Asus ax vs. Netgear ax – which has the best router technologies
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) are here and they promise some of the fastest router speeds for all your connectivity needs. The routers come equipped with some of the latest router technologies like beamforming and MU-MIMO
Routers have come a long way from the time you would struggle all day trying to download a single movie to new routers sporting Wi-Fi 6 technology that ensure superfast movie streaming. Most of the routers that are currently in the market operate on 802.11ac technology but the fastest now come with 802.11ax.
Instead of the router companies using these terms – which is very confusing – the wireless standard technology comes with a name. So, you have the 802.11ac operating as Wi-Fi 5 while the 802.11ax being described as Wi-Fi 6. In this review, we check out the new kids on the block – Asus ax and Netgear ax.
Table of Contents
What are the key differences between the Asus ax and Netgear ax?
Model |
Asus RT ax88U (Winner) |
Netgear AX8 RAX80 |
Dimensions (inches) |
11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 |
11.5 x 8.0 x 6.7 |
Processor |
1.8GHz quad core |
1.8GHz quad core |
LAN Ethernet ports |
8 |
5 |
RAM |
1GB |
512MB |
USB ports |
3.1 USB port |
Two 3.0 USB ports |
Weight (pounds) |
5.25 |
2.82 |
Availability |
Asus ax vs. Netgear ax – How do they differ?
Design
The Netgear ax has the most futuristic and coolest design. The router resembles a flying object from outer space. The black and grey colors only work to increase the mystery behind the router. The wings are actually antennas and fold up and down. When fully spread out the router measures 11.5 x 8.0 x 6.7 inches. The router can be mounted on walls or placed on bookshelves.
It also comes with five Gigabit Ethernet ports and two 3.0 USB ports. The Asus RT ax88U spots a similar design to the ax88U. You get a beveled top with angular sides. The router measures 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 making it smaller than the Netgear ax. But, it comes with 8 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and the latest 3.1 USB port.
Performance and speed
The Netgear ax8 is run by 1.8GHz quad –core CPU that is supported by 256MB of flash memory and 512MB of RAM. The 4×4 router is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 1.2Gbps for its 2.4GHz band and 4.8Gbps for its 5GHz band. A 1.8GHz quad core processor with 256MB of flash memory and 1GB of RAM runs the Asus RT Ax88u. This enables the router to hit speeds of up to 1,148Mbps for its 2.4GHz and 4,804Mbps for its 5GHz band.
Installation and technologies
When it comes to the latest technologies nothing has been spared in these Wi-Fi 6 routers. The Asus ax88u for example uses beamforming for directed signals, MU-MIMO for simultaneous data streaming and Smart connect where the router will determine your internet needs and choose a band for you. You can also create a Wi-Fi mesh system through its Asus AiMesh technology.
You also get Adaptive QoS and AiCloud settings. The Nighthawk can be installed through a web console or mobile app available for both Android and iOS. It also comes with beamforming, MU-MIMO and supports 160MHz channel bandwidth. The router can be managed through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands.
Asus ax vs. Netgear ax – A Comparison Overview
Asus ax – Overview
- Next gen Wi-Fi standard 802.11Ax Wi-Fi standard for better efficiency and throughput; ultrafast Wi-Fi...
- Certified for Humans – Smart home made easy for non-experts. Setup with Alexa is simple.
Asus is a company that won’t be left behind when it comes to router upgrades. The Asus RT-AX88U is there router for the Wi-Fi6 category. This dual band router offers exceptional speeds of up to 6,000Mbps and comes with eight Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports.
The Asus RT-AX88U has a sleek black design with four removable antennas – two at the back and two on its sides. It measures 11.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches and has a front 3.1 USB port. You also get WAN port at the back, plus the eight Gigabit LAN ports. The router is very similar to the RT ac88U due to its angular and beveled top.
A 1.8GHz quad-core processor runs the RT ax88u. This is backed by 256MB of flash memory and 1GB of RAM. The Asus rt-ax88u is capable of hitting speeds of up to 1,148Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 4,804Mbps for its 5Ghz band. To help boost your signal strength the router also comes with beamforming, MU-MIMO and Smart Connect technologies.
While 802.11ax technology is backward compatible meaning devices that have older technologies can still connect to the router, only those are 802.11ax compatible can completely take advantage of the many features the RT-AX88U offers. Control for the router is through the web console. Here you have settings for the traffic analyzer, Adaptive QoS, USB storage settings, and AiCloud settings. The router also comes with Trend AiProtection feature for protection against malware and viruses.
Pros
- Uses the latest 802.11ax technology
- Extremely fast internet connection
- Advanced QoS settings
- Built malware protection
- Mu-MIMO and beamforming technologies
Cons
Very few devices are compatible with 802.11ax technology
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 – Overview
- WIFI 6 – STREAM EVERYTHING AT EPIC SPEED: Simultaneously stream uninterrupted movies, games, video...
- WORKS WITH ALL INTERNET PROVIDERS: Replace your existing WiFi Router (separate modem or gateway...
The Nighthawk Ax8 is Netgear flagship model in the Wi-Fi 6 category. The router comes with a futuristic design resembling something from a ski-fi movie. While the router is not cheap it offers some of the fastest speeds in a router. The Netgear futuristic design features two foldable wings that cause the router to measure 11.5 x 8 x 6.7 inches when fully extended. You can place it on a bookshelf or mount it on a wall.
The Nighthawk Ax8 comes with five Gigabit LAN ports with the ability to combine two for a combined bandwidth of 2Gbps. The router also has two 3.0 USB port and at the top of the router is a thin strip for LED lights. This will indicate to you the status of your bands, LAN, USB and WPS status. A 1.8GHz quad core processor runs the 4×4 router. This is supported by 256MB of flash memory and 512MB of RAM.
This router delivers exceptional speeds and is capable reaching 1.2Gbps on the 2.4GHz band and 4.8GHz on the 5GHz band. The router also supports the following technologies beamforming, MU-MIMO, 160MHz channel bandwidth and Smart Connect band steering. You can control the AX8 through Google Assistant voice commands or Amazon Alexa.
Pros
- Supports a host of cool router technologies like MU-MIMO and beamforming
- Superfast Wi-Fi speeds
- Innovative and futuristic design
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Cons
- Expensive and may not work with old devices
Conclusion: So, which is better – Asus RT AX88U or Netgear Nighthawk RAX80?
Competition between the two routers is very close but our winner is the Asus RT AX88U. This router comes with a powerful processor that is capable of helping the router deliver speeds of up to 1.148Gbps for its 2.4GHz band and 4.8Gbps for its 5GHz band. It also comes armed with technologies like Smart connect, MU-MIMO, Asus AiMesh and beamforming.
FAQ
How does the Asus RT AX88U work?
If you live in a large home then you are going to experience incidences of dead zones. This are areas where Wi-Fi reach is limited. Asus AiMesh allows you to create a Wi-Fi mesh with multiple Asus routers.
Are the wings on the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 foldable?
The nighthawk RAX80 features one of the most innovative router designs in the market. The router resembles a giant spaceship. The wings act as Wi-Fi antennas and can be foldable.
