TP Link Archer AX6000 vs Netgear AX8AX6000 – Which AX6000 router provides better performance?

Wi-Fi 6 routers are slowly increasing in the market today. The TP Link AX6000 and Netgear AX8 AX6000 are some of the first routers to implement this wireless standard. The following is an insightful review of the two to see which one provides better performance.

Gaming routers are known for their superior performance both in speed and range compared to regular routers. In addition, homes today are fast becoming smart demanding higher bandwidth throughout. Here is where the Archer AX6000 and Netgear AX8 come in. These are high end gaming routers designed for very high throughput and excellent range. Because of this, they are premium priced but offer great value for money. Being from the same ‘AX’ router family, they are quite similar in performance with slight differences in other areas. In the table below, we’ll look at their major features and differences.

What are the differences between Netgear Nighthawk AX8 and TP Link Archer AX6000?

Model
Netgear AX8AX6000 (Winner)
TP Link Archer AX6000
Radio Freq. Support
Dual band radios at 2.4GHz and 5Ghz (x2)
Tri band 2.4GHz/5Ghz
Processor
Quad-core 1.8 GHz

 

Quad-core 1.8 GHz

 

Throughput speed
2.4 GHz – 1200 Mbps

5 GHz – 4804 Mbps

2.4 GHz – 1148 Mbps

5 GHz – 4804 Mbps

RAM
512MB
1 GB
Storage Capacity
25 MB
128 MB
Ports
1 gigabit Ethernet WAN,

5 gigabit Ethernet LAN,

2 USB type A

Power port

1 2.5 GB Ethernet WAN, 8 gigabit Ethernet LAN, 1 USB type A and 1 USB type C
Availability

TP Link Archer AX6000 vs Netgear Nighthawk AX8 – how do they compare?

Speed and performance

When looking for a gaming router, speed is the most important consideration. Here, the TP Link Archer AX6000is better since it provides higher throughput speeds. Being a dual router, the Archer AX6000 supports theoretical speeds of up to 6 Gbps. In the real world, this translates to about 124 Mbps in close proximity to the router and 55 Mbps while standing 30 feet away. In comparison to this, the Netgear AX8 is slower coming in at 88 Mbps and 42 Mbps standing close and 30 feet away from the unit respectively. Although the difference is quite large, these speeds are both ample for high resolution live gaming. However, as the number of users or connected devices increase, the TP Link performs better and suffers little to no latency. It is therefore the better choice for speed and performance

Wired connectivity

For physical or wired connections, ports are an essential component to make this possible. Once again, the TP Link Archer AX6000 is the better choice than the Netgear as it features a wider range and a higher number of ports. The TP Link router features the following ports:1 2.5 GB Ethernet WAN, 8 gigabit Ethernet LAN, 1 USB type A and 1 USB type C. Eight LAN ports are quite a lot and are more than enough to connect devices from the gaming console to your smart TV. There is also the high speed WAN port that allows a transfer rate of a whopping 2.5 Gbps. On the other hand, the Netgear comes with 1 gigabit Ethernet WAN, 5 gigabit Ethernet LAN, 2 USB type A and a power port. With less LAN ports, this may reduce the efficiency of the router especially when there is need for multiple connections.

Build and design

The build and design of a router refer to how practical it is in placement and positioning as well as how attractive the unit is. Here, the TP Link features a better design since it is much more practical and striking to the eye. However, the Netgear is known for its unique exterior design that resembles a space ship. Netgear AX8 features wing like detachable structures that house its four antennas. Although this design is quite unique and may be a more attractive for some users, the wings make it quite difficult to position in the house. On the contrary, the TP Link comes with a more conventional design. It is a rectangular box shape unit with eight removable antennas surrounding the unit. The simple yet elegant design is what makes the unit the winner in this category

TP Link Archer AX6000 vs Netgear Nighthawk AX8 – A Comparison Overview

TP Link Archer AX6000

TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router(Archer AX6000) -802.11ax Wireless 8-Stream Gaming Router, 2.5G WAN, 8 Gigabit LAN Ports, MU-MIMO, 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPU
  • High Speed WiFi 6 Interent Router: AX6000 Dual Band Wi-Fi speed boosted by 1024QAM deliver wireless speed...
  • Highly efficient: OFDMA increases average throughput by 4x in high density scenarios, compared with an...

The TP Link brand is known for having the best wireless home routers in the market. It is a high end premium device that was released in early 2019. This may be the reason it has some of the best design and body work we’ve seen on a TP Link router. Just by looking at it, its premium touch can be seen and felt. It is a hexagonal flat box shape with an antenna attached on each corner. This brings it to a total of eight antennas, each able to transmit speeds of up to 124 Mbps. In addition, the X design on the top coupled with the gold logo at the centre looks like something from the future.

But the main reason we picked this router is the performance. First, it comes with the recent Wi-Fi 6 technology. A speed test revealed that the router provides a throughput speed of 138 Mbps which is superb. When it comes to ports, the Archer AX6000 does not miss. There are eight gigabit Ethernet ports, a 2.5 GB WAN port and a power port all located on the back of the unit. On the left side, we have a USB 3.0 type A port and type C port. Other excellent features include: beamforming, MUMIMO, parental control through the TP Link Tether App, WPA/WPA2 security among others.

Pros

  • Easy and fast installation
  • High speeds of up to 124 Mbps allow for smooth gaming experience
  • Comes with 8 gigabit LAN for connections
  • Superb parental controls and anti-malware

Cons

  • Unit is quite expensive
  • Does not support WPA3 security

View Price on Amazon

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...

The Nighthawk AX8 router is a gaming router that is best known for its unique futuristic design. The unit features wing-like structures that house its four antennas. These wings add a touch of science fiction to the overall design making it the most unique looking router in the market. Inside, the unit is fitted with a powerful 1.8 GHz processor that allows for smooth and seamless connections. It is rated as an AX6000 router meaning it provides a theoretical throughput of 6 Gbps. However, this translates to about 88 Mbps in a real world environment. In addition, it comes with five LAN ports and one WAN port. Other performance boosting features include MUMIMO, beamforming, data streaming and Smart Connect band steering

Pros

  • Link aggregation allows for faster transfer rates over Ethernet
  • Unique and futuristic design
  • Easy to install and setup through the mobile app
  • Compatible with Alexa

Cons

  • There are no anti-malware security tools

View Price on Amazon

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Netgear AX8 is a cheap gaming router that gets the job done. The TP Link AX6000 is an excellent choice for multiple users.

Final Verdict -So which is better? Netgear Nighthawk AX8 or Nighthawk AX12

With all factors considered, the TP Link AX6000 is better than Netgear AX8 router. This is because it provides higher bandwidth, covers wider range and is compatible with smart home assistants such as Alexa

FAQs

  1. Is the Netgear AX8 compatible with Alexa?

Yes. With the feature, Alexa smart home devices can be constrolledusin voice commads

  1. Is Wi-Fi 6 backward compatible with previous versions?

Yes. Most devices are still on Wi-Fi 5 but work perfectly with Wi-Fi 6 routers.

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