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Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£220
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 6000 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 1 Gbps
  • Wireless coverage: 232 m²

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

7.7

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

7.6

Technical Score

10.0%

8.6

User score

Very good
7.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

7.4

Wireless

20.0%

6.7

Ports

18.0%

7.4

Networking

14.0%

9.9

Security

12.0%

7.8

Hardware

10.0%

7.5

Management

Very good
8.6

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

7.9

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(2364)
amazon
3.7
(381)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(2970)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Excellent
  • 8.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    10

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    9.6

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    10

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    1.9

    Maximum connected devices

  • 4.9
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    2.5

    Weight

    30.0%

    10

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is an 8-stream Wi-Fi 6 router featuring an AX6000 rating with combined speeds of up to 6Gbps (1.2Gbps on 2.4GHz and 4.8Gbps on 5GHz). It is powered by a 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core processor and includes five Gigabit LAN ports, two of which support port aggregation for multi-gigabit speeds, alongside two USB 3.0 ports for shared storage. Main pros include its futuristic starship design with pre-optimised internal antennas, exceptional file-transfer performance, and 160MHz channel support for high-bandwidth activities like 4K/8K streaming. However, it is relatively expensive, lacks built-in anti-malware tools found in some competitors, and its throughput can decline significantly at longer ranges in larger homes.

Technical Specifications of router Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

7.4

Wireless

20.0%

6.7

Ports

18.0%

7.4

Networking

14.0%

9.9

Security

12.0%

7.8

Hardware

10.0%

7.5

Management

7.6
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a technical score of 7.65 points, which is higher than that of 80.2% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

7.9

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(2364)
amazon
3.7
(381)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(2970)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.6
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a user score of 8.55 points, which is higher than that of 60.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 63.5% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

7.7

Overall score

40.0%

9.4

Price

8.2
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a quality-to-price ratio of 8.2 points, which is higher than 77.7% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Netgear
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). 65% of routers use this Wi-Fi standard.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. 25% of routers use the same band setup.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

6,000 Mbps
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 delivers 6,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 88.8% of routers and equal to 2.5% of routers.
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz channel width options, which is more than 72.7% of routers and the same as 24.8% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

WPA3, WPA2, WPA
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA Wi-Fi security protocols. 87% of routers use this security setup.
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports DoS protection. 11.1% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports SPI intrusion protection. 3.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports mac address filtering. 1% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports URL filter. 1.9% of routers include URL filtering.
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IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports IPv6. 10.9% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support dynamic routing. 53.4% of routers include dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support inter-vlan routing. 22.2% of routers include inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports VLAN tagging. 37.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports QoS. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

5
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has 5 LAN ports, which is more than 93.1% of routers and the same as 2.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

1 Gbps
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.2% of routers and on par with 59.8% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

1
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

2
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.3% of routers and the same as 20.4% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 is managed via Web UI, App. 33.4% of routers use this management method.
Nighthawk app
Firmware upgrade method
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App, Automatic
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 uses Web UI, App, Automatic firmware updates. 78.9% of routers use this update method.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports traffic monitoring. 17.5% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports guest Wi-Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi-Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support captive portal. 23.9% of routers include captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

4 x 1.8 GHz
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 runs at 4x1.8 GHz, which is faster than 87% of routers and on par with 4.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

1,024 MB
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has 1,024 MB of RAM, which is more than 88.3% of routers and the same as 9.4% of routers.
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

512 GB
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has 512 GB of internal storage, which is more than 98% of routers and the same as 2% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports hardware acceleration. 18.6% of routers include hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

0
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
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Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 vs the average router

  • 4.14x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (6,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
    When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2700 Mbps

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (6,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.6,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA3, WPA2, WPA.
    What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
    When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA3, WPA2, WPA.WPA3, WPA2, WPA vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • Supports OFDMA support
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
    What it is: Supports OFDMA, which divides Wi-Fi channels more efficiently among multiple active clients.
    When it matters: When many small, busy devices share the network and contention needs to stay lower.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • 6 more spatial streams
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more spatial streams than the average router (8 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
    What it is: Shows how many parallel Wi-Fi spatial streams the router can use for wireless data transmission.
    When it matters: When modern clients need higher throughput from wider multi-stream Wi-Fi connections.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 4 spatial streams

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more spatial streams than the average router (8 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.8 vs 2
  • 1 more LAN ports
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more LAN ports than the average router (5 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
    When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 4 ports

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more LAN ports than the average router (5 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.5 vs 4
  • 768 MB GB more RAM
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more RAM than the average router (1,024 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
    When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=512 MB

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more RAM than the average router (1,024 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.1,024 MB vs 256 MB
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.8 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
    When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.8 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.4x1.8 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
    What it is: Supports multi-user MIMO so the router can serve more than one client stream at the same time.
    When it matters: When many active devices share the network and you want wireless capacity used more efficiently.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 4.14x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (6,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • Supports OFDMA support
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 35% of routers support OFDMA.
  • 6 more spatial streams
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more spatial streams than the average router (8 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Wider channel widths
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
  • 24.7% wider wireless coverage
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has wider wireless coverage than the average router (232 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
  • Supports TWT
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports target wake time (TWT), while the average router does not. 36.8% of routers support target wake time.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA3, WPA2, WPA.
  • 1 more LAN ports
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more LAN ports than the average router (5 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
  • 1 more USB ports
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
  • Supports link aggregation (LACP)
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports link aggregation (LACP), while the average router does not. 14.6% of routers support link aggregation.
  • 768 MB GB more RAM
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more RAM than the average router (1,024 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x1.8 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
  • 1024x more internal storage
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has more internal storage than the average router (512 GB vs 0.5 GB). The average router offers 0.5 GB of internal storage.

Total
Wireless
Security
Ports
Hardware
  • 34 fewer connected devices
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports fewer connected devices than the average router (30 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
  • No Dynamic routing
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 53.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • No DNS relay
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support DNS relay, while the average router does. 91.6% of routers support DNS relay.
  • 4,016 fewer NAT sessions
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has fewer concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (80 vs 4,096). The average router supports 4,096 concurrent NAT sessions.
  • Fewer NAS services
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 includes SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access. 0.00% of routers include SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services.
  • 4.9 W higher power consumption
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 uses more power than the average router (13 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • No Dynamic routing
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 53.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
    What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
    When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 53.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Fewer NAS services
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 includes SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access. 0.00% of routers include SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services.
    What it is: Lists the onboard file-sharing services the router can provide, such as SMB, FTP, or media sharing.
    When it matters: When the router is expected to handle light file serving without separate NAS hardware.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 includes SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access. 0.00% of routers include SMB, FTP, time machine NAS services.SMB, FTP, time machine vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • 2.44x more expensive
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 is more expensive than the average router (£220 vs £90).
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 is more expensive than the average router (£220 vs £90).£220 vs £90
  • 4.9 W higher power consumption
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 uses more power than the average router (13 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    What it is: The amount of electrical power the router draws during normal operation, usually measured in watts.
    When it matters: When the router stays on all day and you care about heat output and long-term electricity cost.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <6 W

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 uses more power than the average router (13 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.13 W vs 8.1 W
  • No DNS relay
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support DNS relay, while the average router does. 91.6% of routers support DNS relay.
    What it is: Lets the router receive DNS requests from local devices and forward them to upstream DNS servers.
    When it matters: When you want local clients to use the router as a consistent DNS point instead of configuring each device separately.

    Importance: LOW

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 does not support DNS relay, while the average router does. 91.6% of routers support DNS relay.
  • 4,016 fewer NAT sessions
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has fewer concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (80 vs 4,096). The average router supports 4,096 concurrent NAT sessions.
    What it is: The number of simultaneous NAT-tracked connections the router can handle before tables become a bottleneck.
    When it matters: When many apps and devices open lots of parallel internet sessions at the same time.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=16000 sessions

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has fewer concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (80 vs 4,096). The average router supports 4,096 concurrent NAT sessions.80 vs 4,096
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
    When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 3 antennas

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.0 vs 2
  • 34 fewer connected devices
    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports fewer connected devices than the average router (30 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    What it is: The vendor’s stated upper limit for how many client devices the router can support at once.
    When it matters: When the network must handle many phones, TVs, smart-home devices, and PCs together.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=128 devices

    Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 supports fewer connected devices than the average router (30 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.30 vs 64
Total
Overall
Wireless
Networking
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Hardware

Graphic comparison of Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80 and other routers

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
2364 Reviews
amazon
3.7
381 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
2970 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80?

  • Impressive Wi-Fi 6 performance and high-speed data throughput
  • Strong 5GHz signal strength and extensive wireless range
  • Easy and straightforward installation process via the Nighthawk app
  • Support for link aggregation to achieve multi-gigabit internet speeds
  • Stellar file-transfer performance for network-attached storage
  • Future-proof technology that benefits even older Wi-Fi 5 devices

What customers dislike about Netgear Nighthawk AX8 RAX80?

  • High price point compared to other performance routers
  • Occasional reports of connection stability and frequent disconnections
  • Advanced security and parental control features require a paid subscription
  • Signal throughput can decline rapidly at extreme distances in very large homes
  • Software bugs reported with DHCP reservations and firmware stability
  • Lacks some advanced features found in competitors, such as built-in anti-malware tools

Expert reviews

H
highspeedinternet.com
04/08/2025
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX80 Review - HighSpeedInternet.com Would you like a comparison of the performance benchmarks or pros and cons mentioned in these s...

The Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router recognized for exceptional throughput speeds, reaching up to 6 Gbps, and a distinctive "spaceship" design that optimizes heat dispersal. It is highly regarded for power users, providing robust coverage for large homes and excellent file-transfer capabilities, with simple setup via the Nighthawk app. Pros include...Read more

H
hothardware.com
31/05/2019
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Router Review: Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Networking Would you like a similar list for alternative Wi-Fi 6 routers or more information on...

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a distinct "starship" design with optimized antennas, a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, and eight spatial streams supporting up to 1.2Gbps on 2.4GHz and 4.8Gbps on 5GHz. It offers top-tier 802.11ac performance, link aggregation for a 2Gbps pipe, five Gigabit LAN ports, and an easy setup process via the...Read more

A
androidcentral.com
06/05/2021
Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 review: All you really need is speed - Android Central

The Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 is a high-performance AX6000 8-stream Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a unique "winglet" design with integrated antennas, providing strong speeds and reliable coverage for modern, device-heavy homes. It supports 160MHz channels and OFDMA for reduced latency, complemented by five Gigabit Ethernet ports and link aggregation capabilities. Users benefit from a fast...Read more

A
au.pcmag.com
12/04/2019
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX80) Review Would you like to compare the performance benchmarks of this model against its primary co...

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a distinct "stealth bomber" design with foldable wings, powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor to support heavy bandwidth usage. It delivers impressive AX6000 theoretical speeds, offering exceptional throughput on the 5GHz band and very fast file-transfer read speeds, managed easily via the Nighthawk...Read more

I
itpro.com
20/04/2021
Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 review: Waiting in the wings

The ITPro review highlights the Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 as a top-tier Wi-Fi 6 router, boasting a distinctive "spaceship" design and 8-stream performance for modern, high-traffic households. A key pro is its record-breaking Wi-Fi 6 speeds, which outperformed competitors in tests, along with versatile port options including link aggregation. However, significant cons include poor...Read more

E
expertreviews.co.uk
29/07/2019
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 router review: A fast, versatile 802.11ax router - Expert Reviews

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router, featuring a "stealth bomber" design, that delivers exceptional real-world speed, showing a 70% increase in short-range read speeds and solid performance for both new Wi-Fi 6 and existing 802.11ac devices. While offering five Gigabit Ethernet ports and link aggregation for up to 2Gbps, a key drawback is its...Read more

T
trustedreviews.com
09/10/2019
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Review - Trusted Reviews

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a distinct "stealth bomber" design with pre-optimized antennas and an 8-stream architecture capable of 6Gbps total throughput. It delivers exceptional speeds, exceeding 670Mbps on Wi-Fi 5 and approaching 730Mbps on Wi-Fi 6, while the Nighthawk app provides a user-friendly setup experience. Despite its...Read more

T
tomsguide.com
01/02/2021
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) review: The Wi-Fi 6 router to get

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a distinct "spaceship" design that delivers exceptional throughput, exceeding 1Gbps at close range and effectively penetrating walls. It excels in high-traffic scenarios, capable of managing multiple simultaneous 4K streams and gaming sessions. The router offers five gigabit Ethernet ports, supports...Read more

P
pcmag.com
11/04/2019
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX80) Review - PCMag

The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router featuring a unique "starship" design, a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, and eight-stream connectivity for speeds up to 6Gbps. It offers excellent throughput, particularly on the 5GHz band, and supports advanced features such as link aggregation, MU-MIMO, and 160MHz channel bandwidth. While the RAX80 provides stellar,...Read more

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