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
- Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300 specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300, please let us know.
The Nighthawk X8 AC5300 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Netgear has a history of introducing innovative features and technologies into its products.
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 a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. Otherwise, the size isn't too crucial. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But it's usually not as crucial as other factors.
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. The amount of RAM in a router affects its performance and ability to handle tasks and traffic.
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 |
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. The Nighthawk X8 AC5300 ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. 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 |
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. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. 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.
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.
Links
| Official site | https://www.netgear.com/ |
|---|
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. 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
Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300 comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
