Netgear Nighthawk X10 Vs NighthawkAX8 – Which Netgear router is better for large homes?

Netgear’s Nighthawk series is known for its focus on high bandwidth routers and the Nighthawk X10 and AX8 continue with this reputation. In the following article, we are going to compare the two to determine which the better choice for large homes is.

Whether you need a high end router or an entry level, Netgear has always got something for you. With the Nighthawk X10 and AX8, these are high end devices designed for speedy connections and wide rage coverage. The routers are also from different generations, with the X10 coming first. Because of this, the AX8 is seen as an improvement from the Nighthawk X10. They are not however large different especially in performance. In the section below, we’ll look at their top features and major di5fferences.

What are the differences between the Netgear Nighthawk X10 and Nighthawk AX8?

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 vs Nighthawk X10 – how do they compare?

Build design

When it comes to design, two main factors are considered: attractiveness and practicality. Here, the Nighthawk AX8 is better as it is more attractive and smaller than the X10. Although design may be personal preference, there is no doubt that the AX8 will have your head turning. It resembles a space ship with its wing-like structures that house its four antennas. The wings are foldable downwards in case there isn’t enough space. It also matte black in color to prevent slips and finger prints from sticking on the surface. Overall, the unit’s design is creative and quite unique. On the other hand, the Netgear X10 features a more conventional design. It is a box shape router with four removable antennas attached to the rear. It also gorgeous compared to other routers with the conventional shape. In addition, it is slightly larger than the AX8 when antennas are removed. With the AX8 being smaller and prettier, it definitely takes the win in this category

Speed and performance

High end routers are known prioritize on speed above everything else. The AX8 and X10 both provide blistering speeds. However, the Netgear X10 is better as it offers higher bandwidth compared to the AX8. First, the Netgear X10 is a triband router meaning it provides three channels for connections. Theoretically speaking, it provides up to 7200 Mbps in bandwidth. When converted to real life bandwidth, this comes to about 99 Mbps in close range and 73 Mbps at a distance of thirty feet. In comparison, the AX8provides a speed of 88 Mbps in close proximity and drops to 42 Mbps at 30 feet away from the router. In addition, the AX8 is a dual band router with the latest Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard. Although this a huge step into the future, the standard is yet to be adopted in other devices such as smartphones.

Ports and connectivity

For wired connections, high speed Ethernet ports are essential especially in performance models routers like the Netgear AX8 and X10. Once again, the Nighthawk X10 is better than the AX8 since it has a higher number of ports as well as high speed USB ports. The X10 is fitted with the following:1 gigabit Ethernet WAN, 6 gigabit Ethernet LAN and 2 Gbps USB type A. With 6 LAN ports, the whole household can connect to the router comfortably. On the other hand, the AX8 comes with1 gigabit Ethernet WAN, 5 gigabit Ethernet LAN and 2 USB type A. Both routers feature link aggregation for high speed LAN connections.

Range

Range refers to the maximum area of coverage the router provides the signal. The Netgear X10 provides slightly more range than the AX8. It is important to note that range is affected by many factors such as obstacles, microwave frequencies and more. A test done in the same room revealed that the X10 covers up to 2000 sq. feet before the signal is lost. The AX8 on the other hand covers up to 1800 sq. feet. The reason for this difference is the triband nature of the X10. With three channels, there is little interaction and devices have more channels to works with

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 vs Nighthawk X10 – A Comparison Overview

Netgear Nighthawk AX8

NETGEAR Nighthawk 8-Stream AX8 Wifi 6 Router (RAX80) – AX6000 Wireless Speed (Up to 6 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage

• 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...

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The ‘AX’ in the Nighthawk series represents the latest wireless standard implemented. It is also referred to as Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax. The Nighthawk AX8 is one of the first routers to use this standard. Although it has not been widely implemented yet, the router is a guarantee for the future. In addition, it is very unique looking router. The AX8 comes with wing like structures that fold upwards making the router look very futuristic. For people in love with such creative designs, this may be the perfect choice for you. The wings house the four antennas on the router. Moreover, they are adjustable and fold downwards to attain a flat shape for small spaces.

Being a Wi-Fi 6 router, performance is heavily boosted. It provided 88 Mbps when tested in close range on the 2.4 GHz band and 930 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. Speed like this is high enough for any internet intensive tasks. On top of this, the router covers up to 1800 sq. feet which is an equivalent to a small two bedroom house. If you’re looking for a future proof router with superb performance, this is the router for you

Pros

• Amazing speeds of up to 933 Mbps allow heavy bandwidth tasks
• Comes with link aggregation ability
• Provides a great range of 1800 sq. feet
• Its solid build ensures durability
• Very attractive in design

Cons

• There are no anti-malware security tools

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Netgear Nighthawk X10

NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router (R9000) - AD7200 Wireless Speed (up to 7200 Mbps) for 60Ghz WiFi Devices | Up to 2500 sq ft Coverage | 6 x 1G Ethernet, 1 x 10G SFP+, and 2 USB ports

• Fast WIFI Performance: Get up to 2500 sq ft wireless coverage with AD7200 speed (Tri-band up to 800 +...
• Recommended Up to 45 Devised: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart...

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The Netgear Nighthawk X10 performs as good as the name sounds. It is a powerful router with a menace looing design straight out of a science fiction movie. The design features a black pyramid-looking design with four antennas sticking out from the back and sides. The black color features a matte finish that prevents fingerprints from getting stuck on the surface on the router. But this router is not all looks as it has some of the best performance of any home router released. It comes with a tri band processor that powers the dual band channels of the router:2.4GHz, 5GHz and 60GHz bands. Inside the router there is 1.7 Quad Core CPU processor that supports important router features such as MUMIMO. The antennas do a wonderful job in boosting the signal to far distances. But what’s most fascinating about the Nighthawk is the speeds it provides. It delivers a speed of up to 7200 Mbps which is more than enough for home and office use.

Pros

• Excellent performance
• Superb range of up to 2000 sq. feet
• It suffers little to no latency
• Attractive design and solid build for durability

Cons

• It is expensive

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Conclusion

The best router for you depends on what you need from the router. If you’re more price oriented, X10 is the router for you. If you want a future proof router, we recommend the Netgear Nighthawk AX8.

Final Verdict -So which is better? Netgear Nighthawk AX8 or Nighthawk X10?

Overall, Netgear X10 is the better router of the two. It provides better range, features amazing security against malwareand offers higher speed than the AX8.

FAQs

1. Does the AX8 suffer from overheating?

Yes. Users have said that the unit gets too warm

2. Is the X10 a Wi-Fi 6 router?

No. It however offers high speeds equivalent to an AX router