The Netgear AC1750 (R6700) is a dual-band 802.11ac router promising faster speeds than we’ve seen so far from most wireless routers. Technically, the Nighthawk utilizes AC1750 protocol, giving you dual-band wireless speeds of 1,750Mbps on both bands to your laptop or gaming PC.
The 2.4Ghz frequency band (450Mbps) handles non-intensive tasks like internet browsing, while the 5 GHz frequency band (1,300Mbs) is reserved for more intensive tasks like streaming or gaming.
It uses Beamforming technology which is responsible for improved wireless range and enhanced signal focus, resulting in faster connections to mobile devices. Combined with a powerful 1GHz dual-core processor, a USB 3.0 port for fast HDD access, and three detachable antennas, the Netgear AC1750 is a seriously powerful kit for your home network.
Key Features
- Number of Ethernet Ports: Five (5) 10/100/1000 Mbps—(1 WAN & 4 LAN) Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Number of USB Ports: One (1) USB 3.0 port
- Security: Customized free URL to set up a personal FTP server
- Standards-based WiFi security (802.11i, 128-bit AES encryption with PSK)
- Double firewall protection (SPI and NAT)
- Denial-of-service (DoS) attack prevention
- Processor: Powerful dual-core 1GHz processor
- Memory: 128 MB flash and 256 MB RAM, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac 5.0GHz
Design
The Netgear AC1750 is identical to the original Nighthawk model, with the same housing design and color profile. Just like its bigger brother the Nighthawk R7000, the R6700 is sturdy and has a wide base with rubber feet that keep it from any surface. All of Netgear’s routers can be wall-mounted, so you don’t have to worry if you have limited space on your desk.
Netgear uses the same external and internal hardware on both the R6700 and the popular Nighthawk R7000 AC1900. The only difference between the two is that the Nighthawk R7000 comes with twin USB ports (one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0) whereas, the R6700 only comes with a single USB 3.0 port. Also notable is that the R6700 uses longer and ticker antennas with Beamforming+ to boost the signal range, extend signal coverage, and minimize blind spots for large homes.
The antennas on the R6700 are adjustable and removable, which is better compared to the TP-Link 450’s antennas which are only adjustable but non-replaceable. While the latter keeps the cost low, it becomes expensive in case one of the antennas breaks and needs to be replaced.
As before, there is a clique of LEDs on the front panel, 12 in total, to relay the router’s status information to the user. Most of the time, a large number of lights feels like an overkill, especially with so many lights blinking on and off, but they can be switched off, especially if you want the Netgear AC1750 to sit quietly in a corner.
Inside, the 1GHz processor is the same as what you have in most routers in the Nighthawk series, except for the Netgear Nighthawk X4 which uses a 1.4GHz processor. The router still uses 256MB RAM and 128MB flash, like its predecessors. Additionally, Netgear’s Genie App provides an easy way to manage and monitor the router without having to use your computer.
It lets you share and stream music and even set up parental controls on the go. However, the Genie App doesn’t work when connected to guest networks or when connected via a wireless extender or repeater.
Performance
The Netgear AC1750 delivers excellent storage performance. Tested via the USB 3.0 connection, the router performed well on FAT32 and NTFS formats, better than most routers in the same category. For instance, it returned impressive speeds on NTFS formats – 59.1 MB/s Read and 38.5 Write; and almost the same scores for FAT 32 files –59.8 Read and 36.9 Write.
Compared, the TP-Link Archer C8 returned almost the same scores on the same set of files: NTFS formats – 25.3 MB/s Read and 16.8 Write; FAT 32 –37.2 Read and 23.9 Write. Still, the R6700 beats its closest rivals with little effort.
The next test ought to focus on the 5Ghz throughput speed from the router to a laptop equipped with an Intel AC-7265 (2×2 802.11ac) Wi-Fi adapter. Surprisingly, Netgear’s Nighthawk R6700 performed better than most dual-band routers (some even cost more) at 10 and 25 feet away.
At a distance of 10 feet away, the Netgear R6700 delivered the highest throughput (524MB/s), better than the TP-Link Archer C8 (479MB/s), which came in second. The same performance was replicated at 25 feet away, with the R6700 managing to outperform its rivals at both distances.
Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1750 is capable of delivering class-leading wireless speeds over the 802.11ac protocol and is a perfect example of the great improvements made over previous generations. It is affordable, and the performance range is way better with good parental controls.
However, while the 802.11ac was the go-tech almost a year ago, it has now matured with fair improvements in performance. That means there are now routers in the market, that cost almost the same, but offer better features.
Netgear AC1750 Review: Verdict
The Netgear AC1750 is undoubtedly fast, and well worth considering if you’re looking for a router with the fastest possible performance in its class, without spending too much. So far, I won’t hesitate to recommend it over any other router on the market since it delivers stable speeds over long distances while remaining cheaper and more useful than routers supporting quad-channel 802.11ac like the NETGEAR R7800 Nighthawk X4S.
While the R7800 X4S, is fast, it isn’t a huge leap over the dual-band Netgear AC1750 router. And, that works to the Nighthawk R6700’s biggest advantage of being a router, with a feature set that, right now, everybody can make use of, and doesn’t add considerably to the price.
Although the software could be better, it’s still useful and the USB 3.0 performance is excellent. All these add to the feeling that the Netgear Nighthawk AC1750 is worth a tentative recommendation as a router of choice for large homes. That said, the TP-Link AC 1900 (Archer C9) suffices for a modern household/small office.
Recommended Configuration
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR300 WiFi Router with 4 Ethernet Ports and Wireless speeds up to 1.75 Gbps, AC1750, Optimized for Low ping (XR300)
3 used from $109.00
The Review
Netgear AC1750 (R6700)
The Netgear AC1750 (R6700) is undoubtedly fast, and well worth considering if you’re looking for a router with the fastest possible performance in its class, without spending too much.
PROS
- Easy to set up and install
- Relatively inexpensive
- Exceptional range
CONS
- Average throughput
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
