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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) - Security Features, 12-Stream Gigabit Router AXE11000 Tri-Band Wireless Speed (Up to 10.8Gbps), New 6GHz Band, Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft, 60 Devices
NETGEAR

NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500)

Bottom line: The NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router: Dedicated 6GHz band gives WiFi 6E clients a congestion-free lane of their own; main trade-off: 6GHz band only benefits WiFi 6E clients; older devices fall back to 2.4/5GHz.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For home networking and Wi-Fi gear, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Dedicated 6GHz band gives WiFi 6E clients a congestion-free lane of their own
  • ✓ 12 streams and AXE11000 tri-band deliver up to 10.8Gbps combined throughput
  • ✓ 2.5G Ethernet port handles multi-gig wired clients and ISP plans up to 2Gbps
  • ✓ 1.8GHz quad-core CPU sustains 4K/8K streaming and AR/VR sessions under load
  • ✓ Rated for 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 simultaneous devices

Cons

  • ✗ 6GHz band only benefits WiFi 6E clients; older devices fall back to 2.4/5GHz
  • ✗ No modem included, so cable and DSL users need a separate modem or gateway
  • ✗ NETGEAR Armor is a 30-day trial, then it becomes a paid subscription
  • ✗ Only four 1G LAN ports beyond the 2.5G port for a 60-device home

Manufacturer description

The NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 opens the 6GHz band to your WiFi 6E devices, adding 200% more spectrum than a dual-band router can offer. Twelve streams across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and the dedicated 6GHz band push AXE11000 combined throughput up to 10.8Gbps, which NETGEAR rates at 9x faster than WiFi 5. A 1.8GHz quad-core processor keeps 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and HD videoconferencing stable when the whole house is online at once. Coverage reaches up to 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 connected devices, so a hyper-connected household has room to grow. Wired gear gets a 2.5G Ethernet port plus four 1G…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the networking category. NETGEAR's networking lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for networking of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • 6GHz WiFi band dedicated to WiFi 6E devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Enjoy 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR gaming and HD videoconferencing
  • Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor gives you exceptional 10.8Gbps WiFi speed, 9x faster than WiFi 5. Backward compatible for all WiFi devices on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
  • NETGEAR devices come with security measures built in as well as enhanced safety features and updates designed to help protect you and your family
  • Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft. and 60 devices
  • Replace your existing WiFi Router (separate modem or modem router required). Compatible with any Internet Service Provider up to 2Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, DSL and more
  • Sets up in minutes with the Nighthawk app – easily manage WiFi settings at the device and network level, test internet speed and monitor data usage

Full Specifications

BrandNETGEAR
ColorBlack
Weight5g
Voltage100240 volts
CoverageUp to 3,500 sq. ft.
Frequency5 GHz
Model NameRAXE500-100NAS
Unit Count1 Count
Antenna TypeRetractable
ConnectivityWireless, WiFi, 2.4GHz
Model NumberRAXE500-100NAS
Built-In MediaNighthawk Tri-Band AX12 12-Stream AXE11000 Tri-Band WiFi Router (RAXE500), Ethernet cable, Quick start guide, Power adapter
Control MethodVoice
Connection TypeWired
Controller Typeamazon_alexa, vera
Mfr Part NumberRAXE500-100NAS
Number of Ports6
Special FeatureBeamforming
Antenna LocationGaming
Wi-Fi GenerationWi-Fi 6E
Full listing titleNETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) - Security Features, 12-Stream Gigabit Router AXE11000 Tri-Band Wireless Speed (Up to 10.8Gbps), New 6GHz Band, Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft, 60 Devices

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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) - Security Features, 12-Stream Gigabit Router AXE11000 Tri-Band Wireless Speed (Up to 10.8Gbps), New 6GHz Band, Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft, 60 Devices is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) - Security Features, 12-Stream Gigabit Router AXE11000 Tri-Band Wireless Speed (Up to 10.8Gbps), New 6GHz Band, Coverage up to 3,500 sq. ft, 60 Devices
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