Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Router Promises Over 1Gbps WiFi Speeds

Netgear rolls in support for OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access), which is a method of spreading signals over a given spectrum band that helps to ensure each connected device has the best speeds and signal quality possible, rather than fighting interference by using the same spectrum for multiple devices; the AX8 router supports OFDMA on the uplink and downlink. The quad-core 1.8GHz processor previously mentioned is a 64-bit ARMV8 compatible chip; a quad-core packet co-processor that operates at 800MHz is integrated to reduce the main processor load to zero for multi-gig internet traffic.

Users who have access to internet speeds higher than 1Gbps can aggregate two local Ethernet ports to support those speeds, and the router supports DOCSIS 3.1 making it ready for multi-gigabit internet speeds. The design of the router looks like a manta ray in flight with its wings lifted; the wings hide the four antennas, which are optimally positioned inside for the best performance. Wall mounting of the router is possible, and the entire router is optimized for improved outdoor and indoor coverage while supporting improved 4K UHD streaming, smart home device connectivity, and gaming. Netgear's Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream AX6000 WiFi Router (Model RAX80) launches today for $399 (it's available right now from Best Buy).

Netgear has been busy over the last few months tossing new networking devices onto the market to support gamers and those who stream lots of 4K content in their homes. In late August, Netgear introduced the Orbi Voice WiFi Mesh Satellite that doubled as an Alexa smart speaker and could extend WiFi coverage inside larger homes. The Orbi Voice mesh router can cover 4,500 square feet and has Harman Kardon sound for high-quality music playback.