Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 router review
Netgear introduced the Smart WiFi AC1200 router in 2014. It is powered by MediaTek MT7621ST @ 880 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Curious to see if this router impresses? Find out soon!
Table of Contents
- Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200, please let us know.
The Smart WiFi AC1200 is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It provides a fast network for homes and offices. Netgear has a strong presence and offers a wide range of networking products.
Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Smart WiFi AC1200 |
| Type | R6220 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 239.65 x 181.45 x 40.6 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 385 g |
The dimensions of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Larger routers have more room for internal cooling. The weight of the router is not typically a critical factor for most setups.
System
| Chipset | MediaTek MT7621ST @ 880 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1.5 A |
The Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 router has a MediaTek MT7621ST @ 880 MHz processor. You cannot expand the router's memory (128 MB). When selecting a router, it's essential to think about the RAM specifications.
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 latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. The router has Gigabit Ethernet ports. They allow for faster communication between devices on your local network. A Gigabit WAN port is useful when your internet plan supports high speeds. OpenVPN is popular for VPNs. This is because it's strong, flexible, and works on many devices.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 3 dBi |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1200 |
| Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. The 5 GHz band is less crowded, and the Smart WiFi AC1200 router is 5 GHz capable. This AC Wi-Fi router supports multiple spatial streams, typically up to 4 streams. 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). USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
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.
Links
| Official site | https://www.netgear.com/ |
|---|
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. 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 Smart WiFi AC1200 photos
Netgear Smart WiFi AC1200 comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
