Netgear AC1200 WiFi 5 router review
The Netgear AC1200 WiFi 5 (R6120) router released in 2017. It is powered by MediaTek MT7628AN @ 580 MHz chipset, 64 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash. The AC1200 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with AC1200 WiFi 5 is 300 + 867 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.
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 AC1200 WiFi 5, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The AC1200 WiFi 5 is a popular router. It offers great networking. This is thanks to its advanced features and cutting-edge technology. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Many people see Netgear as offering products that give good value for the price.
Netgear AC1200 WiFi 5 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | AC1200 WiFi 5 |
| Type | R6120 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2017 |
Body
| Dimensions | 185 x 136.5 x 46 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 250 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. If you plan to mount your router on a wall or ceiling, the weight can affect the mounting process. It also affects the type of mounting hardware needed.
System
| Chipset | MediaTek MT7628AN @ 580 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 64 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The MediaTek MT7628AN @ 580 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The 64 MB of RAM enables the router to handle multiple tasks and processes concurrently. Flash memory retains its data even when the router is off. This allows the router to keep its firmware and settings across reboots. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The Netgear provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1.5 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
Like many modern routers, the Netgear AC1200 WiFi 5 supports many features and tech. They improve your network's connectivity and security. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The AC1200 WiFi 5 router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Wired connections may bottleneck due to the limits of Fast Ethernet ports.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 4 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 6 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1200 |
| Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 30 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
The 2 x 4 dBi, internal antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. Many IoT devices, smart home devices, and older Wi-Fi devices mainly use the 2.4 GHz band. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The Wi-Fi router offers fast data speeds. They are good for streaming HD video, online gaming, and large file transfers.
The top speed, 300 + 867 Mbps, is the highest data rate the router can reach. It's the theoretical limit in perfect conditions. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The AC1200 WiFi 5 router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
Changing the password often is a good security practice. It protects your network and devices from unauthorized access. Changing the default password improves your router's security. It reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals controlling your network.
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
- lightweight
- sufficient memory
- IPv6 capable
- works on 5 GHz band
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear AC1200 WiFi 5 photos
If there’s information about the Netgear AC1200 WiFi 5 that you would like to see on this site, then write to us.
