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 title, 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 peculiar.
As the brand new router is now out there within the US, this fast preview will fill you in on what to anticipate whereas ready for my in-depth overview.
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 seems like a spaceship, and the opposite, effectively, a lifeless spider, however in a cool method.
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 dangerous 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) |
| Cell 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 overview) |
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 |
| Worth (at launch) |
$329.99 | $399.99 |
Asus RT-AXE7800 vs Netgear RAXE300: Higher firmware for the win
The 2 are virtually similar 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 internet interface has been slowly neutered through the years 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 strong internet person interface and an non-obligatory Asus Router cellular app. Regardless of which you utilize, there’s no want to join a login account with the seller. On high 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 further 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-known router by way of 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 wonderful Wi-Fi 6E deal contemplating its pleasant price. You will get one at the moment to search out out or test again later this month for its in-depth overview.
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