Netgear ac1200 vs. ac750 – Which offers the longest range?
The decision to either purchase a router or mesh network is something many homeowners battle with. In this review, of Netgear ac1200 vs. ac750 we delve into the key characteristics that make these devices highly recommended.
Today, it is almost impossible to run all your internet-enabled devices with one router. Technological innovations have led to a rise in IoT devices. To help you run all your devices efficiently without compromising the internet speeds, there is need for dual routers (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) that leverage on the latest router technologies like Beamforming or MU-MIMO.
If you live in a large house then you have probably noticed that there some areas where the router signal is not that strong. In these instances, what you need is a Wi-Fi extender. This helps create a mesh network for enhanced connectivity. In this review, we examine one Wi-Fi extender – Netgear ac750 and a mid-priced home router – the Netgear ac1200.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Netgear ac1200 and ac750?
Model |
Netgear ac1200 (Winner) |
Ac750 |
Dimensions (inches) |
1.5 x 9.4 x 7.2 |
2.64 x 1.54 X 2.17 |
Weight (pounds) |
6.31 |
1.82 |
Data transfer rate |
867Mbps |
750Mbps |
Wireless capability |
802.11a/b/g/n |
802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
Range speed |
At 5 feet on 5GHz band delivers 497Mbps, 80.6Mbps for 2.4Ghz band |
300Mbps for the 2.4GHz and 450Mbps for 5Ghz. |
Netgear ac1200 vs. ac750 – How do they compare?
Design
The design and specifications for the Netgear ac1200 and ac750 vary extensively. For one the ac1200 is a large router measuring 1.5 x 9.4 x 7.2 inches while the ac750 is a Wi-Fi extender measuring 2.64 x 1.54 X 2.17 inches. The ac750 plugs in to your socket and offers a coverage of up to 1000 feet. This enables you to connect most of your laptops, speakers and smartphones with ease. The router extender enables you to extend Wi-Fi reach to hard to reach areas of the house. The device is small and connects through a one touch button feature. The ac750 is compatible with most home Wi-Fi routers. You also get one 10/100 Ethernet port for your gaming devices.
The Netgear ac1200 is a large router coming in with a black glossy finish. On the front it is adorned with small triangular shapes for aesthetics but those on the sides work as air vents and keep the router cool at all times. The router also comes with 2.0 USB, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, one WAN port and WPS button.
Performance
When it comes to Wi-Fi speeds the Netgear ac1200 delivers 867Mbps for the 5Ghz band and 300Mbps for the 2.4Ghz frequency. The ac750 operates on the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard delivering speeds of up to 433Mbps on the 5GHz frequency and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band for dual-stream setup. This gives one enough speeds for HD video streaming and some light gaming. The ac1200 is equipped with a single core MediaTek MT7621ST chip delivering 880MHz.
Installation and applications
Setup for the Netgear ac750 is very simple. As a mesh extender it will allow you to connect up to 15 devices through the Netgear Nitghthawk app that offers you step by step wizards to add your devices to the network. For you HD gaming and streaming you get to use the FastLane technology that allows you to combine both the extender’s bands into one super speed connection. The extender also supports MU-MIMO technology that ensures simultaneous streaming for your multiple devices.
Installation of the Netgear ac1200 can be done through the web console interface or the Netgear genie app. This automatically launches configuration settings once the router is connected to the app. The app is available for both iOS and Android. The settings page will allow you to set up various security settings like WPA2, WPA. The router settings also allows for guest networks meaning you can add clients to your network and then give then restrict them in certain areas. In the advanced setup, you can also setup website blocking, VPN service, port forwarding, access control scheduling and email alerts.
Netgear ac1200 vs. ac750 – A Comparison Overview
Netgear ac1200 – Overview
- AC1200 WiFi-300+867 Mbps speeds
- External antennas for improved Wi-Fi coverage
The Netgear ac1200 is a router designed for people who are looking for something that is powerful at an affordable price. As the demand for home routers keeps rising, routers are been designed that are more compact while at the sometime enabling multiple connections at fast speeds. The ac1200 comes is dual band and operates on the 802.11ac circuitry. It also comes with a host of management settings and USB port.
When it comes to the design the ac1200 measures a decent 1.5 x 9.4 x 7.2 inches. It also has a glossy black finish with LED status indicators at the top. This are used for showing your internet connection, power, WPS and USB connection. At the back you have a WAN port, four Gigabit LAN ports, WPS button, Reset button, and the power button. The router has two non-removable antennas on the rear side. You will notice that the router comes with numerous triangular shaped cut-outs. The front ones are there for aesthetic value but the ones to the side are there to prevent the router from overheating.
The ac1200 offers fast speeds delivering a maximum theoretical throughput speed of 300Mbps for the 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps for the 5GHz band. To control the Netgear ac1200 you will need to login to the Netgear genie Web console. You can also access the router settings through the Genie mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
You can choose you security options like WPA2, WPA, from the basic settings options. The router allows guest networks and this gives you the ability to restrict some of your guests from accessing some of your private devices. At the advanced settings you can set items like port triggering, port forwarding, VPN service, static routing, and access control scheduling. Installation is fast as the genie app will automatically detect the presence of the router and offer you the basic settings wizard.
What we liked:
- Dual band performance
- Lots of management settings
- Multiple air vents to cool the router
- Compact size suitable for home use
What we did not like
- Operates on 2.0 USB instead of 3.0
Netgear ac750 – Overview
- AC750 Wi-Fi
- Simultaneous Dual band reduces interference
When it comes to the basic design of the ac750it is a bit unusual for a router. But, note that this is a Wi-Fi extender. The ac750 helps you create a mesh network so that you can offer coverage to some of your far to reach areas. It allows you to connect multiple devices like laptops, smartphones while at the same time offering fast internet speeds. The extender comes with some innovative technologies like FastLane which allows to combine both bands for fast internet connectivity. With the feature you can stream your HD videos live while play some high intensive games.
The Wi-Fi extender also features the latest MU-MIMO technology for simultaneous Wi-Fi streaming. The router does have an awkward design with two projecting outside routers. But, it is very simple to connect as you just need to plug it in into a socket and you are good to go. The speeds are not as fast as you would expect; for the 802.11ac 5GHz frequency you get a maximum of 433Mbps while with the 2.4GHz you get 300Mbps.
Since this is a Wi-Fi extender, you do get an indicator light that shows you when the router is too far from your router. However, there is little you can do with the range as the device has to be connected to a power source .
Connection of the ac750 to the original router can be done through the WPS feature. Here switch on the WPS button on your router then do the same for your extender and it will automatically connect. However, there are some issues with this as the extender will automatically connect to the 2.4GHz band if you are using the WPS setup. To mitigate this use the Netgear genie app for setup.
What we liked:
- Acts as an extender and dual band access point
- Supports 802.11ac/b/g/n Wi-Fi devices
- Nighthawk app for fast and easy installation
- Gigabit Ethernet port for connection to wired devices
What we did not like:
- Awkward router design
Conclusion: So, which is better: Netgear ac1200 or ac750?
In this review, the Netgear ac1200is our winner. The routers compact size and use of 802.11ac technology makes this router an excellent choice for home use. The router is dual band and comes with a USB port for connecting your external devices like printers or hard disk to your network. It also features a considerable number of management settings. The ac750 is a Wi-Fi extender so you may want to purchase it if your existing Wi-Fi coverage is not that good. The unit is small but is limited in operation as you have to place it in areas with power supply.
FAQ
Does the Netgear ac1200 come with a mobile app?
Setup for the ac1200 can be done through their web browser or their genie utility app. This automatically helps you configure the router. The setup wizard is easy to use and offers you various management settings.
Why does need a Wi-Fi extender like the ac750?
When you purchase a router you will at times notice that it does not reach every sphere of your house. If you have multiple rooms with many walls and ceilings then the internet coverage maybe limited. To enable one get the best coverage, people use Wi-Fi extenders. This enable you to connect more devices to your network while at the same time receiving adequate coverage. The ac750 is a small extender that can be plugged in to your power supply and it will connect to your existing router.
