NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 WiFi Router (RAX120) Review

Introduction

The NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 WiFi Router (RAX120) stands out as a game-changer, effortlessly delivering blazing-fast Wi-Fi speeds up to 6Gbps, empowering you to enjoy uninterrupted high-definition streaming, lag-free online gaming, and effortless multitasking across multiple devices. With its cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6 technology, the RAX120 seamlessly handles the increasing demands of modern households, catering to a multitude of connected devices without compromising performance. Its 12-stream technology and innovative OFDMA technology ensure that every device connected to the network receives the bandwidth it needs, eliminating buffer times and ensuring a smooth and consistent online experience.

NETGEAR AX12 : Unveiling a Sleek and Powerful Device

The NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12 WiFi Router (RAX120) arrives in a sleek, black box adorned with the familiar Nighthawk logo. Inside, the router is securely nestled within a protective foam casing, ensuring its safe arrival. Upon closer inspection, the RAX120’s sleek and futuristic design immediately catches the eye. Its compact footprint and streamlined form factor make it a stylish addition to any home décor. The router’s eight antennas, cleverly integrated into the device’s sides, provide comprehensive coverage throughout your home, eliminating dead zones and ensuring a strong signal even in remote areas.

• Front Panel: Upon removing the router from its packaging, you’ll notice a clean and minimalist front panel. Two LED buttons adorn the device: the WiFi Button (LED) toggles the Wi-Fi connection, while the WPS Button (LED) enables or disables Wi-Fi Protected Setup, simplifying the process of connecting new devices to the network.
• Back Panel: Turning the router around, we encounter a wealth of ports and connectivity options. Four 1 Gbps LAN ports cater to wired devices, while two of them offer port aggregation functionality, doubling the network bandwidth for demanding applications. A Multi-Gig (2.5Gbps / 5Gbps) LAN port provides additional connectivity options for high-speed devices, and one 1Gbps WAN port for connecting to ISP. For external storage or peripherals, a USB 3.0 port offers additional connectivity options. Additionally, a reset button provides a quick way to restore the router to its factory default settings if needed.
• Antennas: The Netgear AX12 RAX120’s true innovation lies in its unique antenna technology. Instead of traditional external antennas, the router’s antennas are cleverly integrated into the device’s side panels. This innovative design eliminates the need for external antennas, reducing clutter and improving overall aesthetics.

Elevating Your Wi-Fi Experience with the NETGEAR RAX120 AX12

As a seasoned wireless engineer and reviewer, I’ve had the opportunity to put the Netgear Nighthawk AX12 (RAX120) through its paces in various real-world scenarios, including densely populated urban areas, suburban homes, and even remote locations. While the router consistently delivers impressive speeds of up to 6,000Mbps on paper, real-world performance can vary depending on factors such as network congestion, interference from neighboring devices, and the construction materials of your home.

To assess the real-world performance of this netgear wifi router, we conducted a series of tests using an Samsung Galaxy S21 (Supports Wi-Fi 6) connected to each band at the designated locations. We measured the download and upload speeds using the Speedtest app and recorded the signal RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value using WiFi Analyzer tool. The tests were conducted with no other devices connected to the network.

Test Important Notes

• The tests were conducted in a suburban home with average construction materials.
• The Samsung Galaxy S21 was connected to the appropriate band for each test.
• The tests were conducted with no other devices connected to the network.
• The results may vary depending on your specific home environment, including the number of walls, the placement of furniture, and the construction materials

2.4GHz Band: Reliable Connection at Close Ranges

In our test environment, the RAX120 consistently delivered decent download speeds on the 2.4GHz band, even at distances of up to 30 feet. However, as expected, signal strength and speeds started to decline significantly beyond that range, reaching a maximum of 25 Mbps at 100 feet. This suggests that the 2.4GHz band is best suited for devices located within close proximity to the router.

5GHz Band: Unleashing the Full Potential of Wi-Fi 6

The 5GHz band, on the other hand, showcased the true potential of the RAX120, delivering consistently faster speeds throughout the testing area. At 10 feet, download speeds reached an impressive 670 Mbps, while upload speeds topped out at 405 Mbps. Even at 50 feet, the router maintained respectable download speeds of 205 Mbps and upload speeds of 110 Mbps.

Additionally, this netgear wifi router’s support for 160MHz channel width allowed it to maintain consistently high speeds even in congested environments, ensuring smooth streaming and gaming experiences.

The RAX120’s powerful quad-core 2.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM play a crucial role in maintaining smooth operation, even when multiple devices are connected and actively utilizing the network. This ensures that the router can handle even the most demanding workloads, catering to a wide range of connected devices and applications.

Linear diagram of signal change with increasing distance and obstacles in Netgear AX12 RAX120

Comparing Netgear RAX120 and RAXE300

When it comes to Wi-Fi 6 routers, two formidable contenders stand out: the NETGEAR RAXE300 and RAX120. To determine the ultimate speed champion, we put these routers to the test, comparing their download speeds across various distances and bands.

Netgear RAX120 vs Netgear RAXE300 Download Speed Comparison-5GHz band

Real World Security Test for Netgear AX12

As you know, many devices on your network, such as cameras, thermostats, sensors, and other IoT devices, are not equipped with antivirus software. Additionally, the security programs that are installed on personal computers are often limited to antivirus protection and cannot effectively identify and address internet security threats such as ransomware, phishing, hackers, and more.

This is where the Netgear Nighthawk RAX120’s Armor cybersecurity suite comes in. Armor serves as a comprehensive protector for your entire network, shielding all of your devices from a wide range of cyber threats. Armor’s AI-powered (Bitdefender) threat detection and mitigation technologies continuously scan your network for suspicious activity, malicious files, and potential security vulnerabilities, providing you with unparalleled peace of mind.Read More: How to Secure Your WiFi Network?

Security Test Methodology

Our test simulated a variety of common cyberattacks, including:

• • Phishing attacks: We used a phishing simulator to send fake emails and website links to test the router’s ability to block malicious content and warn users of potential scams.
  • Malware infections: We attempted to infect connected devices with malware samples to evaluate this netgear wifi router’s ability to detect and quarantine infected devices.
  • Network scanning attacks: We used network scanning tools to probe the router’s security settings and identify potential vulnerabilities.
  • IoT device protection: We simulated attacks on IoT devices, such as smart cameras and thermostats, to test the router’s ability to protect these devices.

Security Test Result

The Netgear RAX120 WiFi router performed well in our real-world security test. It effectively detected and blocked all phishing attacks, preventing users from inadvertently clicking on malicious links. Additionally, the router successfully quarantined infected devices, preventing malware from spreading throughout the network.

The router’s ability to detect network scanning attacks was also impressive. It quickly identified attempts to probe its security settings and blocked unauthorized access attempts. It also successfully detected and blocked attacks on IoT devices, preventing them from being compromised. These results demonstrate that the Netgear AX12 WiFi router provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of cyber threats.

Additional Recommendations

• • Be cautious about clicking links: Only click on links in emails or websites that you trust. Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking.
  • Beware of social engineering tactics: Phishing emails and websites often try to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Be wary of unsolicited requests for personal information or urgent warnings.

Conclusion

Our team has conducted extensive testing on the NETGEAR AX12 WiFi Router (RAX120), evaluating its performance in various scenarios, including speed tests in noisy environments, heavy gaming situations, and security assessments. The router consistently delivered exceptional results, earning a 9 out of 10 rating.

For gamers, the RAX120 proved to be an invaluable companion, providing low latency and consistently high speeds. We conducted various gaming tests, including online multiplayer matches and graphically intensive single-player campaigns, and the router never let us down. Its ability to handle demanding gaming scenarios without compromising performance makes it an excellent choice for gamers.