Netgear C6900 Vs C7000 – Which modem router provides higher bandwidth?

The Netgear brand is known for its focus on high performance modem models such as the S6900 and C7000. Take a look as we compare them and provide insight on which is the better choice for you.

The major difference between a router and a modem is that a modem lets you access the internet while a router distributes the signal to all your devices. A modem-router combo device is a two in one device that performs both of these functions. The Netgear C6900 and C7000 are modem router devices designed for high speeds and bandwidth. The devices are released under the Nighthawk branch by Netgear that is known to have the best routers in the market. Unlike standalone modems, they provide both wireless and wired connectivity which makes them great choices for households and workplaces. The following table provides a breakdown of their top features, similarities and differences.

What are the differences between the Netgear Nighthawk C6900 and C7000?

Netgear C6900 Vs C7000– How do they compare?

The Netgear C6900 and C7000are both amazing and recommendable modem router systems. However, they differ in some of their functionalities, performance and other aspects. The following section shows how they compare.

Performance and speed

Performance of a cable modem is usually tested by its streaming capabilities. In this category, there is little to split these two devices. First, they are both rated at a theoretical throughput speed of 1900 Mbps. These translates to about 300 Mbps when tested in a real world environment. But even with these similar speeds, there is one major factor that makes the C6900 the better choice and that’s its beamforming abilities. Beamforming allows for faster and seamless streaming meaning that the C6900 nighthawk streams better and offers stability for high resolutions over extended periods of use. Therefore, if the main priority is gaming or any other intense use of the internet, go for the Nighthawk C6900.

Ports

With modem routers, the number of ports are essential for connectivity and versatility with multiple devices. These devices as the same number of ports with four LAN gigabit Ethernet ports and one WAN port. They also both feature one coaxial port that connects to the internet service provider’s cable. Lastly, they also have one power jack port and reset button. All these are located at the back of the device and offer high speeds for the connected devices.

Design

We all want something beautiful and attractive because after all, these devices are placed where everyone can see. Once again, there is very little difference between the C6900 and C7000. In fact, they are identical. Both units measure 9.6 x 8.3 x 1.7 inches and weigh about 25 oz. From these, you can tell that they are huge devices. For some, the large size may present a problem in placement in the house due to space. The exterior design however is striking. They both come in black and feature the menacing signature look of netgear devices. There are icon lit status indicator lights at the front with all the ports at the back. Furthermore, the whole body is beveled for cooling and breathability as this machines are almost always on.

Pricing

Being high performance models, the Netgear C6900 and C7000 both lie in the expensive category. However, the C6900 costs more by a few bucks. We consider the C7000 better choice since it is more affordable and offers greater value for money. Since the performance is quite similar in both, there is little reason to spend more on the C6900.

Netgear Nighthawk C6900 vs C7000 – A comparison review

Netgear Nighthawk C6900

NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Router – (C6900)

• EXTREMELY FAST WiFi—Up to 1.9 Gpbs combined WiFi speed for extreme gaming and streaming
• 1.6GHz combined processor speed boosts performance for streaming & gaming

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Modem routers are growing more and more popular among home users with the Nighthawk C6900 leading the pack. This cable modem offers very high download and upload speeds of up to 500 Mbps and 100 Mbps respectively. With this, there’s almost nothing you cannot do from pro gaming, streaming your favorite show in 4K and downloading large files in just a couple of minutes. For stability on these high transfer rates, the modem is equipped with MUMIMO and beamforming technologies. These allow multiple streaming devices to stream simultaneously without loss of bandwidth.Furthermore, it has two channels like a router: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz both of which can be used for devices. Being a hybrid, the device combines features of both a router and a modem. This means that the C6900 is fitted with DOCSIS 3.0 technology as well as channel bonding. With 24 down channels and 8 up channels, high speed performance is guaranteed.

For security, the C6900 comes with excellent features such as parental controls to protect the young ones from harmful content, WEP and WPA2 for wireless security protocols. These protect you from all internet related attacks such as phishing and DoS. In addition to these, the modem router provides superb wireless coverage with up to 1800 square feet. This is enough for medium to large homes as well as small offices. Lastly, the modem features a strong build design for durability and comes with a two year warranty

Pros

• High speeds of up to 500 Mbps allow for intense bandwidth use
• The modem has multiple ports for connections with up to four devices
• Strong build for durability
• Wide area coverage of up to 1800 sq. feet is excellent for medium to large homes

Cons

• The product is quite expensive

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Netgear C7000

NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo C7000-Compatible with Cable Providers Including Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox for Cable Plans Up to 800Mbps | AC1900 WiFi Speed | DOCSIS 3.0

• Save monthly rental fees: Model C7000 replaces your cable modem and Wi-Fi router, saving you up to 168...
• Speeds by carrier: Xfinity (up to 800Mbps), Cox (up to 500Mbps), Spectrum (up to 400Mbps).

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The Nighthawk C7000 is high quality modem router with all the modern features needed for excellent connectivity. To start us off, the device supports all major cable internet providers such as Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum and more. It is however not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL and fiber internet providers. On top of this, the device offers very high download and upload speedsof up to 500 Mbps and 100 Mbps respectively. With MUMIMO, the speed is kept constant even when multiple devices are connected. Like the previous model, the modem covers a wide area of about 1800 sq. feet. This is excellent for most moderately sized homes. In addition, there are multiple ports for wired conections including four LAN Ethernet ports, a WAN port, a coaxial port and two USB ports. These is what makes the C7000 such a great purchase. The following are its pros and cons

Pros

• It has a dedicated backhaul with a high speed of up to 1.9 Gbps at a frequency of 5GHz
• Easy to setup and install using either the web browser or mobile app for both Android and iOS users
• Comes with a wall mount compatibility
• It is versatile and can be connected to peripheral devices such as printers since it has a USB port

Cons

• It sometimes suffers from high latency

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Conclusion

In conclusion, picking between these two depends on your budget. The C7000 is affordable and offers great value for money.

Verdict: So which is better? Netgear Nighthawk C6900 or C7000

All factors considered, the C6900 is slightly ahead of the C7000. It offers stability and consistency throughout due to the presence of beamforming technology.

FAQs

1. Does the C6900 have beamforming abilities?

Yes. It features both beamforming and MUMIMO both of which serve a great part in overall performance

2. Do the modems overheat?

Rarely. They both have serrated bodies for cooling and breathability