Netgear AX8 vs Netgear Nighthawk X6s- A comparison guide
My Wi-Fi router would always get overwhelmed any time my whole family was at home streaming the internet. I kept on rebooting the router but since doing this never made a difference I simply decided to go for an efficient router that’s ideal for use at home.
TheNetgear AX8 and Nighthawk X6s are among the later version Wi-Fi routers released byNetgear brand, which offer superb features.These two routers have been enabled to keep up with the new technological advancements, as they are able to deliver very Fast throughputspeeds efficiently. It did not take me much convincing about these two routers as they may have a few differences but one similarity that they both offer is a seamless internet experience even under heavy use.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Netgear AX8 and Netgear Nighthawk X6S?
Model |
Netgear AX8 (Winner) |
Netgear X6s |
No. of antennas |
2 |
6 |
MU-MIMO Support |
4×4 |
3×3 |
Supported protocols |
Link aggregation |
IPV6 |
Size |
11.0 x 9.0 x 2.1 inches |
11.63 x 8.92 x 2.14 inches |
Antenna placement |
Internal |
External |
Throughput |
2.4GHz- 1200Mbps, 5GHz-4800 Mbps |
2.4 GHz-750Mbps, 5GHz- 1625Mbps |
Availability |
Netgear AX8 VS Netgear Nighthawk X6S –How do they compare?
Design
The Netgear AX8 router is more appealing to the eye as compared to the Nighthawk X6S. It measures 11.0 x 9.0 x 2.1 inches and has only 2 foldable antennas that looks like wings which give it a very simple and neat look. While the Nighthawk X6S is slightly bigger as it measures 11.63 x 8.92 x 2.14 inches with 6 antennas that can neither be foldable nor removed making it look bulky.
Performance and speed
The Netgear AX8 has faster throughput speeds ascompared to the Nighthawk X6S. This is because the Netgear AX8 comes with 2.4 GHz channel that provides speeds of 1200Mbps and a 5GHz channel that provides 4800Mbps which offers you greater throughput speeds as compared to the Nighthawk X6S. The Nighthawk X6S offers slower throughput speeds as its 2.4GHz channel provides 750Mbps and 5GHz provides only 1625Mbps. Another point to note is that the Netgear AX8 has a 802.11ax standard that operates efficiently on both 2.4GHz channel and 5GHz channel. On the other hand, the Nighthawk X6s uses the older gen 802.11ac standard that only operates efficiently on the 5GHz channel.
Ease of Use and installation
The Netgear AX8 is set up using the Nighthawk app and is very easy to navigate through even though you have never encountered router configuration settings before. On the other hand, the Netgear Nighthawk X6S uses the new genie software as the software applicable for setting up the Wi-Fi which is user friendly as well. Both software support Apple and android devices.Therefore, both the NetgearAX8 and Nighthawk X6S are easy to install and set up even to novices thanks to their easy to use software.
Netgear AX8 vs Netgear Nighthawk X6S- A comparison review
Netgear AX8
- 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...
This router was designed by Netgear to keep up with the constant, demanding and upgraded Wi-Fi standards. It only measures 11.0 x 9.0 x 2.1 inches with 2 foldable antennas that gives the Netgear AX8 a simple and neat look. The Netgear AX8 comes with the latest wifi 6 standard also known as 802.11ax standard. With this standard, it enables the router to provide you consistent internet download speedson Wi-Fi 6 devices throughout even when there are other multiple devices connected to it.
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 has eight independent streams which provide bandwidths independently. This router is defined as an 8×8 router because each stream provides its own dependent bandwidth and these same streams can be used differently. This means that you can have six devices that are connected to the router using one stream or have one device connected to each single stream, hence making use of all six streams provided by the router. You also get two 3.0 USB ports which enable you to connect your external devices such as a hard drive and share all your data with your friends and family conveniently. When this router is on and operating, its LED lights blink to show you which channels and bands are connected to the router. These lights can easily be switched off manually if you don’t prefer them on. You can configure this router through your device, be it an android or an apple device, via the Nighthawk app as it is user- friendly.
The Netgear AX8 has 5 gigabit Ethernet ports rather than the usual four Ethernet ports on most Wi-Fi routers. This offers you flexibility as there is the presence of one extra Ethernet port.
Pros
- Very fast internet speeds.
- New tech that supports Wi-Fi 6 devices efficiently.
- Great bandwidth.
- Easy to use management software.
Cons
- It does not have parental control.
Netgear Nighthawk X6S
- AC4000 WIFI—Up to 750+1625+1625 Mbps wireless speed
- Memory: 128 MB flash and 512 MB RAM
This router is black in colour and measures 11.63 x 8.92 x 2.14 inches with six non-adjustable antennas. Just like the Netgear AX8, this router comes with LED lights that inform you which channel is connected to the router, and can be switched on or off according to your preference. The NetgearX6S has a dual-core 1.8GHz processor which is equipped with a capable RAM (128MB) and 512MB storage space that is essential in storing the software of the router. Its Broadcom BCM4365E Chip combines together with its processor which guarantees you smooth operation of the router throughout. The latest technology has not surpassed this router, as it is equipped with the Mu-Mimo (Multi user, Multi- input and Multi-output) technology. It allows you to connect a number of devices to the router at the same time, and still produces quality download speeds even to the devices that demand a lot of speeds in order to operate at its peak performance.
The Netgear Nighthawk has two channels, 2.4GHz that provides 750Mbps and 5GHz channel that provides 16250 Mbps which are great throughput speeds for efficient internet browsing. One outstanding feature about this router is the genie software which allows you to easily set up the router, including parental control.
Pros
- Genie software that allows you to set up router with ease.
- Offers great bandwidth.
- It has a number of customization options.
- Performs well even at middle distances.
Cons
- Bulky build design.
Final Verdict – So which is better, Netgear AX8 or Netgear Nighthawk X6S?
In this comparison, the Netgear AX8 is the clear winner as compared to the Nighthawk X6S. We cannot ignore the fact that the Netgear AX8 and the Nighthawk X6S both offer great internet download speeds. However, the Netgear AX8 has a better build design and produces slightly faster throughput speeds as compared to the Nighthawk X6S making it an ideal router for home use.
FAQs
What is the difference between AC AND AX channels that comes with the Netgear AX8 router?
The802.11ax channel usually allows a large number of devices to connect at the same time and still enables the router to deliver reliable internet speeds without reducing quality. It is an improvement from the 802.11ac channel by 25%.
What is IPV6 on the Netgear Nighthawk X6S?
It means Internet Protocol Version 6 which is an internet protocol that shows the location for devices on networks in the net. IPV6 promotes end to end connectivity which is essential as it provides security especially to networks that are used in official places with a lot of devices in use such as offices.
