Netgear Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 router review
The Netgear Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 (R6330) router released in 2017. It is powered by MediaTek MT7621AT @ 880 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC1600 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 is 300 + 1300 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100/1000 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 Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 is a good choice for users. It is reliable and feature-rich, and it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Netgear provides good customer support services through their website.
Netgear Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 |
| Type | R6330 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2017 |
Body
| Dimensions | 235.51 x 150.76 x 54.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 377 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. The weight of router is not typically a critical factor for most home or office setups.
System
| Chipset | MediaTek MT7621AT @ 880 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The MediaTek MT7621AT @ 880 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. You cannot expand the router's memory (128 MB). When choosing a router, it is important to consider the RAM specifications. A larger flash memory allows for more space to store configuration backups. 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 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
The router supports many networking standards. It ensures compatibility with different devices and systems. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network.
A Gigabit WAN port is helpful. It is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. OpenVPN is popular for VPNs. This is because it is strong, flexible, and works on many devices.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 5 dBi external |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 6 GHz | no |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1600 |
| Speed | 300 + 1300 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 27 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
The 3 x 5 dBi, external antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. The Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 is compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. To optimize your Wi-Fi experience, it's often recommended to use a combination of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams.
The top speed, 300 + 1300 Mbps, is the highest data rate the router can reach. It's the theoretical limit in perfect conditions. 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 Dual-Band AC1600 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
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear Dual-Band AC1600 WiFi 5 photos
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