Netgear’s RAX80 router is a powerful device, but it lacks some features found on other routers. For example, the RAX80 doesn’t have robust game-friendly QoS choices or anti-malware tools. Additionally, you’ll need to wait until Wi-Fi 6 clients are available on the market to fully utilize all of the RAX80’s features. ..
If you’re looking for a new router, the Nighthawk AX8 deserves serious consideration. It’s just as fast (or quicker) than a top-tier Wi-Fi 5 device, even though you can’t use all of its features just yet. So if you’re willing to pay a premium, the Nighthawk AX8 is definitely worth considering. ..
Design
Netgear’s Nighthawk AX8 router sports a set of fold-open wings that make it more like a model of the Star Wars A-Wing fighter than a piece of networking equipment. There are a total of four antennae, two in each wing. Despite how amazing the wings could appear on a desk or coffee table, the antennas cannot be adjusted or changed. When the device’s wings antennae are folded up, it has dimensions of 10.8 x 8.0 x 2.8 inches. ..
The AX8 swiftly enlarges to 12.0 x 8.0 x 6.3 inches when it is unfolded. It contains grilles up front and on top to help with heat dissipation, as well as two inserts underneath for mounting it on a wall or under a table. ..
The router never exceeded 105 degrees Fahrenheit during our testing. The Broadcom BCM43684 Wi-Fi chipset, which also powers the TP-Link Archer AX6000 and Linksys Max Stream MR9600, is found within the Nighthawk AX8. The Nighthawk AX8 has 512MB of flash storage compared to the Archer AX6000’s 128MB, but all three routers have the same 1.8GHz quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. The dual-band Nighthawk AX8 produces 2.4- and 5GHz networks but lacks the second 5GHz network that the company’s tri-band Nighthawk RAX200 supplies. ..
The AX8 still has a theoretical top speed of 1.2Gbps in 2.4GHz mode and 4.8Gbps in 5GHz mode, as well as the most recent beamforming technology and the capacity to employ ultra-wide 160MHz channels. Its rating is AX6000.
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 review: Features
The Nighthawk AX8 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which is required for devices that want to connect to the internet. Older Wi-Fi 5 devices can still connect, so this router is perfect for anyone looking to improve their internet experience.
The key aspects to keep in mind when using Wi-Fi 6 are that it boosts data transmission rates by 25% over 802.11ac and enhances client communication, providing each client more resources and relieving network load. Additionally, 802.11ax is a standard that runs on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, whereas 802.11ac is a 5GHz technology (Wi-Fi 5 routers used the older 802.11n standard for 2.4GHz networks).
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is an 88 router that has access to eight separate streams, each of which offers a specific amount of bandwidth. Various applications exist for streams. For example, eight clients can connect using a single stream, or you can have four 2×2 clients connecting, utilising two streams each for double the performance.
The AX8 supports up to four streams on the 5GHz band, each capable of transmitting 1.2Gbps. This is a significant amount of bandwidth, especially when compared to other Wi-Fi routers on the market. ..
Setup
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender is a great addition to any home because it gives you better performance when connecting to the internet. The setup process was tedious, but once it was over, we saw a significant improvement in speed and reception. The extension also recorded a 5GHz speed of 246Mbps during one test.
We were surprised to see that our laptop connected to the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 router’s Ethernet port achieved a 406Mbps download speed. This is faster than the router’s Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, but still faster than any other router we’ve tested. Additionally, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender performed well in our tests at a distance. ..
Our office’s 5GHz download speed was 87Mbps. We then monitored the speeds from our backyard at roughly 10-foot intervals from the extension.
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 review: Performance
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is now the best standalone router on the market, according to Ixia’s ixChariot network simulation software. This router is perfect for individuals who require the fastest speed, in a 100-year-old home.
The Linksys MR9600 and TP-Link Archer AX6000, both of which offer 884.4Mbps, were the closest rivals (at 822.0Mbps). For high-resolution movies, online gaming, and household data hogs, this translates into an increase in throughput of at least a third. ..
The AX8 is a small, mid-sized home Wi-Fi router that struggles to move data over a short distance. Its throughput is significantly lower than those of the MR9600 and Archer AX6000 routers, which are larger and better suited for larger homes.
The MR9600’s usable bandwidth decreased by 75 feet, which is less than the MR9600’s 227.0Mbps. At our final distance of 90 feet, the system maintained touch, albeit just. It moved at 20.8Mbps, which is hardly adequate to watch movies.
The Archer AX8000 and MR9600, on the other hand, were not able to deliver data at this distance. The Nighthawk AX8’s capability to punch a strong Wi-Fi signal through walls and floors can come in handy if you reside in an older house. 20 feet away from the router, it was unable to deliver data at 1.077Gbps through a wall.
The MR9600 was able to achieve 219.1Mbps, which is about 80% greater than the Archer AX6000’s 738.0Mbps and nearly a third higher than the 628.8Mbps of the router. The MR9600 had 667.3Mbps available upstairs from the router, which was on par with the Archer AX6000 when it came to sending a strong signal up a floor; the MR9600 only managed to achieve 72.6Mbps. ..
Price
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender is now being offered for $220 at a number of stores. That is unquestionably above average for an extension. Is that much money really necessary to invest on an extender? Probably not, if you don’t already have a new Wi-Fi 6 router. ..
The Google Nest Wi-Fi system is a great option for those who want to cover their entire home with Wi-Fi. The Netgear Orbi is a better option if you only want to cover a specific part of your home.
Conclusion
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 WiFi 6 Router is a well-balanced router that offers Wi-Fi 6 speeds. It has several possibilities for wired extension or network storage thanks to the two open USB 3.0 connections and five open Gigabit Ethernet connectors. The Nighthawk AX8 also offers the fastest throughput we’ve yet seen in a Wi-Fi router, as well as outstanding security and performance. The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 is the Wi-Fi 6 router to purchase, despite its high cost. ..
