November 7, 2024

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Asus RT-AXE7800: Another Cool Wi-Fi 6E Router

Asus RT-AXE7800: Another Cool Wi-Fi 6E Router

In late September 2022, Asus quietly released the RT-AXE7800 router — its fifth Wi-Fi 6E broadcaster after the GT-AXE11000, ZenWiFi ET8, GT-AXE16000, and ZenWiFi Pro ET12.

Judging from the name, the new hardware seems to be another mundane Wi-Fi 6E router of a lower tier than the GT-AXE11000. But looking at the design, you’ll note that it’s anything but ordinary.

As the new router is now available in the US, this quick preview will fill you in on what to expect while waiting for my in-depth review.

Right off the bat, my take is that the RT-AXE7800 is Asus’s answer to Netgear’s similarly-specced RAXE300.

Asus RT AXE7800 Wi Fi 6E Router Front
The Asus RT AXE7800 Wi-Fi 6E comes in an interesting yet familiar design.

Asus RT-AXE7800: The Netgear RAXE300’s good run for its money

The RT-AXE7800 and the RAXE300 are two eye-catching Wi-Fi routers. One looks like a spaceship, and the other, well, a dead spider, but in a cool way.

They represent Asus and Netgear, respectively, in designs and Wi-Fi approaches. That said, for the most part, the RT-AXE7800 shares the good and the bad of the RAXE300. And then, it has a bit more. Let’s check their hardware specs.

Asus RT-AXE7800 vs Netgear RAXE300: Hardware specifications

Asus RT AXE7800 Wi Fi 6E Router Netgear RAXE300 Nighthawk Wi Fi 6E router 1 5
Asus AXE7800 Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E Router Netgear Nighthawk
8-Stream AXE7800
Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router
Model Asus RT-AXE7800 Netgear RAXE300
Wi-Fi Technology 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 Yes Yes
Mesh-ready Yes
(AiMesh)
No
Gigabit Network Port 1 x WAN/LAN
3 x LAN
1x WAN/WAN
4x LAN
Multi-Gig Network Port 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN 1x 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN
LAN Link Aggregation Yes Yes 
WAN Link Aggregation Yes No
Dual-WAN Yes No
USB 1 x USB 3.0
(USB-A)
1x USB 3.0
(USB-C)
Mobile App Asus Router Netgear Nighthawk
Processing Power 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 Version
(at review)
TBD 1.0.4.52_1
Power Input 100-240V 100-120V
Power Consumption
(per 24 hours)
TBD 200Wh
Release Date September 2022 January 2022
Price
(at launch)
$329.99 $399.99
Netgear Wi-Fi 6E routers’ hardware specifications: RAXE300 vs RAXE500

Asus RT-AXE7800 vs Netgear RAXE300: Better firmware for the win

The two are almost identical in hardware specs.

On the Wi-Fi front, both are Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 routers, of which only the 5GHz has the top-tier treatment. Their 2.4GHz and 6GHz bands are middling with the latter’s bandwidth caps at only 2400Mbps.

Asus RT AXE7800 Wi Fi 6E Router with collapsed antennasAsus RT AXE7800 Wi Fi 6E Router Top
You can collapse the Asus RT-AXE7800’s antennas on its top, just like the RT-AX89X.

Both routers share the same processing power and the number of network ports. There’s only one 2.5GbE Multi-Gig port that can work either as a LAN or a WAN.

That said, what sets them apart is the firmware. The Netgear uses a proprietary firmware of which the local web interface has been slowly neutered over the years to coerce users into using the Nighthawk mobile app. You need this app — which requires a login account — and pay for a handful of subscriptions to get the most out of the router.

Netgear and the web interface: It’s a losing battle for the end-users

The Asus, on the other hand, run on an open-source Linux-based firmware that gives you a robust web user interface and an optional Asus Router mobile app. No matter which you use, there’s no need to sign up for a login account with the vendor. On top of that, it shares many features and settings with other Asus routers — all free for life.

Asus routers: Common features and settings

And last but not least, the Asus RT-AX7800 is mesh-ready. You can use it as the primary router or a satellite node of an AiMesh system. (Considering it has no additional 5GHz band, it’s best to use it with wired backhauling.)

Asus RT AXE7800 Wi Fi 6E Router Port
The Asus RT AXE7800 has just one Multi-Gig port.

The takeaway

While new, the new Asus RT-AXE7800 is a familiar router in terms of features and settings. And among other Wi-Fi 6E machines from Asus, its hardware specs are relatively modest.

But, like the case of the Netgear RAXE300, it might be an excellent Wi-Fi 6E deal considering its friendly cost. You can get one today to find out or check back later this month for its in-depth review.

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