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Netgear RAX20 Review

Ryan Hansen Avatar
Updated Feb 7, 2024 10:46 AM

True Score

78
77
3

Experts

84
1,943

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Netgear RAX20 router is perfect for home use as it has a wide connectivity range and good browsing speeds. However, it cannot be used as part of a mesh network. 

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Netgear RAX20 is an entry-level dual-band router first announced in early 2021. The WiFi 6 router runs on a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, is also backward compatible with earlier WiFi generation devices and supports OFDMA technology for much more efficient sharing of its WiFi bandwidth. The router’s four LAN and single WAN ports should be sufficient for most basic users, but if you’re a heavy user who prefers a better port selection, check out our list of the best routers, where you’ll find alternatives like the Reyee RG E5. The router has a maximum bandwidth of up to 600 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz band and 1200 Mbps on its 5 GHz band and offers WPA3 security for secure browsing. 

The Netgear RAX20 runs on a quad-core processor that guarantees superior performance but doesn’t support MU-MIMO technology and cannot be used as part of a mesh network.

Best For

  • Netgear

Consensus

our Verdict

The Netgear RAX20 dual-band router is a great buy for basic users who want to benefit from the latest WiFi 6 technology. The dual-band router has a range of up to 70 feet (per tests), so it should suffice for medium to large homes. Regarding its connectivity speed, the RAX20 averages download speeds of about 70 Mbps and 328 Mbps on its 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, respectively, earning it a spot among the top 30% of routers in its category. It also boasts a 6ms latency on its 5 GHz band, and for better coverage, buyers can purchase an extender as the router can’t be used as part of a mesh network.   

Installation and setup are done on the Nighthawk app, which allows owners to monitor connection speeds and bandwidth usage. Other apps for users to download include Netgear Armor for antivirus and antimalware protection and Netgear Smart Parental Controls for filtering accessible content and controlling access time.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Good connectivity speeds
    • The Netgear RAX20 offers speeds of up to 560 Mbps and 2480 Mbps on its 2.4GHz and 5 GHz networks, which places it in the top 20% of routers in its category.

  • Good range of coverage
    • The Netgear RAX20 has a tested range of up to 33.52 meters, which places it in the top 40% of routers.

  • Easy to set up and install
    • Owners of the RAX20 will be able to install & manage it through the Nighthawk app.

Reason to Avoid

  • Cannot be used as part of a mesh network
    • The RAX20 cannot be used as part of a mesh network.

Netgear RAX20 Specs

# of LAN Ports# of LAN Ports4
# of Phone Ports# of Phone Portsn/a
# of WAN Ports# of WAN Ports1
App CompatibleApp CompatibleYes
Available StorageAvailable Storage256MB
Band TechnologyBand TechnologyDual
Data Encryption TypeData Encryption TypeWPA, WPA2, WPA2-PSK, WPA3
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
Frequency BandsFrequency Bands2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz
Integrated ModemIntegrated ModemNo
LAN PortsLAN Ports4 Gb Ethernet
MU-MIMO SupportMU-MIMO SupportYes
Mesh SystemMesh SystemNo
Number of AntennasNumber of Antennas2
Parental ControlsParental ControlsYes
Processor CoresProcessor CoresQuad
Processor SpeedProcessor Speed1.5 GHz
Quality of Service PrioritizationQuality of Service PrioritizationNo
WiFi RangeWiFi Range1,500 sq.ft
WiFi SpeedWiFi Speed1.8 Gb
Wired SpeedWired Speed1000 Mb
Wireless StandardWireless StandardAX

All Specs

Test Results

2.4 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s)70
2.4 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s)0
5 GHz Download speed (Mbits/s)328
5 GHz Upload speed (Mbits/s)0
Router Range (ft)70
Latency (ms)0
6 Ghz Download speed (Mbits/s)0
6 Ghz Upload speed (Mbits/s)0

All Tests

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Product Comparison

Netgear RAX20 Review

True Score

78
86
88
74
74

Ranking

#

27

/

37

#

3

/

37

#

1

/

37

#

36

/

37

#

36

/

37

Market Context

The Netgear RAX20 is an entry-level dual-band router first announced in early 2021. The WiFi 6 router runs on a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, is…

The Netgear RAX20 is an entry-level dual-band router first announced in early 2021. The WiFi 6 router runs on a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, is also backward compatible with earlier WiFi generation devices and supports OFDMA technology for much more efficient sharing of its WiFi bandwidth. The router’s four LAN and single WAN ports should be sufficient for most basic users, but if you’re a heavy user who prefers a better port selection, check out our list of the best routers, where you’ll find alternatives like the Reyee RG E5. The router has a maximum bandwidth of up to 600 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz band and 1200 Mbps on its 5 GHz band and offers WPA3 security for secure browsing. 

The Netgear RAX20 runs on a quad-core processor that guarantees superior performance but doesn’t support MU-MIMO technology and cannot be used as part of a mesh network.

The Netgear RAX20 has impressive download speeds, hitting 560 Mbps and 2480 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, making it faster than…

The Netgear RAX20 has impressive download speeds, hitting 560 Mbps and 2480 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, making it faster than the Netgear Nighthawk XR500, rated at 338 Mbps and 856 Mbps. Also different is that the Netgear RAX20 router has two only external antennas while the Netgear Nighthawk XR500 has four. Here’s our Netgear Nighthawk XR500 review for more information about what else it offers. 

The Netgear RAX20 only ships as one router, while the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 ships as a mesh router system consisting of a main router and…

The Netgear RAX20 only ships as one router, while the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 ships as a mesh router system consisting of a main router and a satellite. Additionally, the RAX20 has four LAN ports and one WAN port, slightly different from the RBKWE963, which has one WAN and four LAN ports on its router and four LAN ports on each satellite. Take a look at what else it has to offer by going through our Netgear Orbi RBKE963 review

The Netgear RAX20 router hits download speeds of up to 560 Mbps and 2480 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, making it…

The Netgear RAX20 router hits download speeds of up to 560 Mbps and 2480 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, making it faster than the Razer Sila AC3000, which achieves speeds of up to 40.35 Mbps and 226 Mbps on its two bands. 

The RAX 20 also has two external antennae, while the Razer Sila AC3000 has internal antenna. However, the RAX20 has four LAN ports, more than…

The RAX 20 also has two external antennae, while the Razer Sila AC3000 has internal antenna. However, the RAX20 has four LAN ports, more than the three on the Razer Sila. The Razer Sila is also designed to appeal to gamers, so if you happen to be one and would like to see what else it has in store, read through our Razer Sila AC3000 review

# of LAN Ports

4

4

4

3

3

# of Phone Ports

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

# of WAN Ports

1

1

1

1

1

App Compatible

Yes

n/a

Yes

Yes

Yes

Available Storage

256MB

256MB

512MB

4000MB

4000MB

Band Technology

Dual

Dual

Quad

Tri

Tri

Data Encryption Type

WPA, WPA2, WPA2-PSK, WPA3

WPA, WPA2-PSK

WPA2

WPA, WPA-PSK

WPA, WPA-PSK

Energy Star Certified

No

No

No

No

No

Dig Deeper

Netgear Nighthawk XR500 Review →

Netgear Orbi RBKE963 Review →

Razer Sila AC3000 Review →

Razer Sila AC3000 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

77

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

84

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

78

Expert Scores

  • Techgear Lab
    85.5

    Category Trust Rating

    59
    The Netgear RAX20 is a good WiFi Router for those on a tight budget, but… Read More

    By:

    Matt Spencer
  • Which?
    49.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR

    By:

    Unknown
  • Consumer Reports
    47.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR

    By:

    Unknown

Customer Scores