Netgear AX6000 vs. Netgear AX11000 – does more expensive always mean better?
If your major concern about using the internet is having a fast network connection and speed, then the best way to achieve that is through an Ethernet connection. However, if you want efficient wireless data transmission, then it is bets to go for a high speed router, such as the Netgear AX6000 or the AX11000.
If you already own a router, you might experience good 5GHz speeds, but this will only apply if you are using one or two devices on the same channel. The speeds will reduce significantly when you connect multiple devices on the network – you might understandably wonder why this is the case.
Well, this is because the existing router you use is only able to serve a few devices when the speed is at optimal levels. For instance, you might have a smart refrigerator or TV, a laptop, and your smartphone. By default, the router will connect the TV or refrigerator to the most optimal bandwidth, then your laptop or smartphone gets secondary priority (which leads to buffering and slow speeds). That changes when you are gaming though, as the most optimal bandwidth instead goes to your smartphone or laptop instead of the refrigerator or TV.
That brings to light the fact that your current router cannot serve your needs of unlimited internet very well, which is why you will require a new generation router, such as the Netgear AX6000 or AX11000. This is because they will give you high bandwidth speeds without compromising on the quality of the connection.
Both of these routers use the 802.11ax standard of wireless connection, also known as Wi-Fi 6. This is the latest generation of networking that works very well in a demanding environment, especially for gamers and people that upload videos frequently. In addition, both aim to help users that need simultaneous high-data transmission to achieve their needs, as they can deliver up to 4 times higher bandwidth than regular routers.
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What are the differences between the Netgear AX6000 and AX11000?
Netgear AX6000 (Winner) |
Netgear AX11000 |
|
Dimensions (inches) |
11.7 x 9.6 x 8.3 (the slightly smaller option) |
12.2 x 7.5 x 1.8 (more bulky) |
Wired Gigabit Ethernet ports |
9 |
5 |
Peak throughput speeds, on average |
88 Mbps (2.4GHz), 538 Mbps (5GHz) |
100 Mbps (2.4GHz), 900 Mbps (5GHz) |
Upload speeds |
60 Mbps |
50 Mbps |
Download speeds |
210 Mbps |
200 Mbps |
Netgear AX6000 vs. AX11000 – How they compare
Setup
The Netgear AX6000 uses a 1.8GHz quad core CPU as the power source, and it is a 4×4 router that can reach maximum theoretical speeds of 4.8 Gbps (5GHz band) and 1.2 Mbps (2.4GHz band). Other than these aspects, it has strong support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can manage it through its web console or mobile app (for the Android and iOS platforms). You will have all the ports you require – including two USB 3.0 ports.
The installation process is relatively easy, similar to all current routers today. You can choose to use either the web console, or the Nighthawk smartphone app, then make sure that the firmware is up to date before completing the installation.
In the case of the AX11000, this is more of an actual Wi-Fi 6 router that supports the actual 160MHz channel width. This means that its fastest speeds will come through when it works with a device that supports this 160MHz channel width – if you have a legacy device that does not support the 802.11ax standard, then the AX11000 will not do a good job of supporting your device.
The Netgear AX6000 is the winner for this category, as it has a greater potential for higher speeds, and includes support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Performance
The speed testing in both routers was done through an 802.11ac device, as there is a lack of devices in the market that support 802.11ax connectivity technology.
The results in the AX6000 were good, regardless of this fact – the average throughput speed we got was 930 Mbps in close proximity. The 2.4GHz band showed a score of 88 Mbps in close proximity, and 42 Mbps at 30 feet (making it among the slowest 802.11ax routers in the 2.4 GHz band test).
On the other hand, the 5GHz band was impressive, delivering 538 Mbps in close proximity, and 326 Mbps at 30 feet. The good performance also extends to file transfer, ass the read speed of 96 Mbps is among the fastest we have seen, while the write speed of 76 Mbps places it among the mid-to-high tier of routers in its class.
Even though the AX11000 is more expensive, its performance is slower compared to the AX6000 – with its maximum throughput speed (theoretically) standing at 2.5Gbps.The averages for short distances are about 900 Mbps, while long distances average about 800 Mbps.
There is a drawback with the 2.4GHz band, as its average speed fluctuated frequently between 100 and 190 Mbps, and the 5GHz band (we used only one of the 5GHz bands) had a speed of 900 Mbps. overall, the performance is not as bad, although there is some redundancies which you might find annoying, such as the lack of extensive features.
We picked the Netgear AX6000 as the winner in performance, especially considering its price. It is relatively cheaper, yet has a higher speed than the Netgear AX11000.
Appearance
The center of the AX6000 also has a unique design, comprising plastic and grilled mesh, and below the center is a cooling fan that you can see at certain angles. What is most unique about it is the mesh system it employs, making it a great option if you are operating in a very large space and need to extend your network coverage. The bad news is that it is quite expensive, and might not be of much value if you cannot afford it.
This principle also applies to the AX11000, as the design also looks similar to a futuristic design, and it has massive dimensions along with foldable antennas. The only difference it has from the AX6000 is that it is not mountable on a wall, although it does gave an internal ventilation fan as the AX6000. It measures 12.2 by 7.5 by 1.8 inches, and weighs about 3 lbs.
Once more, the AX6000 is our pick in this category, as it has a mesh setup to extend your network, as well as being wall-mountable for easier placement.
Netgear AX6000 vs. AX11000 – A comparison review
Netgear AX6000 – Overview
- Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft. and for up to 100 devices. Extend coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. with each...
- Ultrafast AX6000 gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and...
This is worth the money if you are strongly resolute about future-proofing your network. This is because of its great performance, and the high file transfer speeds. Even though it is expensive, and does not give you extensive ranges of features, it is still worth the buy if you want to upgrade the wireless clients you already have.
This router is likely something you would expect to see buzzing in a sci-fi movie, thanks to the appearance of charcoal gray and black on its exterior. It also has two wing-like structures that give it its strange shape, which each of the wings comes with two Wi-Fi antennas of high performance standards.
When fully extended, the router will measure 11.5 by 6.7 by 8 inches, while its dimensions when folded are 10.5 by 2.7 by 8 inches. It is also possible to place it on your desk or mount it on your wall.
Pros
- Very fast mesh router performance in our real-world tests
- Comes with two USB 3.0 ports
- It has support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Very simple setup process through the app
- Includes a multi-gig WAN port
Cons
- In order to notice a significant difference, you will need an internet plan of 500 Mbps at the least
- It lacks unique functions or advanced features
- Tends to heat up during use
- Expensive
Netgear AX11000 – Overview
- Maximum Range : 2500 Sq Ft
- UNLEASH FASTER SPEED, EVEN MORE POWER: Optimal for devices built to support WiFi 6: Playstation 5, iPhone...
Between the two routers, the AX11000 is easily the more costly choice – but the catch is that its performance does not surpass the AX6000. While it does have an additional 5GHz band, it struggles with slower wired connection and less raw power; which means you will only see its benefits if all or most of your wireless clients support 802.11ax connection technology (Wi-Fi 6).
Pros
- Very strong web user interface and helpful app
- Very fast and powerful performance
- Very attractive design
- It has multi-gig support
Cons
- Very expensive, yet does not offer value for money
- You cannot mount it on a wall
- It lacks a 5Gbps or 10Gbps LAN port
- Shallow Wi-Fi customization
Verdict: So what is better? The Netgear AX6000 or AX11000?
Between these two expensive options, we will pick the Netgear AX6000 as our clear winner. Even though it will set you back, it still carries value for your money due to its features, user-friendliness, and mounting options – much needed when you might not have much space to place it on a desk.
FAQs
How will I connect to my Netgear AX6000 or AX11000?
Generally, when connecting to any Netgear router, the rule is to go to the Genie app on your smartphone, then select Settings, then select Wi-Fi. Connect the smartphone to the network and enter the password to connect to the internet.
How many devices can I connect to the Netgear router?
It depends, but the usual case is that you can connect a maximum of 32 devices if you are using an extender, and up to 16 if you are not using an extender.
