A popular tri-band Wi-Fi 6 workhorse has just dropped to an attention-grabbing price. The Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 is currently marked down with a limited-time deal to $159.97, down from its usual launch price of $379.99. That’s $220.02 less than what this AX6600-class router sold for at launch, and it brings premium-grade throughput and capacity within reach of homes groaning under the weight of scores of connected gadgets.
If your Wi-Fi slows to a crawl in your bedroom or if you can’t even stream to that fake TV in the bathroom, this is because of one all-in-one box made by your internet provider. And that is exactly the problem Wi-Fi 6 routers were built to fix: They optimize efficiency in crowded networks. Wi-Fi 6 promises up to four times the capacity of Wi-Fi 5 in such settings, according to the Wi-Fi Alliance, because of features including OFDMA and enhanced MU-MIMO. Or, to put it simply: More gadgets can do more stuff at the same time without interfering with one another.
Why the Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 router deal stands out
The RAX70 is an AX6600 tri-band router, using a 2.4GHz band and two distinct 5GHz bands to process traffic over a longer distance. The design does matter when you have a bunch of 4K streams, video calls and consoles all fighting for airtime. With a theoretical total of six gigabits-per-second (6.6Gbps) throughput and eight-stream Wi-Fi, it’s focused on making sure that latency doesn’t balloon under load, rather than just racing for peak speed on a single device.
Netgear rates the RAX70 to support around 40 simultaneous connections, covering approximately 2,500 square feet — more than enough for an average single-family home without a mesh system. Wired gear is handled by four 1GbE LAN ports, and WAN aggregation can deliver support for up to 2Gbps internet plans when used with a compatible modem. That also meshes with the service tiers of today—Ookla’s most recent measurements put median fixed broadband speeds in the US at well over 200Mbps—so you’re not likely to slow down your plan.
Real-world performance and what to expect at home
What you are getting with a router like this is not just a higher top speed at five feet — it’s stability when the household is active. Wi-Fi 6’s OFDMA can break channels into smaller subcarriers so that a laptop, a smart TV and a phone can transmit in parallel rather than taking turns. That translates to a more seamless Zoom call when someone else is streaming and there’s an update downloading to the console in the next room. In numerous short-range tests with gigabit service, similar AX6600 routers have done 700–900Mbps to Wi-Fi 6 clients; YMMV based on device, walls, and interference, but the capacity headroom is the purpose.
Coverage claims are always hopeful, but RAX70’s tri-band design and beamforming should keep speeds high around most standard three-bed layouts. Central installation near the main living spaces (not corners) often performs better, especially in larger or multi-story homes. If you do eventually need to expand, Netgear’s ecosystem (like other mesh systems) supports mesh extenders, but most upgraders from ISP gear will already notice a significant lift without any additional hardware.
Setup and security basics for the Nighthawk RAX70
Installation is a matter of minutes using the Nighthawk app, which also handles firmware updates — important to ensuring performance and security. The router includes WPA3 security, guest networks and device-level QoS for when you need to prioritize gaming or a work call. For extra security for all of your smart home gear, a Netgear Armor (powered by Bitdefender) subscription comes with network-wide threat protection. Keeping router firmware up to date is an ongoing best practice recommended by security agencies, and a lot of older ISP-issued units fall short in this regard — another reason upgrades pay off beyond speed.
Should you wait for Wi‑Fi 6E or Wi‑Fi 7, or upgrade now?
Wi-Fi 6E unlocks the 6GHz band, and Wi-Fi 7 takes speeds and responsiveness up even another notch, but they require compatible devices and come at a premium. Same with the phones, laptops and streaming boxes in use today — most are still Wi-Fi 6 at best, which puts this sub-$160 AX6600 router right in that practical sweet spot. If you need 6GHz bands for crowded apartments or desire multi-gig LAN like 2.5GbE, you’ll pay more for next-tier hardware; otherwise, the RAX70 gives the largest leaps where it counts—capacity and consistency—for far less money.
Bottom line: why this Wi‑Fi 6 router deal is worth it
At $159.97, the Nighthawk RAX70 is cheaper than many midrange routers, with tri-band horsepower, wide coverage and modern security features.
If your home Wi-Fi seems congested, or your ISP’s router can’t quite keep up with the dozens of devices on your network, this limited-time discount makes for a plausible and immediate upgrade that you should be able to get years of streaming, gaming and hybrid office work from.