Netgear Nighthawk X6 vs. Linksys AC3200 – which tri-band router is suitable for you?
We know that choosing a good router is never an easy choice, especially because you are not sure which the best for your needs is. However, we compare two good ones in this article – the Nighthawk X6 and Linksys AC3200 – and see which one is better in terms of speed and performance.
It is difficult choosing a good router, but it becomes more challenging choosing one between two very similar options. If this is a problem you face when looking at these two we will review here, read on for our thoughts on each as well as what makes them unique from each other.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Netgear Nighthawk X6 and the Linksys AC3200?
Netgear Nighthawk X6 (Winner) |
Linksys AC3200 |
|
Wi-Fithroughput speeds |
600 Mbps |
300 Mbps |
Number of channels |
3 (one 2.4GHz, two 5GHz) |
3 (one 2.4GHz, one 5GHz) |
Dimensions (inches) |
11.5 x 8.8 x 2.2 |
9.8 x 3.46 x 8.05 |
Netgear Nighthawk X6 vs. Linksys AC3200 – How they compare
Design
Also referred to as the R8000, the Nighthawk X6 has an angular design that is in form of a geometrical grille, making it look similar to a spaceship. It has quite the big dimensions compared to some other routers, even the Linksys AC3200, having measurements of 11.5 x 8.8 x 2.2 inches. Note that unlike other routers, you will need to screw it into a wall or set it up horizontally.
On the middle section of its top part, there are at least 13 LED lights that will show you the ports and bands that are currently active, as well as whether an internet connection is present or whether the router itself is on or off. You can restart it easily, thanks to the on/off switch. The antennas can also fold out and you can adjust them to an angle of 140 degrees and up to 3.3 inches. Unfortunately, you cannot replace the antennas when they wear out.
Like the Nighthawk X6, the Linksys AC3200 is a tri-band router, and it uses one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands, with a theoretical speed of 3.2 Gbps. It differs from the Nighthawk though through the use of Smart Connect technology, which will steer any connected device dynamically to the best performing band, as well as the use of beam forming technology to improve the strength of the signal.
The router has three external and three internal antennas, and it runs on a 1GHz core processor. You will also get a reset button, four gigabit Ethernet ports, one USB 3.0 and one 2.0 port, as well as an internet port. The housing it comes in is in a matte black finish, along with a silver plate in its center – but note that its stand is non-removable, which means you will need to keep it in a vertical position.
In addition, the Linksys AC3200 lacks activity indicators, which can make it challenging to know if the router is receiving and sending data. The right side has a button that you can use to disable and enable Wi-Fi functionality, as well as a WPS button.
Setup
The use of the Genie software in the Nighthawk X6 router will ease the setup process to a maximum of 5 minutes. After doing the plugin to your modem and switching it on, you can then open browser window, search for ‘routerlogin.net’, and the router will detect the connection type you are using and complete the setup process.
One of the reasons we like the Nighthawk X6 is due to its attention to your security. It will generate a unique code and network name for your router when you are setting it up, rather than a generic passcode and network name (which compromise your security). In this way, you can use the router immediately after setup is complete, though you need to change these two items as soon as you can just to be safe.
On the other hand, the Linksys AC3200 is a breeze when it comes to the installation process. The only thing you need to do is using the Ethernet cable to connect it to a cable modem, connect it to your PC or laptop, and power it. You then open a browser and search for the smart Wi-Fi setup wizard, then you can configure your security settings at this stage.
Performance
The Nighthawk X6 uses a 1GHz processor, and comes with 128 MB of storage space as well as 256MB RAM capacity. Good news here: it does not include an annoying cooling fan, as there is no point it gets hot to the touch. It also has a maximum throughput of 3.2Gbps. When we used the IxChariot software to test its speeds, the result was a maximum total of 702.4 Mbps when we were at a distance of 5 feet from the router.
Where it shines the most is in the 2.4GHz channel testing, as it has a throughput of 97.8 Mbps at the same 5-foot distance, and the performance is very reliable as well. Its maximum range is 165 feet, which is quite exceptional as well.
The Linksys AC3200 is great in performance, especially on its 5GHz band. The average speeds to expect from it are 443 Mbps at a 5-foot range, which is among the best in this range – even better compared to the Nighthawk X6/ however, moving to a distance of 30 feet reduced the speed to 255 Mbps. As a point of comparison, the Nighthawk X6 manages a speed of 174.4 Mbps at the same distance, so the overall conclusion is that the Linksys is higher.
Netgear Nighthawk X6 vs. Linksys AC3200 – A comparison review
Netgear Nighthawk X6 – Overview
- 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...
You are probably used to the use of antennas in groups of three or four, and using all of them to boost the wireless networking performance of the router. However, the Nighthawk X6 turns this even higher by using 6 antennas, and makes the most from them by delivering excellent ranges. While it is also among the most expensive routers, it is definitely worth its price if you want to spread out your wireless data everywhere.
It comes with a 1-year warranty – this might be short when compared to other routers, but it does not imply that its quality is poor. One of the areas it shines is the saturation test, as it can handle a multitude of devices without sacrificing the quality of connection.
At the end of the day, the Nighthawk X6 is among the most expensive choices, but it provides very secure internet and impressive coverage.
Pros
- Excellent levels of range
- Comes with in-built USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports
- Good performance, thanks to the tri-band operation
- Six fold-out antennas
- The setup is easy because of the Genie software
Cons
- Not as fast compared to other tri-band routers
- Very costly
- It does not include an e-SATA port
- The design is very big
Linksys AC3200 – Overview
- Advanced Tri-band Wi-Fi technology
- Up to 3.2 Gbps wireless speed
This router delivers among the fastest 5GHz throughputs in the market, even when compared to the equally-impressive Nighthawk X6. It also comes with a very impressive interface and you can manage it through a smartphone app or a web interface – but these advantages do not come cheaply.
The router is best for households that need high bandwidth levels to ensure smooth video streaming and gaming, including the task of quick wireless transfer, because of its use of multiple wireless clients. It has a user interface that is very easy to manage and install, as well as offering two 5GHz bands to ensure optimal performance.
Pros
- It has excellent throughput, especially on its 5GHz channels
- The user interface is user-friendly
- Very reliable 2.4GHz performance
Cons
- The range can be better
- Quite costly
- Lacks LED indicators on its front panel
Verdict: So which is better? The Nighthawk X6 or the Linksys AC3200?
While these two routers are fairly similar in plenty of ways, the Nighthawk X6 has the best advantage between the two because of its higher speeds, throughput, and overall performance. They are both quite expensive options, but they will serve your needs well once you get past the high price tag they come in.
Frequently asked questions
I can’t seem to figure out what the Smart Connect feature on Linksys is about. How does it help my wireless connection?
The Smart Connect feature is common to Linksys routers, and it is meant to allow the router to increase its flexibility, capacity, and intelligence. Its activation lets the router ‘redirect’ your devices to a free band that have optimum speed in order to increase the connection reliability.
If I see the LAN port on my Netgear router showing amber color, what does that mean?
If the device that you are connected to is only able to handle a LAN connection of 10/100 Mbps the amber color shows that the current speed is lower than what the router can support. It will change to white when the device you use has a Gigabit Ethernet port.
