Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router review
Netgear introduced the Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router in 2015. It is powered by Broadcom BCM47094 @ 1.4 GHz chipset, 512 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Want to know if this Netgear router stands out? Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk X8 AC5300 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Netgear is another well-known manufacturer in the networking industry.
Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk X8 AC5300 |
| Type | R8500 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2015 |
Body
| Dimensions | 316 x 264 x 61 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.68 kg |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM47094 @ 1.4 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 19 V / 3.16 A |
The Broadcom BCM47094 @ 1.4 GHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 128 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The Netgear packages the Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router with 19 V / 3.16 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 6 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
Like many modern routers, the Nighthawk X8 AC5300 supports many network standards too. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. It uses OSI layer 2 or 3. It extends secure networks using SSL/TLS, an industry standard.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x 2 dBi (internal) 4 x 3 dBi (external) |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC5300 |
| Speed | 1000 + 2167 + 2167 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. The Nighthawk X8 AC5300 is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. Real-world Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed.
WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. By connecting a USB printer to the Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
If you can't log in to your Netgear router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Nighthawk X8 AC5300 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Netgear one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- lightning-fast Wi-Fi connection
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- too weighty
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300 photos
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