Netgear Introduces Cheaper Version of Nighthawk Router with Wi-Fi 6E

Netgear has introduced the Nighthawk RAXE300, a cheaper variant of the RAXE500 router that the company announced a year ago. The new router has fewer antennas for the 2.4GHz and 6GHz bands, resulting in slower speeds on these frequencies.

While the RAXE500 has four antennas for each frequency band, the RAXE300 model has four antennas for the 5GHz band only. The 2.4 GHz and 6 GHz bands each have to do with two antennas. The theoretical maximum speeds in these two frequency bands are therefore halved compared to the top model. At 2.4GHz, that speed comes out at 600Mbit/s, at 6GHz users can expect a maximum of 2.4Gbit/s. Because the 5GHz band has four antennas, the maximum theoretical speed is 4.8Gbit/s.

Other changes include that the RAXE300 variant, according to the specifications, does not support beamforming, has a slower 1.7GHz quad-core and has one USB 3.0 port. The top model has two USB ports and a 1.8GHz quad-core. For the top model, Netgear also promises a maximum WiFi range of 325 square meters, with the RAXE300 router this is 232 square meters. Both routers have four gigabit ports and a 2.5Gbit/s Ethernet connection.

Netgear is also introducing the Orbi Pro SXK50 blade router which falls between the SXK30 and SXK80. This mesh router is intended for home offices and businesses and supports Wi-Fi 6. The mesh router has a 2×2 setup for the 2.4GHz band and a 4×4 setup for the 5GHz band. At 5GHz, the theoretical maximum speed is 2.4Gbit/s. A single router has a range of up to 232m². The router supports three gigabit ports, each satellite has four. Up to 75 devices can be connected simultaneously to the mesh router.

Sales of the Nighthawk RAXE300 should start in the second quarter in the Netherlands. The American suggested retail price is converted with VAT 428 euros. The Orbi Pro SXK50 will be available in Europe later this quarter. A set with router and satellite has an American suggested retail price of EUR 482 converted with VAT.