In late September 2022, Asus quietly launched the RT-AXE7800 router — its fifth Wi-Fi 6E broadcaster after the GT-AXE11000, ZenWiFi ET8, GT-AXE16000, and ZenWiFi Professional ET12.
Judging from the identify, the brand new {hardware} appears to be one other mundane Wi-Fi 6E router of a decrease tier than the GT-AXE11000. However wanting on the design, you’ll notice that it’s something however odd.
As the brand new router is now obtainable within the US, this fast preview will fill you in on what to anticipate whereas ready for my in-depth evaluate.
Proper off the bat, my take is that the RT-AXE7800 is Asus’s reply to Netgear’s similarly-specced RAXE300.
Asus RT-AXE7800: The Netgear RAXE300’s good run for its cash
The RT-AXE7800 and the RAXE300 are two eye-catching Wi-Fi routers. One appears like a spaceship, and the opposite, nicely, a lifeless spider, however in a cool approach.
They symbolize Asus and Netgear, respectively, in designs and Wi-Fi approaches. That stated, for essentially the most half, the RT-AXE7800 shares the great and the unhealthy of the RAXE300. After which, it has a bit extra. Let’s test their {hardware} specs.
Asus RT-AXE7800 vs Netgear RAXE300: {Hardware} specs
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| Asus AXE7800 Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E Router | Netgear Nighthawk 8-Stream AXE7800 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router |
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| Mannequin | Asus RT-AXE7800 | Netgear RAXE300 |
| Wi-Fi Know-how | Tri-Band AXE7800 | Tri-Band AXE7800 |
| First Band | 2.4GHz 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 Up to 574Mbps (20/40MHz) |
2.4GHz 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 Up to 574Mbps (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 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E Up to 2402Mbps (20/40/80/160MHz) |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| AP Mode | Sure | Sure |
| Mesh-ready | Sure (AiMesh) |
No |
| Gigabit Community Port | 1 x WAN/LAN 3 x LAN |
1x WAN/WAN 4x LAN |
| Multi-Gig Community Port | 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN | 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN |
| LAN Hyperlink Aggregation | Sure | Sure |
| WAN Hyperlink Aggregation | Sure | No |
| Twin-WAN | Sure | No |
| USB | 1 x USB 3.0 (USB-A) |
1x USB 3.0 (USB-C) |
| Cellular App | Asus Router | Netgear Nighthawk |
| Processing Energy | 1.7GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 512MB RAM |
1.7GHz quad-core CPU, 256MB Flash, 512MB RAM |
| Dimensions | 9.57 x 8.78 x 6.1 in (24.3 x 22.3 x 15.5 cm) |
11.86 x 8.16 x 3.23 in (30.13 x 20.79 x 8.2 cm) |
| Weight | 2.28 lbs (1.33 kg) | 2.23 lb (1.01kg) |
| Firmware Model (at evaluate) |
TBD | 1.0.4.52_1 |
| Energy Enter | 100-240V | 100-120V |
| Energy Consumption (per 24 hours) |
TBD | ≈ 200Wh |
| Launch Date | September 2022 | January 2022 |
| Value (at launch) |
$329.99 | $399.99 |
Asus RT-AXE7800 vs Netgear RAXE300: Higher firmware for the win
The 2 are virtually equivalent in {hardware} specs.
On the Wi-Fi entrance, each are Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 routers, of which solely the 5GHz has the top-tier remedy. Their 2.4GHz and 6GHz bands are middling with the latter’s bandwidth caps at solely 2400Mbps.
Each routers share the identical processing energy and the variety of community ports. There’s just one 2.5GbE Multi-Gig port that may work both as a LAN or a WAN.
That stated, what units them aside is the firmware. The Netgear makes use of a proprietary firmware of which the native net interface has been slowly neutered over time to coerce customers into utilizing the Nighthawk cellular app. You want this app — which requires a login account — and pay for a handful of subscriptions to get essentially the most out of the router.
The Asus, however, run on an open-source Linux-based firmware that offers you a sturdy net consumer interface and an non-obligatory Asus Router cellular app. Regardless of which you employ, there’s no want to enroll in a login account with the seller. On prime of that, it shares many options and settings with different Asus routers — all free for all times.
And final however not least, the Asus RT-AX7800 is mesh-ready. You should use it as the first router or a satellite tv for pc node of an AiMesh system. (Contemplating it has no extra 5GHz band, it’s finest to make use of it with wired backhauling.)
The takeaway
Whereas new, the brand new Asus RT-AXE7800 is a well-recognized router when it comes to options and settings. And amongst different Wi-Fi 6E machines from Asus, its {hardware} specs are comparatively modest.
However, just like the case of the Netgear RAXE300, it is likely to be a superb Wi-Fi 6E deal contemplating its pleasant value. You will get one right this moment to seek out out or test again later this month for its in-depth evaluate.
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