802.11ac Routers vs. 802.11ax Routers – Which one is better?

These two router types are as similar as they are diverse. They are both essential for transmitting internet signals in home and office environments. However, one of these types outdoes the other. Which one is better?

Wi-Fi standards have come a long way since they were first introduced, and we have changed perceptions on speeds we thought were lightning fast. Speeds have evolved over time, and lightning speed has been redefined by modern routers.

802.11ac routers and 802.11ax are responsible for transmission of internet to various devices across different ranges at different speeds. 802.11ac routers transmit Wi-Fi 5 while 802.11ax routers transmit Wi-Fi 6 internet. So what sets these two router types apart?

What is the difference between 802.11ac and 802.11ax Routers?

Router Standard
802.11ac
802.11ax
Average Speed
1.3Gbps
10Gbps
Average Range
Small to medium size houses
Very large homes
Capacity
50 users at a go
100 users at a go

802.11ac Routers vs. 802.11ax Routers – How do they compare?

Average Speed

Owing to the size of processors in 802.11ax routers, they tend to reach extremely high speeds. An average Wi-Fi 6 standard router operates on a Quad Core processor which is able to transmit data at extremely high speeds that reach a maximum of 10Gbps.

Seeing that 802.11ac routers are older than 802.11ax routers, they have smaller processors. An average Wi-Fi 5 router runs on a dual core processor even though it is possible to come across a tri-core router. You will find that the average speed on these routers is 1.3Gbps.

802.11ax routers are the better devices in this category since they are able to transmit at much higher speeds than 802.11ac routers.

Average Range

Seeing that an average 802.11ax router can be able to transmit at a speed that is almost 10 times higher than that of an 802.11ac router, it goes to show that it can be able to reach a much wider range as well. These routers are used in expansive multi-storey homes that have many rooms and multiple devices. They can serve homes that are as large a 5000 square feet, and that have as many as 20 devices streaming 4K and 8K at the same time.

The 802.11ac routers are ideally meant for small to medium sized houses. The do incredibly well in smaller spaces such as apartments and they have the capacity to transmit to all rooms adequately.

802.11ax routers are the winners in this category because they can reach broader ranges than 802.11ac routers.

Capacity

If you are a gamer, or if there are multiple devices in your house hold that demand high internet speeds, the 802.11ax routers are the ones to go for. They can be able to serve as many as 100 devices at the same time, even when they demand high volumes of internet. Gamers who need consistently high speeds, and people who like to stream 4K and 8K quality videos are able to use these routers without experiencing lag or dead zones. You will find that the average Wi-Fi 6 router has 4 to 8 antennas that are useful in boosting speeds and range for optimal transmission.

An average Wi-Fi 5 router is not as powerful as a Wi-Fi 6 router, but they are not to be belittled. You can connect as many as 50 devices at a time, and they can also be able to support gaming and 4K streaming on multiple devices. As far as antennas go, the average 802.11ac router usually has 2 to 4 antennas. They help in boosting speeds and ensuring wider coverage for reduced dead zones.

802.11ax routers are able to handle more devices at higher speeds, making them better than 802.11ac routers.

802.11ac vs. 802.11ax Routers Overview

802.11ac Routers

The 802.11 standard is also referred to as Wi-Fi 5, and it is very widely used. Routers that use this standard are ideal for small and medium sized homes. When it comes to speed, these routers are able to transmit at an average speed of 1.3Gbps which is quite commendable, especially for such spaces. They use dual core processors and most of them operate on two bandwidths which are the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bandwidths.

The average 802.11ac router usually has 2 to 4 antennas whose purpose is to boost the speed of transmission and the range of internet coverage. When using these routers in a home setting, it is possible to connect as many as 50 devices at the same time. They can also be able to handle 4K streaming for several devices at the same time.

Netgear Nighthawk AC1750

NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router, R6700 - AC1750 Wireless Speed Up to 1750 Mbps | Up to 1500 Sq Ft Coverage & 25 Devices | 4 x 1G Ethernet and 1 x 3.0 USB Ports | Armor Security
  • Maximum Range : 1500 Sq Ft
  • Recommended for up to 25 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...

The nighthawk ac1750 is ideal for spaces that are about 1500 square feet in size and can serve up to 25 devices at the same time. It is a wedge shaped device that has a somewhat sophisticated yet simple look. This router has 3 external antennas that are ideal for signal speed and range boost.

It uses a 1.3GHz dual core processor, and it is a dual band router that transmits 450Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps at 5GHz. It comes with 1 WAN port and 4 LAN ports that support Gigabit transmission and 1 3.0 USB port.

It comes with an app that allows you to control it from your phone, and it also has NETGEAR Armor that keeps it from being affected by cyber attacks.

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Asus RT-ACRH13

ASUS AC1300 WiFi Router (RT-ACRH13) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router, 4 GB Ports, USB 3.0 Port, Gaming & Streaming, Easy Setup, Parental Control, MU-MIMO
  • Dual band AC1300 with the latest 2x2 MU MIMO technology for combined speeds of up to 1267 Mbps
  • 4 external 5dBi antennas for improved Wi Fi range and multi device performance; Connected devices must be...

This device averages at speeds of 1266Mbps. It is ideal for a small home, and it can support up to 25 devices at a go. It has 4 external antennas that are useful in boosting the speed and range of transmission.

It is a dual band device that transmits 400Mbps at 2.4GHz and 867Mbps at 5GHz. It comes with a mobile app for easy control and AiProtect which keeps it from viruses and other cyber elements.

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802.11ac Pros

  • They are excellent for small to medium sized homes
  • They can support up to 50 devices at a time
  • They are usually quite affordable

802.11ac cons

  • They are not ideal for massive homes

802.11ax Routers

These routers are ideal for Wi-Fi 6 internet transmission. They are incredibly fast and they have the capacity to handle up to 100 devices at the same time.

They normally operate on quad core processors, and they have 4 to 8 antennas that help in boosting speed and range. The best Wi-Fi 6 routers can reach speeds of up to 10Gbps. They are usually r-band devices that have a 2.5GHz bandwidth and a 5GHz bandwidth. A secondary 5GHz helps in boosting speed. They are ideal for homes as large as 5000 square feet.

Netgear Nighthawk ax12

NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router (RAX200) 12-Stream Gigabit Router AX11000 Tri-Band Wireless Speed (Up to 10.8 Gbps) Coverage Up To 2500 sq.ft. And 50 Devices
  • Maximum Range : 2500 Sq Ft
  • UNLEASH FASTER SPEED, EVEN MORE POWER: Optimal for devices built to support WiFi 6: Playstation 5, iPhone...

The Netgear nighthawk ax12 router operates on a 1.8GHz processor and it has 12 internal antennas that boost speed. It is a tri-band device that transmits 1200Mbps at 2.4GHz and 4800Mbps at 5GHz. A secondary 5GHz transmits at 4804Mbps. It can support streaming for up to 12 devices.

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Asus ax11000

ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6 Gaming Router (GT-AX11000) - Tri-Band 10 Gigabit Wireless Router, 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPU, WTFast, 2.5G Port, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, AURA RGB
  • Triple level game acceleration accelerate game traffic With device, game packet and game server...
  • Cutting edge hardware offers the best performance 1.8 GigaHertz Quad Core cpu and 2.5 G gaming port for...

The Asus ax11000 router is a tri-band device that transmits at 1148Mbps at 2.4Ghz, 4804Mbps and another 4804Mbps at 5GHz. It has 8 external antennas for signal boost and it is most ideal for gaming. It can support streaming on up to 8 devices.

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 802.11ax routers pros

  • Lightning fast speeds
  • Wide range
  • Multiple streaming

802.111ax routers cons

  • They can be expensive

Verdict: So, which one is better – 802.11ac routers or 802.11ax routers?

The 802.11ax routers are the winning gadgets in this comparison for their ability to transmit lightning fast speeds over wide ranges. They can also be able to support streaming on more devices than the 802.11ac routers.

FAQs

  1. Can 802.11ax routers support smart home devices?

Yes, they an. They are built to be compatible with the likes of Alexa.

  1. Can I use 802.11ac routers in my office?

Yes, if your office is not too large and does not demand heavy internet use, these routers can be a good fit.

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