NETGEAR
NETGEAR AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router with External Antennas (R6220-100NAS)
Bottom line: The NETGEAR AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router with External Antennas: Dual-band AC1200: 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz plus 867 Mbps on 5 GHz; main trade-off: wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), not Wi-Fi 6 - no OFDMA or WPA3-era features.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Dual-band AC1200: 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz plus 867 Mbps on 5 GHz
- ✓ External antennas reach farther than internal-antenna budget routers
- ✓ 880 MHz processor rated for homes with 8+ simultaneous devices
- ✓ USB 2.0 port shares an external hard drive across the network
- ✓ IPv6 supported, so it works with modern ISP addressing
Cons
- ✗ Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), not Wi-Fi 6 - no OFDMA or WPA3-era features
- ✗ USB 2.0 caps network-drive transfers well below USB 3.0 speeds
- ✗ 867 Mbps 5 GHz ceiling trails AC1750 and AC1900 routers
- ✗ Two antennas only; large or multi-floor homes may need a mesh system
Manufacturer description
The NETGEAR R6220 AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router pairs dual-band 300 + 867 Mbps throughput with two external antennas, giving you broader coverage than the stubby internal-antenna routers in this price class. An 880 MHz processor keeps throughput steady when a household runs eight or more connected devices at once, so 4K streams, video calls, and game downloads do not collapse into buffering the moment someone else joins the network. Dual-band support covers older 2.4 GHz smart-home gear alongside 5 GHz phones, tablets, and laptops, and IPv6 support means the router will not become the bottleneck…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored NETGEAR AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router with External Antennas using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the networking category. NETGEAR's networking lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for networking of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the NETGEAR R6220?
It is an AC1200 router: up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. Real-world speed depends on your internet plan, distance, and interference.
How many devices can this router handle?
NETGEAR positions the R6220 for homes with 8 or more Wi-Fi devices, and its 880 MHz processor is the part doing that work. Heavy simultaneous 4K streaming across many devices will push it harder.
Is this a Wi-Fi 6 router?
No. The R6220 is an 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) dual-band router. If you specifically need Wi-Fi 6 for a dense device load or a multi-gig plan, look at a newer AX model instead.
What can I do with the USB port?
The USB 2.0 port lets you plug in an external hard drive and access or share its files wirelessly across your network. Note that USB 2.0 limits transfer speed compared to USB 3.0 ports on pricier routers.
Key Features
- AC1200 WiFi-300+867 Mbps speeds
- External antennas for improved Wi-Fi coverage
- Ideal for homes with 8 or more Wi-Fi devices
- 880 MHz processor delivers high-performance connectivity
- USB 2.0 port-Wirelessly access & share USB hard drive
- Connectivity for dual band Wi-Fi devices like iPad /iPhone5
Full Specifications
| Brand | NETGEAR |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Coverage | 1200 square feet |
| Frequency | 5 GHz |
| Model Name | R6220 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Antenna Type | Fixed |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | R6220-100NAS |
| Built-In Media | Computer Peripherals^Routers^Network Routers^ |
| Control Method | App |
| Item Type Name | Netgear AC1200 Smart WiFi Router (R6220-100NAS) |
| Controller Type | App Control |
| Mfr Part Number | R6220-100NAS |
| Number of Ports | 2 |
| Special Feature | WPS |
| Antenna Location | Home |
| Wi-Fi Generation | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Security Protocol | WPA, WPA2-PSK |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
Ready to buy?
NETGEAR AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router with External Antennas (R6220-100NAS) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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