Netgear ex3700 Vs Netgear ex6120 –A detailed comparison
The Netgear ex3700 and the Netgear ex6120 look very similar, but have diverse specs and functionalities. Which one will best suit your home Wi-Fi extending needs?
The Netgear ex3700 and the ex6120 are Wi-Fi extenders from the ex-series by Netgear that are designed and very suitable for home use because they cover a smaller area and have a maximum number of around 20 users for which they are designed to offer stable and reliable internet connection. Their physical appearance is very similar, and their difference in functionality is small yet very significant. It is those few but significant differences are the reason they appeal to different users, and are suitable in different home environments despite having almost identical features.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Netgear ex3700 and Netgear ex6120?
Feature |
Netgear ex3700 |
Netgear ex6120 (Winner) |
Wi-Fi technology |
Dual band |
Dual band |
Power supply required |
AC (wall outlet) |
AC (wall outlet) |
Maximum speed |
430 Mbps (5 GHz) |
430 Mbps (5 GHz) |
Additional area coverage |
1200 Square feet |
1500 square feet |
Maximum number of users |
20 |
25 |
Bandwidth |
Single at 2.4 GHz |
Dual (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) |
Universal Compatibility |
No |
Yes |
Dimensions (Inches) |
2.64 x 2.17 x 1.54 |
2.64 x 1.54 x 2.17 |
Weight |
0.29lbs |
0.26lbs |
Netgear ex3700 Vs Netgear ex6120 – How do they compare?
Additional coverage (Area and Users)
The Netgear ex3700 offers an additional area coverage of 1200 square feet, while the ex6120 offers 1500 square feet, which is a significant difference.In addition to this, the ex3700 supports a maximum of 20 users while the ex6120 supports a maximum of 25. The ex6120 is more suitable for a user who requires a wider area extension, since they are similarly suitable for home use depending on the number of users available.
Speed and performance
The ex3700 has dual bandwidth channels; at 2.4 GHz which has a maximum speed of 300 Mbps and at 5 Mbps which has a maximum speed of 430 Mbps in addition to its 100 Mbps LAN port. On the other hand, the ex6120 has a dual bandwidth channel; one at 2.4 GHz which has a maximum speed of 300 Mbps and at 5 Mbps which has a maximum speed of 430 Mbps, in addition to a 1000 Mbps (1GB) LAN port. These specs of the ex6120 allow it to have superior speed and performance in its functions which translates to a higher efficiency compared to the ex3700.
Design
The ex3700 and ex6120 have identical designs, with very similar dimensions and weight. They are both plug-ins and their compact size allows them to leave the adjacent power socket open for another user, making them very inconspicuous and convenient. However, having a significantly higher processing power and better specs, the ex6120 seems to be way smaller, making it more impressive than the ex3700. Therefore, the ex6120 isthe better option despite the similar design and weight.
Netgear ex3700 Vs Netgear ex6120 – A comparison review
Netgear ex3700
- EXTENDED WIRELESS COVERAGE: Adds Wi-Fi range coverage up to 1000 sq ft, and connects up to 15 devices...
- AC750 WI-FI SPEED: Provides up to 750Mbps performance using dual-band and patented FastLane(TM)...
The Netgear ex3700 (AC750) is a great Wi-Fi extender from the Netgear ex-series. It is compatible with a 802.11a/g/b/n/ac gateway or wireless router. On your computer or other managing device, it can be operated from a fire fox 20 Internet explorer 8.0, Google Chrome 25 or Safari 5.1 browsers or other higher versions. It is very easy to set up and also has a 100 Mbps Ethernet port which makes it convenient to use in the case of a weak wireless connection. The dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals allow the user to manually switch between the two to whichever is offering the highest speed at a given time as opposed to being at the mercy of a single channel. It supports both WPA2 and WEP security protocols to protect the data of the users connected to its transmissions.
Pros
- It provides great functionality within its limits
- It is very easy to set up
- It functions exactly as advertised
- It is small and convenient to place
Cons
- The Ethernet port is only 100 Mbps, which is rather low
Netgear ex6120
- Extends WiFi range coverage up to 1500 sq ft, and connects up to 25 devices such as laptops, smartphones,...
- Provides up to 1200 Mbps WiFi speed using dual band and patented FastLane (TM) technology for video...
The Netgear ex6120 is a Wi-Fi extender that guarantees the user of a Wi-Fi area extension of up to 1200 square feet. It has the capacity to support around 25 devices, inclusive of speakers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and other home devices. It has dual band bandwidth and utilizes Fast-lane technology to allow the user to switch between the two and settle for the one that is fastest at a given time. It also has a 1GB LAN port which further increases the maximum speed attainable to around 1000 Mbps, which is very impressive for an extender of its size and build. It has the Netgear Universal compatibility feature which allows it to work with virtually any wireless Wi-Fi gateway, cable modem or router. Similar to the ex3700, it can be operated from a fire fox 20 Internet explorer 8.0, Google Chrome 25 or Safari 5.1 browsers or other higher versions, which are fairly common and easy to find and supports WAP2 and WEP security protocols.
Pros
- It is small and easy to place
- It is easy to set up and operate
- The dual bandwidths allow the user to choose the one with higher speed
- It has a 1GB LAN port
Cons
- It is a little pricey
Conclusion
The ex3700 and ex6120 are very similar in their construction and intended functions. However, the ex6120 consistently comes out as better than the ex3700 in all areas except for price, where it is more expensive. However, it could be argued that weighed against its ability to meet your needs, it offers great value for its cost, which invalidates the fact that it is more expensive.
Verdict- So which is better, Netgear ex3700 or Netgear ex6120?
The Netgear ex6120 is better because it has better overall functionality, Wi-Fi range and HD-streaming compared to the ex3700.
FAQs
How do I reset my Netgear ex3700 Wi-Fi extender?
- Find the reset button
- Press it with a pen or paper clip until the LED (Device-to-extender) turns to amber
- Release the button and give the extender time to reboot
Note that after the reboot, the Netgear ex3700 will be reset to its factory settings
Does the Netgear ex6120 extend its log in from the router, using the same SSID?
While the ex6120 extends the network and increases the range, it creates a new user name and password. This implies that the user will need to initially log in to the extender, independently of the router, since it has a different user name and password. However, the user has the option of giving them similar names and passwords so as to reduce confusion. In addition to this, modern devices will be able to move between access points, choosing the one with the best signal if the names are similar. If they are different, then the user will have to manually select the base network they would like to use as they move around the area.