Netgear has found a clever way to bring Wi-Fi 6E Aging computer speed. The new standard comes via Netgear’s Nighthawk AXE3000 USB 3.0 adapter, which can be plugged into a computer and upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E.
Wi-Fi 6E has been steadily rolling out in recent years allowing devices to access the 6GHz band on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. value allows “For faster speeds, more connectivity, and less interference from traffic.” However, there are still not many devices or accessories that support Wi-Fi 6E, limiting its reach. with Nighthawk AXE3000 (opens in new tab)You’re previously adding Wi-Fi 6E connectivity to laptops and desktop PCs that don’t have native support
characteristics
The AXE3000 comes in the form of a USB dongle that can be plugged directly into a computer’s USB ports According to NETGEAR, it will automatically detect your router’s Wi-Fi bands so the device can connect to the right one — whether it’s the 2.4GHz band, 5GHz or 6GHz. Connection speeds range from 600Mbps (megabits per second) on 2.4GHz to a maximum of 1200Mbps on 6GHz. Due to this speed, the company claims that people will experience smooth data transfer and “suffer from less lag”. [while] Gaming.”
If this concept seems a bit counterintuitive, that’s because, for those with long memories, we used to add basic Wi-Fi to some computers by plugging in a USB-based Wi-Fi antenna.
You’ll also notice a stand for the AXE3000. NETGEAR says it’s a cradle and can be used instead of plugging the dongle directly into the computer. Once the dongle is plugged into the cradle, you can unfold the AXE3000 and let it act as a Wi-Fi 6E antenna. At the other end of the cradle is a USB cable to connect to your computer And if you’re concerned about security, the AXE3000 is equipped with WPA3 protocol from the Wi-Fi Alliance (opens in new tab) To ensure your device is protected.
gain access
Be aware that you still need to buy a Wi-Fi 6E router, which can be quite expensive. The AXE3000 is the only adapter that lets you access those speeds, it’s compatible with any Wi-Fi router and mesh system, so you don’t have to landlock yourself to a NETGEAR device. However, the company recommends getting a 6E router and supporting mesh system Orbi 960 series To access those high speeds.
You’ll need to have a computer that runs Windows 11 because at the time of this writing, it’s the only version of Windows that natively supports Wi-Fi 6E (and its promised speeds). According to the official, the AXE3000 works with Windows 10 computers Specs sheet (opens in new tab)But you’ll miss out on that high speed.
The AXE3000 adapter will launch in late September for $89.99, but will only be available in the US, one of the few countries in the world to support Wi-Fi 6E. A company representative told us the dongle may be released elsewhere as more countries adopt the 6E, but didn’t say which ones.
If you’re in the market for a new Wi-Fi 6 router, we recommend checking it out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best routers. Be prepared to shell out several hundred dollars for the 6E entry.
