Netgear routers are among the most popular and highly rated ones on the market. Designed to outdo previous models that posed problems like poor connectivity and slow loading, they have successfully overhauled their counterparts through their performance.
However, with a variety of models available, it is easy for customers to get confused, and if you also find yourself facing the same situation, look no further.
Here we are reviewing the top two NetGear Router models, the R6400 and R7000, and discussing all there is to them so you can make a better choice.
Winner of the Comparison Review
If you don’t have time to read our full review, our top pick is the NetGear R7000 router because it has:
- Higher wireless speed of 1900 Mbps
- Better reception at a range of 300 feet
- More powerful dual-core processor of 1 GHz
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
While the two models seem very similar on the surface, some slight variations in the specifications set them significantly apart from one another. It is important to understand that these minor variations make a world of difference in the use of your device. The router that will suit you best depends on your requirements of performance and usage of your router:
The Activity
What you mostly use your router for greatly determines the type of speed, processing power, and band frequencies you need on your router. For example, hardcore gaming and instant online sharing of heavy files require a faster connection, while casual internet browsing can be efficiently handled at lower speeds as well.
The Range
The size of the setting that the router will be used to serve also matters in your choice of a router. The bigger the area that needs to be catered to, the wider range you will need your router to have. Similarly, if you have boosters installed in the vicinity of the router, even a unit with a smaller range can suffice.
Complementary Devices
Since routers are often used paired with other devices, your router must be compatible with your external devices, such as your printer. For example, if your printer does not have wireless connectivity, then in order to connect it to your router, you will need a unit with an additional port for the printer connection.
R6400 vs. R7000 Comparison
While the NetGear R6400 and R7000 have a lot in common, they also have a multitude of differences that might be crucial to users and user experiences. If you are confused between the two, read our comparison of the key features of the two devices and see which one suits you best.
Encryption
Encryption standards of a router refer to the privacy guaranteed by the network connection on that router. The encryption scrambles the network connection so no external parties can listen in or view the activity on that network. Encryption is most important for official users that handle sensitive and confidential information over their internet connection.
Wi-Fi Protected Setup i.e., WPS is a feature of both the R7000 and R6400, which ensures the easy and secure establishment of a wireless connection over this router. The WPS on both the routers automatically configures a network with a specific network name called the SSID and a strong WPA data authentication and encryption standard.
Both the R7000 and R6400 also have a VPN feature on any static IP address as long as the WAN IP is accessible from the Internet. Only OpenVPN clients will work with this feature of the NetGear routers.
Our winner for this feature category is the R7000 because it not only protects your data via encryption, but unlike the R6400, it also has an additional modifiable SPI firewall for the protection of your devices, which can be customized, disabled, or enabled as needed.
Wireless Speed Rating
Although both the routers are efficiently reliable where internet connectivity is concerned, there is more to internet speed than just this.
The NetGear R7000 has a maximum speed limit of 1900 Mbps, which is the highest of the two routers despite the R7000 being an older model. On the other hand, the newer R6400 can attain a maximum wireless speed of 1750 Mbps. Through speed tests, it was seen that on the same 802.11n, the R7000 had a speed of 600 Mbps while the R6400 had a speed of 450 Mbps. Therefore, it is evident that the former is superior to the latter when it comes to wireless speed rating and provides much faster internet connectivity.
The range also matters where wireless speed is concerned. Both the routers score high on the range factor, with an impressive range of 300 feet, which means that within this range, both the routers will ensure uninterrupted internet connection without any lag or drop in signals, and you can feel confident about streaming your content flawlessly while within the suggested range with either of the two routers.
Our winner for this feature category is the NetGear R7000 because of its higher internet speed making it far superior to the R6400.
Streaming Capabilities
The two NetGear router models in question are rather similar as far as streaming capabilities are concerned. They are both simultaneous dual-band routers, which means that band frequencies of both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz can be accessed at the same time through both the R7000 and the R6400.
Similarly, both the routers also have dual-core processors to ensure excellent streaming, given that a fast speed internet connection makes a dual-core processor indispensable. However, the R7000 is better than the R6400 here since the former runs on a 1 GHz dual-core processor while the latter has an 800 MHz dual-core processor. Such dual-core processors ensure that as data is pulled from the various connected devices, the connection remains stable and does not suffer.
Both the routers also employ beamforming technology for ultimate smooth streaming without any interruptions and lags by increasing signal strength over a wider range.
Our winner for this feature category is the R7000 because of its more powerful dual-core processor, which allows it to process different data from multiple devices, so your connection remains smooth and consistent.
Hardware
When it comes to the hardware of the router, both devices are exceptionally good. Both the R7000 and R6400 have 2 USB ports, which means that they both can be connected to printers and other devices lacking wireless connectivity, or have extra storage added.
As far as the QoS is concerned, the R7000 has a dynamic QoS which prioritizes certain applications over others on its own, while the R6400 has an advanced QoS, which means that a manual setting is required. Both these NetGear routers also come with Gigabit Ethernet ports, which permit the connection of the routers using the more stable and more reliable wired connections.
The overall design and build of the two routers are also rather similar. Both come in a sleek, modern finish, which is typical of NetGear routers, and therefore, both are equally appealing as far as aesthetics are concerned.
After all these similarities, however, the R7000 eventually ousts the R6400 when it comes to firmware upgrades. The former allows you to upgrade your system to not just DD-WRT, but also OpenWRT. On the other hand, the latter is only compatible with a DD-WRT upgrade at most.
Our winner for this feature category is the R7000 because it possesses greater capabilities within the scope of firmware upgrades, and is a more adaptable device there.
Additional Features
Once key features have been covered, the decision can sometimes come down to additional features that support and complement a user’s experience of the router. These are especially important, given the fact that most devices rank just the same, or very close together, on primary functionality features discussed earlier.
One such additional feature which matters greatly for home users is a parental control panel. This permits users to control the websites and content that children can access, and thereby encourages safe web browsing. The R7000 features said parental control panel, while the R6400 does not. Similarly, another such feature is the Guest Network Panel, which ensures the privacy and safety of your data by allowing you to create a separate account for guests, so they are blocked out from your internal network. Both the models come packed with this panel.
Another great supporting feature to look out for is adjustable antennas, which can be moved around to optimize the network coverage of the router. Again, the R7000 beats the R6400 in this capacity by packing this feature that is lacking in the R6400. Both units also come with DLNA, which allows you to attach a USB to the router and then watch content on any compatible device.
Our winner for this feature category is the R7000 because it comes with a parental control panel and adjustable antennae, both of which are missing in the R6400.
R6400 and R7000 Differences
Although the R6400 and R7000 are highly comparable, they still have a few integral differences when it comes to an individual user’s needs regarding the performance and usage of their router device. Some key differences are listed to help you understand the two models better:
Speed
The NetGear R7000 has a faster wireless speed rating than the R6400. At a maximum speed of 1900 Mbps, the R7000 is superior to the R6400 with its maximum speed of 1750 Mbps. Even though the speed is theoretical, when tested, the R7000 still performed better at a range of 300 feet with a flawless reception and continued delivery. Moreover, on the same 800.11 ac network, the R7000 delivered 600 Mbps while the R6400 delivered 450 Mbps.
Hardware
The R7000 has a dynamic QoS which automatically prioritizes content, while the R6400 has an advanced QoS, which requires a manual setting. Moreover, the R7000 continues to remain one step ahead of the R6400 by allowing firmware upgrades to both DD-WRT and OpenWRT, compared to the R6400, which is only compatible with DD-WRT.
However, one point going in favor of the R6400 is its design. It is sleek and compact, while the R7000 is among the bulkiest routers available on the market. If either the aesthetics or the space available for the router is a key deciding factor, then the size of the R7000 router needs to be taken into account.
Supporting Features
The R7000 has a parental control panel that allows you to control or limit access to certain web content and thereby ensure safe internet browsing for all; this feature cannot be found in the R6400. In addition to this, the R7000, unlike the R6400, also has an adjustable antennae, which can be used to optimize the network coverage as needed.
Overview of Our Winner
Released into the market in 2013, the NetGear R7000 is the older of the two models, but as NetGear’s flagship router, it still proves to be a worthy competitor to the more recent R6400. Not only that, it continues to outperform the R6400 in many areas.
Designed to deliver wireless speeds as high as 1900 Mbps, the R7000 is built for extreme performance. It is fairly simple to install, and although its size is slightly larger than the R6400, it is just as well designed and visually appealing. What sets it a league apart from its competitor, however, is its excellent coverage. Even at a 300-foot distance, the R7000 delivers just as consistently. It streams flawlessly on a 5 GHz band frequency and delivers heavy files hitting speeds of 250 Mbps on an 802.11 ac network.
It also makes use of beamforming technology, which concentrates signals into one direction, thereby ensuring a stronger, steadier, and faster internet connection. Not only this, but it also has a 1 GHz dual-core processor that allows it to handle multiple devices at higher band frequencies, and is more superior than the processor of the R6400. This remarkable wireless coverage, along with its table and steady connectivity, makes this router top our list of all NetGear routers on the market.
The R7000 is built to withstand numerous device connections, heavy file sharing, and powerful streaming. In addition to this, it is also compatible with the NetGear Genie Application and is future compatible thanks to its Turbo QAM technology working alongside the beamforming technology. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for hard-core gaming and loaded office work alike. It promises a steady connection and lag-free streaming and can offer a 100% faster internet experience to all its users. Not only this, but it will also look good on your console, owing to its frequently lauded modern design!
Conclusion
Both the Netgear R7000 and R6400 are worth investing in, thanks to their excellent performance and attractive designs. However, our recommendation between the two models is the R7000, because its streaming capabilities are far superior to that of the R6400. Despite being an older model, the R7000 is all set to compete with – and defeat – its newer counterparts.
