ASUS RT-BE96U vs NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
We compare the ASUS RT-BE96U and NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
ASUS RT-BE96U
Scored 9.8/10 in our testing
ASUS RT-BE96U
Best Wi-Fi 7 router 2026 — ASUS RT-BE96U with 19Gbps tri-band and 10G WAN port
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
Best NETGEAR Wi-Fi 7 router — Nighthawk RS700S with 19Gbps and Armor cybersecurity
Score Breakdown
| ASUS RT-BE96U | Category | NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S |
|---|---|---|
| 9.8/10 ✓ | Performance | 9.5/10 |
| 9.8/10 ✓ | Features | 9.3/10 |
| 8.8/10 | Ease of Use | ✓ 9/10 |
| 8.8/10 | Value | 8.8/10 |
| 9.8/10 ✓ | Overall | 9.3/10 |
Specs Comparison
| ASUS RT-BE96U | Spec | NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) — Tri-band | Standard | Wi-Fi 7 — Tri-band |
| Up to 19Gbps combined | Throughput | Up to 19Gbps combined |
| 10GbE — multi-gig internet support | WAN Port | 10GbE multi-gig |
| 2.0GHz quad-core CPU | Processor | NETGEAR Armor powered by Bitdefender |
| ASUS AiProtection Pro, AiMesh compatible | Features | NETGEAR Orbi App |
ASUS RT-BE96U
Pros
- + 19Gbps combined — best raw throughput of any consumer Wi-Fi 7 router
- + 10GbE WAN port — ready for multi-gigabit internet services
- + AiMesh — expandable to whole-home mesh network
- + AiProtection Pro — Trend Micro security scanning included
Cons
- − High price reflects flagship status
- − Large physical size — needs desk or shelf space
- − Advanced features require some networking knowledge to configure
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
Pros
- + NETGEAR Armor with Bitdefender — premium security scanning
- + 19Gbps combined throughput matching top competitors
- + 10GbE WAN for future-proof multi-gig internet
- + NETGEAR ecosystem — pairs with Orbi mesh nodes
Cons
- − NETGEAR Armor subscription required after trial period
- − Similar price to ASUS RT-BE96U without matching feature depth
- − NETGEAR app less feature-rich than ASUS Router App
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the ASUS RT-BE96U comes out on top with an overall score of 9.8/10. The ASUS RT-BE96U is the best overall Wi-Fi 7 router for power users and enthusiasts. With 19Gbps combined theoretical throughput, a 10GbE WAN port for multi-gigabit internet, and ASUS's comprehensive router firmware (AiProtection, VPN server, DDNS, AiMesh), it provides the most advanced networking capabilities in any consumer router. 2.0GHz quad-core processor handles multiple devices and advanced features without slowdown. Real-world speeds of 2-3Gbps at close range. AiMesh compatibility lets you add additional ASUS routers as nodes for whole-home coverage. ASUS Router App for mobile management. The definitive choice for networking enthusiasts who want maximum performance and control.
Buy the ASUS RT-BE96U on AmazonRead the full Best Wi-Fi 7 Routers 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 8 products.