NETGEAR
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
Wi-Fi 7 BE19000 · 10 GbE WAN
89
/ 100
From $699
VS
Netgear
Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973)
Wi-Fi 7 quad-band · 27 Gbps · 10G WAN
89
/ 100
From $2,299
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S lands at 89 and Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973) at 89. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S if…
- ✓True Wi-Fi 7 BE19000
- ✓10 GbE WAN + 10 GbE LAN
- ✓Great range
Pick Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973) if…
- ✓Three-pack covers up to 9000 sq ft
- ✓Premium build quality
- ✓10G WAN + multi-gig LAN
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S 89
vs 89 Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973)
Score breakdown
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
89 throughput 92
range 94
features 86
value 80
ease 0
Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973)
89 throughput 95
range 96
features 92
value 0
ease 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S | Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Wi-Fi 7 (BE19000) | Wi-Fi 7 quad-band |
| Bands | Tri-band | — |
| Ports | 1× 10 GbE WAN + 1× 10 GbE LAN + 4× 2.5 GbE | — |
| Total bandwidth | — | 27000 Mbps |
| WAN | — | 10 GbE |
| LAN | — | 4× 2.5 GbE on router + 1× 10 GbE per satellite |
| Coverage | — | ~9000 sq ft (3-pack) |
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
Pros
- +True Wi-Fi 7 BE19000
- +10 GbE WAN + 10 GbE LAN
- +Great range
Cons
- −Armor subscription for advanced features
- −Bulky
- −Pricey vs ASUS/eero
Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973)
Pros
- +Three-pack covers up to 9000 sq ft
- +Premium build quality
- +10G WAN + multi-gig LAN
Cons
- −Most expensive mesh on the market
- −Armor security subscription separate
- −App polish trails competitors
FAQ: NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S vs Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973)
Which is better, NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S or Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973)? +
Both score 89 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S worth the price? +
At $699, NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in range.
Is Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973) worth the price? +
At $2,299, Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973) delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in range.
Does NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S or Netgear Orbi 970 (RBE973) 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.