Dual band is nice to manage wifi users.
Nice Cloud Backup Feature
Fast.
Cons: The antennas were a challenge to attach, very stiff and awkward to screw on.
The Nighthawk android app doesn" t="" offer="" me="" many="" benefits="" and="" is="" just="" extra="" bloat="" software="" on="" my="" phone.="" i="" suppose="" if="" were="" a="" super="" nerd="" or="" was="" managing="" large="" public="" network="" it="" would="" be="" beneficial.="">
Overall Review: Set up was fairly simple, would've gone smoother if I had remembered to power cycle my Modem before starting the set up process. The web interface is more advanced and easier to use than older models. Like the 'Cloud' USB storage device feature, it only took about 10 minutes to figure out and set up. Now everyone on the network can back up to one device.
Pros: For two weeks it's been pretty solid, no reboots or drops.
The android Netgear Genie app is VERY good.
Decent performance.
You can turn off all except the power LED.
Good web interface.
Working VPN and DDNS clients.
Update:
After 4.5 years, I have plenty of AC clients, and I'm quite pleased with this router. Excellent stability, and Netgear still patches security holes. The one time I had stability problems, my router had indeed been hijacked, but Netgear had a patch in less than a week (meantime daily reboots fixed it temporarily). I just recently purchased a second for my daughter, still quite happy with it, and a very solid 4 eggs (maybe more).
Cons: I think the Netgear Genie app for Windows could use some work. The android app is excellent for doing a wireless survey to find what the neighbors are using for channels, and how it impacts you. I recommend looking at all the apps and the built in web server setup to see all the features. Using an Intel AC7260 in a NUC, had to tell it to prefer the 5ghz band, but that is not the router's fault. Almost everything else is just a little bit better than my old N300 router, but the clients aren't AC.
Overall Review: I only give this 4 stars, since only a couple of my clients can take advantage of it. So, it's better than I had, but only marginally.
Pros: It was good and broadcasted the strongest signals through walls etc while it worked
Cons: - Immediately after the firmware update, it started dropping the wifi signal every 10-12 minutes. There is absolutely nothing that works to resolve this
- When I called Netgear, the person on the other line basically told me that I was S0L and reccommended me buying a new router.
- I bought this router from Best Buy and had even been recommending it to friends and family. Now I feel guilty for ever doing that and will no longer recommend it to anyone.
- The router will drop the signal and the amber light comes on and stays that way for about 30 seconds before the signal is picked up again.
- I" m="" at="" wit's="" end="" and="" don't="" know="" what="" to="" do="" because="" i="" drained="" almost="" $200="" into="" this="" paper="" weight="" have="" nothing="" but="" intermittent="" wifi="" that="" won't="" permit="" me="" get="" work="" done="" or="" conduct="" meetings="" from="" my="" home="" office.="">
Overall Review: - I would no longer recommend this router to anyone for the current price point. Maybe if it was $25.
Pros: This router is great! I bought mine from Wal-Mart, but I figured I'd give a review on my favorite website for tech products. It has a great dual band option and it can handle many devices at high speeds. It has an app that you can download to your phone to control everything and anything that has to do with the router and your network. It has some great smaller features as well. Smart connect is a good one for a home with multiple devices, but some that demand better network quality at certain times. Not to mention the sleek black look! P.s. The range is great as well.
Cons: I can't think of anything to be totally honest.
Overall Review: Great router for the money. I got mine on sale around Black Friday for a great deal!
Pros: Good Performance
Consistent up-time
Cons: Lousy support and Lousy Tech Support..
Netgear Firmware upgrades can kill your unit (did mine)
The latest software update killed my unit so that it cannot be recovered. The Tech support tells me I should not have upgraded the unit with a netork switch btween the Router and my computer. Go figure that one! And then she told me that these softwares are tested before they are sent out to customer computers. Well who sends out software that kills $200 units without first confirming the new download is fully functional or the old configuration can be recovered?! Only Netgear.
I used to really believe in the brand until wating all night last night trying to recover what the latest download did to my unit.
And the only thing she kept saying was that she was sorry but that it was my fault to upgrade software with the Router not directly connected to the computer. Tell me how many people these days dont have a switch between the computer and router? And these guys did not test for that!!!? And why would they not send that notice with the notice for new software availability?
Had to go and buy a D-Link so I could get connectivity back.
Overall Review: Would not recommend Netgear as at some point you will end up like me.
Would not buy netgear again.
Wished I had the time to do more as there is no excuse for what they did to my unit. I trusted their download.
Pros: Purchased 4yrs and 11months ago. So that's a pro...
Cons: It was a great router, but with the addition of many IOT devices it just can't keep up I don't think. I'm not sure if it's the last firmware that is the issue, but dropping internet several times a day now.
Overall Review: Seeing that it is going on 5yrs, I guess that's a good run. But time for a new one I think. I don't think these things are supposed to whistle. (Sounds like a capacitor issue to me) Reboot usually does the job but it's several times a day now.
Pros: fast
Cons: Lifespan was just under 5 years
Overall Review: All of my devices wired and wireless worked solid for the last 5 years. However, my connection keeps dropping randomly. I've replaced my cable modem(from 2011) and this did not solve the problem. Anyone have any idea what the expected lifespan is?
Pros: After installing the latest Kong version of dd-wrt I have not had one issue with this router.
Cons: Really do need third party firmware to implement VPN
Overall Review: Would recommend