Netgear R6100 Vs R6200 – How do The Routers Compare

Routers perform two major functions in a network, one is that they forward data packets towards their destination, and they also act as an intersection between multiple IP networks.

I never really understood why I always experienced slow internet speeds with the router that I had gotten from my Internet Service Provider. So, I opted to get another one from one of the trusted brands “Netgear” thus got my hands on the R6100 and the R6200. Well, the two routers don’t have much difference in the designs so I had to find out whether they differ in functionality.

Slow internet speeds is as a result of network congestion, remember that once you install the internet in your home or office, on the shared DSL, you are sharing bandwidth with your subscribers. There are, however, many other reasons for slow internet speeds such as the environmental factors or the stolen bandwidth.

What is the difference between the Netgear R6100 and the R6200

Model	Netgear R6100	Netgear R6200 (Winner)
Speeds	867mbps-download speeds 300mbps-Upload speeds	867mbps-download speeds 300mbps-Upload speeds
Data Transfer Rate	1200mbps per second	6936mbps per second
Connectivity technology	WiFi and Wired	Wireless
Item Dimensions	11.43 x 10.24 x 2. 96 inches (Bigger in size)	8.07 x 3.03 x 1.04 (Smaller in Size)
	Check Price Here	Check Price Here

The Netgear R6100 vs R6200- How do they compare?

Performance

Data Transfer Rate and speeds – Data transfer rate is the amount of digital data that is moved in a specific window of time from one place to another, so the greater the bandwidth of your router, the higher the data transfer rate. Both the Netgear R6100 and the R6200 have high data transfer rates, but if the devices in the network are into the bandwidth-intensive tasks and there are so many devices connected to your network, then the best router to adopt is the Netgear R6200 because it offers up to 6936mb per second data transfer rate.

The above, therefore, means that operations can be carried out faster that is both the download and upload speeds. And despite having matching speeds the R6100 tends to have a low data transfer rate at 1200mbp per second when compared to the R6200. Therefore, for as much as it can handle the bandwidth-intensive tasks it cannot perform as fast and effectively as the R6200.

Connectivity technology

Connectivity technology refers to the networking connections that you can achieve with your router. The R6100 offers its users both the wired and WiFi connectivity technology, giving it an upper hand in functionality when compared to the R6200. Many people are however not aware that they don’t necessarily need a router to use Wi-Fi, but this only works if you are not trying to share a connection.

And that is why you will find that most consumer Wi-Fi routers feature a combination of devices, such as the networking switch, router, and Wi-Fi access point. The R6100 on the other hand, only offers the wireless connectivity technology, meaning that the device can effectively perform the functions of a router, and a wireless access point.

The unit can, therefore, provide access to a private computer network or the internet and you can directly connect it to a modem using a cable.

Design

When it comes to the Netgear R6100 and the R6200 then this is the home of confusion, well because the units have incorporated the same design and come with two deployment positions. So you can decide to have it lay down flat or put it upright. At the front panel, we have the power led light indicator, that will turn to solid amber when the router is booting, and when you see a blinking amber then you know that your router’s firmware is upgrading and when it is solid green then you know that it is ready.

There is also the solid green led light to inform you if the router has successfully received the internet connection. If it lights solid green then you can be sure that the internet connection is ready, and if it goes off then the router hasn’t detected the Ethernet cable. For your wireless connectivity, you will be presented with a solid blue color when it has detected either the 2.4 or 5GHz.

And for the USB, a solid blue light indicates that the router has accepted the USB device but isn’t ready for use, and blinking blue indicates that a USB HDD has been plugged in and is trying to connect.

The Netgear R6200 is the better router because it is backward compatible with the next generation Wi-Fi devices, and the 802.11n frequencies.

Netgear R6100 vs the R6200  – A Comparison Overview

Netgear R6100 Overview

To get the best out of your Netgear R6100 you must first ensure that the devices or computer that you are using support both the WPA/WPA2 wireless security option because it is the wireless security that the router uses.

The router has also been equipped with three different login protocols, the first one is the ISP login log that will get you into the internet service, then there is the wireless network key, and here you will find your routers unique wireless network name and password that you can use for the wireless access. Lastly, we have the router login logs that will give you access to the router’s interface.

Pros

• Is a dual-band Wi-Fi router thus not prone to interferences
• The router is backward compatible
• Installation is easy via the Netgear genie application
• Best for large homes

Cons

• Set up is a bit difficult
• Connection to devices in the network is not consistent

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Netgear R6200 Overview

The Netgear R600 is the home of innovative technology first because the unit is equipped with the Next-generation Wi-Fi complete with simultaneous dual-band frequencies. The incorporated high upload and download speeds allow users to transfer large files and stream the bandwidth-intensive contents within their networks.

Wireless connections are prone to cyberattacks, and that is why Netgear gives its users the liberty to customize their network security to suit their needs. You will, therefore, be provided with the Guest Network Access, there is also the Parental Control option and the secure Wi-Fi connections feature. The incorporated parental control feature allows you to create web filters, thus block out websites that you deem inappropriate.

Pros

• Offers reliable internet connection
• Allows users to easily share their media and printer
• Provides security to the network
• Features the New Next-Generation Wi-Fi

Cons

• Price on the higher side

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Verdict; so which is the better router? The Netgear R6100 or the R6200

The Netgear R6200 is the better router because it offers high data transfer rates of up to 6936mbps per second, making it highly functional for a busy environment, additionally the router offers high upload and download speeds for the bandwidth intensive applications and it small size enables easy deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the preamble mode for my Netgear R6100?

It is an easy router option that helps boost the performance of the wireless Wi-Fi network. Your router’s firmware has the default setting for the preamble displayed as LONG.

2. How do I know that my Netgear R6200 is working?

You will first connect your computer directly to the modem, but be sure to disconnect your router, then log into it, and click on the smart wizard test button to go to the Netgear online test pages, and under the router status, you will confirm the router and get a valid IP address.