OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

Netgear AC1200 R6120 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£55Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

Netgear AC1200 R6120 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 5 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

Netgear AC1200 R6120
6.4/10

Overall score

Score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

40%

5.9

Technical score

25%

5.9

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 95% of routers
7.5

Value for money

Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 96%
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

26%

4.9

Wireless

20%

5.5

Ports

18%

6.6

Networking

14%

7.6

Security

12%

4.4

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 92%
5.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models

5.9

Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.6

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 96%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £55
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Netgear AC1200 R6120

Based on 0 · 5

Reviewers agree that sharing content across the network works well, with no real complaints raised.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Netgear AC1200 R6120

Based on 62 owners sharing their experience in online comments

6%positive9%mixed85%negative

Owners praise speed gains and video-assisted setup, but setup failures, missing internet, and warning lights dominate the experience.

What owners dislike

  • Many owners see all lights green and Wi-Fi connected, yet no internet, even with a direct Ethernet cable to a computer.17
  • Owners cannot reach the router's settings page on a PC, and the app asks them to create a new account.10
  • Owners say the internet light stays red or orange, or never lights, even when their internet works.8
  • Owners say the power light blinks or stays on while the LAN and other lights stay off, even after a reset.8
  • Owners say the 5 GHz network does not show up in their phone's Wi-Fi list, though the app shows it.6
  • Owners say the setup app shows internet as offline, or does not appear on their PC.4
  • Owners on a 10 Mbps plan report downloads stuck near 1.5 Mbps, with phone speed meters showing only 3–4 Mbps.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of router Netgear AC1200 R6120

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components:

26%

4.9

Wireless

20%

5.5

Ports

18%

6.6

Networking

14%

7.6

Security

12%

4.4

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

5.9
Reviews score
5.9
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components:

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.5
Brand name
Netgear
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 35.2% of routers and equal to 23.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 55.6% of routers and equal to 6.6% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 36.5% of routers and the same as 29.9% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 37.9% of routers and equal to 14.8% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
no
This router does not include SPI-based intrusion protection. 95.5% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 24.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
no
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 66.6% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
no
This router does not include QoS controls. 97.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 34.2% of routers and the same as 59.3% of routers.
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
This router offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 74.5% of routers and on par with 25.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 40.1% of routers and the same as 41.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
Nighthawk app
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App
This router supports Web UI, App firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 62.3% of routers and equal to 8.4% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
What reviewers say
CPU clock speed
0.58 GHz
This router runs at 0.58 GHz, which is slower than 76.9% of routers and on par with 1% of routers.
RAM capacity
64 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 70.5% of routers and the same as 13.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.015625 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.015625 GB of internal storage, which is less than 55.2% of routers and the same as 13% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 75.3% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
2
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 41.2% of routers and the same as 16.5% of routers.
Show more

Netgear AC1200 R6120 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access vs SMB, media server
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access vs SMB, media server
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • No VLAN tagging
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 66.5% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No QoS
    This router does not support QoS, while the average router does. 97.6% of routers support QoS.
  • 23.4% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models

    5.9

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.6

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.9 vs 7.7
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 40.3% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (111 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    111 m² vs 186 m²
  • 23.4% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 96% of models

    5.9

    Mark 7.7 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.6

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    5 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.9 vs 7.7
  • 8% worse value for money
    Netgear AC1200 R6120 has worse value for money than the average router (7.48 vs 8.1).
    7.48 vs 8.08
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 40.3% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (111 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    111 m² vs 186 m²
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No band steering
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 57.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 62.1% of routers support beamforming.
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 44 fewer connected devices
    This router supports fewer connected devices than the average router (20 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    20 vs 64
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No SPI intrusion protection
    This router does not support SPI intrusion protection, while the average router does. 95.3% of routers support SPI intrusion protection.
  • No network services filtering
    This router does not support network services filtering, while the average router does. 94.7% of routers support network services filtering.
  • No PPTP server
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 66.2% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • No VLAN tagging
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 66.5% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No QoS
    This router does not support QoS, while the average router does. 97.6% of routers support QoS.
  • No DNS relay
    This router does not support DNS relay, while the average router does. 94% of routers support DNS relay.
  • 8,880 fewer NAT sessions
    This router has fewer concurrent NAT sessions than the average router (6,120 vs 15,000). The average router supports 15,000 concurrent NAT sessions.
    6,120 vs 15,000
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, App, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, App vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.58 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.58 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 75% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    64 MB vs 256 MB
  • 87.5% less internal storage
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.015625 GB vs 0.125 GB

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

3.0
Nev's Tech Bits
≈ estimated
13/12/2020
Hands-on review · Wi-Fi connection and LAN transfer tests
Verdict
Netgear AC1200 R6120 is not worth buying, since Wi-Fi would not connect despite about ninety minutes of troubleshooting.
9.0
AKSHAY BHOPANI
≈ estimated
26/06/2019
Unboxing and review · speed, app and USB storage tests
Verdict
Netgear AC1200 R6120 is a well-priced router with good speeds, though an ISP compatibility issue needed a workaround.
9.0
ReviewLamp
≈ estimated
17/10/2017
Hands-on review · setup and speed tests against an older router
Verdict
Netgear AC1200 R6120 delivers a big speed upgrade over an old router, is reliable and affordable, but upload speeds barely improve.
6.0
SciTech Enthusiasts
≈ estimated
09/07/2020
Unboxing · box contents and design
Verdict
Netgear AC1200 R6120 has a mixed design: the front looks nice, but the port bump blocks the neighbouring port.
7.0
Technology Space HD
≈ estimated
12/09/2019
Unboxing and configuration · budget dual-band router overview
Verdict
Netgear AC1200 R6120 is a budget pick with good 5 GHz coverage, but its 2.4 GHz range is weaker.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Netgear AC1200 R6120

  • Affordable price point, often cited as great value for budget-conscious users.
  • Easy setup process, particularly when using the Nighthawk app.
  • Reliable dual-band performance for basic home activities like streaming and web browsing.
  • Includes useful features like a guest network and ReadySHARE USB access for sharing files.
  • Compact and lightweight design that fits easily in small spaces.

What customers don't like about Netgear AC1200 R6120

  • Wired Ethernet and WAN ports are limited to 100Mbps, which caps performance for users with high-speed internet plans.
  • Mixed reviews regarding signal strength and range, with some users reporting poor performance through walls.
  • Lacks advanced modern features such as MU-MIMO or Gigabit support.
  • The 5GHz band has a significantly shorter range compared to the 2.4GHz band.
  • Some users reported occasional stability issues and the need for frequent reboots.

Verdict

The Netgear AC1200 R6120 is a simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router providing combined wireless speeds of up to 1200 Mbps (300 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 867 Mbps on 5GHz). It features two external antennas, a USB 2.0 port for ReadySHARE storage access, and standard WPA2 security protocols with guest network support. Key pros include its budget-friendly price point, easy setup via the Nighthawk app, and coverage suitable for medium to large homes up to 1,200 square feet. However, a significant drawback is that its five Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 4 LAN) are limited to 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet speeds, which prevents it from supporting modern gigabit internet connections, and it lacks advanced features like beamforming.

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