Netgear
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
$699.99
Released 2021-10
Best Wi-Fi Routers · head-to-head
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 vs Google Nest Wifi Pro
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Google Nest Wifi Pro is cheaper at $199.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Google Nest Wifi Pro
$199.99Cheaper
Released 2022-10
Which is better: the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 or Google Nest Wifi Pro?
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Google Nest Wifi Pro is the cheaper at $199.99. Get the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 for the stronger spec sheet, the Google Nest Wifi Pro to spend less.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 | Google Nest Wifi Pro |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699.99 | $199.99 |
| Brand | Netgear | |
| Released | 2021-10 | 2022-10 |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Max speed (Mbps) | 10800 | 5400 |
| Bands | Tri-band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz) | Tri-band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6 GHz) |
| Coverage (sq ft) | 3500 | 2200 |
| Ports | 1x 1 Gbps WAN, 4x 1 Gbps LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps Multi-Gig (configurable WAN/LAN), 2x USB 3.0 | 2x Gigabit Ethernet (WAN/LAN) |
| Mesh | No | Yes |
| Processor | Quad-core 1.8 GHz | Qualcomm IPQ5018 dual-core 1.0 GHz |
| Release | 2021-10 | 2022-10 |
Sources — Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500: smallnetbuilder.com (verified 2026-06-15). Google Nest Wifi Pro: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 and Google Nest Wifi Pro?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Max speed (Mbps): Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 10800 vs Google Nest Wifi Pro 5400
- Coverage (sq ft): Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 3500 vs Google Nest Wifi Pro 2200
- Ports: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 1x 1 Gbps WAN, 4x 1 Gbps LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps Multi-Gig (configurable WAN/LAN), 2x USB 3.0 vs Google Nest Wifi Pro 2x Gigabit Ethernet (WAN/LAN)
- Mesh: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 false vs Google Nest Wifi Pro true
- Processor: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 Quad-core 1.8 GHz vs Google Nest Wifi Pro Qualcomm IPQ5018 dual-core 1.0 GHz
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
Two whitelisted testers (Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide) lab-benched this exact RAXE500. Both praise record-setting close-range throughput (Tom's Guide measured 2.396 Gbps at 15 feet, boosted by the 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E band) but flag steep falloff with distance and a very high ~$599 price. Tom's Hardware additionally found severe congestion/QoS problems and did not recommend the router; Tom's Guide did not run a congestion test and named it Editor's Choice. RTINGS not found. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Class-leading throughput at close range, boosted by the 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E band; Distinctive winged design.
Flagged: Throughput drops off sharply with distance; best used close up; Very expensive (~$599), roughly triple a high-end Wi-Fi 6 router; Bundled security/support becomes a paid subscription after the trial (~$70/yr).
Google Nest Wifi Pro
Across two whitelisted testers (Tom's Guide, lab-benched with IxChariot; Engadget, hands-on), the Nest Wifi Pro is a cheap, tiny, easy-to-set-up Wi-Fi 6E mesh whose performance disappoints, especially at range. Both sources agree it trails rivals on raw speed but wins on ease of use and price. (2 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Very easy setup and beginner-friendly Google Home app; Small, attractive design that's easy to hide; Reasonably priced entry into Wi-Fi 6E plus Matter/Thread support.
Flagged: Lackluster throughput, drops off steeply at distance (52.5Mbps at 50ft); Bested by competitors on raw speed and power; Locked-down 'Pro' in name only: no browser controls, limited manual tuning, only two LAN ports.