Julio Urquidi
News Editor
The new extender is essentially a less expensive version of the EX8000 introduced at the end of August. The EX7500 uses a two stream 5 GHz backhaul radio vs. the EX8000's four stream. Both extenders have dual-band two stream radios for client device connection.
Both products have 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz low band (Channels 36-48) and 5 GHz high band (Channels 149-161) radios and use the 5 GHz high band radio for dedicated backhaul connection to the router being extended.
The EX7500 supports maximum link rates of 400 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz and 866 Mbps in each of its 5 GHz radios to get its "AC2200" speed classification. The EX8000's 4x4 design supports the same maximum link rates in its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz low-band radios, but 1733 Mbps in its 5 GHz high-band, which add up to its "AC3000" class.
Other Nighthawk X4S Extender features include MU-MIMO support, Smart Connect band-steering and 802.11k support for smoother roaming. For optimal installation, the Android-based WiFi Analytics app and Smart LEDs on the front of the extender help guide extender placement.
NETGEAR’s Nighthawk X4S Extender will start shipping Oct 20 and list for $179.99.