the 5GHz band peaking at approximately 1600Mbps, though...Read more

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pcguide.com
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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: fast and capable with just a couple of drawbacks Would you like to compare the performance benchmarks or pros and co...

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a premium Wi-Fi 6E router featuring a distinct "spaceship" design, delivering impressive 6GHz performance for compatible devices. It functions as a networking powerhouse with a 2.5Gbps multi-gig port and supports link aggregation, offering high-speed, 10.8Gbps theoretical combined speeds. Setup is straightforward via the Nighthawk app, requiring no...Read more

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pcmag.com
21/04/2021
Netgear Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router (RAXE500) Would you like a comparison of the performance benchmarks across these specific reviews?

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a high-performance, tri-band router that introduces 6GHz radio spectrum capability through Wi-Fi 6E technology. It features a distinctive, angular design with eight internal antennas and offers robust connectivity, including four Gigabit LAN ports, a 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig port, and dual USB 3.0 ports. Performance is a major strength, with PCMag reporting...Read more

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30/04/2021
NETGEAR RAXE500 Review: Hell of a Router!

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a high-performance, tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router featuring a distinctive "wing" design and a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, effectively upgrading the RAX200 with a 6GHz band. It delivers exceptional speed, with real-world 5GHz testing exceeding 1500Mbps at close range, alongside robust, user-friendly software and excellent NAS performance. However, the...Read more

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gizmodo.com
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Netgear's Nighthawk RAXE500 Is the First Really Good WiFi 6E Router

The Gizmodo review identifies the $600 Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 as the "first really good" Wi-Fi 6E router, delivering exceptional, near-gigabit speeds on the 6GHz band. Its design features a "murdered-out manta ray" aesthetic with folding wings that hide the antenna array. While offering top-tier, future-proof performance, the router is hindered by a very high price, a bulky power...Read more

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tomshardware.com
03/10/2021
RAXE500 Tri-Band WiFi Router Review: Fast but Flawed

The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6E router featuring a sci-fi design and support for the 6GHz band, offering impressive short-range speeds and easy setup. However, the router suffers from significant performance issues under heavy load, including major prioritization flaws, inconsistent throughput, and a noticeable speed decline over distance. At a $600...Read more

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itpro.com
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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: The next generation of Wi-Fi

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expertreviews.co.uk
12/10/2023
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review: A premium Wi-Fi 6E router

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gadgetreview.com
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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Review

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tomsguide.com
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Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review - Tom's Guide

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