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ASUS RT-AX86U Pro — Wi-Fi 6 · AX5700
ASUS

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro

Wi-Fi 6 · AX5700

88
/ 100
From $279
VS
NETGEAR Orbi 970 wins by 3
NETGEAR Orbi 970 — Wi-Fi 7 · BE27000
NETGEAR

NETGEAR Orbi 970

Wi-Fi 7 · BE27000

91
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

NETGEAR Orbi 970 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, ASUS RT-AX86U Pro lands at 88 and NETGEAR Orbi 970 at 91. That puts NETGEAR Orbi 970 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick ASUS RT-AX86U Pro if…

  • ✓Current-gen Wi-Fi
  • ✓App-driven setup
  • ✓Parental controls (brand-dependent)

Pick NETGEAR Orbi 970 if…

  • ✓Current-gen Wi-Fi
  • ✓App-driven setup
  • ✓Parental controls (brand-dependent)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Throughput

NETGEAR Orbi 970

Compared on the throughput sub-score

NETGEAR Orbi 970 leads on throughput (91 vs 88).

Features

NETGEAR Orbi 970

Compared on the features sub-score

NETGEAR Orbi 970 leads on features (89 vs 86).

Range

Tie

Compared on the range sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro more score per dollar ($279 vs $1,699).

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro 88
vs
91 NETGEAR Orbi 970

Score breakdown

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro
88
throughput 88
range 86
features 86
value 82
NETGEAR Orbi 970
91
throughput 91
range 86
features 89
value 82

Specs side-by-side

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro versus NETGEAR Orbi 970 — full spec comparison
Spec ASUS RT-AX86U Pro NETGEAR Orbi 970
Standard
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 7
Throughput
AX5700
▲ BE27000

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro

Pros
  • +Current-gen Wi-Fi
  • +App-driven setup
  • +Parental controls (brand-dependent)
Cons
  • −Advanced features sometimes subscription-gated
  • −Range varies
  • −Firmware stability improves over time

NETGEAR Orbi 970

Pros
  • +Current-gen Wi-Fi
  • +App-driven setup
  • +Parental controls (brand-dependent)
Cons
  • −Advanced features sometimes subscription-gated
  • −Range varies
  • −Firmware stability improves over time

FAQ: ASUS RT-AX86U Pro vs NETGEAR Orbi 970

Which is better, ASUS RT-AX86U Pro or NETGEAR Orbi 970? +

NETGEAR Orbi 970 scores 91 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is ASUS RT-AX86U Pro worth the price? +

At $279, ASUS RT-AX86U Pro delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in throughput.

Is NETGEAR Orbi 970 worth the price? +

At $1,699, NETGEAR Orbi 970 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in throughput.

Does ASUS RT-AX86U Pro or NETGEAR Orbi 970 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for throughput, ASUS RT-AX86U Pro or NETGEAR Orbi 970? +

NETGEAR Orbi 970 — leads on throughput (91 vs 88). Compared on the throughput sub-score.

Which is better for features, ASUS RT-AX86U Pro or NETGEAR Orbi 970? +

NETGEAR Orbi 970 — leads on features (89 vs 86). Compared on the features sub-score.