Netgear Nighthawk AX4 VS Netgear AX8 – Which router is more efficient for home use
You have to admit that working at home can be very difficult especially if you are constantly in communication through emails and you lack good quality internet connection. The Netgear Nighthawk AX4 and AX8 are both excellent options if you are looking to upgrade to the new Wi-Fi 6 technology for small to medium homes.
These two routers offer the best throughput speeds required in a small to medium sized home enabling you to send and receive emails effectively.Aside from the fact that you’ll be able to work at home without any hustle, you will also be able to stream videos simultaneously. Netgear did not go wrong with the designs of these two routers as they both have eye- catching designs and good build quality. However, they differ in performance and a few other features.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Netgear Nighthawk AX4 and Netgear AX8?
Model |
Nighthawk AX4 |
Nighthawk AX8 (Winner) |
Maximum throughput speeds |
3000 Mbps |
6000 Mbps |
Frequency bands |
Dual band 600Mbps + 2400Mbps |
Dual Band 1200Mbps + 4800Mbps |
Wireless streams |
(2×2:2, 2×2:2) 4- stream |
(4×4:4, 4×4:4) 8 -stream |
Antennas |
2 |
2 |
LAN Gigabit Ports |
4 Gigabit |
5 Gigabit |
Link aggregation |
No |
Yes |
USB Ports |
1 |
2 |
Processsor |
Dual Core Intel AnyWAN GRX350 |
1.8GHz Quadcore Broadcom BCM4908 |
RAM |
512MB |
1GB |
Availability |
Netgear Nighthawk AX4 vsNetgear AX8- How do they compare?
Design
The Netgear AX8 has a better build design and is more practical as compared to the Netgear Nighthawk AX4. It measures 11.0 x 9.0 x 2.1 inches and has 2high performance antennas which can be folded giving it a very neat look. On the other hand, the Nighthawk AX4 is a slightly bigger router as it measures 13.38 x 8.11 x 2.24 inches with 2 antennas that cannot be folded. With the AX8, you will have a variety of options of where you can place it as it can even fit in small spaces easily leaving your living room looking very tidy.
Performance and Speed
The Netgear AX8 has faster throughput speeds as compared to the Nighthawk AX4. This is because it has 2 channels, a 2.4GHZ channel that provides internet download speeds of upto 1200Mbps and a 5GHz channel that provides internet download speeds of upto 4800Mps. With this bandwidth, you will be able to stream data and download files with ease even when a couple of devices have been connected to the router. The Nighthawk AX4 on the other hand, has a 2,4GHz channel that provides internet download speeds of 600Mbps and a 5GHz channel that provides internet download speeds of 2400Mbps.
The Netgear AX8 is more efficient and has more capacity as compared to the AX4. This is because it has 8 simultaneous wireless streams which can handle more devices in a house at a go without reducing the quality of internet download speeds. The AX4 router that has only 4 wireless streams therefore it handles less devices in order to still operate efficiently.
Connectivity Options
The Netgear AX8 has more connectivity options than the AX4 router enabling you to connect more storage devices to the router and enjoy sharing your data with friends and family through the networks.The Netgear AX8 has 2 USB ports and a 5 Gigabit LAN ports as compared to the Nighthawk AX4 which has 1 USB port and a 4 Gigabit LAN ports.
Netgear Nighthawk AX4 vs Netgear AX8- A comparison review
Netgear AX4
- Maximum Range : 1500 Sq Ft
- WIFI 6 – STREAM EVERYTHING AT FASTER SPEED: Simultaneously stream uninterrupted movies, games, video...
The Nighthawk AX4 router is black in colour and measures 13.38 x 8.11 x 2.24 inches with 2 antennas that cannot be folded. This router also supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology which enhances the signal strength providing you with consistent internet download speeds. This is made possible through 2.4GHz channel that provides internet download speeds of 600Mbps and a 5GHz channel that provides internet download speeds of 2400Mbps. One feature that makes the AX4 a must have router at your home is its 4 wireless stream technology.This means that you can have as much as four devices connected to the router on one stream or have each device connected to its own single streamand still provide great throughput speeds which is ideal for a small to medium house.
The Nighthawk AX4 also offers good connectivity options as it comes with 1USB port and 4Gigabit ports. These ports enable you to connect storage devices such as hard drives ad transfer data across networks at the comfort of your home.
Pros
- Fast throughput speeds.
- It has the next generation Wi-Fi technology.
- Offers great connectivity options.
- Offers great coverage for small homes.
Cons
- It does not have MU-MIMO.
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 technological advancements. It measures 11.0 x 9.0 x 2.1 inches with 2 foldable antennas that makes the Netgear AX8 very practical and still gives it a simple look. The Netgear AX8 is equipped the latest wifi 6 standard technology, also known as 802.11ax standard, which ensures that you enjoy quality internet download speeds even when there a number of devices connected to the router at the same time.
The eight simultaneous wireless streams of the Netgear AX8 help in providingindependent bandwidths ensuring seamless internet connection throughout. This router is defined as an 8×8 router because each stream provides its own independent bandwidth however, these same streams can also be used differently. This means that you can have as much as eight devices connected to the router on one stream or have each device connected to its own single stream, which shows how the router is always making use of all its streams to improve efficiency. It also has a variety of connectivity options i.e. two 3.0 USB ports which allows you and your family to connect your portable storage devices at a go to the router and share data across networks with ease. Another feature that you cannot miss on this router is the blinking LED lights on the front of the router. These LED lights basically inform you what bands or channels the router has connected to however, you can manually switch them offif you don’t prefer them. Setting up this router is easy and very user friendly even to novices, as you can even configure it using your device and is compatible to both android and Apple devices.
The Netgear AX8 has also 5 gigabit Ethernet ports which offers you great flexibility as compared to other routers that only come with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Pros
- Very powerful processor.
- Great throughput speeds.
- Supports the new Wi-Fi 6 technology.
- Easy to use set up software.
Cons
- It does not have Wi-Fi security.
Final Verdict – So which is better, Netgear Nighthawk AX4 and Netgear AX8?
The NightgearAX8 is the clear winner for use in a small to medium home as compared to the Nighthawk AX4. This is because it has a better build design, faster throughput speeds and offers more connectivity options than the AX4. These are very essential for efficient internet access at your home.
FAQs
How many Wireless streams does the Netgear AX4 have?
This router has 4 independent Wireless streams which allows up to 4 devices to connect to a single stream or their own independent streams and still operate efficiently.
What purpose do the LED lights of the AX8 serve?
Well, these blinking lights inform you what band the router is connected to.
