NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart WiFi Router (R7960P)
Bottom line: The NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart WiFi Router ($219.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Tri-band AC3600 (600+1300+1625 Mbps) load-balances 55 devices via Smart Connect; main trade-off: wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) only—no Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA or 1024-QAM throughput gains.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Tri-band AC3600 (600+1300+1625 Mbps) load-balances 55 devices via Smart Connect
- ✓ Covers up to 3500 sq ft using 6 amplified antennas plus Beamforming
- ✓ 1.8GHz dual-core processor sustains 4K streaming and online gaming under load
- ✓ Four 1G Ethernet ports wire up consoles, PCs, and streaming boxes
- ✓ USB 3.0 port enables shared storage, printer, and personal cloud access
Cons
- ✗ Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) only—no Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA or 1024-QAM throughput gains
- ✗ Tops out at WPA2 security; lacks newer WPA3 encryption
- ✗ NETGEAR Armor is a 30-day trial, then requires a paid subscription
- ✗ Single USB port limits sharing a drive and printer at once
Manufacturer description
NETGEAR R7960P-100NAS Nighthawk X6S AC3600 Tri-Band WiFi Router
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart WiFi Router 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.
Key Features
- Loaded with advanced technology: Designed with a dual core 1.8GHz processor, 6 amplified antennas, Beamforming, MU-MIMO, Smart Connect, Amazon Alexa Voice Controls, and more. NETGEAR Armor: Protects your network and connected devices from Internet threats. Get peace of mind knowing you have the best in class antivirus, antimalware, and data protection for all unlimited devices with a 30 day free trial.
- Recommended for up to 55 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices.
- Wired Ethernet ports: Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and other nearby wired devices with 4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- Fast Wi-Fi performance: Get up to 3500 square feet wireless coverage with AC3600 speed (Tri-band up to 600 + 1300 + 1625 Mbps). Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest WiFi access, DoS, Firewall, VPN, and more.
- USB connections: Share a storage drive and printer with any connected device, and create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere, using the 3.0 USB port.
Full Specifications
| Brand | NETGEAR |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Weight | 1g |
| Coverage | Up to 3500 square feet |
| Frequency | 5 GHz |
| Model Name | R7960P-100NAS |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Antenna Type | Internal |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | R7960P-100NAS |
| Built-In Media | power adapter, Ethernet cables |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Controller Type | amazon_alexa, vera |
| Mfr Part Number | R7960P-100NAS |
| Number of Ports | 5 |
| Special Feature | WPS |
| USB connections | Share a storage drive and printer with any connected device, and create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere, using the 3.0 USB port. |
| Antenna Location | Gaming |
| Wi-Fi Generation | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Full listing title | NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart WiFi Router (R7960P) – AC3600 Tri-band Wireless Speed (up to 3600 Mbps) | Up to 3500 sq ft Coverage & 55 Devices | 4 x 1G Ethernet ports and 1 USB port |
Ready to buy?
NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Smart WiFi Router (R7960P) – AC3600 Tri-band Wireless Speed (up to 3600 Mbps) | Up to 3500 sq ft Coverage & 55 Devices | 4 x 1G Ethernet ports and 1 USB port 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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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