In this guide, we analyze Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750. An older model of the Netgear R series model was released in 2014.
At the time of release, the product was at the helm of its family. However, the manufacturer has released more sophisticated R families, pushing the limits of what mid-range routers can offer.
The R6700 router is decent for small households at a fair dollar value. I bet the manufacturer did not just release a router for a limited lifetime; this product was meant to last for more than a decade.
Let’s dive in as we take you through what still makes Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 router tick with an oomph.
Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 Analysis : Everything You Need to Know
To start with, R6700 is just a router. It extends the functionality of a modem. Remember, you connect the modem to your ISP cable and the router from the modem. Then, it will be its work to send digital signals to your devices.
In simple words, your router helps your devices to communicate with your modem more efficiently.
If you own a dedicated modem, you will need a router to handle the other part of the workload. If you want more clarity on this, read our analysis on the comparison of Motorola MB8600 and Netgear CM1000 for a more in-depth understanding of the jargon.
With that out of the way, let us get into the next section to analyze the specs of R6700.
Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 Specification Chart:
| SPECIFICATIONS | Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 |
| Link Aggregation | No |
| Alexa Support | Yes |
| Speed | AC1750 450Mbps @2.4GHz1300Mbps@5GHz 11ac |
| Firmware Standard | IEEE® 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz + 256 QAM supportIEEE® 802.11 a/n/ac 5.0GHz |
| Wi-Fi Band | Dual Band, 2.4 & 5 GHZ |
| Advanced Wi-Fi Boost Technology | Beamforming+ |
| Estimated Coverage Range | 1500 sqr. feet |
| CPU | Duo core processor @1 GHz |
| Memory | 256MB RAM & 128MB flash |
| Warrant | Exists but the period is not specified |
| Gigabit Ethernet ports | Five (5) 10/100/1000 Mbps — (1 WAN & 4 LAN) Gigabit Ethernet ports |
| USB ports | 1 USB 3.0 |
| Security Features | Customized free URL to set up personal FTP serverVPN support—secure remote accessGuest network access—separate & secureWiFi Protected Access® (WPA/WPA2—PSK)Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT)Denial-of-service (DoS) attack prevention |
| Design Color | Shiny Black |
| Size & Weight | Dimensions: 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 in (285 x 184.5 x 50 mm)Net weight: 1.65 lb (750 g) |
| Warrant | 90 days. And 90 days extended life spun for US residents |
| Release Date | 2014 |
| Product Specification Sheet | Source |
Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 Analysis
In this section, we share a few notable features about R6700 Router:
Performance of R6700 Nighthawk AC1750
One thing we loved about the Nighthawk R6700 is the performance. First, the device is beefed up with a duo-core processor clocking at 1.0 GHz. For a device that only functions to relay network signals and manage a few apps, this is pretty decent. Even when it is coupled with 256 RAM, the performance seems to be brag-worthy compared to the rival TP links.
Despite this, R6700 is limited to 25 devices connected simultaneously. If you have more devices, the performance starts deteriorating. You may upgrade to one of the family line devices like R7800 which supports up to 45 devices.
You may be concerned by the performance when you plug in a USB or a hard drive to the USB port. You will be surprised the device is not overwhelmed to the point of lagging. This is something you do not see from counterpart routers. We’ll say Netgear did a super damn good job on this device.
Stable Wi-fi Range
We looked at the overall performance of R6700 in the previous point. In this one, we are going to extend the discussion to the WIFI performance.
First, for a device released in 2014, we noticed the Netgear engineering team was futuristic-focused. They were not just into debuting a router for an extra sale; they were also competing on performance and reliability in the long run.
When you look closely at this device, you will notice one peculiar feature, the router has three WIFI antennas. They were built for a strategic benefit to boost the WIFI range. And when you couple this with the beefed-up Beamforming+ technology, the router can propagate the signal at a consistent speed, up to 1500sqr feet.
Besides this, the dual-band technology allows Netgear R6700 to share the internet with different devices simultaneously without interference. Devices on 2.4GHz frequency can receive up to 450Mbps and those on 5.0GHz frequency have a max of 1300Mbs.
And for gamers, this is good news. Netgear R6700 comes installed with advanced QoS technology that prevents lagging while yielding a steadier streaming experience.
Let’s say this device delivers what it promises.
Enhanced Security Features
The idea that no one can mess with your network is more assuring than knowing any Tom and Harry can invite themselves.
When it comes to the R6700, the manufacturer has done a pretty good job of enhancing security. With their 7 security features layers, rest assured you will sleep better knowing your network is protected. Let’s quickly list these features below.
- Netgear Armor – this is 90 days free Bitdefender security service. Once it expires, you will have to subscribe to an annual fee of about $60. However, it is worth investing in as it adds an extra layer of security to your gadgets.
- VPN Support – it supports using VPNs like Nord VPN to have a secure connection to the network.
- Secure WIFI connections – these are protocols like 802.11i and 128-bit encryption with PSK that make it harder for someone to hack into your network.
- Parental Control Circle – it gives you parental control monitoring tools. Besides, you can easily manage settings that grant access or limits your children or family members from accessing specific dangerous sites.
- Guest Controls – this feature enables you to create a separate WIFI access point, which gives you more control and keeps you safer from intruders. It does this by limiting your guests from accessing your main network.
- Automatic Firmware Update – this function is significant, especially for fixing known security vulnerabilities.
- Setting Personal FTP Server – This allows you to create an encrypted customizable URL to transfer your files to and from the server. It creates a secure FTP connection keeping your files safe.
Well, the above features may seem overwhelming, but they are what it takes to keep the wrong hand out of your property.
However, we would love to admit, we would have wished Netgear Armor is not a subscription-based service. With the sheer number of customers the manufacturer gets, they should have let this one go for free. Also, considering you are ditching your cable modem, which attracts rental charges for their device, at least they could have made it cost-free.
Nevertheless, these security features are suitable for mid-sized homes. For an enterprise, you will have to look for a router that covers at least 2500 square feet.
Intuitive Design
One thing you will notice with every Netgear device, they are meticulously designed. The R6700 is not limited to the above.
When it first debuted, everyone referred it to as a spacecraft. This is because it has a broad base outlook compared to the smaller, sleek top. With the three antennas protruding from the back, it sure looks like one of those Star Wars ships aiming to evade the internet.
The above design is given a sophisticated finish by a study casing in a dark glossy black color.
The R6700 also eliminates the clutter with a beautiful layout with only one 3.0 USB port protruding from the front and LED lights craftily laid in the front panel.
What makes it even worth owning is the base. It is wide enough to give you a solid placement. But even better, you can mount it on the wall if placing it on the table is not ideal.
Ease of Setup and Use
Another thing worth giving to the Netgear engineers is the ease of setting up the device and use. Setting up this device is as easy as simply plugging in and following on-screen prompts. Not more than 5 minutes is pretty much what I give this device for a setup.
When it comes to daily device management, we love that the manufacturer developed an accompanying app. It is through the Nighthawk App that you can access all the cool stuff that requires software configurations. For instance, pausing the internet, metering the traffic, quick setup, doing a speed test, creating a separate access point, or accessing your network usability anywhere. Besides, the app is easy to use. Getting around it won’t be difficult.
Pros
- Great Performance
- Great AC1750 Speeds
- Reliable WIFI Range
- Attractive Design
- Easy to Setup
Cons
- Needs frequent updating
- Netgear Armor is on the annual subscription, which adds recurrent expenditures
Should You Buy Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750?
For a mid-sized homeowner with less than 25 devices and a space of not more than 1500sqr feet, Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 is worth the investment. With a price tag under $100, you should consider buying this router.
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