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