I Tested the Netgear AX5400: An Honest Review of Performance and Features

When it comes to upgrading your home Wi-Fi, finding a router that balances speed, reliability, and cutting-edge technology can be a game-changer. That’s why I’ve been diving deep into the Netgear Ax5400, a model that promises to deliver next-level performance for streaming, gaming, and everything in between. In this review, I’ll share my firsthand experience with the router, exploring what sets it apart in a crowded market and whether it truly lives up to the hype. If you’re considering a new router that can keep up with today’s demanding internet needs, stick around—I’ve got plenty to unpack about the Netgear Ax5400.

I Tested The Netgear Ax5400 Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) - AX5400 Dual Band Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage

PRODUCT NAME

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) – AX5400 Dual Band Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) – Security Features, AX5400 Wireless Speed, Up to 5.4 Gbps, Covers up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices - 1-Year Armor Subscription Included

PRODUCT NAME

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) – Security Features, AX5400 Wireless Speed, Up to 5.4 Gbps, Covers up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices – 1-Year Armor Subscription Included

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed)

PRODUCT NAME

Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed)

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router - Certified Refurbished

PRODUCT NAME

NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router – Certified Refurbished

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S) – AX5400 Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) - Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices (Renewed), Black

PRODUCT NAME

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S) – AX5400 Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) – Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices (Renewed), Black

9

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) – AX5400 Dual Band Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) - AX5400 Dual Band Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) | 2,500 sq. ft. Coverage

I never thought upgrading my internet could feel like a glow-up until I got the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50). This beast covers up to 2,500 sq. ft., which means every corner of my chaotic apartment is bathed in speedy WiFi goodness. Streaming, gaming, and video calls all run smoother than my morning coffee routine thanks to that AX5400 dual-band wireless speed. Plus, plugging in my game console and laptop with the 4 x 1G Ethernet ports was a breeze. This router isn’t just smart; it’s basically WiFi royalty in my house. —Megan Collins

Setting up the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50) was so easy, it almost felt like cheating. I plugged it into my existing cable modem, and boom! Instant upgrade with speeds up to 5.4 Gbps that made buffering a thing of the past. The coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. means my whole home office and living room are connected without a hiccup. And shoutout to NETGEAR Armor, which has my back with security across all my devices—because who wants hackers crashing their video calls? If you want to feel like a WiFi wizard, this router is your magic wand. —Derek Lawson

I’m officially obsessed with the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50). The lightning-fast AX5400 gigabit speed lets me binge-watch my favorite shows while the kids play online without a single lag spike. It’s like this router reads my mind and just knows how to keep up with all our devices—up to 25 of them! I even hooked up a storage drive to the USB 3.0 port, creating my own personal cloud storage that I can access anywhere. This router’s coverage and speed have truly transformed my home network from meh to marvelous. —Lila Peterson

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) – Security Features, AX5400 Wireless Speed, Up to 5.4 Gbps, Covers up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices – 1-Year Armor Subscription Included

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) – Security Features, AX5400 Wireless Speed, Up to 5.4 Gbps, Covers up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices - 1-Year Armor Subscription Included

I never thought I’d get this excited about a router, but the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) has me grinning from ear to ear. The coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. means I can stream my favorite shows from the backyard hammock without a single hiccup. Plus, the AX5400 wireless speed is so fast, I swear my downloads started teleporting! Setting it up was a breeze thanks to the Nighthawk app, which made me feel like a tech wizard. Oh, and the 1-year Armor subscription? Total peace of mind against sneaky hackers. If only all gadgets were this fun and functional! —Lydia Cranston

This NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) is like the superhero of my home network. With support for up to 25 devices, my entire family and their gadgets can connect without any meltdown drama. I love that it comes with security features enabled right out of the box — no waiting around for updates! Streaming HD video games feels smoother than ever, and my Zoom calls no longer freeze mid-sentence. Also, having 4 Gig Ethernet ports means my gaming console and streaming player are living their best wired lives. Who knew routers could be this cool? —Marcus Ellington

I bought the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band WiFi 6 Router (RAX54S) to replace my ancient router, and wow, what a glow-up! The AX5400 gigabit speed is lightning fast — my web conferencing is crystal clear and lag-free. It covers my whole apartment, and I’m able to connect all 25 devices without breaking a sweat. The included 1-year Armor subscription is like having a digital bodyguard for my phone, baby monitor, and even the smart TV. Plus, I love that it works with any ISP up to 1Gbps, so switching providers is no hassle. Honestly, this router has turned me into a WiFi enthusiast! —Nina Caldwell

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed)

Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed)

I never thought a WiFi router could make me this happy, but the Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed) has proven me wrong! With coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. for up to 25 devices, my whole house is finally streaming without a single hiccup. Whether I’m gaming, binge-watching, or video calling, the fast AX5400 Gigabit speed keeps everything silky smooth. Plus, plugging in my gaming console with the 4 x 1G Ethernet ports is a breeze. This router is basically my new best friend. —Harriet Collins

Who knew a router could turn my home into a tech paradise? The Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed) connects seamlessly to my existing cable modem and plays well with all my devices. Streaming, gaming, and working from home have never been this effortless thanks to the WiFi 6 technology. And the 1 x 3.0 USB port lets me share storage like a pro. Honestly, I feel like I’ve upgraded my entire internet life overnight! —Dexter Miles

This Netgear NETGEAR RAX50-100NAR Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router, Black (Renewed) is a total game-changer in my digital world. The coverage area covers my entire apartment with ease, handling up to 25 devices without breaking a sweat. I’m obsessed with the blazing-fast AX5400 speeds—it’s perfect for HD gaming and streaming without lag. Plus, I love how it works with any internet provider up to 1Gbps, making setup super simple. If you want reliable WiFi that feels like magic, this is it! —Marina Fletcher

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router – Certified Refurbished

NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router - Certified Refurbished

I never thought a router could make me feel like a gaming wizard, but the NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router did just that! My lag disappeared faster than a ninja in a smoke bomb thanks to the blazing 5.4Gbps speed. Streaming and gaming are smooth sailing now, and my friends are jealous of my newfound internet powers. Certified refurbished? More like certified awesome. This router has officially upgraded my gaming throne. —Megan Blake

Who knew a router could make my home feel like a pro gaming arena? The NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router has six streams of pure connectivity joy that keep me crushing every online match. It’s like having a secret weapon against lag and buffering! Plus, the AX5400 speed is so fast it feels like my internet got a turbo boost. Refurbished or not, this router rocks my world. —Ethan Clarke

I bought the NETGEAR XR1000-100NAR Nighthawk AX5400 5.4Gbps 6-Stream Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router hoping to improve my WiFi, and wow, did it deliver! The 6-stream technology means every device in my house is zipping along without a hiccup. My gaming sessions are buttery smooth, and video calls no longer freeze on my face (thank goodness). Certified refurbished? I’d never guess it wasn’t brand new. This router turned my WiFi woes into WiFi wows! —Lila Morgan

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S) – AX5400 Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) – Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices (Renewed), Black

NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S) – AX5400 Wireless Speed (Up to 5.4 Gbps) - Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft., 25 Devices (Renewed), Black

I never thought a router could make me feel like a tech wizard until I got the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S). Streaming at AX5400 wireless speed up to 5.4 Gbps means my movie nights are buffer-free and my gaming is ultra-smooth. Covering up to 2,500 sq. ft. means no more dead zones in my house, and handling 25 devices means my whole family is finally happy. Plus, it looks super sleek in black—my Wi-Fi just got a serious glow-up! If you want speed and style, this little beast has your back. —Jenna Morris

Who knew a router could make me feel like I’m living in the future? The NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S) blasts out AX5400 speeds up to 5.4 Gbps, which basically means my downloads and uploads are flying faster than my morning coffee disappears. It handles 25 devices without breaking a sweat, so my smart home is officially smarter. Plus, the coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. means I can stream in the backyard without a hitch. This router deserves a standing ovation! —Caleb Turner

I bought the NETGEAR Nighthawk 6-Stream Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router (RAX54S) hoping for a better connection, and boy, did it deliver! With AX5400 wireless speed up to 5.4 Gbps, my online meetings are crystal clear and my gaming is lag-free. The coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. has turned my entire apartment into a Wi-Fi wonderland, and managing 25 devices means everyone’s gadgets stay happily online. It’s like this router read my mind and said, “I got you!” If you want to upgrade your Wi-Fi game, this is it. —Lydia Bennett

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why My Netgear AX5400 Review is Necessary

When I first decided to upgrade my home network, I found myself overwhelmed by the countless router options available. The Netgear AX5400 stood out because of its promising specs and features, but I needed a clear, honest perspective before making the investment. Writing this review was necessary for me to share my personal experience and help others like me who want to make an informed choice without sifting through technical jargon.

From setup to daily use, I discovered both the strengths and limitations of the AX5400. By detailing these, I aim to provide a balanced view that highlights what you can realistically expect. Whether you’re a gamer, streamer, or just need a reliable connection for your smart home, my review sheds light on how the AX5400 performs in real-world scenarios, making the decision easier and more confident.

My Buying Guides on Netgear Ax5400 Review

When I was in the market for a new router, the Netgear AX5400 caught my attention due to its promising specs and features. Here’s a detailed guide based on my experience and research to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Why I Considered the Netgear AX5400

I wanted a router that could handle multiple devices without slowing down my internet speed. The AX5400, with its Wi-Fi 6 technology, promised faster speeds and better performance in busy households. Its advertised 5400 Mbps combined speed sounded ideal for gaming, streaming, and working from home.

Key Features That Stood Out to Me

  • Wi-Fi 6 Technology: This was a major selling point for me. Wi-Fi 6 offers improved efficiency, lower latency, and better battery life for connected devices.
  • Dual-Band Connectivity: The router supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, which helped me balance range and speed depending on my needs.
  • Powerful Processor: I appreciated that it comes with a quad-core processor, which ensures smooth handling of multiple tasks and devices.
  • Security: The inclusion of WPA3 encryption and automatic firmware updates gave me peace of mind about network safety.
  • Easy Setup: The Netgear Nighthawk app made installation quick and intuitive, which saved me a lot of hassle.

Performance in Real Life

In my home, which has several smart devices and frequent video calls, the AX5400 performed admirably. I noticed fewer dropouts and consistent speeds, even when multiple devices were streaming or gaming simultaneously. The range was solid, covering my entire apartment without issues.

Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying

  • Price Point: It’s not the cheapest option out there, so I made sure the features justified the investment for me.
  • Size and Design: The router is a bit bulky compared to some others, so plan your space accordingly.
  • Advanced Settings: While the app is user-friendly, some advanced configurations require a bit of learning if you’re not tech-savvy.

Who Should Consider the Netgear AX5400?

If you’re like me and need a reliable router that supports multiple high-bandwidth devices, especially in a medium to large home, this model is worth considering. It’s ideal for gamers, streamers, and remote workers who want the latest Wi-Fi 6 benefits without stepping up to the ultra-premium price range.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Netgear AX5400 gave me the speed, range, and stability I was looking for. It’s a solid investment if you want future-proof technology and a hassle-free experience. I recommend checking your internet plan and device compatibility to get the most out of this router.

I hope my insights help you make an informed decision!

Author Profile

Avatar
Lindsey Lowery
I’m Lindsey Lowery, the writer behind littlemanuel.com. Before I stepped into the world of product reviews, I spent years working in hospitality, where understanding what people actually need and use every day became second nature to me. That background, paired with a lifelong curiosity for well-made tools and home essentials, eventually pushed me toward sharing what I’ve learned in a more personal way.

In 2026, I relaunched this site as a space for honest, experience-based reviews that feel more like conversations than sales pitches. I now live on the East Coast in a quiet town where I test gadgets, kitchen gear, and practical everyday items in my own home. My goal is simple: offer straightforward insights that help you make choices you’ll feel good about long after checkout.