Netgear nighthawk ac2600 vs. ac3200 – Which is a faster router?
If you are looking for a high-speed and stable internet connection, a wireless router is the best option. Take a look as we review the Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 and the Netgear Nighthawk ac3200 and discover which is the better option.
As the demand for faster and consistent internet speed grows, the router market also continues to develop exponentially. As a result, it is an arduous task to select the most suitable Wi-Fi router due to the numerous options available and the various factors you need to consider.
Netgear routers are some of the best and most popular wireless routers available on the market. In this comparison review, we have narrowed it down to Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 and ac3200, which are two premium quality options ideal to meet all your connectivity needs. Let us look at this detailed overview of both routers to determine which reigns supreme.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 and ac3200?
Model |
Netgear Nighthawk X4S AC2600 |
Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200 (Winner) |
Performance and speed |
2.4GHz-800Mbps
5GHz-1733Mbps |
2.4GHz-600Mbps
5GHz-1300Mbps |
Streaming capabilities |
Dual-band router with four Ethernet ports and total speed of 2600Gbps. Can connect up to 45 devices |
Tri-band router with four Ethernet ports and an overall speed of3.2Gbps. Can connect upto50 devices |
Storage ports |
Two USB 3.0 ports |
Two USB ports (USB 3.0 and USB 2.0) |
Connectivity |
2500 square feet |
3500 square feet |
Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 vs. ac3200 – How do they compare?
Performance and speed
The Netgear ac2600 is a dual-band router with a maximum data transfer rate of 800Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 1733Mbps on its 5GHz band. In a real-world environment, it sustained speeds of 786Mbps on its 5GHz and 125Mbps at a close range of 15 feet.
On the other hand, the AC3200 is a tri-band router with an overall speed of 3200Mbps with 600Mbps at a frequency of 2.4GHz and 1300 Mbps at both frequencies of 5GHz. The two 5GHz bandwidths serve as performance load balancers for those devices that perform heavy-demand throughput functions, such as online gaming and streaming HD videos.
The Netgear Nighthawk ac3200 is, therefore, a better performing router than the Netgear Nighthawk ac2600.
Streaming capabilities
Both AC2600 and AC3200 feature dynamic and advanced QoS technology that automatically prioritizes the speed and bandwidth required by specific devices or activities, such as streaming HD content or gaming. More so, both routers have four Ethernet ports but differ in their overall streaming performance.
The AC32600 has an overall speed of 2600Gbps and can connect up to 45 devices at a time. On the other hand, the AC3200 has a total speed of 3.2Gbps and can connect up to 50 devices simultaneously.
The Netgear Nighthawk AC3200 is, therefore, much faster when it comes to streaming capabilities compared to the AC2600.
Storage port
If you want to upload data on the internet from external devices, like printers or external hard drives, most routers have USB ports for use with USB-enabled devices. You may also use cloud services, if provided by your router manufacturer like Netgear, to store your data.
The Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200 has both USB3.0 port and USB 2.0 port compared to the Netgear Nighthawk x4s AC2600 that has two USB 3.0 ports. As a result, more devices can connect to the AC3200 at a time compared to the AC2600.
Connectivity
Different routers can connect to only a specific number of devices simultaneously. The number of devices a router accommodates helps the user gauge the extent of its application. Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 can connect a maximum of 45 users at the same time. It also has four additional LAN ports, which significantly increases the number of devices connected to it, making it the perfect router for a medium-sized office or home.
Alternatively, the Netgear ac3200 up to 50 Wi-Fi clients at a go, with 25 users on each band (2.4GHz and 5GHz). As a result, users can comfortably stream videos, connect smart home devices, and surf the internet.
Netgear ac3200 is, therefore, a more reliable router as it can connect more users at the same time compared to the Netgear ac2600.
Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 vs. ac3200 – A comparison review
Netgear Nighthawk AC2600 review
- Fast wifi performance: Get up to 2500 square feet wireless coverage with AC2600 speed (Dual band up to...
- Recommended for up to 45 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
If you live in a connected home with multiple wireless devices that compete for bandwidth, the Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 is the ideal choice. It is an 802.11ac router with MU-MIMO data streaming capabilities, meaning it allows multiple clients to receive and send data simultaneously without sacrificing bandwidth. However, each sue must use a device with an MU-MIMO compatible network adapter.
The ac2600 from Netgear has a black and angular enclosure with dimensions of 1.97 by 11.22 by 7.26 inches and four removable external antennas. It uses a powerful 1.7MHz dual-core processor and provides maximum throughput speeds of 800Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 1733Mbps on its 5GHz band. It also sports three USB 3.0 ports and an eSATA port for connecting eSATA drives.
With a maximum coverage of 2500 sq. Ft. this device also comes with range-boosting Beamforming+ antennas that offer fast and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. It also allows up to 45 devices to seamlessly connect while minimizing interference and maximizing smart wireless devices.
More so, this router offers secure connections as it comes with a high-level WPA/WPA2 wireless security, exceptional firewall protection, as well as the ability to create a Guest Network separate from your private information and home network.
Pros
- Excellent port selection
- Effective management settings
- Solid 5GHz performance
- Supports MU-MIMO and Beamforming+ technologies
Cons
- Expensive
Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200
- Recommended for up to 50 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
- Wired Ethernet ports: plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and other nearby wired devices...
The AC3200 is a tri-band router enclosed in a rectangular chassis with six retractable antennas that allow you to position them in any way to give you the best signal. It comes with a 1GHz dual-core processor with three offload processors, 256MB of RAM, and 128MB of flash memory.
The tri-band router offers a theoretical bandwidth of 1300Mbps on each 5GHz band and 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It has overall speeds of 3.2Gbps and network coverage of up to 3500 sq. Ft. On its back panel, it hosts two ports; USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 that allows you to connect it to external drives and printers. It also has four LAN ports, a WAN port, and an LED on/off switch.
With the AC3200, you can access several bundled software, such as the Circle with Disney, a free premium account that allows you to monitor and manage the time spent online, the content, and data usage for the connected devices well as to set filters. The router is also DNLA-ready, meaning you can comfortably share and play music and videos with your family and friends. It also features voice controls that allow you to control the network using the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Pros
- Compatible with the Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa
- Innovative design
- Fast and reliable performance
- Easy to install and user-friendly interface
- Comes with bundled software
Cons
- Some connections may timeout at 30 feet and beyond
Conclusion
A good router should be fast, durable, and reliable. Although there are several routers available on the market, you should only choose those with the most positive reviews. Both Netgear Nighthawk x4s ac2600 and Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3200 work well, but one of them is better than the other.
Final verdict: So which is better Netgear Nighthawk ac2600 or ac3200?
After testing both Netgear Nighthawk x4s ac2600 and the x6 ac3200, we realized some significant differences that make one router better. Although both routers have many similar features, they differ when it comes to speed and overall performance. The AC2600 does not deliver as high speeds as the AC3200. More so, the AC3200 has a wider coverage of 3500 sq. Ft. compared to 2500 sq. Ft. of the ac2600, allowing more devices to connect to the router. Therefore, the Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200 is better than Netgear Nighthawk x4s AC2600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use a Netgear router without a modem?
You can easily set up your Netgear router without a modem by accessing the Netgear web interface and customizing some settings.
How many devices can the AC3200 hold?
Depending on the assigned bandwidth, the AC3200 can hold a maximum of 50 devices.
