Netgear Nighthawk RAX50 Review: The Streaming Workhorse
The Verdict
If your household is constantly fighting over bandwidth while streaming video, downloading files, and taking video calls, the Nighthawk RAX50 is the cure. Its AX5400 speeds cut through congestion flawlessly on any high-speed connection.
Read our Wi-Fi Guide →Built for Device Congestion
The standard routers handed out by internet providers start choking when you connect more than 10 or 15 smart devices. The Netgear Nighthawk RAX50 is built specifically to solve this. Utilizing a powerful 1.5GHz triple-core processor and 6 streams of Wi-Fi 6 data, it efficiently manages traffic for over 25 devices simultaneously without causing buffering on your TV.
Speed and Range Testing
During our speed tests on a gigabit connection, the RAX50 delivered near-wired speeds when in the same room. More impressively, the four high-powered external antennas pushed a solid connection through interior walls at a distance of 40 feet. It is more than capable of covering a standard 3-bedroom, 2,000 sq ft home.
Netgear Armor Security
One of the standout features of the Nighthawk ecosystem is the integration of "Netgear Armor". This protects every device on your network from malware and phishing links before the threats even reach your phone or PC. However, be aware that this is only a free trial, and Netgear will ask for a paid subscription to keep the security features active after the trial period.
The Good
- Excellent bandwidth management for 25+ devices
- High speeds over the 5GHz band
- Sleek, futuristic design
- Simple setup via the companion app
The Bad
- Advanced security and Parental Controls require a paid subscription
- Lacks a multi-gig (2.5G) WAN port