Netgear EX3700 AC750 Review

Netgear EX3700 AC750
Source: Netgear.com

Our Verdict

4.5
4.5/5

If you’re looking for the most affordable solution to expanding your home Wi-Fi networks, the Netgear EX3700 is our recommendation. 

It is an ultra-compact unit with a decent range, but its speed is lackluster. However, it is fast enough for slow Internet plans (around 200 Mbps or less). It has an extremely affordable cost and a super simple setup. 

We had no issues during setup, and the EX3700 gave us a great performance in our tests. 

Pros

Cons

Performance

3.8
3.8/5

Range

3.9
3.9/5

Design

4.5
4.5/5

Setup

5.0
5.0/5

Value

4.8
4.8/5

We recently bought the Netgear EX3700 AC750, along with 11 other leading Wi-Fi extenders. We subjected them to numerous tests to assess their performance, features, range, and other characteristics.

We’re networking pros and experts in testing, measuring, and benchmarking Wi-Fi extenders to help you choose the best one for your home.

So, let’s start this review!

Netgear EX3700 AC750 Overview

Netgear EX3700 AC750 Overview

Hello, and thanks for taking the time to read our Netgear EX3700 Wi-Fi extender review.

This review explains who the EX3700 will help the most and what it offers. It’s suitable for many homes, depending on the Internet plan.

So, who is the Netgear EX3700 aimed at?

For homeowners with 200 Mbps or slower Internet plans, it’s the perfect option.

It provides a decent range and gets Wi-Fi to areas in your home where you need it. 

However, when it comes to speed, it is one of the slowest Wi-Fi boosters we tested. But this doesn’t matter at all if your Internet plan is slow anyway. 

On Wi-Fi, its coverage area is 50 feet, which isn’t the best either, but good for most homes. On Ethernet, it provides a 10-foot further (60 feet total) range. Again, usually enough for most average Internet users. 

And while EX3700 isn’t without fault, it does have the additional benefit of being super affordable. And during installation, we encountered zero issues (a rare plus for a Netgear extender).

All in all, the Netgear EX3700 is an excellent extender, and we feel it’s well worth the money.

Continue reading to learn why the EX3700 may be a perfect choice for your home’s Wi-Fi network.

Specs

BrandNetgear
ModelEX3700 AC750
Max Tested SpeedWi-Fi: 138.72 Mbps
Ethernet: 216.32 Mbps
Approximate RangeWi-Fi: 50 feet
Ethernet: 60 feet
Wireless StandardWi-Fi 5
BandsDual-band
LAN PortOne (1) Ethernet port
Dimensions2.64 x 1.54 x 2.17 inches
Weight0.67 pounds
Warranty1-year

Performance 3.8

The Netgear EX3700 AC750 had decent results in our speed tests, considering its price. Using Wi-Fi on the 5 GHz band, we were able to obtain the following max speeds:

  • 138.72 Mbps at 5 feet
  • 122.7 Mbps at 15 feet
  • 120.89 Mbps at 25 feet

That isn’t a typo; yes, the speed remained almost constant over a range of 5 to 25 feet.

When connected to our router with Ethernet, the EX3700 extender got faster speeds; it exceeded Wi-Fi speed and measured in at:

  • 216.32 Mbps at 5 feet
  • 122.68 Mbps at 15 feet
  • 98.83 Mbps at 25 feet

If you have a 200 Mbps or slower Internet connection, the Netgear EX3700’s Wi-Fi and Ethernet speeds are good enough for those plans. Compared to the other extenders we tested, it ranks near the bottom for speed.

Still, the EX3700 is fast enough to stream a few 4k movies simultaneously.

We’d like to include we tested this extender with our ASUS RT-AX88U router, which is both quick and powerful. If you connect with a slower or less capable router, your speeds and range could be less.

You can also use this extender to hard-wire local devices with Ethernet. Connect your gaming console, printer, or desktop PC to its  Ethernet port for even quicker performance.

The Netgear EX3700 is a dual-band Wi-Fi booster with less bandwidth than tri-band extenders. The EX3700 has fewer bands (just one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz band, as opposed to tri-band units with two 5 GHz bands). The downside is you can’t connect as many wireless devices. 

Even though it has a slower speed than the other extender we tested and its dual-band limitation, the Netgear EX3700 performs well with low-cost Internet plans and is one of the easiest units to set up. It works best with Internet packages offering speeds of up to 200 Mbps.

Range 3.9

During our testing, the Netgear EX3700 had a decent coverage area of 50 feet on Wi-Fi and 60 feet on Ethernet. 

The EX3700’s Wi-Fi coverage area is good and will provide ample range for most average to above-average homes.

Just remember to install the extender about halfway between your Wi-Fi dead spot and router to get the greatest coverage and speeds.

If you need Wi-Fi in hard-to-reach areas in your home, the EX3700 can meet your needs.

On Wi-Fi and Ethernet, the AEX3700’s range was right in the middle compared to the other extenders we tested.

Design 4.5

The Netgear EX3700 AC750 is a wall-mounted Wi-Fi booster that connects directly to the wall outlet. This is convenient because it doesn’t take up space on your desk or shelf. However, if you’re wiring it to a power strip, it may interfere with other outlets. 

Netgear EX3700 AC750 Front

But, compared to other plug-type extenders, it is quite a bit smaller. It’s 2.64 inches tall, 1.54 inches deep, and 2.17 inches wide, making it about the size of a deck of cards. This means it probably won’t block other outlets.

Netgear EX3700 AC750 Backside

The EX3700 has an Ethernet connection that you can use to connect gaming consoles, computers, and network printers to your network. You can also use the Ethernet connection to connect directly to your Wi-Fi router (to get faster speeds).

Netgear EX3700 AC750 side

Setup 5.0

The Netgear EX3700 AC750 gave us absolutely zero difficulties during setup. It connected immediately and worked well. After connecting, the setup process was quick and easy.

All we had to do was download the app, and it was ready to go. It only took about a minute overall.

The EX3700 does, however, make a separate network. As a result, if you move your wireless devices around your home frequently, you’ll have to jump between the secondary and primary networks (which can be inconvenient).

Value 4.8

The Netgear EX3700 AC750 is a terrific value for the money. It’s one of the least expensive extenders we tested, costing far less than most of them. But don’t let its low cost fool you. It delivers a good range and Wi-Fi and Ethernet speed good enough for slower Internet plans.

Despite some minor drawbacks, such as creating a separate network and lacking a tri-band feature, the EX3700 is a good investment.

But it isn’t appropriate for all Internet plans; we only suggest it for plans under 200 Mbps.

Netgear EX3700 Reviews

Many online consumers have praised the Netgear EX3700 AC750 Wi-Fi extender. It has an excellent overall rating on Amazon, with over 72,000 positive reviews. Other e-commerce sites also have average ratings of 4/5 or more stars.

The cost-effectiveness and ease of use of the extender have been praised by many professional networkers and house owners, with several complimenting it.

However, some reviewers noted some complaints and disadvantages.

The complaints we did see about the EX3700 were about it breaking down in under a year and slowing the router’s download speed. But we didn’t experience either of these issues with the one we tested. 

The EX3700, overall, is regarded as an excellent Wi-Fi signal extender by most consumers.

Some of the extenders we have tested
Extenders we have tested

Alternatives

Here are some alternatives to the Netgear EX3700 AC750 Wi-Fi booster. 

Netgear AX6120 AC1200
Source: Netgear.com

Netgear EX6120 AC1200

If your budget is flexible but still tight, the EX6120 is a suitable alternative to the EX3700. It has a better range (60-70 feet) and is a bit faster than the EX3700. It is good for Internet plans below 300 Mbps from your ISP. 

The EX3720 has a similar physical design to the EX3700, has separate networks, and is dual-band too. It costs a bit more, but you get improved range and speed. 

Netgear EX7300 AC2200
Source: Netgear.com

Netgear EX7300 AC2200

The Netgear EX7300 is a faster Wi-Fi extender and a great alternative option to the EX3700. But it costs more. It’s more than twice as fast on both Wi-Fi and Ethernet: at 324.58 Mbps and 651.58 Mbps, respectively. It also has a longer range of 60 to 70 feet.

The EX7300 has combined networks as a bonus for its better coverage and faster performance. So, you’ll never have to change between networks when you move about in your house.

Choose this extender if you have an Internet plan of 400 Mbps or more. Just be aware that this better performance comes with a higher price tag.

TP-Link RE220 AC750
Source: TP-Link.com

TP-Link RE220 AC750

The TP-Link RE220 AC750 is a strong competitor to the Netgear EX3700, taking it on head-to-head. It’s just a tiny bit faster than the EX3700 regarding Wi-Fi and Ethernet speeds, but it costs a little more too.

The TP-Link RE220 also has the same range (50-60 feet) and just one Ethernet connection like the EX3700. But if you already own a TP-Link router, the RE220 system could be a better choice since it allows you to connect them into a combined network with OneMesh. 

Otherwise, your home will have two separate networks, just like the EX3700.

Bottom Line

The Netgear EX3700 AC750 is not the fastest Wi-Fi extender we’ve seen, but it’s ideal for slower (entry-level) Internet plans (200 Mbps or less). It’s a wonderful option for people who want a large coverage area at a low price.

The EX3700 is a fantastic value for the price. It isn’t as expensive as you might think, given its size, easy setup, and decent range.

There are some disadvantages, however. It is only dual-band, and it makes separate networks.

However, when taken as a whole, the EX3700 is an excellent choice for extending your Wi-Fi network. It’s ideal if you’re looking to save money while still getting good coverage.

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