Netgear Nighthawk R6700
Score: 73/100
TP-Link Archer BE230
Score: 79/100Rankings
The TP-Link Archer BE230 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router delivering up to 3.6 Gbps total throughput with four antennas, MLO and two 2.5 Gbps ports, ideal for medium-size homes. However, it lacks a 6 GHz band and its 5 GHz range drops off beyond short distances. Best for gamers and streamers in smaller spaces who need fast wired connections.
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 | | |
|---|---|---|
1,750 Mbps | 3,600 Mbpsbest | |
1,500 sqftbest | — | |
3 | 4best | |
2 | 4best | |
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(2) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 7 |
Frequency Bands | Dual-band | 2.4 GHz,5 GHz |
Security(1) | ||
Security Protocols | WPA/WPA2-PSK, NAT firewall, DoS prevention, Guest network, VPN, NETGEAR Armor | WPA3,HomeShield |
Design(1) | ||
Antenna Count | 3 | 4 |
Performance(3) | ||
Maximum Wireless Speed (Mbps) | 1750 Mbps | 3600 Mbps |
Processor | 1 GHz dual-core | Quad-core |
CPU Cores | 2 | 4 |
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 1 years | 2 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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.
Professional reviewers consider the Archer BE230 a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 router for close-range, bandwidth-intensive use cases, praising its fast 5 GHz speeds, robust 2.4 GHz signal, 2.5 Gbps ports, and superior VPN and USB performance. However, they point out the critical omission of a 6 GHz band and the steep drop-off of 5 GHz throughput at longer distances, which limits its suitability for large or multi-story homes without mesh expansion.
Everyday users value the router's ability to deliver gigabit-level speeds near the device, its strong 2.4 GHz coverage for IoT gadgets, and the convenience of the Tether app. The most common criticism revolves around limited long-range 5 GHz coverage and the lack of a 6 GHz band, prompting many to consider adding EasyMesh nodes for broader coverage.
