AC3000 vs. AC3200 – Which is the better router?
A tri-band router is an ideal option if you are looking for a Wi-Fi router with the fastest stability and connectivity. Netgear’s tri-band routers are some of the best tri-band Wi-Fi routers available on the market. Take a look as we review the Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3000 and the Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3200 and discover which is the better option.
It is common to experience no signal connection or slow internet with the traditional internet service provider router. Traditional routers are not designed to send signals over long distances, causing slow connections when used over vast areas. A tri-band Wi-Fi router is the fastest Wi-Fi service router as it allows three connections, one with 2.4GHz and the other two 5GHz simultaneously. As a result, users enjoy multiple connectivities at the same time, allowing you to maximize your user experience. The AC3000 and the AC3200 tri-band router from Netgear have quite several similar features, including their design. In the following table, we will compare them and highlight some of their major differences.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between AC3000 and AC3200?
Model name |
Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3000 |
Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200 (Winner) |
Streaming capabilities |
Tri-band with four Ethernet ports and overall speed of 3Gbps and can connect up to 55 devices |
Tri-band router with four Ethernet ports and overall speed of3.2Gbps. Can connect upto50 devices |
Storage ports |
One USB port (USB 3.0) |
Two USB ports (USB 3.0 and USB 2.0) |
Speed |
2.4GHz-450Mbps
5GHz-1300Mbps |
2.4GHz-600Mbps
5GHz-1300Mbps |
AC3000 vs. AC3200 –How do they compare?
Streaming capabilities
One of the more demanding processes that internet usage goes in to is online video streaming, especially when it comes to 4K and HD video streaming. As a result, buyers look for a router that gives priority to their Quality of Service since frequency bands and speed determines the quality of your user experience.
Both AC3000 and AC3200 feature dynamic 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. AC3000 has an overall speed of 3Gbps and can connect up to 55 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.
AC3200 is, therefore, much faster when it comes to streaming capabilities compared to the AC3000.
Storage ports
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 x6 AC3000 that has a single USB 3.0 port. As a result, more devices can connect to the AC3200 at a time when compared to the AC3000.
Speed
Both the AC3000 and the AC3200 have a 1GHz dual-core processor that enables them to handle vast amounts of data from multiple devices, ensuring fast file transfer speeds. They both have a network coverage of 3500 sq. Ft. and consists of three separate channels.
The AC3000 is a tri-band router with a total speed of 3000Mbps that gives you speeds of up to 1300Mbps at 5GHZ and 450Mbps at 2.4GHz. On the other hand, the AC3200 is also a tri-band router that has an overall speed of 3200Mbps with 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1300 Mbps at 5GHz.
The AC3200 is, therefore, a better performer as it delivers faster speeds than the AC3000.
AC3000 vs. AC3200 – A comparison review
Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3000
- 3.0Gbps—Fast combined WiFi speed for uninterrupted streaming
- Tri-Band MU-MIMO—Simultaneous streaming to more devices
Also known as the R7900, the AC3000 is a powerful tri-band Wi-Fi router that automatically connects to any Wi-Fi enabled device in your home or small office. It consists of a combination of impressive features, such as wireless speeds of up to 3Gbps, Smart Connect Intelligence, three dedicated Wi-Fi bands, Dynamic QoS, and Netgear Armor, among many others ensures you have the best user experience.
Powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor with three offload processors, this tri-band router hosts a 256MB RAM and 128MB flash and features six high-performance antennas for maximum network coverage. The router also has Beamforming+ connectivity that improves reliability and its wireless range for all to enjoy.
The router also houses a USB 3.0 port that offers storage-ready access and delivers high speeds at any given time. It also comes with bundled software, such as the Netgear Armor and the Circle App. The Netgear Armor protects all your connected devices from cyber threats and attacks, including viruses spyware, ransomware, and Trojans. Similarly, the Circle App is an application that provides smart parental control that allows you to manage the time and content online, on any connected device.
Pros
- Blistering speeds
- Easy to use and install
- High security with Netgear Armor
- Compatibility with Alexa
- Allows you to back up your files using the free ReadyShare Vault PC software
Cons
- It comes with only one USB 3.0 port
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 can easily fold in and out. This allows you to position them correctly to give you the best signal. It comes with a dual-core 1GHz 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 have access to 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, as 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
- Simple installation and easy to use
- 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 tri-band routers available on the market, you should only choose the ones with the most positive reviews. Both Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3000 and Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3200 work well, but one of them is better than the other.
Final verdict: So, which is better between the AC3000 and the AC3200?
After testing both Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3000 and Netgear Nighthawk x6 ac3200, we realized some major differences that make one router better. Although both routers have many similar features, they differ when it comes to speed. The AC3000 does not deliver as high speeds as the AC3200. More so, the AC3200 comes with two USB ports, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, allowing more devices to connect to the router at the same time. This made us conclude that Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3200 is better than Netgear Nighthawk x6 AC3000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many devices can the AC3200 hold?
Depending on the assigned bandwidth, the AC3200 can hold a maximum of 50 devices.
Do I need a modem for the AC3000 to work?
No. The AC3000 is a wireless tri-band router that features seamless connectivity.
