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NETGEAR Orbi 960 — Wi-Fi 6E · AXE11000
NETGEAR

NETGEAR Orbi 960

Wi-Fi 6E · AXE11000

88
/ 100
From $1,499
VS
NETGEAR Orbi 960 wins by 2
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 — Wi-Fi 6E · AXE11000
NETGEAR

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500

Wi-Fi 6E · AXE11000

86
/ 100
From $599
Specdex verdict

NETGEAR Orbi 960 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, NETGEAR Orbi 960 lands at 88 and NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 at 86. That puts NETGEAR Orbi 960 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick NETGEAR Orbi 960 if…

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

Pick NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 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 960

Compared on the throughput sub-score

NETGEAR Orbi 960 leads on throughput (88 vs 86).

Range

Tie

Compared on the range sub-score

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

Features

NETGEAR Orbi 960

Compared on the features sub-score

NETGEAR Orbi 960 leads on features (86 vs 84).

Value for money

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 more score per dollar ($599 vs $1,499).

NETGEAR Orbi 960 88
vs
86 NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500

Score breakdown

NETGEAR Orbi 960
88
throughput 88
range 86
features 86
value 82
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500
86
throughput 86
range 86
features 84
value 82

Specs side-by-side

NETGEAR Orbi 960 versus NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 — full spec comparison
Spec NETGEAR Orbi 960 NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500
Standard
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6E
Throughput
AXE11000
AXE11000

NETGEAR Orbi 960

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 Nighthawk RAXE500

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: NETGEAR Orbi 960 vs NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500

Which is better, NETGEAR Orbi 960 or NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500? +

NETGEAR Orbi 960 scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is NETGEAR Orbi 960 worth the price? +

At $1,499, NETGEAR Orbi 960 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in throughput.

Is NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 worth the price? +

At $599, NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in throughput.

Does NETGEAR Orbi 960 or NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 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, NETGEAR Orbi 960 or NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500? +

NETGEAR Orbi 960 — leads on throughput (88 vs 86). Compared on the throughput sub-score.

Which is better for features, NETGEAR Orbi 960 or NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500? +

NETGEAR Orbi 960 — leads on features (86 vs 84). Compared on the features sub-score.