{"product_id":"tenda-ac8-ac1200-wifi-router","title":"Tenda AC8 AC1200 Dual-Band WiFi 5 Router | Gigabit Ports","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mg-desc\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTenda AC8\u003c\/strong\u003e is an entry-level \u003cstrong\u003eAC1200 dual-band WiFi 5 router\u003c\/strong\u003e with one Gigabit WAN port, two Gigabit LAN ports, and four fixed 6 dBi antennas. Tenda rates it at up to 867 Mbps on 5 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, with MU-MIMO and beamforming on the 5 GHz band. It is built for apartments and small homes on internet plans from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, and it works behind any cable, fiber, or DSL modem that hands off an Ethernet connection. It is a router only, so it does not replace your modem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho the AC8 is for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApartments and small homes. Tenda rates coverage at about 90 square meters (roughly 970 square feet), which it describes as a three-bedroom layout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHouseholds on 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps plans that want a low-cost replacement for the WiFi built into an ISP gateway\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHomes with up to 30 connected devices, which is Tenda's stated device limit for this model\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who needs a spare router in AP mode to add WiFi to a wired-only router or a basement office\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAC1200 dual-band WiFi 5:\u003c\/strong\u003e 802.11ac on 5 GHz (up to 867 Mbps) and 802.11n on 2.4 GHz (up to 300 Mbps)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour 6 dBi external antennas\u003c\/strong\u003e with beamforming, which aims the 5 GHz signal toward the device that is using it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMU-MIMO\u003c\/strong\u003e so the router can serve more than one 5 GHz device in the same time slot instead of taking turns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree Gigabit Ethernet ports:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x WAN and 2 x LAN at 10\/100\/1000 Mbps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour operating modes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Router, Access Point (AP), Universal Repeater (Client+AP), and WISP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuest network\u003c\/strong\u003e that keeps visitors off your main network\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParental controls\u003c\/strong\u003e with client filter, URL filter, and time limits per device\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIPv6 support\u003c\/strong\u003e plus a dedicated IPTV interface for a cable or fiber set-top box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mg-spec-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eTenda AC8 (hardware v6.0), AC1200 Dual-band Gigabit Wireless Router\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eWiFi standard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eIEEE 802.11ac\/a\/n at 5 GHz; IEEE 802.11b\/g\/n at 2.4 GHz (WiFi 5)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eRated speeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eUp to 867 Mbps (5 GHz) and up to 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eAntennas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003e4 x 6 dBi external, fixed (not detachable); beamforming and MU-MIMO\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eEthernet ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003e1 x 10\/100\/1000 Mbps WAN, 2 x 10\/100\/1000 Mbps LAN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eProcessor and memory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eDual-core 1 GHz CPU, 64 MB RAM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eOperating modes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eRouter, AP, Universal Repeater (Client+AP), WISP\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eWireless security\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eWPA2-PSK. WPA3 is not listed for this model\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eDevice capacity and coverage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eUp to 30 devices; about 90 square meters (Tenda lab figures)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003ePower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eExternal adapter, AC 100-240 V input, DC 12 V 1 A output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003e200 x 127 x 33.6 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eWorks with\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eAny cable, fiber, or DSL modem\/ONT with an Ethernet port. Router only, no built-in modem\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eSpec\u003c\/span\u003eIn the box\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mg-td-label\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003eRouter, RJ45 Ethernet cable, power adapter, quick installation guide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat AC1200 means in practice\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAC1200 is the sum of the two radios' top link rates (867 Mbps plus 300 Mbps), not the speed any single device will see. A phone or laptop on 5 GHz connects at up to 867 Mbps and typically moves data at roughly half of that after WiFi overhead, which is still more than a 300 Mbps or 500 Mbps plan delivers. The Gigabit WAN port keeps the wired side from being the bottleneck on plans up to 1 Gbps, but on those plans the WiFi radios will be. If you are on a gigabit plan, start with our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/gigabit-wifi-routers\"\u003egigabit-ready routers\u003c\/a\u003e instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWPA2 only: what that means for your network\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTenda lists WPA2-PSK as the wireless security standard for the AC8, with no WPA3 option. WPA2 with a long, unique passphrase is still what most home devices use today. The steps that matter more than the WPA version are changing the admin password from the default, turning off remote web management unless you need it, and keeping the firmware current. The AC8 supports all three. If WPA3 is a requirement, the WiFi 6 Tenda RX12 Pro below adds it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProvider compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AC8 is a standalone router and works with any cable, fiber, DSL, or Starlink modem or ONT that provides an Ethernet handoff. It supports PPPoE, dynamic IP, and static IP WAN connections, which covers nearly every residential ISP. If your ISP gave you a combined modem-router gateway, set that gateway to bridge mode so the AC8 handles routing and WiFi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mg-cross\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"mg-cross-kicker\"\u003eWant WiFi 6 and WPA3 instead?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"mg-cross-text\"\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tenda-rx12-pro-ax3000\"\u003eTenda RX12 Pro AX3000\u003c\/a\u003e steps up to WiFi 6 with 2,402 Mbps on 5 GHz, OFDMA for crowded households, WPA3, and mesh support. Choose the AC8 if your plan is 500 Mbps or slower and your devices are mostly WiFi 5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the Tenda AC8 a modem or a router?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a router only. You still need a cable modem, fiber ONT, or DSL modem from your ISP or one you own, connected to the AC8's WAN port with an Ethernet cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Tenda AC8 work with Xfinity, Spectrum, or Cox?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, as long as you have a modem for that service. The AC8 plugs into the Ethernet port on any cable modem, including the ones on our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cable-modems\"\u003ecable modem\u003c\/a\u003e pages, and handles WiFi and routing from there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many devices can the Tenda AC8 handle?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTenda rates the AC8 for up to 30 connected devices. For a home with dozens of smart plugs, cameras, and streaming boxes, a WiFi 6 router with OFDMA will hold up better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Tenda AC8 have WPA3?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Tenda lists WPA2-PSK as the supported wireless security. Use a passphrase of at least 16 characters and change the default admin login during setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use the Tenda AC8 as an access point or repeater?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It has four modes: Router, AP, Universal Repeater (Client+AP), and WISP. AP mode is the right choice when you want to add WiFi to an existing router without creating a second network.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mg-desc p,.mg-desc li{font-size:17px !important;line-height:1.6 !important;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc li{margin-bottom:6px;}\n.mg-desc h2{font-size:24px !important;margin:28px 0 10px !important;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc h3{font-size:19px !important;margin:20px 0 6px !important;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-affiliate-note{font-size:15px !important;line-height:1.5 !important;opacity:0.8;padding:10px 14px;border-left:4px solid rgba(179,164,134,0.9);background:rgba(179,164,134,0.08);border-radius:6px;margin:12px 0 20px !important;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-spec-table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:14px 0 22px;font-size:16px;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-spec-table th,.mg-desc .mg-spec-table td{padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.3);text-align:left;vertical-align:top;line-height:1.5;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-spec-table th{background:rgba(10,94,166,0.08);font-weight:700;}\n.mg-desc .mg-spec-table tbody tr:nth-child(even){background:rgba(128,128,128,0.06);}\n.mg-desc .mg-spec-table td:first-child{font-weight:600;width:34%;}\n.mg-desc .mg-td-label{display:none;}\n.mg-desc .mg-cross{border:2px solid rgba(179,164,134,0.6);border-left:6px solid #b3a486;border-radius:10px;padding:14px 18px;margin:24px 0;background:rgba(179,164,134,0.06);color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-cross .mg-cross-kicker{font-size:13px !important;letter-spacing:0.08em;text-transform:uppercase;opacity:0.75;margin:0 0 6px !important;font-weight:700;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-cross .mg-cross-text{margin:0 !important;font-size:17px !important;line-height:1.5 !important;color:inherit;}\n.mg-desc .mg-cross a{font-weight:700;color:inherit;text-decoration:underline;}\n@media (max-width:768px){\n  .mg-desc p,.mg-desc li{font-size:16px !important;}\n  .mg-desc h2{font-size:22px !important;}\n  .mg-desc .mg-spec-table{font-size:15px;}\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e","brand":"Tenda","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50677539110998,"sku":null,"price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/9463\/2534\/files\/CopyofUntitledDesign_15_be3b6922-3c28-48cf-a0e1-c7bdfb2e5e1a.png?v=1793375937","url":"https:\/\/www.modemguides.com\/products\/tenda-ac8-ac1200-wifi-router","provider":"ModemGuides","version":"1.0","type":"link"}