NETGEAR RAX35 vs. RAX40 – Which is a better AX4 4-Stream router?

When we look at the RAX35 and the RAX40 routers, we can deduce that they are almost identical routers with the RAX40 being an improved version of the RAX35. Let us look into their features and analyze the differences that provide you with a strong, fast and reliable network.

As technology advances, NETGEAR attempts to provide you with optimal network performance through its RAX35 and RAX40 that have been built with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology standard. The two routers possess similar features and have very minimal differences which may make it’s a challenge to decide on which of the two is a better AX4 4-Stream router for your home. The table below identifies their features and the differences that exist between them.

What are the differences between the NETGEAR RAX35 vs. RAX40?

Router Model	RAX35	RAX40 (Winner)
Wi-Fi technology	802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6)	802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6)
Frequency band	2.4 and 5 GHz (dual band)	2.4 and 5 GHz (dual band)
Throughput speed	3000 Mbps	3000 Mbps
Security	128-bit AES encryption with PSK	128-bit AES encryption with PSK
Processor	800 MHz dual core	800 MHz dual core
USB 3.0	No	Yes
Availability	Check price	Check price

NETGEAR RAX35 vs. RAX40- How do they compare?

Speed and performance

The NETGEAR RAX35 is a dual band router that has throughput speeds of up to 3000 Mbps and its supports Wi-Fi 6 technologies. Its performance has been optimized by the beamforming and OFDMA technology which allows for a reliable and stronger network in your home.

Similarly, the NETGEAR RAX40 router has bandwidth speeds of up to 3000 Mbps which is distributed as 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and 2400 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. It is fitted with the beamforming and OFDMA technology which gives you optimal network performance on your connected devices. Both the NETGEAR RAX35 and the RAX40 have equal throughput speeds which deliver a fast, strong and reliable network.

Design and Structure

The NETGEAR RAX35 and RAX40 are weighty routers with their size dimensions at 13.38 x 8.11 x 2.24 inches and weigh about 1.36 pounds. They come in a black color with a modern and elegant design. They both have air vents towards the top section of the routers. On both routers, you will find mounting holes and two external high-performing antennas. In this regard, the two routers are similar when it comes to their design and structure.

Ports and Connectivity

The major difference between the NETGEAR RAX35 and the RAX40 is seen in their available ports and connectivity. The RAX35 has 4x Gigabit LAN ports and a single Gigabit WAN port which allow you to establish wired connections with compatible devices. The RAX40 on the other hand has 4 X Gigabit LAN ports and 1 x Gigabit WAN ports for your wired connections. It also comes with a USB 3.0 Port which allows for backward compatibility with other devices and more power to your wired connections. In this case, the RAX40 is more future proof than the RAX35 which makes it a better router.

NETGEAR RAX35 vs. RAX40 – A Comparison Overview

NETGEAR RAX35

The NETGEAR RAX35 router is powered by an 800 MHz dual-core processor which gives it fast throughput speeds of 3000 Mbps which is distributed as 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and 2400 Mbps on the 5 GHz frequency band. It is slightly bulky with its dimensions at 13.38 x 8.11 x 2.24 inches and it weighs 1.36 pounds. In addition to that, it supports devices that are developed using the Wi-Fi 6 technology .The problem here is that for your devices to entirely benefit from using the Wi-Fi, they need to support the 802.11ax technology.

Its support for 1024-QAM improves data efficiency and gives your connected devices faster network speed while its 160 MHz channel support delivers double speed to provide gigabit speeds to the devices on your connection log. Apart from that, it comes with 4x Gigabit LAN ports and 1 x Gigabit WAN ports which allow you to establish wired connections on your network. However, it does not come with a USB 3.0 port so it may pose a challenge when it comes to backward compatibility with other devices of previous Wi-Fi standards.

The performance of the NETGEAR RAX35 router has been improved through the OFDMA technology which gives you a chance to connect multiple devices to your network without having to worry much about connectivity failures. With the beamforming technology, this particular router is able to direct the Wi-Fi signal to your connected devices which allows you to roam around your house as you use the internet with ease. An upside with this router is that it is easy to set up and its Nighthawk app allows you to manage your network. On the negative side however, it does not come with a multi-gig Ethernet port neither does it support link aggregation.

Pros

• Fast bandwidth speeds
• No Wi-Fi drops
• Can support multiple devices
• Long range coverage
• Easy to set up and manage your network through Nighthawk app

Cons

• Does not come with a multi-gig Ethernet port
• No USB 3.0 port
• No link aggregation
• To get the most of your Wi-Fi, you would need compatible Wi-Fi 6 devices

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NETGEAR RAX40

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The NETEGAR RAX40 is both a powerful and a relatively bulky router with its size dimensions at 13.38 x 8.11 x 2.24 inches and a weight of 1.36 pounds with an elegant design that would raise the aesthetic fabric of your living room. It has great connectivity capabilities for your devices as it comes with 4 x Gigabit LAN ports, a USB 3.0 port and 1 x Gigabit WAN port. In addition to that, it supports 802.11 ax Wi-Fi technology and it is backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi models. However, it you would want to get the most out of this router you would need to use devices that support the same Wi-Fi 6 technology.

Apart from that, it is powered by an 800 MHz dual-core processor which gives it fast throughput speeds of 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and 2400 Mbps on the 5 GHz frequency band. It has been designed to cover a recommended distance of 1,500 square feet and its signal is boosted by the beamforming technology it uses which directly focuses the Wi-Fi signal to your connected devices. With these features in mind, you are assured of a strong, reliable and fast network as you move around your home. You can freely pick up your calls from the kitchen or surf the internet from your bedroom without constantly worrying about dropping signals.

Also, its performance and efficiency is optimized by the OFDMA technology that allows it to make use of both frequency bands simultaneously which significantly reduces congestion on your connection log. Its 2X2 MU-MIMO technology allows for bilateral communication between your devices for faster uploads and downloads on your network. Advantageously, it is easy to set up using either a web browser or the Nighthawk app on your mobile device. Unfortunately, it does not support link aggregation neither does it come with a multi-gig network port.

Pros

• Fast throughput speeds
• Strong Wi-Fi signal to your connected devices
• Long range coverage
• Easy to set up and manage your network
• USB 3.0 port

Cons

• Does not come with a multi-gig port
• No link aggregation
• To get the most of your Wi-Fi, you need compatible Wi-Fi 6 devices

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Conclusion

The RAX35 and RAX40 are both AX4 4-Stream routers by NETGEAR which have been developed to provide you with a strong, fast and reliable network. In as much as the two routers are similar, the difference is identified in their number of ports and connectivity capabilities.

Final Verdict- So which is better between the RAX35 and the RAX40?

The RAX40 is a better router when compared to the RAX35. It is a future proof router and one that is backwards compatible with devices of all Wi-Fi standards.

FAQs

Are the antennas on my NETGEAR RAX40 router detachable?

No, they are not. The two antennas on your RAX40 router have been designed to boost the Wi-Fi signal and range around your home. The only thing you can do is adjust them to an angle of 45° towards the direction that you would want the Wi-Fi signal to be projected.

What is the guarantee of a secure network in my home when using the NETGEAR RAX40 router?

The RAX40 router supports WPA 2 and WPA 3 security protocols which come with 128-bit encryption with PSK which is an assurance for a secure network throughout your home.