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Updated May 2026

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S (Wi-Fi 7) vs RAXE500 (Wi-Fi 6E) (May 2026)

The honest take: the RS700S is the future-proof choice. The RAXE500 is faster on existing Wi-Fi 6E client devices and $250 cheaper. On a 1 Gbps plan with Wi-Fi 6E devices, the RAXE500 may serve you better right now.

SpecNighthawk RS700SNighthawk RAXE500
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Max speed (theoretical)19 Gbps10.8 Gbps
BandsTri-band (2.4/5/6 GHz)Tri-band (2.4/5/6 GHz)
WAN port10G2.5G
LAN ports10G + 4x 1G4x 1G
Coverage3,500 sq ft2,500 sq ft
MLOYesNo
Price (May 2026)$599$299-349
Best for5 Gbps+ plans, Wi-Fi 7 devices1 Gbps plans, Wi-Fi 6E devices

When the RS700S Wins

  • You have a 5 Gbps+ fiber plan. The 2.5G WAN on the RAXE500 caps at 2.35 Gbps.
  • You have iPhone 16, Galaxy S25, or M5 MacBook. MLO and 320 MHz channels actually deliver on these devices.
  • Open-plan home with line-of-sight to the router. The 6 GHz 320 MHz channels shine here.
  • You want to be future-proof for the next 3-5 years as Wi-Fi 7 devices proliferate.
RS700S on Amazon ($599)

When the RAXE500 Wins

  • You have a 1 Gbps plan. Both routers saturate it identically; save the $250.
  • Your devices are Wi-Fi 6E (iPhone 15, M4 MacBook, Galaxy S23). The RAXE500 serves them as well as the RS700S.
  • Budget matters. The RAXE500 at $299-349 is one of the best values in the premium Wi-Fi 6E category.
  • Traditional household (2-3 bedrooms, 2-3 occupants). No scenario where the RS700S adds measurable benefit.
RAXE500 on Amazon (~$349)

FAQ

Is the Netgear RAXE500 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, especially at its current 2026 price of $299-349 (discounted from the original $500+). The RAXE500 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router with a 2.5G WAN port that handles 1 Gbps plans perfectly. If your devices are Wi-Fi 6E (iPhone 15, M4 MacBook, Galaxy S23) and your plan is 1 Gbps, the RAXE500 saves you $250-300 vs the RS700S with no real-world performance loss. The RS700S only wins when you have a 2 Gbps+ plan and Wi-Fi 7 client devices.
Does the RS700S support 5 Gbps WAN?
Yes. The Netgear Nighthawk RS700S has a 10G WAN port that supports up to 10 Gbps ISP connections. Combined with the 10G LAN port, it is the correct hardware for 5 Gbps and 8 Gbps fiber plans. The RAXE500 has a 2.5G WAN port, which caps at 2.35 Gbps regardless of your ISP plan.
Which Netgear router is better for a 1 Gbps plan?
The RAXE500, if it is cheaper. Both routers saturate 1 Gbps comfortably via Wi-Fi 6E. The RS700S offers no throughput advantage at 1 Gbps vs the RAXE500. The $250-300 price difference is pure future-proofing. Only pay for the RS700S at 1 Gbps if you plan to upgrade to multi-gig fiber within 12-18 months and have Wi-Fi 7 devices now.
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