With our Netgear R6700 vs. R6400 head-to-head, it’s easy to make a case for either of these Netgear routers before settling for one. There are certain features and capabilities that make them stand out, including fast speeds and the stable signals that follow.
Our comparison will come in handy because these two devices are more alike than different. Our review team does a good job of showcasing their abilities, drawbacks, and how their features stack up against each other.
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Netgear R6700 vs R6400: Key Specifications
| Product | Key Specifications |
| R6700 |
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| R6400 |
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How Does the Netgear R6700 Compare to the Netgear R6400?
If you’re out looking for a router, you’ll notice that there are many models in the market. Even when you narrow the search to a single brand, you still have models and features competing against each other. That’s why we have reviewed these two fantastic routers for you.
Both of these routers use dual-band frequencies, which means that they simultaneously broadcast two wireless networks; one at the 2.4GHz frequency and the other at 5GHz frequency. As such, your devices may recognize either network or both networks depending on the router’s capabilities.
In addition, the 5 GHz frequency uses the ‘AC’ standard for wireless transmission. You’ll notice it also has a faster data transfer but might cover a much smaller area, while the 2.4GHz frequency uses the older ‘N’ standard for wireless. It will transmit data slower than the ‘AC’ but typically over a wider area.
There are strong similarities among them, including their frequency band, connectivity, and security.
However, there’s more to both when it comes to their capacity. That’s why we’ll review each device before looking at the key specifications.
1. Netgear R6400 Dual-band (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) Router
Pros
- Simple setup and installation
- Fast and Secure wireless network performance
- Ports and USB
Cons
- It has an average NAS performance
As far as this Netgear R6400 review goes, it’s one of Netgear’s superb mid-range 802.11AC routers. Also, it might be one of the earlier versions of the Netgear router lineup, but it does not lack functional features.
For example, it uses dual-band technology to help with certain features such as video calls, online games, and 4K streaming. The dual-band capability simply means that you won’t have to suffer breaks during your important meetings and games.
– Build and Design: Nice-Looking Feature Set
The Netgear R6400 specs include an enclosure, similar to the Nighthawk X4, and it has many of the same features, such as a USB 2.0 port in the rear and a USB 3.0 port in front. That means you can share both a printer and a USB storage device over the network. However, the R6400’s antennas are permanently affixed to the enclosure and are therefore not upgradeable.
You’ll also find that this router supports three spatial streams, which come with a fantastic beamforming feature, allowing it to deliver maximum throughput of up to 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 450Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency band.
– Speed and Signal: Solid and Fast Performance
The R6400 comes with a Wi-Fi speed of 450 – 1300 Mbps. That’s quite enough for some uses, including streaming movies and gaming simultaneously. If you’ve got issues with signals, there are three antennas on this router. It’s simple to adjust them depending on your needs.
The router can perform well at a distance, delivering a TCP throughput of more than 300 Mbps, even at more than thirty-five feet.
– Software: Use the Netgear Genie App
With Netgear improving its Genie software, you can now log into and manage the router either locally or remotely via the internet.
It’s also possible to set up some security measures, including parental controls using the intuitive interface. The WPA-PSK, WPS, WPA2-PSK protocols help to keep you safe from unauthorized users.
– Ports: Available for Extra Connections
We’ve mentioned how helpful the three ports are in this router. They help you make wired Ethernet connections, while the USB ports come in handy for file transfers. The USB 3.0, in particular, has more advantages and is faster than the 2.0 slot.
– Overview
While it’s true that the R6400 isn’t the fastest router in its class, it does offer healthy speeds and strong connections. It’s a mid-range device fit for users who want a budget option that is fast enough for different applications.
2. NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router, R6700
Pros
- Fast NAS/Storage Performance
- Easy To Set Up
- Attractive Design
- Great 802.11AC Speeds
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
We start this Netgear R6700 review by observing how it packs a 1Ghz dual-core processor designed for large homes.
However, like the R6400 before it, this router is also a mid-range router that supports up to 450Mbps on the 2.4Ghz frequency band and up to 1300Mbps on the 5Ghz frequency band. It’s big enough as well and uses the same housing design as its upgrade – the R7000.
You get a 1GHz dual-core processor, three amplified antennas, Beamforming plus, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, and more.
The R6700 is a sturdy router, and it has a broad base with rubber feet that stops it from slipping over any surface. In addition, it’s common knowledge that Netgear’s nighthawk routers can be wall-mounted if space is limited.
– Build and Design: Strong and Attractive
The exterior design here is attractive and makes this router a fine fixture in any space. Also, it has a single USB 3.0 at the front. It features three ports and USB slots capable of sharing files and data over a printer and wired connections.
– Speed: Fast and Secure Internet Connections
This R6700 router has a higher internet speed, reaching up to 1750 Mbps. This is perfect if you have a big family running different activities such as streaming movies and playing online games.
– Performance: Safe and Fast
The Netgear R6700 specs are best known for combining to provide robust security features. As a result, you get the Guest Wi-Fi service access, Firewall, and VPN.
Like the R6400, you also have more control over what access you give to your guests, including advanced security features that will better protect your router from internet threats. The WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK security protocols also.
Just like the R6400, the R6700 is also easy to install. You can install it using the Genie Netgear app and even do other things such as control what is given priority to internet speed. It’s also possible to prioritize applications via the app.
– Overview
Do you have a well-spaced home you need a router for?
Look no further than this device because it is recommended for up to 25 devices. That means you have a reliable connection to stream videos, play games, surf the internet and connect smart home devices.
R6400 vs. R6700 Head-to-Head: Which One Comes Out on Top?
The main difference between R6400 and R6700 is, R6700 is the more secure router and comes with a 1GHz dual-core processor while R6400 has an 800MHz dual-core processor
How do the top features of these two routers stack up against each other?
Let’s read on to find out!
Processor
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Winner: R6700
The R6400 processor is a unique addition to the router. When compared to other routers in its range, the R6400 has an 800MHz dual-core processor.
On the flip side, you get a 1GHz dual-core processor on the R6700 router. Perhaps you’re not clear about what this means. On average, the R6400 will process information slower than the R6700.
Another explanation is this: in the time it takes each core of the R6700 to process one billion bits of information, both cores of the R6400 would have processed 800 million bits.
In addition, since there are two cores in the R6400, we’re talking about processing up to 1.6 billion bits in the time the R6700 processes up to 2 billion bits. That makes the R6700 the clear winner here.
Speed and Range
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Winner: R6700
One of the significant technical differences between two or more routers is speed and range. These two routers are listed as AC1750 routers, and the numbers listed after the AC represent the max theoretical bandwidth.
To that end, the R6400 and R6700 have a bandwidth of AC1750 or 450+1300 routers. That translates to the 2.4GHz frequency having the potential to transmit at 450 Mbps and the 5GHz frequency transmitting at 1300 Mbps.
In essence, these two routers have the same practical speeds, but where the R6700 comes top is the combination of range. That’s because it’s much better suited for a bigger house and multiple connected devices. It can cover a reported 1,500 square feet.
Safety and Security
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Winner: R6700
Again, we have to state that the R6700 is the more secure router with various features geared towards keeping users safe. For example, it comes with a VPN, Firewall, and Guest Wi-Fi safety features that will help you secure your router at all times.
Many users ignore security, but it’s a vital component to stop unauthorized access to your network. That’s why the R6700 is the perfect option here.
Ports for Extra Connections
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Winner: R6400
The ports are excellent and present additional ways to connect to your other devices. The R6400 wins the day here because it has several ports for both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.
On the contrary, the R6700 comes with just one USB port, albeit a 3.0 port. It does not have the USB 2.0, so you can’t attach multiple USB devices like network-attached storage or a printer without wireless capabilities.
The difference isn’t too vast for some users. But if you need multiple connections, you’ll want all the ports you can get.
Final Thoughts: The R6400 or R6700?
With our Netgear routers comparison, things are pretty much clear as to the standout router. Sure, they both offer a lot and will see you get fast speeds and solid connections. But one of them stands out for us — the R6700. It’s a newer model than the R6400, so it’s only normal to have better additions and upgrades.
What’s more, it can deliver up to 1500 square feet of coverage, which reduces the need to get an extender for your large home.
The Netgear R6700 also betters its R6400 counterpart on the processor front. It comes with a 1GHz processor, while the R6400 has an 800MHz model.
However, we like that both are reliable. The choice falls on the R6700 mainly because it runs well and performs demanding operations simultaneously. It offers more security thanks to its VPN, dependable firewall, and guest network feature.
