In the meantime, many devices have appeared that can handle the new WLAN standard Wifi 6 (WLAN-ax). In addition to a strong boost in speed, it brings some optimizations to the WLAN management. Several Wifi 6 routers for DSL, cable and fiber optic connections are already commercially available from AVM. In the company’s WLAN repeaters, the new technology was initially only in the expensive top model FritzRepeater 6000. That changed with the FritzRepeater 1200 AX: It also has Wifi 6 on the box, but costs much less. In the test, the compact device showed what it’s made of.
Ideal partner for the FritzBox
A repeater like the 1200 AX is used when the range of the router WLAN is too small. It forwards the data between the router and devices and thus helps to completely cover the living space with WLAN. In theory, routers and repeaters from different manufacturers can be connected to each other, but in practice the devices work best when they come from the same manufacturer. In other words, if you own a FritzBox, you’re on the right track with a FritzRepeater from AVM.
FritzRepeater 1200 AX: Faster than a router
The FritzRepeater 1200 AX is very compact (8x8x3.8 centimeters) and is therefore about the same size as a conventional socket. Appearances are deceptive, however: the small plug has a lot of power and, with two antennas each for the 2.4 and 5 gigahertz frequency bands via Wifi 6, it theoretically achieves up to 3,000 megabits per second (Mbps). In order for devices such as mobile phones and laptops to be able to connect via Wifi 6, they must also be able to use the standard. The 1200 AX also connects older devices in the predecessor standards Wifi 5 (WLAN-ac) and Wifi 4 (WLAN-n).
COMPUTER BILD recorded the WLAN speed of the repeater for a PC network card with Wifi 6 (two antennas) and for a card with the older Wifi 4 and 5 standards (four antennas). In the WLAN measurements, the small repeater stepped on the gas pedal and reached up to 944 Mbps in the 5 gigahertz frequency with Wifi 6 – the FritzBox 7590 AX showed a lower maximum speed in the test! The performance at 2.4 gigahertz was not quite as outstanding with up to 409 Mbps, but it was still decent. Overall, AVM’s newcomer trumped the FritzRepeater 2400 (without Wifi 6). Surprising: The 1200 AX was also sometimes faster in the older Wifi 4 and 5 standards, although the 2400 theoretically reaches a higher speed here. The 1200 AX also performed better in the practical measurement – here the device has to bridge a long distance between the router and the test PC.
In the test, the 1200 AX trumped the FritzRepeater 2400.
FritzRepeater 1200 AX: A clever network
Setting up the FritzRepeater 1200 AX is easy, as is typical for AVM: At the touch of a button, it adopts the WLAN name and the router settings. Together with other AVM devices such as routers, repeaters and powerline adapters, the so-called mesh functions are added. The AVM network always automatically connects devices via WLAN to the access point with the strongest signal (access point steering) in the fastest frequency (band steering). Thanks to crossband repeating, the data can change the frequency band on the way from the device to the router via the repeater (and vice versa), which increases the speed.
The basic requirement for the mesh functions is the operating system version FritzOS 7.10 or higher. Since many older devices such as the FritzBox 7490 or the FritzRepeater 1750E have also received the firmware update, users benefit from the improved WLAN management without having to upgrade their household with new devices. Also pleasing: The power consumption of the FritzRepeater 1200 AX is extremely low at 3.4 watts.
The FritzRepeater 1200 AX is about the size of a socket.
FritzRepeater 1200 AX in the test: conclusion
The FritzRepeater 1200 AX is the new recommendation for all FritzBox owners who find the top models FritzRepeater 3000 and 6000 too expensive. It is significantly faster than the price tip FritzRepeater 1200 (without AX) and scored in the test with a higher performance than the FritzRepeater 2400. Since it can handle Wifi 6 and was particularly fast with the new WLAN standard, it is a future-proof choice – because the number of Wifi 6 devices will increase.
FritzRepeater 1200 AX: price and release
The FritzRepeater 1200 AX is now commercially available. The manufacturer’s recommended retail price is 89 euros, the cheapest offer on the Internet is 82 euros (as of March 4, 2022).