Linksys EA6900
Score: 73/100
Netgear Nighthawk R6700
Score: 73/100Rankings
The Linksys EA6900 (AC1900) offers fast dual-band Wi-Fi 5 performance with a strong processor and three beamforming antennas. Its lack of mesh support, limited LAN ports and older Wi-Fi standard limit future-proofing. Suited for small-to-medium homes needing gigabit wired connectivity and solid Wi-Fi 5 speeds.
The Netgear Nighthawk R6700 is a dual-band AC1750 router delivering up to 1750 Mbps with Beamforming+ antennas and a 1 GHz dual-core CPU. Its performance is limited by modest 5 GHz range and lack of Wi-Fi 6, making it best for medium-size homes seeking solid value.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1,900 Mbpsbest | 1,750 Mbps | |
— | 1,500 sqftbest | |
3best | 3best | |
2best | 2best | |
— | 0.256 GBbest | |
4best | 4best | |
— | 0.128 GBbest | |
1best | 1best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Frequency Bands | 2.4GHz/5GHz | Dual-band |
Performance(2) | ||
Maximum Wireless Speed (Mbps) | 1900 Mbps | 1750 Mbps |
Processor | 1.4 GHz dual-core | 1 GHz dual-core |
Ports(1) | ||
USB Ports | 2 | 1 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Linksys AC1900 for its solid far-range throughput, easy app-based installation, and robust processor with beamforming that keeps connections stable. However, they criticize the lack of DD-WRT support on newer hardware revisions, the absence of mesh capability, and the modest four-port LAN count, suggesting that power users may need additional networking gear.
Everyday users generally find the router reliable for everyday broadband tasks, praising its ability to handle many devices, the convenience of USB storage sharing, and the effectiveness of guest networks. Recurring frustrations revolve around hardware-version confusion, limited LAN ports, and the fact that it uses older Wi-Fi 5 technology, which some feel falls short of newer standards.
Professional reviewers consider the R6700 a solid mid-range AC router with strong near-field speeds, a powerful 1 GHz CPU and useful QoS features, but they criticize its weak long-range 5 GHz performance and note that its scores for throughput and range are modest, making it less appealing against newer Wi-Fi 6 options.
Everyday users generally praise the router's reliable coverage for up to 25 devices, smooth 4K streaming, and convenient USB-3.0 sharing, while recurring complaints focus on long-distance signal loss, occasional firmware issues, and reduced speeds when many devices are connected.
