Products
ASUS RT-BE96U
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS300
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Jan 20, 2026 06:36 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Jan 19, 2026 07:33 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 7 (be)
Multi Band
Tri-Band (2.4 / 5 / 6)
Test Configuration
Standalone
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 7 (be)
Multi Band
Tri-Band (2.4 / 5 / 6)
Test Configuration
Standalone
Our Verdict
ASUS RT-BE96U
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS300
The ASUS RT-BE96U is a better router than the NETGEAR Nighthawk RS300. They're both Wi-Fi 7 capable, but the ASUS is faster, has better range and more wired networking ports, and supports AiMesh for mesh expandability. The NETGEAR is physically smaller, however.
Variants
- RT-BE96U (Black)
- Nighthawk RS300 (Black)
Check Price
Black
RT-BE96U
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
RT-BE96U
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
RT-BE96U
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
RT-BE96U
SEARCH
ASUS
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEARCH
NETGEAR
Black
RT-BE96U
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Main Differences for
Apartment/Condo
Apartment/Condo
Threshold
Apartment/Condo
8.5
8.4
Interior Short Range
9.3
8.6
Dimensions
5.8
7.3
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
5.8
7.3
Dimensions Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Height
8.54" (21.7 cm)
9.84" (25.0 cm)
Width
14.02" (35.6 cm)
3.94" (10.0 cm)
Depth
11.81" (30.0 cm)
5.91" (15.0 cm)
Depth With Cables
12.44" (31.6 cm)
6.61" (16.8 cm)
Network Ports
8.5
8.5
Ports Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
WAN Port Speed
10.0 Gbps
2.5 Gbps
LAN Port Count
5
4
10 Gbps Ports
2
0
2.5 Gbps Ports
0
3
1 Gbps Ports
4
2
10 Gbps Ports (SFP+)
0
0
USB Ports
USB-A 3.0 Ports
1
1
USB-A 2.0 Ports
1
0
USB-C Ports
0
0
USB-C Speed
N/A
N/A
In The Box
In The Box Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Wall/Ceiling Mount
0.0
0.0
Mount Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Mount Type
None
None
Wi-Fi
Interior Long Range
7.8
7.4
Long Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Lowest Speed
137 Mbps
105 Mbps
Average 5GHz Speed
658 Mbps
381 Mbps
Average 6GHz Speed
2,082 Mbps
1,055 Mbps
Test Configuration
Standalone
Standalone
Interior Short Range
9.3
8.6
Short Range Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Highest Speed
3,490 Mbps
1,830 Mbps
Average 5GHz Speed
1,360 Mbps
800 Mbps
Average 6GHz Speed
3,082 Mbps
1,558 Mbps
Test Configuration
Standalone
Standalone
Wi-Fi Specifications
9.4
9.4
Wi-Fi Version
Wi-Fi 7 (be)
Wi-Fi 7 (be)
6GHz Band
Yes
Yes
Multi Band
Tri-Band (2.4 / 5 / 6)
Tri-Band (2.4 / 5 / 6)
DFS Channels
Yes
Yes
MLO Implementation
Beacon Frame
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
MLO Support
Yes
No
EMLSR/EMLMR Support
EMLSR
No MLO Support
Max Number Of Simultaneous Links
3
No MLO Support
TID-To-Link Mapping Negotiation Support
3: Per-link mapping
No MLO Support
Wi-Fi Coverage
Indoor Coverage - Same Story
Wi-Fi Coverage Map
Indoor Coverage - 1 Story Above
Wi-Fi Coverage Map
Wi-Fi Coverage Map (Dual Mesh)
Broad Coverage
Outdoor Coverage Map
Check Price
Black
RT-BE96U
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
RT-BE96U
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
RT-BE96U
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
RT-BE96U
SEARCH
ASUS
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEARCH
NETGEAR
Black
RT-BE96U
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Black
Nighthawk RS300
SEARCH
Walmart.com
ASUS RT-BE96U
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS300
Comments
ASUS RT-BE96U vs NETGEAR Nighthawk RS300: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.