Netgear Nighthawk X6S Tri-Band Mesh Extender Review: A Simple Fix for Wi-Fi Woes
Netgear Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) Review: Final Thoughts
When Netgear pitched the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000), we were skeptical of network extenders due to our previous experiences. However, there were areas in our test house where Wi-Fi reception would randomly time out unexpectedly, so we decided to put the device to the test.
Netgear did a great job creating a device that introduces the benefits of a mesh wireless network to users that won’t or can’t let go of their existing wireless router for whatever reason. The Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) is a quick and easy way to boost your wireless range by simply plugging in a device and running through a simple setup routing. There aren’t multiple access point names to juggle, like network extenders of yesteryear – only one SSID for all your wireless networking needs.
Not only did our connectivity woes get resolved with the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000), but the four Ethernet ports are a great addition for remote home entertainment centers. We used the additional Ethernet ports for an Xbox One X and Amazon Fire TV stick since the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) delivers superior networking throughput than the integrated wireless controllers in those devices.
Now, if your router is older, you might benefit from upgrading the entire system to something like the Netgear Orbi. But those of us that prefer higher-end routers with more advanced features and settings can have our cake and eat it too with the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000). The cost is a little steep at $199 for a network extender, which is about the entry-fee for a high-end router alone or a starter Netgear Orbi system. However, Netgear offers the Nighthawk Mesh X4S (EX7500) with similar one-SSID seamless operation at a slightly more affordable $159 entry fee, but you forego the Ethernet ports and lose half the backhaul speed, which makes the monetary savings tougher to justify.
There’s also new software solutions that are rolling out from competing router manufacturers, like ASUS too. Some ASUS routers recently received new firmware that adds mesh networking capabilities using existing routers, which makes the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) a tougher sell.
Nevertheless, the Netgear Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) is a device you can easily recommend to anyone looking to seamlessly boost the strength of their wireless network, that's hassle-free and delivers noticeable improvements. You set it up once and forget it exists – it’s that easy.
Netgear did a great job creating a device that introduces the benefits of a mesh wireless network to users that won’t or can’t let go of their existing wireless router for whatever reason. The Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) is a quick and easy way to boost your wireless range by simply plugging in a device and running through a simple setup routing. There aren’t multiple access point names to juggle, like network extenders of yesteryear – only one SSID for all your wireless networking needs.
Not only did our connectivity woes get resolved with the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000), but the four Ethernet ports are a great addition for remote home entertainment centers. We used the additional Ethernet ports for an Xbox One X and Amazon Fire TV stick since the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) delivers superior networking throughput than the integrated wireless controllers in those devices.
Now, if your router is older, you might benefit from upgrading the entire system to something like the Netgear Orbi. But those of us that prefer higher-end routers with more advanced features and settings can have our cake and eat it too with the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000). The cost is a little steep at $199 for a network extender, which is about the entry-fee for a high-end router alone or a starter Netgear Orbi system. However, Netgear offers the Nighthawk Mesh X4S (EX7500) with similar one-SSID seamless operation at a slightly more affordable $159 entry fee, but you forego the Ethernet ports and lose half the backhaul speed, which makes the monetary savings tougher to justify.
There’s also new software solutions that are rolling out from competing router manufacturers, like ASUS too. Some ASUS routers recently received new firmware that adds mesh networking capabilities using existing routers, which makes the Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) a tougher sell.
Nevertheless, the Netgear Nighthawk X6S (EX8000) is a device you can easily recommend to anyone looking to seamlessly boost the strength of their wireless network, that's hassle-free and delivers noticeable improvements. You set it up once and forget it exists – it’s that easy.
 |
 |
|
|
