Netgear Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router review
Netgear introduced the Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router in 2013. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Excited to find out if this Netgear router is worth it? Read on!
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Netgear Smart WiFi R6300 v2, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Smart WiFi R6300 v2 is a good choice for users. It is reliable and feature-rich, and it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Netgear places a strong emphasis on network security.
Netgear Smart WiFi R6300 v2 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Smart WiFi R6300 v2 |
| Type | R6300 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2013 |
Body
| Dimensions | 191 x 198.5 x 65 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 430 g |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2.5 A |
The Broadcom BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 128 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface.
Other router operating systems offer more customization options. They also have advanced features. Router makers compare this to the default firmware. OpenWrt offers many features and capabilities. They extend the functionality of networking hardware. The Netgear packages the Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router with 12 V / 2.5 A PSU.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
Like many modern routers, the Smart WiFi R6300 v2 supports many network standards too. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. It uses OSI layer 2 or 3. It extends secure networks using SSL/TLS, an industry standard.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 3 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1750 |
| Speed | 450 + 1300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 19 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster.
Real-world Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. By connecting a USB printer to the Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
If you can't log in to your Netgear router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Smart WiFi R6300 v2 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Netgear one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear Smart WiFi R6300 v2 photos
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