Everything you need to know about the NETGEAR WAX610 [A Review]

Do you by any chance need and access point to enhance the performance of your network in your business? Let us take a look at the top features of the NETGEAR WAX610 and evaluate its network efficiency.

The WAX610 access point was specifically launched for small-to-medium sized businesses. Why? The NETGEAR WAX610 access point basically works as a hotspot by connecting to your already existing router via an Ethernet cable and it is powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE). Generally, access points are deployed where your Wi-Fi signal struggles to reach. They provide you with a fast, strong and reliable network based on the fact that they feature efficient radio transmitters and powerful antennae which emit wireless signals to which your Wi-Fi devices can connect.

NETEGAR WAX610 Review and Breakdown

NETGEAR Cloud Managed Wireless Access Point (WAX610) - WiFi 6 Dual-Band AX1800 Speed | Up to 200 Client Devices | 802.11ax | Insight Remote Management | PoE+ Powered or AC Adapter (not included)

• WiFi 6 Dual-Band AX1800 speed, coupled with MU-MIMO technology, supports up to 200 client devices and...
• Connect wired Ethernet to the 2.5G port for maximum speed.

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As stipulated earlier, the NETEGAR WAX610 is an access point that has been designed to enhance network stability and performance in SMBs. Simply put, it is suitable for areas with heavy traffic, video conferencing and it has the ability to support a large number of concurrent client devices. The NETGEAR WAX610 has been optimized to support 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) technology and it seamlessly works with all modern devices with the same technology.

The NETGEAR WAX610 is a dual band AX1800 access point which delivers total throughput speeds of 1800 Mbps to all your connected devices. It comes with a 2.5 Gbps RJ-45 Ethernet port for power delivery/ backhaul and it can be powered using 802.3 at for high internet speed. Unfortunately, it does not come with a power adapter so you may need to purchase that separately. In addition to that, its performance is enhanced by its simultaneous dual band operation which provides you with faster and more reliable network as it provides you with more Wi-Fi coverage and higher throughput.

Also, with the NETGEAR WAX610 you are able to enjoy four times more connection capacity that the previous Wi-Fi 5 access points and it has improved efficiency that allows for longer device battery life. On the negative side, it is specifically compatible with WAC 540/510/505 but not with Wi-Fi 5 access points in general.

Through its support for the WPA3 security protocol it provides you with a secure network for all your connected devices and it allows for advanced security features such as network & client isolation and rogue access point detection.  It further allows you for local and remote monitoring and management of your network through the Insight up that include a 1 year free subscription. Because of its high performance levels, it is slightly prone to overheating but this can be easily sorted with a few troubleshooting steps.

What we liked;

• It supports multiple device performance
• It is PoE+ and AC powered
• It has flexible mounting abilities
• It provides you with a secure network
• It has fast throughput speeds
• It allows for local and remote network management through the Insight app
• It provides exceptional Wi-Fi coverage

What we didn’t like;

• The power adapter is sold separately so you may need to incur more costs
• Its compatibility is limited to WAC 505, 510 and 540
• It is prone to overheating

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NETGEAR WAX610 Specifications

NETGEAR WAX610 Features

Design and Structure

The NETGEAR WAX610 comes in a white color and it has a compact design that contribute to its portability. Its minimalistic design blends into the aesthetic fabric of your environment and it comes with a mounting kit which allows you to securely install it to your wall or suspended ceiling. It has its size dimensions at 8.15 x 8.15 x 3.43 inches and weighs about 1.43 pounds meaning that it is just the right size and light enough for easy deployment.

Moreover, it comes with a 2.5 Gbps LAN port for backhaul and mesh support. Mesh support allows the NETGEAR WAX610 to mesh over Wi-Fi with other NETGEAR access points such as the WAC 564, WAC 610Y, WAC 610 and the WAC 540. The maximum power consumption rate for the NETGEAR WAX610 over PoE is at 15.3 W which enables 802.3 at-capable to power it easily. Also, it functions with the 802.3 af PoE but its peak performance drastically reduces.

Speed and Performance

The NETGEAR WAX610 is a dual band access point which delivers throughput speeds of up to 1800 Mbps to your connected devices. The bandwidth speeds are distributed as 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. With these, exceptional Wi-Fi speeds, it is able to work well in high density environments such as restaurants schools, conference centers and hotels. It is backwards compatible with previous generation Wi-Fi devices and Wi-Fi.

Apart from that, its performance is optimized with Wi-Fi 6 technologies such as upstream and downstream MU-MIMO, increased speed and OFDMA. The OFDMA technology promotes efficient access for devices on your network as it allows multiple users that have varying bandwidth needs to be served concurrently.

Range and Capacity

The NETGEAR WAX610 access point extends your Wi-Fi signal over a range of up to 1,800 square feet which is an added advantage for your network. Because of this you are able to eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots and you are able to significantly reduce connectivity failures such as dropping Wi-Fi signal and loss of internet connection to your devices when you move away from your router.

Aside from that, the efficiency of the NETGEAR WAX610 optimized with simultaneous dual band operations with MU-MIMO and beamforming technology which allow for the connection of up to 250 concurrent devices per access point which work without any Wi-Fi interferences. With its increased coverage and increased capacity capabilities, you are able to comfortably expand your network without worrying about any network slowdowns or blind spots.

Security and Network Control

When it comes to the security of your network, the NETGEAR WAX610 access point offers support for the WPA3 security protocol which is mandated by the IEEE Wi-Fi 6 specifications. It further offers support for a maximum of 8 SSIDs with a separate Virtual LAN for each SSID on your network. You can use the 8 separate wireless networks for administration, guests, IoT devices such Wi-Fi surveillance cameras, sensors etc. and also for employees among others. The separate VLANs allow for network isolation between employee, HR, visitors, admin network and finance among others. This way you are able to regulate your connection log.

In addition to that, it has advanced features such as peer-to-peer separation which allows for total user separation on the same VLAN which significantly prevents guests on your network from accessing other guests’ devices. Through the Insight app, it allows for optional cloud-base management access and you are able to monitor and control your wireless network.

Who is it best suited for?

The NETGEAR WAX610 access point is suitable for small and medium sized businesses because of its support for multiple simultaneous users. At the same time, it majorly focuses on both stability and performance which makes it ideal for high density deployments.

Are there any alternatives for the NETGEAR WAX610?

Yes. The alternative access points to the NETGEAR WAX610 access point are the NETGEAR WAC510 PA, the NETGEAR WAX610 Y and the NETGEAR WAC 654.

Features of the alternative access points

Final Verdict: Should you get the NETGEAR WAX610?

Yes. The NETGEAR WAX610 is a guarantee of a fast, strong and reliable network for your small and medium sized business. It is equipped with the latest and fastest 802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6) technology which provides you with ease of installation and management, next-level coverage and vast connection capacity for all your client devices.

FAQs

Would I need to upgrade my wireless client to use Wi-Fi 6 when I purchase the NETGEAR WAX610?

No. The NETGEAR WAX610 access point is backwards compatible to older Wi-Fi standards. The only difference is that your older devices will still work, however, they will not be able to achieve the maximum speed and efficiency of the Wi-Fi 6 network device.

Why does my NETGEAR WAX610 access point use multi-gig and not just a regular gigabit connection?

Due to the high speeds, extra capacity and efficiency of Wi-Fi 6, more bandwidth would be needed because the theoretical Wi-Fi 6 speed exceeds the regular gigabit speed. This is why the NETGEAR WAX610 would need 2.5 gigabit speeds for optimal performance.