Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591 Direct Comparison

The routers [url="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B071H678RH?tag=produck-21",name="Fritzbox 6590",title=""] and [url="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07R74THC4?tag=produck-21",name="Fritzbox 6591",title=""] both come from AVM. They are similar in many characteristics, yet they also show some differences. Interested buyers sometimes find it difficult to make a definitive decision. In this case, the article serves as assistance. Readers can familiarize themselves here with the most important features of both models as well as their advantages and disadvantages. This enables them to make a well-considered choice.

The Most Important Aspects of the Fritzbox 6590 and Fritzbox 6591 in Detail

Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591: all product features of both models in comparison

Operation, Functions, Operating System

The Fritzbox 6590 and 6591 do not differ purely in appearance. Both come with the same status LEDs (e.g., whether WLAN is active) and have a DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) and WPS button to establish a quick connection to DECT (e.g., Fritz DECT Smart Home devices) and WLAN devices within range.

Fritzbox 6590 and 6591 look identical on the outside

The surface design is kept simple and clear. However, settings on the Fritzbox cannot be made here. The home network can be easily configured and operated via the Fritz!OS operating system.

The ventilation openings in the comparatively large housing ensure optimal cooling for both models.

Both devices can be used for cable television, as a modem, and for ISDN landline. Integration of answering machine and fax is also possible.

Ports and Power Consumption

The Fritzbox 6590 has two USB 2.0 and four Gigabit LAN ports (1 GBit/s each). The Fritzbox 6591 also comes with four Gigabit LAN ports. However, instead of USB 2.0 connections, it is equipped with two USB 3.0 ports and thus promises faster transmission when used as network storage. In this point, the successor also has the edge in the "Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591" comparison.

Ports of the Fritzbox 6591

Otherwise, both cable routers do not differ in terms of ports – both have 2 analog ports for e.g., phones, one ISDN port, and 4 built-in antennas for high WLAN stability.

When it comes to power consumption, the Fritzbox 6590 performs slightly better with around 8.8 watts than its successor – the latter consumes about 11.8 watts. In this context, it should be noted that these values are only the average consumption per hour. With particularly intensive use, consumption can be significantly higher.

Transfer Rates and WLAN Range

In terms of internet speed, the Fritzbox 6590 lags behind its successor. While the first-mentioned model achieves a maximum speed of 1,760 MBit/s, the maximum transmission speed of the Fritzbox 6591 is up to 6,000 MBit/s thanks to the DOCSIS-3.1 standard. Customers who value fast transmission rates today and in the future should therefore choose the newer product variant. Of course, they need a suitable connection. Depending on the connection, problems with the older DOCSIS-3.0 standard ([url="https://avm.de/service/wissensdatenbank/dok/FRITZ-Box-6590-Cable/37_Unterstutzte-Kabelanschlusse/",name="see AVM notice",title=""]) may also occur, so I would no longer recommend routers with this standard in 2024.

When it comes to WLAN speed, both devices are quite similarly positioned. For both the 6590 model and its successor, the WLAN speed is 1,733 (5 GHz) + 800 MBit/s (2.4 GHz). Both have four antennas and thus support 4×4 MU-MIMO, which serves to quickly supply many devices simultaneously in the network.

In terms of internet speed and future-proofing, the successor performs significantly better in the "Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591" comparison.

Hardware (Processor)

The Fritzbox 6590 is equipped with the Puma6 processor, which achieves a performance of 1,200 MHz. The somewhat newer Fritzbox 6591 contains the Puma7 CPU – the latter already operates at a speed of 2,000 MHz. Both boxes have two processor cores. The newer Fritzbox 6591 offers somewhat faster processing of work processes overall.

Dimensions and Weight

When it comes to size, the Fritzbox 6591 device is identical to its predecessor. The weight of the successor has also remained unchanged. The Fritzbox 6590 and 6591 routers have dimensions of 273 x 209 x 85 millimeters and weigh around 1.5 kilograms. In this category, there are no noteworthy differences in the "Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591" comparison.

Price-Performance Ratio

The Fritzbox 6590 is available from a price of 174 euros. This makes the model comparatively affordable. The Fritzbox 6591, with an average price of 258 euros, is significantly more expensive – but users can look forward to some developments such as faster processor performance, higher transmission rates, and USB 3.0 ports. In terms of price-performance ratio, the Fritzbox 6590 performs better from our perspective due to the significant price difference with moderate disadvantages compared to the 6591.

Customer Satisfaction

Generally, buyers are very satisfied with both products. They give the following ratings on Amazon (as of 26.05.22):

They particularly praise the high internet speed of the Fritzbox 6591. The new USB 3.0 ports are also welcomed in the successor.

The Fritzbox 6590 is also considered a solid product by many buyers. People who have tested both devices believe that upgrading from the 6590 to the 6591 model is not worthwhile. However, those who do not yet own a Fritzbox should rather choose the newer variant to be better equipped for future requirements. This is also reflected in customer reviews.

Conclusion of the Comparison

Since the Fritzbox 6591 is the direct successor to the Fritzbox 6590 version, it's not surprising that both products are quite similar. However, when it comes to equipment, speed, and price-performance ratio, the 6591 router performs somewhat better in the "Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591" comparison. Nevertheless, it doesn't necessarily pay off for Fritzbox 6590 owners to upgrade to the younger version, especially since newer models like the 6690 are now available. New customers should, however, weigh whether the speed advantages play a role and how long they plan to use the cable router. Those who operate many WLAN devices at home, e.g., in a smart home and use various devices in parallel or even want to use the box as online storage, are better off with the Fritzbox 6591.

Both models are available on Amazon:

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Fritzbox 6590 vs. 6591

Fritzbox 6590 or Fritzbox 6591 – Is the New One Worth It?

Currently, the Fritzbox 6590 is on average 100 euros cheaper than its successor. However, the lower price comes at the cost of performance. Overall, it pays off to choose the Fritzbox 6591, as it achieves faster data upload and download rates thanks to DOCSIS-3.1 and therefore offers higher network performance. Especially when the internet is used by multiple people and for streaming services, this proves to be an advantage over the 6590. Accordingly, the Fritzbox 6591 receives somewhat better customer ratings on Amazon.de.

Is it recommended to switch from the Fritzbox 6590 to the Fritzbox 6591?

The switch from the Fritzbox 6590 to the 6591 can be easily performed. For this reason alone, the option is tempting for some users. However, the upgrade is not necessarily worthwhile. In this case, it should be considered that users incur additional expenses through the new purchase of the router, which are not offset by the moderate performance advantages. However, those who do not yet own a Fritz! device can confidently choose the Fritzbox 6591. It should also be noted that Fritz devices have a high resale value, so the investment in the new device could pay off.