Netgear Nighthawk X6 VS Netgear XR500- Which is the better gaming router
Are you looking to upgrade from the normal WLAN to either the NightHawk X6 router or the Netgear XR500? Well, they are both from the same brand and have a lot of similarities but, guarantee you flawless internet connection throughout.
I love online gaming as much as you do, probably even more than you do and I always value a router that will counter network latency enabling me to enjoy flawless online gaming. A reliable router with incredible download speeds also minimizes the risk of ping, which is responsible for lagging during gaming sessions.The Netgear Nighthawk X6 router and Netgear XR500are both great devicesbecause of the specs they boast. These two routers will enable you to enjoy online gaming without any hitches. In this review we shall see how they both compare against each other.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Netgear Nighthawk X6 router and Netgear XR500?
Model |
Netgear Nighthawk X6 |
Netgear XR500 (Winner) |
WI-FI Spec |
AC3200 |
AC2600 |
No. of Antennas |
6 (Not removable) |
4 (removable) |
Ports |
1 WAN/4 LAN, USB 3.0,USB 2.0 |
1WAN/4LAN, 2 USB |
Processor |
Dual Core1 GHz |
Qualcommdual-core 1.7GHz/512MB/256MB |
WI-FI chip |
Broadcom BCM4709A0 |
Qualcomm QCA9984 |
Peak 802.11 ac performance |
702.4 Mbps |
715.4 Mbps (at 15 ft.) |
Range |
165 ft. |
115ft. |
Size |
11.5 x 8.9 x 2.2 inches |
12.7 x 9.6 x 2.2 inches |
Availability |
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Netgear Nighthawk X6 vs Netgear XR500 –How do they compare?
Design
TheNetgear XR500 has a more sophisticated and overall better design as compared to the Nighthawk X6.I mean aside from looking stealthy, its size will allow you to either put it on your shelf or even on your tv cabinet without any hustle, convenient right? Another feature that gives the XR500 an edge over the Nighthawk X6, is that it has 4 removable antennas. To be very honest, folding the antennas makes the router look very simple and helps it to blend in with the rest of the furniture at home. On the other hand, the Netgear Nighthawk X6 has 6 antennas which cannot be removed from the router which makes it look very bulky.
Performance and speed
It gets really irritating when you are playing games online and your game keeps on hanging because of poor internet connection or slow internet speeds. Personally, I always take my time to ensure that the router I choose has fast throughput speeds and efficient performance throughout especially when it comes to gaming.
The Netgear XR500 has a Qualcomm dual-core 1.7GHz processor which is more powerful than the Dual core 1GHz processor on the Nighthawk X6.This processor is the updated version by the Netgear brand which enables the router to work efficiently and offer you stable throughput even when there are a number of devices connected to it. High ping will no longer be something to worry about as this processor allows you to enjoy seamless online gameplay throughout.However, the Nighthawk X6 has greater coverage as compared to the XR500 router as it covers a range of up to 165 ft. Basically, you will be able to use your console at your comfort zone and play online games smoothly even when it is a bit far from the router. The Netgear XR500 on the other hand covers a maximum range of about 115ft. before it stops operating efficiently.
Netgear Nighthawk X6 vs Netgear XR500- A comparison review
Netgear Nighthawk X6 router
- 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 parallelogram shape with grills and 6 antennas give this all black Wi-Fi device a very interesting look. Without a doubt, it is not the smallest Wi-Fi router in the market as it measures 11.5 x 8.9 x 2.2 inches, however, it will barely be noticeable in your living room. Due to its design, you have to set it up in a horizontal manner as well. The Netgear Nighthawk X6 router has 13 LED lights that inform you exactly what is connected on the router which you can switch off if you don’t fancy how they look.
This Wi-Fi router has a 1GHz processor and doesn’t heat up even when it runs for a long period of time. In addition to this, it has one 2.4GHz channel and two 5GHz channels which help in speeding up downloading speeds which enables you to enjoy flawless online gaming experience.That aside, the Netgear Nighthawk X6 router has two ports, a USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port which allows you to connect your hard drive to the router. This Wi-Fi router is tri- band with 3.2 Gbps throughput which makes it an ideal device for anyone who is looking for a Wi-Fi router to support a great online gaming experience.
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 also has a genie software that can connect to both Apple and Android devices which is easy to operate and shows you the devices that are connected to the router. You can also see which channels are being used through this app.
Pros
- Very fast download speeds.
- Genie software makes it easy to set up.
- It has excellent range.
- It has two essential USB ports.
Cons
- It is big in size.
- It doesn’t have a port for e-SATA.
Netgear XR500 Overview
- Minimize ping and maximize performance with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag free, wired...
- Amp up your Wi-Fi with AC2600 dual band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 2.6 Gbps
The Netgear XR500 router is a really eye catching Wi-Fi router with a unique build design. This router boasts a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 512 MB RAM and a256 MB storage space which guarantees you smooth online gaming and free of lag during online gameplay.
This Wi-Fi routerhas functional LED lights that show you on- going Wi-Fi transmissions that you can easily switch off. To be honest, these lights give me the pip especially days when I spend a lot of time playing games with my pals and they are just there next to me blinking constantly so I usually just switch them off.
It also has a 1 WAN port, 4 LAN ports and 2 USB ports. The Netgear XR500 has a new software, the DumaOS. This software is great as it reduces network lag by a really big margin as compared to a sub- standard Wi-Fi router and increases bandwidth as well. With this type of tech at your disposal, itdefinitely helps you take your gaming to the next level.
The Netgear XR500 also has OpenVPN which allows you to hide your location and identity by setting a Virtual Private Network if you are the kind of person who really values your privacy. This Wi-Fi router is set through a web page which is pretty easier than it actually sounds.
Pros
- Great range of 715.4Mbps at 15ft.
- Impressive latency design.
- Impressive new tech.
- It has a very informative dashboard.
Cons
- It lacks e-SATA port.
Verdict: So which is the better? The Netgear Nighthawk X6 or the Netgear XR500?
In the comparison, the Netgear XR500 is the winner as compared to the Netgear Nighthawk X6. This is because it has a better structural design which makes it more eye- catching as compared to the Nighthawk X6. In addition to this it also has greater range and downloading speeds which makes it the ideal Wi-Fi router for the ultimate gamer.
FAQs
What is the function of geo-filtering feature on the XR500 router?
This feature basically reduces any network lag that you may experience using a sub- standard Wi-Fi router during online game play.
Can I connect my IPhone to the Nighthawk X6 router?
Yes, aside from being a very good router that supports high standard online gaming, it also serves as any other router out there in the market. You can also use the genie software to keep tabs on other connected devices to the router.
