Netgear XR700 AD7200-Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi Router Review
The NightHawk Pro Gaming XR700 router uses MU-MIMO technology, 1.7 GHz Quad-core processor, 60 GHz WiGig (802.11ad) Wi-Fi and 10 Gigabit LAN Capability.
The most recent addition to the Netgear category of Wi-Fi routers, the NightHawk Professional Gaming XR700, is a massive tri-band router having an equally big price tag. Just like the Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router (R9000) that people reviewed this past year, the XR700 works with 802.11ad 60GHz Wi-Fi technologies. It also gives 10Gb Ethernet connectivity and link aggregation has six LAN ports and contains robust gaming settings. Even though XR700 is really a solid performer, it isn’t as quick as our Editors’ Choice for video gaming routers, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, which costs $100 much less.
The XR700 supports Multi-User Multiple Input A number of Output (MU-MIMO) streaming, which transmits data to clients simultaneously instead of sequentially. But once again, the client products must assistance MU-MIMO to make use of the improved throughput. In addition, it supports beamforming, which transmits indicators directly to customers, and Wise Connect, which lets the router instantly pick the best radio band predicated on visitors and signal power. Much like the X10 router, the XR700 supports 160MHz Wi-Fi
Design
Using its sleek black enclosure, red-colored trim, and see-through mesh top, there’s little doubt that the XR700 is made for gamers. At 2.5 by 9.6 by 12.7 ins (HWD), it’s larger than both TP-Hyperlink Archer C5400X ($325.34 at Amazon) and the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 routers and can use up a good deal of space on your own desktop.
We/O ports are usually plentiful you need to include the gigabit WAN port, a 10Gb SPF+ LAN slot for make use of with the high-velocity 10Gb change or allowing you to connect to a 10Gb system, and six gigabit LAN ports (2 of which could be configured for hyperlink aggregation). Additionally, there are two USB 3.0 ports on the right side of the enclosure. The router sports activities four nonremovable amplified energetic antennas and a row of 15 Directed indicators for energy, internet (WAN), all three radio bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 60GHz), both USB ports, the 10Gb interface, the 6 LAN ports, and guest Wi-Fi. To the proper of the LEDs certainly are a WPS key and a Wi-Fi On/Off button.
Performance
The XR700 was just starting out, and moved 859.5Mbps at 15 feet, 17 % more bandwidth compared to the 715.4Mbps for the XR500. As the throughput for others drops off quickly, it declined modestly for the XR700. For instance, the XR700 was with the capacity of 566.5Mbps, 533.9Mbps, and 531.4Mbps at 50 feet, 100 ft, and 150 feet, versus 514.5Mbps, 524.5Mbps, and 342.2Mbps for the XR500. The Archer C2300 defeat the XR700 at 50 feet with 622.9Mbps throughput but fell off to 447.1Mbps and 383.3Mbps at 100 and 150 ft.
The XR700 was unexceptional at blasting Wi-Fi through walls and ceilings. For example, the XR700 produced 566.0Mbps of data on another side of the metal wall inside our lab, versus 853.7Mbps for the Archer C5400X and 667.3Mbps for the XR500.
Overall performance improved slightly on the soundboard check, where the Archer C5400X and the XR500 recorded bandwidth of 832.2Mbps and 802.0Mbps. In comparison, the XR700 was nearer to the tag with 793.7Mbps.
Specifications
Wireless Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz Tri-Band |
Number of Antennas | 4 |
MU-MIMO Support | 3 x 3 |
WLAN Mode | WiGig (802.11ad) |
Supported Protocols | IPv6 |
Antenna Placement | External (Integrated) |
Ports | 1 x 10Gb Ethernet (RJ45) 6 x 10/100/1000 Mb/s Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) (Console) 1 x 10/100/1000 Mb/s Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) (Uplink) 2 x 5 Gb/s USB Type-A |
USB Sharing Support | Yes |
Throughput | 2.4 GHz: 800 Mb/s 5 GHz: 1733 Mb/s 60 GHz: 4600 Mb/s |
Guest Network Support | Yes |
Wireless Security | AES |
VPN Support | Yes |
Firewall Support | NAT, SPI |
RAM | 1 GB |
Storage Capacity | 512 MB |
Processor | 1.7 GHz Quad-Core |
Supported IEEE Standards | 802.11ac, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n |
Pros
- Easy to install.
- Solid throughput performance.
- Numerous I/O ports.
- Supports 60GHz and 10Gb Ethernet connectivity.
- Gamer-friendly management console.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Large footprint.
- Middling MU-MIMO performance.