Connecting to the Internet

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 wireless router review

We try out Netgear's new Nighthawk AX8 router, one of the first to use the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless network standard.
by
Fact-checked

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE

Last updated: 16 Oct 2019
FL_Netgear_AX8_Wi-Fi_router

CHOICE verdict

Netgear’s new Nighthawk AX8 wireless router is one of the first to use the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard, but it boosts network speed even for connected devices still using the older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Its full potential in providing greater security and supporting more devices will be realised as other devices also upgrade to Wi-Fi 6. Meanwhile, it’s a performance booster, and future-proofs your home network.

Price: $600

Contact:

netgear.com.au

Wi-Fi 6 is the new name for the new standard for wireless networking (Wi-Fi), also known as 802.11ax, and Netgear is fast off the mark with three next-generation Wi-Fi 6 offerings.

Heading the performers is the Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX80). There’s also a four-stream RAX40 ($400) and a 12-stream RAX12 model ($800). 

We borrowed Nighthawk AX8 from Netgear to see how much better Wi-Fi 6 is over the current standard that most people use, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). The good news is that you don’t need to even have Wi-Fi 6 on your other devices to get a decent performance benefit.

We're on your side

For more than 60 years, CHOICE has been fighting the good fight for Australian consumers.

In the past year alone we've uncovered systemic issues with sunscreens, investigated shonky supermarket pricing, fought for stronger scam protections and helped make complex energy pricing fairer and clearer.

CHOICE is here to provide unbiased advice and independent testing in our world-class labs. We buy the products we test, just like you do, and our expert reviews are influence free. We’re here to help you choose smarter. Hopefully you’ll also save some money along the way.


Thanks to CHOICE, you’ll never be alone when a business treats you unfairly. You can support our work by joining or donating to our cause.

Join CHOICE