Customer Ratings & Reviews

I bought this router to use as an additional access point to our already existing AT&T Uverse WiFi network in our home. The NETGEAR unit was hard wired to our existing Uverse WiFi router. The unit was set up in the basement to provide a solid WiFi signal, provide streaming capabilities to a flat screen and WiFi coverage to an adjacent patio area. The wired signal from the "mother" router would be passed through the NETGEAR unit and sent to another computer upstairs. Instructions are apparently something NOBODY includes with anything ...especially tech devices. Rather than having something to read purchasers are forced to use the "handy" user-friendly app ...which is neither. There is no way to access this router's settings using the traditional web address ...you have to use the app ...which is a serious pain. Try as I might I could not get the app to set up the router as I wanted and wasted about an hour in my efforts. To be truthful, if you're using the router in a conventional manner, the app will probably work just fine but I wasn't. I needed to set this router up as a portal ...an additional access point to our existing WiFi network ...and had to make specific changes to it's default settings. Eventually I was able to configure the router to my use, but only after downloading and printing the .pdf for the full manual off the NETGEAR site. There is a wealth of usable and clear information in the manual; it is substantial. Once I had the manual I found the section on how to set it up for my use; it was quite simple. The frustration with using the app made setting the router up even more maddening once I got the info I needed and how *easy* it was to configure. The router has been up and running fine for the past five months; it works great. Signal strength and speeds are good throughout the basement and adjacent patio. The data rate is robust enough allowing clean streaming via the wireless Roku on the flat screen. Overall this is a nice router hobbled by an app that for some users is useless and frustrating to use. While I understand the "ease" of using this app for non-techies, the option to easily access, via web address, the internal settings of the router should still be offered for folks who know what they're doing.

Had a premature failure and had to return unit. It failed on a software update, Replacement was slow and tedious. Bought a new unit immediately. Took weeks to get the failed unit replaced. Lucky the unit is relatively inexpensive. Netgear support needs improvement. However when it works the router is great even if their support sucks.. I hate infant mortality.

My 7 year old Cisco router died and this Netgear model was the best option as a replacement. It was simple to install and runs very fast. I also feel the design is durable and thoughtful. Plenty of connections and control features. It reaches every corner of my 2000 square ft ranch house (including the basement).

I purchased the NETGEAR - Smart AC1600 router and am very pleased with the overall performance in terms of speed, range, and bandwidth. Very easy to set up and includes two bands so that you can optimize for your device. I think this is the best compromise between performance and affordability.

I purchased this for my first home rather than using the cable/internet company’s rental router to save some money. I’m so happy I did! It has a very simple set up and I like the phone app feature. On the app you can troubleshoot and test any connection issues, change your WiFi name or password in an instant, and turn on the “Guest” feature without making any changes to your own regular home network. There’s only 2 of us in the house but we both have our cell phones, a laptop, and a smart TV constantly running on it and have had no problems in the 5 months I’ve owned it. Also, it’s easy to hide on a shelf with decor! Don’t let the cable/internet companies scare you into thinking you absolutely have to use their router or your connection won’t work. That’s false. As long as you buy one strong enough to handle your internet requirements/usage you will be fine. The amount you’ll spend renting a router for 1 year is far more costly than purchasing this Netgear router for the 1 one time price.

The Netgear Smart AC1600 is easy to install and setup. Coverage throughout my house is much better than my old (competitor brand) wifi router. I no longer have to use a wifi signal repeater. The only negative is some wireless devices kept disconnecting from the wifi router. Turns out I live in a neighborhood that is very partial to Netgear routers. It was default channel conflicts causing devices to drop from the wifi system. Easily resolved though. Just use 5G if you can and/or get wifi scanning software to determine what channels are being used by your neighbors and change the router channel. This should be included by Netgear in the setup instructions. I can recommend the Netgear Smart AC1600 wifi router.

Using this to replace my old Linksy e1500 which still works great. I set this up using my desktop web browser which was very easy. decided against the phone app due to numerous bad reviews. Download user manual from netgear first was helpful. All you do is type routerlogin.net in browser and a window pops up asking for login....which is admin and password for the password. I then changed my password. I used smart genie or whatever its called to auto connect to my dsl and I was up and running in no time. For me pc browser was easy and im not a tech guy. Hard to believe people have so much trouble. This works good in my small house. Bigger homes need a more powerfull router. Ihave 30/30 internet and that's the speed I get with this....lil bit better than old e-1500 liksys. I will update review after using for a while.

Works great, easy to set up. I'm not sure if I needed this one or if the AC1200 would have been sufficient. I had the AC1000 at first, but that was only good for 100 mbps input.

Sleek design and easy to install. Reaches all corners of our house concrete walls and all. Highly recommend this router!

I bought this router to replace an older Netgear N router. The setup was so incredibly easy. I love that you download an app to setup the router. Learning on the difference between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks has let me take my home internet to the next level. I stream a lot, before my old router sometimes had some lag, thought it may have been to living in an apt building. But after getting this new AC1600 router, I learned it was the router. I pay for a 200mbps plan for my internet and supposively my modem is only to put out not even 100, but on the 5GHz frequency, I pull about 133mbps.

I have a three floor townhouse. The router is located in the middle of the second floor. I get fine WiFi coverage on all three levels. The router works fine with my Comcast Xfinity internet service. The price was reasonable. I docked it one star, perhaps unfairly, because I have noticed my Sling TV rebuffers more often than it used to. That, of course, could be due to the Comcast system being taxed. But, for the money, a decent purchase.

After increasing speed with ATT, I was still having buffering issues. The routers are the worst in modem/router combos provided by ATT. Purchased Netgear AC1600 and speed was immediate improvement!! The Netgear app was easy to navigate, I really like how it shows you how many devices are connected at one time!! I would recommend this unit for medium sized homes.

I was having a problem with getting disconnected from the internet (LAN was fine). I switched out 2 different routers with the same results so I decided to try a new one. This router was on closeout at a good price so I gave it try. I have not been disappointed. There's around 4 devices connected most of the time with no problems. Sometimes there's 8 or 9 devices connected with no problem. It does what I need.

Easy setup. Good signal strength and range. Highly recommended

The unit was easy to install and simple to use. The netgear ac1600 is an incredibly fast router. I feel that this router was a was a good deal for the price I paid for it. I have paid more money for routers that I purchased in the past and they did not perform nearly as well as this unit. I would recommend this router to friends and family.

I really don't know much about this other than it works for what we intended to use it for. It seems to have quick speed and easy set up to start working. From store to out of box, set up and use took very little time and no real instruction reading. I would buy another if needed.

I connected to the model and completed the set up using the computer instead of the suggested App (I didn't want to install another App on my phone). The installation was pretty easy and the signal seems to be strong enough to cover all the rooms

Nice sleek design. I was in need of an upgrade and this is a nice affordable option. Serves 1800 square foot home. Very pleased thus far.

We had gotten an updated cable box. After hooking up, our WiFi wouldn’t work. We had replaced some wiring earlier in the day, due to house remodel/update and thought it got fried or something. After two router purchases, we realized that the cable box had to be activated. Lol But we kept this router hooked up and will use our other as a back up, in case of future misfortunes. I have absolutely no complaints about it. We have 3 phones, 4 laptops (one of which is a Lenovo gaming laptop, 2 xbox’s, and 3 televisions that we run Netflix, etc., on and the router keeps up fantastic. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed!

This is a great product !! I followed online instructions I printed out, and was able to install it by myself.....and I'm no expert. It's been doing a fabulous job so far, and very happy with the purchase.