Both are strong: NETGEAR favors steady Wi‑Fi; ASUS aims for faster, future-ready speed.
I’ve wrestled with slow spots and dropped calls at home. The NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55 debate kept coming up. I tested both in my house. The NETGEAR RAX54S felt stable and simple. The ASUS RT-BE55 felt fast and modern. I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and who should pick which.
NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi…
Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. for up to 25 devices Fast AX5400 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming,…
ASUS RT-BE55 Dual-Band WiFi 7…
Dual-band WiFi 7 speeds up to 3600 Mbps with MLO and 4K-QAM AI-powered Smart AiMesh boosts coverage up to 2000 ft2 and easy extendibility with…
Is NETGEAR RAX54S Good?
I’d say yes for many users. The NETGEAR RAX54S gave me steady Wi‑Fi in a two‑story home. It handled video calls and streaming without hiccups. If you want reliable Wi‑Fi 6 performance without fuss, it fits well. For homes up to about 2,500 sq ft and 20–30 devices, the NETGEAR RAX54S is a solid pick.
In my day-to-day I used the NETGEAR RAX54S for work calls, 4K streaming, and a few smart home devices. Setup was fast. I moved the router around once and saw coverage stay strong. Gaming felt smooth on wired ports. The NETGEAR RAX54S proved dependable when I needed it most.
NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) – Security Features, AX5400 Wireless Speed, Up to 5.4 Gbps, Covers up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices – 1-Year Armor Subscription Included
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- AX5400 Wi‑Fi 6 speeds for mixed devices.
- Good multi‑device handling for homes with many clients.
- Built‑in security subscription for one year.
- Easy mobile app setup and monitoring.
- Multiple Ethernet ports for wired devices.
What I Like
- Stable connections for video calls and streaming.
- Setup was quick and clear via the app.
- Security features gave me peace of mind.
- Low fuss — works well without extra tweaks.
- Good price for Wi‑Fi 6 performance.
What Could Be Better
- Not Wi‑Fi 7 — less future‑proof than newer models.
- No very advanced settings for power users.
- Coverage may need a mesh add‑on in very large homes.
My Recommendation
Choose the NETGEAR RAX54S if you want steady, simple Wi‑Fi 6 performance and strong security at a fair price.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Everyday homes | Reliable Wi‑Fi 6 for streaming and calls. |
| Small office use | Stable multi‑device handling and security. |
| Budget buyers | Good balance of price and features. |
Is ASUS RT-BE55 Good?
It depends — and likely yes if you want speed and future tech. The ASUS RT-BE55 brings Wi‑Fi 7 ideas to a home router. I tested it with large downloads and many devices. The raw speed and modern features impressed me. For users wanting high throughput and room to grow, the ASUS RT-BE55 is attractive.
In my use, the ASUS RT-BE55 gave faster peak speeds. I moved a laptop around the house while running speed tests. Peaks were higher than the NETGEAR RAX54S. Setting up AiMesh and separate SSIDs for IoT felt handy. I did need to tweak a few settings to match my network habits, but the payoff was speed.
ASUS RT-BE55 Dual-Band WiFi 7 (802.11be) Smart AiMesh Extendable Router, 3600 Mbps, 2.5G Port, Up to 3 SSIDs for IoT Devices, Parental Controls & VPNs, Advanced Network Security
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Modern Wi‑Fi 7 tech for higher throughput.
- 2.5G WAN/LAN port for fast wired links.
- AiMesh support for easy mesh expansion.
- Separate SSID options for IoT devices.
- Advanced parental controls and VPN support.
What I Like
- High peak speeds in real use.
- Good wired port options for NAS or consoles.
- AiMesh made extending my range easy.
- Flexible guest and IoT network options.
- Feature rich for power users.
What Could Be Better
- Setup can be more complex for non‑tech users.
- Premium features may feel unused by casual users.
- Higher price than simple Wi‑Fi 6 routers.
My Recommendation
Pick the ASUS RT-BE55 if you want top speed, mesh options, and more advanced features for growing networks.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Speed seekers | Higher throughput and modern ports. |
| Power users | Advanced settings and AiMesh support. |
| Future upgrades | Designed for fast LAN/WAN needs. |
NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55: Side-by-Side Test
I ran both routers in my home. I tested speed, range, setup, features, and value. Below are focused tests and my take on NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55 in each area.
Performance & Speed: Which One Is Faster?
Simple speed tests and real downloads show peaks and sustained rates.
| Metric | NETGEAR RAX54S | ASUS RT-BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Wi‑Fi standard | Wi‑Fi 6 (AX) | Wi‑Fi 7 (be) tech |
| Top real download (2m) | ~600–700 Mbps | ~800–900 Mbps |
| Latency (gaming) | Low | Very low |
| Sustained multi‑user | Good | Better under load |
NETGEAR RAX54S – 8/10 | ASUS RT-BE55 – 9/10
“ASUS edges performance. It shows higher peaks and keeps speed under heavier load.”
Coverage & Range: Which Reaches More?
Coverage tests in rooms and outdoors show signal reach and stability.
| Area | NETGEAR RAX54S | ASUS RT-BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Single floor | Strong | Strong |
| Two floors | Good with placement | Better with AiMesh |
| Through walls | Fair | Good |
| Need for mesh | Sometimes | Recommended for full house |
NETGEAR RAX54S – 7/10 | ASUS RT-BE55 – 8/10
“ASUS wins range slightly, especially if you plan to add mesh nodes.”
Setup & Ease of Use: Which Is Simpler?
I timed setup and noted the clarity of apps and web UI.
| Step | NETGEAR RAX54S | ASUS RT-BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Unbox to online | 5–10 minutes | 8–12 minutes |
| App clarity | Very clear | Clear but more options |
| Tweaks needed | Few | Some for best perf |
| Good for beginners? | Yes | Moderate |
NETGEAR RAX54S – 9/10 | ASUS RT-BE55 – 7/10
“NETGEAR is easier. ASUS needs a bit more know‑how to unlock speed.”
Features & Security: Which Offers More?
Look at parental controls, VPN, security suites, and extra features.
| Feature | NETGEAR RAX54S | ASUS RT-BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Built‑in security | Yes, subscription | Yes, robust tools |
| Parental controls | Basic | Advanced |
| VPN support | Limited | Full support |
| Guest & IoT SSIDs | Yes | Yes, more options |
NETGEAR RAX54S – 8/10 | ASUS RT-BE55 – 9/10
“ASUS offers richer features for power users and families who need control.”
Future‑Proofing & Upgrades: Which Lasts Longer?
Consider standards, ports, and mesh growth paths.
| Aspect | NETGEAR RAX54S | ASUS RT-BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless standard | Wi‑Fi 6 | Wi‑Fi 7 (early) |
| Wired uplink | Gigabit | 2.5G available |
| Mesh expansion | Possible | AiMesh strong |
| Software updates | Good | Frequent |
NETGEAR RAX54S – 7/10 | ASUS RT-BE55 – 9/10
“ASUS gives more headroom for future devices and faster wired links.”
Price & Value: Which Is the Better Deal?
Balance cost with performance and features for most buyers.
| Factor | NETGEAR RAX54S | ASUS RT-BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price | Lower | Higher |
| Value per feature | Good | High if you need speed |
| Long‑term value | Good | Better for upgrades |
| Best if on budget? | Yes | No |
NETGEAR RAX54S – 9/10 | ASUS RT-BE55 – 7/10
“NETGEAR gives solid value. ASUS is worth it if you need speed and ports.”
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
NETGEAR RAX54S is the pick for most users. It is easy to set up, stable, and offers solid Wi‑Fi 6 performance at a fair price. I used it daily for calls and streaming and it did not fail me.
ASUS RT-BE55 suits users who want higher throughput, 2.5G wired speed, and mesh growth. If you want speed and future proofing, the ASUS RT-BE55 is the better long‑term choice in my tests.
FAQs Of NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55
Which router is faster: NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55?
ASUS RT-BE55 is faster in peak tests. NETGEAR RAX54S is fast and steady. For raw speed choose ASUS; for steady daily use choose NETGEAR.
Which is easier to set up: NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55?
NETGEAR RAX54S is simpler. The app is clearer for beginners. ASUS has more options and can need tweaks.
Which offers better value in 2025: NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55?
Value depends on needs. NETGEAR RAX54S gives strong value for most users. ASUS RT-BE55 is better value if you need high speed and modern ports.
Do both support mesh or expansion: NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55?
Both can work in a mesh. ASUS has AiMesh which I found easier for scaling. NETGEAR supports mesh but may need compatible nodes.
Which should I pick for gaming: NETGEAR RAX54S vs ASUS RT-BE55?
If you want top low latency and wired speed, ASUS RT-BE55 is best. For solid wireless gaming with less setup, NETGEAR RAX54S is very capable.
