Netgear is a renowned manufacturer of routers and other networking devices and they have lots of different models router available in the market. But one thing is very confusing about Netgear is the number of different products on the market. Though; it’s a good thing because it allows you to pick the best router from different options. So when you are looking for a recommendation about the Netgear router, three models will appear for your consideration: R6400, R6700, and R7000.
The names of these routers are so similar that you may find it a bit difficult to understand the difference between the routers. Like, if you don’t have any idea about these models then you will think that the R700 is the latest model. But that is not so true; the R6400 is the newest router of all these three models. So if you are interested in buying a Netgear router from these three models then you have to understand their similarities as well as the differences.
In this article, our experts have reviewed these three Netgear routers and make a detailed comparison. This article will help you decide which Netgear router model is best for you. Let’s dig into the article for details!
Top 3 Netgear Routers
NETGEAR Smart WiFi Router with Dual Band Gigabit (R6400)
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R6700)
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R7000)
Similarities Between Netgear R6400, R6700, And R7000
You might have noticed that there are few common features available among these three routers from Netgear. This is because the R6400, R6700, and R7000 are from the same series. Let’s get some ideas about their similarities.
1. Dual-Band 802.11ac Router
One of the first common features among these three routers is that they are dual-band 802.11ac router. It means these routers will simultaneously broadcast two wireless networks; one at the 2.4GHz frequency and one at the 5GHz frequency. This feature is very common among the AC wireless routers. So you can expect superior speeds from all these Netgear wireless routers. Well, you might have surprised to see the 802.11ac as the Wi-Fi 6 (802.11AX) is the latest technology but the 802.11AC is still relatively fast so there is nothing to worry about.
2. Beamforming
Beamforming is anew technology and it has revolutionized today’s wireless performance. This new technology works by directing the Wi-Fi signals directly to the connected client. It is like you are shouting towards someone in a particular direction rather than shouting for everyone at once. Moreover, Beamformingreduces the number of wireless “dead spots” while transmitting signals. So with this new technology, the client will get stronger signals regardless of their location.
3. Ethernet Ports
All of these three routers from Netgear are equipped with five Gigabit Ethernet ports: 1 WAN and 4 LAN.You can use the LAN port to directly connect your device to the router. The WAN port is not required for typical home application but you can use this port to create advanced networking solutions.
4. Parental Controls
The parental controls feature is available in all three models of the Netgear router. This is a great feature and you can easily control the Wi-Fi network of your home. There may be some content that you don’t want to show to the children, so you can use the Parental controls feature to prevent such undesired information from reaching to your children.
4. Guest Network Access
This is another amazing feature and available on all these Netgear routers. The gust network access feature allows you to limit access to your network by guests. So your network won’t be overcrowded with lots of devices as well as it will enhance the security of your information.
5. Streaming Optimization
Nowadays this feature is very popular among internet users. Thanks to this feature you can control and optimize the number of devices connected to your network. You can also optimize your home’s bandwidth depending on content. For example,if you want to watch your favorite HD shows from Netflix while downloading massive files on your computer then with this router you can optimize the network traffic to enjoy smooth streaming while slowing down the massive download.
Comparison Between Netgear R6400, R6700, And R7000
| Device Name | CPU | USB Ports | USB Types | Frequency | No of Antennas | Top Speeds | LAN Ports | WAN Ports |
| R6400 | 800MHz dual-core | 2 | USB 2.0 & 3.0 | Dual-band | 3x External + 3x Internal | Up to 1750Mbps | 4 | 1 |
| R6700 | 1GHz dual-core | 1 | USB 3.0 | Dual-band | 3x External | Up to 1750Mbps | 4 | 1 |
| R7000 | 1GHz dual-core | 2 | USB 2.0 & 3.0 | Dual-band | 3x External | Up to 1900Mbps | 4 | 1 |
1. NETGEAR Smart WiFi Router with Dual Band Gigabit (R6400)
This is the latest model among all these three Netgear routers. The performance and features of this router have been optimized for hardcore gaming and HD Streaming. From this router, you will get a maximum throughput speed of 1.75Gbps thanks to the 800MHzdual-core processor.So this router can handle the network requests more efficiently. Some other key features of this router are Guest Network Access, control over bandwidth, a simple setup process, and many more. Moreover, this router supports the next generation Wi-Fi technology, 802.11ac. So you can easily transfer large files and data via dual USB ports.
Performance Of Netgear R6400
The R6400 has a dual-band system and it is equipped with 3 powerful antennas and Beamforming technology. So this router makes sure you receive a strong signal throughout your home.If you are an entry-level gamer then this is an excellent router to get you going. This router has a dual-core processor so you can expect this router to handle pro-level gaming. The best part of this router is; all the Ethernet portsaccept a gigabit connection. So it will be a great option for you if your Internet Service provider only gives you a cable modem without a wireless router. This router is compatible with any cable modem without any issues.
Many users complain about dropouts in certain parts of their home while using this router so our experts tested the router to see if it’s true or not. Well, they don’t find any dead spots; in fact, they receive a strong network signal further away from the router. Once the router was set up and running, our team had immediate coverage over the whole house.Our team of experts not only receives excellent coverage ranging at 130Mbps but also receives a signal outside the home.So if you have a good connection from your Internet Service Provider then you will get a continuous speed of over 300Mbpson the 5GHz band.
Use Of Netgear R6400
With this router, you can transfer large files, big data and it performs decently when transferring heavy files but it was a lot slower compared to other routers in its class. So if you are dealing with large files and heavy data transfer then this is not an ideal router for you. However, this router is best for large families where multiple devices connected simultaneously. You can connect up to 15 devices at a time without compromising the performance of the router. Moreover, you can use the Guest Networks feature to control the access of the internet for your children.
Pros Of Netgear R6400
1. Easy Installation process
2. Stable Wi-Fi network connection
3. Netgear Genie App
4. Supports 802.11ac technology
5. 2 USB ports (2.0 and 3.0)
6. Airtime fairness
7. Low Noise Amplifier
Cons Of Netgear R6400
1. Average NAS performance
2. Mid performance in comparison to other routers
2. NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R6700)
The Netgear R6700 router is more powerful and a notch higher in terms of performance compared to the Netgear R6400 router but the difference is not that high up. This router from Netgear has a dual-core processor with a clock speed of 1GHz. Thanks to the dual-core processor; Netgear R6700 can handle more workload than the Netgear R6400. Moreover, this router comes with a USB 3.0 port so you can plug-in devices like an external hard drive. Unfortunately, there is no USB 2.0 port available so you don’t have the option to use flash drives or other devices with USB 2.0 ports. This router has a throughput speed of1750Mbps, and it can handle wired and wireless connections simultaneously. It is definitely a great router for its price point.
Performance Of Netgear R6700
The R6700 is built to deliver speeds up to 1750 Mbps and you can expect extreme performance from this router. This router is powered by a 1GHz Dual-Core Processor and the high-powered amplifiers and adjustable external antennas provide better coverage and range in your home or office. The design of this router is quite similar to the R7000 but it doesn’t heat up to alarming levels while delivering a high-speed network connection. This is because the R6700 has ventilation vents in the back and sides of the model. There is a 3.0 USB port available so you can attach an HDD to the router. But it should be noted that the performance can be limited while connecting an HDD because the CPU can be under a lot of stress.
There is nothing to worry about the signal strength of this router because it can deliver a better signal, even at a distance of 30 feet which is very impressive.Our experts have tested the signal at distances of 5, 10, 15, and 30 feet and the result was very impressive compared to other routers in this price range. While testing the router, it provided the highest 5GHz speeds and our experts receive a signal outside the home.The control and monitoring management of this router is excellent as well as the setup process. It will take very little time to setup the router.If you can ignore the fact that this router has only 1 USB port then it is an excellent router in this price range.
Use Of Netgear R6700
You can use this router for all types of works. This router allows a bigger allowance for connecting more devices so if you are a pro gamer then you can find this feature very handy. You can use the USB 3.0 port to transfer big files and data at a great speed. Moreover, with this router, you can easily stream 4k videos so it is a great option for pro gamers to enhance their gaming performance. So this router will be your one-stop-shopping deal that could keep your home connected for a very long time.
Pros Of Netgear R6700
1. Gigabit speeds for the optimal online gaming experience
2. Provides excellent area coverage
3. Extra security with WPA2 encryption
4. Guest Network Access
5. Netgear Genie App
6. Beamforming
7. Advanced QoS
Cons of Netgear R6700
1. One USB port and that’s USB 3.0; no USB 2.0 available
3. NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R7000)
The Netgear R7000 is the flagship router of this series. It is a fifth-generation 802.11ac router and it can provide wireless speeds up to a combined 1900 Mbps. Netgear R7000supports both the 2.4GHz frequency band and the 5GHzfrequency band. This router is equipped with three adjustable antennas, which means the router will provide a more specific directional signal to the devices. So it is sure you will get a strong connection no matter what’s your location or the device’s location is. Like the above two routers, this router also supports multitasking. There are two USB ports available so you can connect peripherals like external hard drives, printers, or 3G/4G modems to share files or data.
Performance Of Netgear R7000
The Netgear R7000 has a sleek and modern design and it has been lauded by many users. Moreover, this router is very easy to setup and anyone with common knowledge about computers can install this router. This is a super-fast router where the 5GHz band, 802.11ac gives 1300 Mbps wireless data rates, and the 2.4 GHz 802.11n provides rate from 450 Mbps to 600 Mbps. This router is compatible with ADSL2/2+, ADSL, VDSL2, fiber, and cable services which is very convenient. The three antennas cover more areas and boost the signal so you can enjoy lag-free gaming and stream almost anywhere around the house. The antennas of this router are detachable so if you want you can replace them with stronger directional antennas to boost the signal strength.
Despite being the oldest model of this series, R7000 has outperformed the R6400 and R6700. This router can give you up to 1800 square feet of wireless coverage with AC1900 speed. Moreover, the Netgear R7000 can support up to 30 devices at a time and it won’t compromise its performance. So this router is perfect for office use where a lot of devices require an internet connection. There are 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports available in this router so you can plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and other devices which are very convenient. Some of the other key features of this router are 3 amplified antennas, Beamforming+, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, Amazon Alexa Voice Controls, and many more.
Use Of Netgear R7000
If you are a hardcore gamer then you can use this router for reliably stream videos, play high resolution online games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices and other gaming gadgets, VoIP calls, large files downloads, large data transfer without any signal interruption and many more. The Netgear R000 ensures speed and responsiveness at the highest level so if you have a large house or require large area coverage then consider buying this router.
Pros Of Netgear R7000
1. Excellent performance and coverage
2. Great design
3. Simple set up process
4. Turbo QAM technology
5. Netgear Genie App
6. Beamforming technology
7. Dual-core 1 GHz processor
Cons Of Netgear R7000
1. Lack of a preconfigured network
2. The OEM firmware require updates
FAQs About Netgear R6400, R6700, And R7000
1. What Is The Difference Between Netgear R6400 And R6700?
There are a few noticeable differences available between Netgear R6400 and R6700. Netgear R6700 has a powerful 1 GHz dual-core processor where the Netgear R6400 has an 800MHz dual-core processor.R6400 is equipped with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports but R6700 has only one USB 3.0 port. The Netgear R6700 is a more powerful router than the R6400.
2. What Is The Difference Between AC1750 And AC1900?
Transfer speed is the main difference between the AC1750 and AC1900. The AC1750 and AC1900 use both the 2.4GHz range and the 5GHz range to transfer data. The AC1750transfers at 450Mbps speed where the AC1900 transfer data at 600Mbps speed.
3. Is AC1750 Fast Enough?
The answer to this question depends on what purpose you want to use the router. If you require a router to use a few devices at a timethen the AC1750 is more than powerful enough to give you quality Wi-Fi. But if the device number is more than 6-8 then AC1750 may not be an ideal choice for you.
4. What Is The Range Of Netgear AC1750?
Netgear AC1750 can cover a large home with 450 Mbps on 2.4GHz range and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz range.
5. How Far Does 5GHz WiFi Reach?
The 5GHz band provides less coverage but transmits data at faster speeds. The 5GHz band can only cover 10–15 ft. This is because higher frequencies cannot penetrate solid objects, like walls, floors, etc.
6. What Is The Netgear Router IP Address?
The Netgear router IP address lets you access the Netgear router’s web interface to configure router settings. You will also require a name and password to login to the web interface. There are few IP addresses available for Netgear:
1. 192.168.1.1�?
2. 192.168.0.1
7. What Do You Do If You Forget Your Router Password?
If you have lost your router password or forgotten it then you have to reset your router to bring back the factory setting. Then you can use the default login password to access the router settings.
8. What Does AC1750 Mean?
AC means that the router has support for the 802.11ac wireless networking standard. The number after the AC suggests the maximum theoretical bandwidth of the router. For example, 1900 means 1900 Mbps, 3200 means 3200 Mbps.
9. Which Is Better For Streaming 2.4 GHz Or 5GHz?
5GHz is better for streaming high-quality videos because higher radio frequencies allow faster data transmission. So 5GHz allows much faster network connections as well as data transmission than 2.4GHz.
10. Is It Better To Connect To 5GHz Or 2.4 GHz?
The answer to this question depends on whether you want more coverage area or faster data connection. The 2.4 GHz will cover more area than the 5 GHz but may perform at slower speeds.5 GHz on the other hand will transfer data at a very fast speed but they cover less area compared to the 2.4 GHz.
Final Thoughts
I think you have understood which oneis the best optionamong these three routers from Netgear. Netgear R7000 may be the oldest of three models but it is still the famous one and Netgear is continuing the production of this router. So if you want power and speed combined in a durable body, then buy the Netgear R7000 without any hesitation.