Comments on: Netgear WAX630E Review: An Excellent Wi-Fi 6E tri-band PoE Access Point

By: Dong Ngo

Dong Ngo — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:22:54 +0000

In reply to SparkyMcfly. The coverage is likely the same -- more here. The difference is only in the bandwidth, which depends also on the backhaul link (the PoE line.)

By: SparkyMcfly

SparkyMcfly — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:25:25 +0000

For a small office with few 6E devices will WAX630 4x4x4 have better coverage then WAX630E 2x4x2?

By: Kerry Copitto

Kerry Copitto — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 22:47:58 +0000

In reply to Dong Ngo. Thanks so much. #2 and #3 are exactly what I was looking for. I’m OK adding the hardware controller to the TP-Link solution. Moreover, it does now have a WiFi 6E AP (albeit expensive): https://www.tp-link.com/en/business-networking/omada-wifi-ceiling-mount/eap690e-hd/ I will gladly support your blog

By: Dong Ngo

Dong Ngo — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 17:01:29 +0000

In reply to Kerry Copitto. You need to pay a monthly fee if you want to use more than one unit as a mesh with Netgear Insight Managed. Generally, there's no local managed mesh option if you want to use access points -- local management is possible only when you use a single unit or when you're willing to handle multiple units individually, without a mesh. What you are looking for is #2 on this list of best DIY mesh.

By: Kerry Copitto

Kerry Copitto — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 12:16:49 +0000

Hi Dong.
“…you can use the WAX630E completely via its local web interface. In this case, you can not (easily) manage multiple units, nor can you set them up as a TRUE mesh system.”
What would a “FALSE” mesh system be like?
I’m looking for a WiFi 6E AP that I can use in a pair to cover a wider area with a single wireless network without requiring vendor cloud management or privacy concerns.
Is there any way to achieve this with local-only management?

By: Dong Ngo

Dong Ngo — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 21:18:05 +0000

In reply to James. It's in the light bulb box right at the beginning, James.

By: James

James — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 21:09:53 +0000

In reply to Dong Ngo. Thanks, I did read the entire review but couldn’t tell for sure if the mesh would automatically end once the subscription ran out or if it would continue but be unmanageable. Either way it sounds like this model is not what I need, will check out your other recommendations.

By: Dong Ngo

Dong Ngo — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:27:24 +0000

In reply to James. You can't use InSight Managed APs in a mess without paying, James. Period. And I mentioned that in the review. If you don't want to pay, go with TP-Link Omada, Asus's AiMesh, or Synology Mesh. In any case, it'd be best to pay attention to the already presented detail instead of looking for the detail you want, which might not exist.

By: James

James — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 08:47:05 +0000

Hello, could you add a little more detail on the mesh setup? I’m looking at adding 2 of these. If Insight is required to set up the mesh, is it also required to operate it, or could I cancel the sub and not lose that functionality?

By: Alexander

Alexander — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 04:48:44 +0000

In reply to Brian.

I also bought the WAX630E based on Dong’s review. The unit is nice enough and I get solid performance on 2.4GHz and *decent* performance on 6GHz, but MAN OH MAN, is 5GHz ever problematic, for me.

My PSK has been the same for years: two forward slashes followed by 25 letters and numbers. The 5GHz band completely breaks and oftentimes the whole unit locks up, when I create a 5GHz SSID with that PSK. I reported the bug to Netgear.

I changed my PSK by removing the slashes and the unit no longer crashes. However, I still find that 5GHz and 6GHz drop relatively often – something that never happened on my Asus AX11000 (Merlin).

I’ve had it for less than a week and I am likely to either go for a one-to-one exchange or possibly “downgrade” to the WAX630.
I’m a “bleeding edge”-kinda guy and I love the idea of having 6GHz before anybody I know, but I also like having a network on which I can rely.

I’ll keep you posted.