Netgear RAX80 Dual-Band Gigabit WiFi6 Router

Netgear RAX80 Nighthawk AX8 WiFi 6 Router

Key Takeaways:

• Dual-band WiFi 6 (AX6000) with combined speeds up to 1.2Gbps (2.4GHz) + 4.8Gbps (5GHz)
• 1.8GHz quad-core processor with 8-stream connectivity, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA
• 5 Gigabit LAN ports with dual-port aggregation, plus two USB 3.0 ports

Overview

The Netgear RAX80 Nighthawk AX8 is a high-performance dual-band WiFi 6 router designed for very large homes with many connected devices. It supports 802.11ax with backward compatibility to 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and delivers total wireless speeds up to 6Gbps using 1024 QAM and 160MHz channels on the 5GHz band.

A 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core processor handles demanding workloads like 4K UHD streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers without bottlenecks. OFDMA and 4x4 MU-MIMO allow the router to serve multiple devices simultaneously, making it well suited for smart homes with dozens of connected clients.

Connectivity and Ports

The RAX80 includes six Gigabit Ethernet ports — one WAN and five LAN — with dual-port aggregation support for faster wired transfers or bonded internet connections. Two USB 3.0 ports enable shared storage access via ReadySHARE and ReadyCLOUD for remote file access.

Coverage and Antennas

Four hidden antennas with Beamforming+ technology extend reliable WiFi coverage throughout very large homes. Smart Connect automatically assigns each device to the optimal band for the best possible connection.

Security and Parental Controls

The RAX80 supports NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity for network-wide threat protection across unlimited devices. Circle Smart Parental Controls let you manage screen time and content access per device. Additional security features include WPA2 (802.11i, 128-bit AES), guest network access, VPN support via OpenVPN, and automatic firmware updates.

Setup

Initial setup is handled through the Nighthawk app on iOS or Android. The app also provides device management, speed testing, and remote network access. Voice control is supported through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

What's in the Box

• Netgear RAX80 wireless router
• Ethernet cable
• Power supply cable
• Online installation manual

Netgear RAX80 Specifications

• WiFi Standard: 802.11ax (WiFi 6), dual-band AX6000
• 2.4GHz Speed: Up to 1.2Gbps (4x4, 1024 QAM, 40MHz)
• 5GHz Speed: Up to 4.8Gbps (4x4, 1024 QAM, 160MHz)
• Processor: 1.8GHz 64-bit quad-core
• Ethernet Ports: 1 WAN + 5 LAN (Gigabit), dual-port aggregation
• USB Ports: 2x USB 3.0
• MU-MIMO: 4x4
• OFDMA: Yes
• Beamforming: Yes (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
• Security: WPA2 (AES-128), NETGEAR Armor, VPN, guest network
• Parental Controls: Circle Smart Parental Controls
• Voice Control: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

What WiFi standard does the Netgear RAX80 support?

The RAX80 supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with backward compatibility to 802.11a/b/g/n/ac devices.

How many Ethernet ports does the RAX80 have?

It has six Gigabit Ethernet ports — one WAN and five LAN — with support for dual-port aggregation.

Does the Netgear RAX80 support parental controls?

Yes. The RAX80 includes Circle Smart Parental Controls for managing content filters and screen time on a per-device basis.

Can I use a VPN with the RAX80?

Yes. The RAX80 supports VPN connections through the OpenVPN Connect app on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android.