Netgear can give your old PC Wi-Fi 6E speeds – but there’s a catch
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Netgear has found a clever way to Wi-Fi 6E speeds to outdated computers. The new standard comes via Netgear’s Nighthawk AXE3000 USB 3.0 adapter, which can be connected to a computer and upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E.
Wi-Fi 6E has been rolled out steadily over the past few years, allowing devices to access the 6GHz band on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The standard allows: for “faster speeds, more connections and less interference from congestion.” However, there are still not many devices or accessories that support Wi-Fi 6E, which limits the range. With the Nighthawk AX3000 (opens in new tab)retroactively adds Wi-Fi 6E connectivity to laptops and desktop PCs that did not have native support.
Functions
The AXE3000 comes in the form of a USB dongle that plugs directly into a computer’s USB ports. According to NETGEAR, it automatically detects your router’s Wi-Fi bands so that the device can connect to the correct one — whether it’s the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz. Connection speeds range from 600 Mbps (megabits per second) on 2.4 GHz to a peak of 1200 Mbps on 6 GHz. Because of these speeds, the company claims people will experience smoother data transfers and suffer from “less lag”. [while] gaming.”
If this concept sounds a bit retro, it’s because, as long-memory people will recall, we added standard Wi-Fi to some computers by plugging in USB-based Wi-Fi antennas.
You will also notice a kickstand for the AX3000. NETGEAR says this is a holder and can be used instead of plugging the dongle directly into a computer. Once the dongle is inserted into the holder, you can unfold the AXE3000 and use it as a Wi-Fi 6E antenna. At the other end of the holder is a USB cable for connection to your computer. And if you’re concerned about safety, the AXE3000 is equipped with the WPA3 protocol from the Wi-Fi Alliance (opens in new tab) to make sure your devices are protected.
To gain access
Keep in mind that you still need to buy a Wi-Fi 6E router, which can be quite expensive. The AXE3000 is just an adapter that allows you to access those speeds. It’s compatible with any Wi-Fi router and mesh system, so there’s no need to tether yourself to a NETGEAR device. However, the company recommends buying a 6E router and supporting a mesh system like the Orbi 960 Series to access those high speeds.
You’ll also need a computer running Windows 11, as at the time of writing, it’s the only Windows version that natively supports Wi-Fi 6E (and the speeds promised). The AX3000 does work with Windows 10 computers, according to the official specification sheet (opens in new tab)but then you miss those high speeds.
The AX3000 adapter will launch at the end of September for $89.99, but will only be available in the United States, one of the few countries in the world to support Wi-Fi 6E. A company representative told us that the dongle could be released elsewhere as more countries use 6E, but didn’t say which one.
If you are looking for a new Wi-Fi 6 router, we recommend you to check out TechRadar’s Recently Updated List of the Best Routers. Just be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars for the 6E entry.