Netgear’s new Nighthawk AX8 wireless router is one of the first to use the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard, but it boosts network speed even for connected devices still using the older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Its full potential in providing greater security and supporting more devices will be realised as other devices also upgrade to Wi-Fi 6. Meanwhile, it’s a performance booster, and future-proofs your home network.
Wi-Fi 6 is the new name for the new standard for wireless networking (Wi-Fi), also known as 802.11ax, and Netgear is fast off the mark with three next-generation Wi-Fi 6 offerings.
Heading the performers is the Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX80). There’s also a four-stream RAX40 ($400) and a 12-stream RAX12 model ($800).
We borrowed Nighthawk AX8 from Netgear to see how much better Wi-Fi 6 is over the current standard that most people use, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). The good news is that you don’t need to even have Wi-Fi 6 on your other devices to get a decent performance benefit.
I head up the team that produces CHOICE Computer magazine and computer technology-related tests and articles for our website. I believe technology is our friend, but sometimes friends just don't get along. When that happens, people turn to me for advice.
We look at all kinds of consumer tech from laptops and desktop PCs to tablets, storage drives, the NBN, wireless networking and computer accessories, plus software and online services. We also examine and explain tech-related issues such as security, privacy, copyright and much more.
I remember (sometimes nostalgically) the first personal computers and have spent far too much time and money keeping up with them ever since. I've been with CHOICE since 2006 and my writing and editing background extends more than 30 years across newspapers, magazines and online, particularly in IT journalism.
When not dispensing pearls of consumer-tech wisdom I'm a fan of all sorts of geeky pop-culture stuff and have bonded in a familial sense with my smartphone, tablet and yes, even my smartwatch (but the desktop computer and laptop don't get lonely either).
You can find me on LinkedIn.
I head up the team that produces CHOICE Computer magazine and computer technology-related tests and articles for our website. I believe technology is our friend, but sometimes friends just don't get along. When that happens, people turn to me for advice.
We look at all kinds of consumer tech from laptops and desktop PCs to tablets, storage drives, the NBN, wireless networking and computer accessories, plus software and online services. We also examine and explain tech-related issues such as security, privacy, copyright and much more.
I remember (sometimes nostalgically) the first personal computers and have spent far too much time and money keeping up with them ever since. I've been with CHOICE since 2006 and my writing and editing background extends more than 30 years across newspapers, magazines and online, particularly in IT journalism.
When not dispensing pearls of consumer-tech wisdom I'm a fan of all sorts of geeky pop-culture stuff and have bonded in a familial sense with my smartphone, tablet and yes, even my smartwatch (but the desktop computer and laptop don't get lonely either).
You can find me on LinkedIn.
