The FritzRepeater 3000 AX is the latest WiFi repeater for the Fritzbox, which, among other things, masters the new WiFi 6 standard. In the practical test, it extends the radio range considerably and enables very high data rates even further away from the router.

The latest repeater from Fritzbox manufacturer AVM is the FritzRepeater 3000 AX. In principle, it is the successor to the FritzRepeater 3000 and is intended to be a cheaper alternative to the somewhat older top model, the FritzRepeater 6000. ntv.de tried out what the device can do in everyday life and how it compares to the other two WiFi amplifiers in Berlin.

The newcomer shares the basic design with the two predecessors, but it is much wider and more angular and its feet are designed differently. It has three radio units. AVM specifies the maximum data rates at 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) with 600 megabits per second (Mbit/s) and 2400 plus 1200 Mbit/s at 5 GHz. The connection to a Fritzbox is via its own 5 GHz module, so it does not reduce the data rates to connected devices. On the back there are two gigabit LAN ports above the power connector.

The repeater is compatible with devices that connect to it via an older WLAN standard (ac/n/g/a), but it can only develop its full potential if, for example, a notebook or smartphone supports Wifi 6 (WLAN ax). . ntv.de tested the three AVM repeaters with a Google Pixel 7 Pro and a ThinkPad T15 (2nd gen.) that do this. A MacBook Pro 13 (2016) was also used, which only offers Wifi 5 (ac).

The three Fritz repeaters were each set up in the same position, about nine meters away from a Fritzbox Cable 6690, with two supporting walls between the router and the WiFi repeater. The data rates on the connected test devices were measured about nine meters from the repeater using on-board equipment and a free line of sight.

In this constellation, the Pixel 7 Pro and the ThinkPad transmit in the 5 GHz band with all three repeaters, but the older MacBook Pro never had to switch to 2.4 GHz either. This is basically good, since the 5 GHz frequency allows for higher and more stable data rates.

At 2.4 GHz, the range is greater and most devices that are part of the Internet of Things, such as smart sockets, robot vacuum cleaners or WLAN speakers, use this frequency. Again, WiFi 6 has advantages because it can offer more devices more stable and energy-efficient connections than older standards.

With the FritzRepeater 3000, which only supports Wifi 5, the ThinkPad achieved up to 1081 MBit/s. The Pixel 7 Pro got 960, the MBook Pro 827 MBit/s. This is usually more than sufficient, but with the FritzRepeater 3000 AX, the data rates for the Wifi 6 devices went up sharply. Here the ThinkPad managed up to 1722 and the Pixel 7 Pro 1441 MBit/s. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, remained at 527 Mbit/s with its AC module.

Equipped with more antennas, one could have expected even higher rates from the FritzRepeater 6000. But the ThinkPad and Pixel 7 Pro accelerated even less with 1081 and 960 MBit/s respectively. Only the MacBook Pro increased up to 867 MBit/s.

The determined data rates are not laboratory values ??and not very accurate. But they clearly show that the FritzRepeater 3000 AX is a very good WiFi repeater for users with the latest Fritzbox and WiFi 6-compatible devices, even in larger apartments. It is currently available online for around 175 euros.

Spending more money for the FritzRepeater 6000 (from 208 euros) is actually not necessary. However, the additional investment makes sense if many devices have to be supplied with high data rates at the same time, since the more expensive AVM WLAN amplifier can do this better with more extensive antenna equipment.

If you are still using older devices that do not support Wifi 6, you do not necessarily have to upgrade, as can be seen from the still good values ??of the FritzRepeater 3000. Users who are currently looking for a WLAN amplifier for a Fritzbox should consider what their current equipment needs and whether this will change in the near future.