Apple Airport Express Vs Netgear N600- Which Router performs better
Using a router means that you are using a different IP from your locally assigned IP, which then gives you a different level of security that protects your system from external interference or hackers.
It is hard to imagine what is worse than running through the whole house trying to find the right spot where the network bar will be full or just add one bar? Well, I have been having my router for about 3 years now and I know I have pulled out hair off my head more than once because it keeps dropping the internet signals when I need them the most.
So since I need to get work done fast I thought of getting another new router and was stuck between the Apple Airport Express and the Netgear N600. The excerpt below will, therefore, discuss our findings and suggest the best router for both the office and home environment.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Apple Airport Express and the Netgear N600?
Model |
Apple Airport Express |
Netgear N600 (Winner) |
Speed |
450mbps at 5GHz
225mbps at 2.4GHz |
300mbps Upload Speeds
300mbps download speeds |
Number of devices |
10 devices |
64 devices |
Wireless Communication standard |
802.11n |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Wireless Type |
2.4GHz Radio Frequency |
2.4GHz and 5GHz Radio Frequency |
The Apple Airport Express vs the Netgear N600- How do they compare?
Speeds
The Apple Airport Express offers speeds of up to 450mbps at 5GHz, which does not offer much coverage but you can be sure that it will transmit data at faster speeds. Routers that can run the 5GHz frequency can seamlessly upload and download files faster. Besides, the incorporated 2.4GHz band has been known to offer effective long-range coverage, but it will however transmit data at slower speeds.
Netgear N600 on the other hand offers users high upload and download speeds at 300mbps. Well, according to FCC, download speeds should not go below 25mbps and the upload speeds should not be less than 3mbps; meaning that the Netgear N600 can cater to the higher bandwidth applications without interfering with the speed offered to the devices engaging in the lower bandwidth application.
The Netgear N600 is a better performer in speeds and range, first because it is a dual band router, and utilizes both the old and new wireless communication standards.
Devices
If you are looking to install a router that can cater to many devices with minimal latency then the Netgear N600 is your router because it has been configured to accommodate up to 32 devices on each band giving a total of 64 devices that can be effectively catered to with strong Wi-Fi signals. With this kind of performance, the router can be adapted to a busy business, office, or school environment.
The Apple Airport Express cannot cater to many devices thus making it useful at home, with this unit, you will, therefore, connect only 10 devices. But if you must use the Apple devices, then you can opt for the Apple Airport Extreme which allows a large capacity of devices, and here you will get to connect up to 50 devices simultaneously.
Design
When it comes to design the Apple Airport Express turns out to be the smallest networking device in its category, but this structure works in its favor as it is very easy to deploy and it will easily complement your décor. All the wired connections are to be found at the back of the unit, including the USB port, the front panel is clear and all you will get to see is the beautiful white apple.
The Netgear N600 features a flat design but can assume many different deployment positions with regard to the available space. Remember that the positioning of your router has a lot to do with the Wi-Fi signals that the connected devices receive. So with the above in mind, you can either position your router upright or lay it flat.
Netgear N600 router has the control led lights at the front panel, which will inform you if the unit is up and running and if it is getting the right internet signals. To connect the wired devices in your network, the router has incorporated the Ethernet ports, the power port, and the USB port at the back of the router complete with the WPS button.
Apple Airport Express vs Netgear N600- A Comparison Overview
Apple Airport Express Overview
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The Apple Airport Express is a good networking base station that comes with a variety of good features but performance is not one of them, at least when compared to the Netgear N600. Some of its strong points is that connection to the DSL or cable modem is super easy and smooth via your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone.
You can also use it to stream and play music from your iTunes library to your Ios device or computer and then forward it wirelessly to the speakers in your home, you will, however, have to purchase an audio cable separately. Even better is that the incorporated USB port will work with your printer, giving the PC and MAC devices a chance to use the printer.
Another feature that makes the Apple Airport Express attractive is that it is compatible with most of the wireless communication standards meaning that it can comfortably integrate with most if not all of the Wi-Fi devices.
Pros
- Has been equipped with a built-in firewall for network protection
- The unit is portable and easy to deploy
- Compatible with almost all the Wi-Fi devices
- Set up and use does not involve a steep learning curve
Cons
- Has a limited shelf life
- Can fail to work with your ISP
Netgear N600 Overview
- Faster WiFi Speed: N600 Dual Band WiFi delivers 300 + 300Mbps
- Ideal WiFi range for medium to large homes. System Requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10,Vista, XP,...
Netgear as a brand offers some of the most high-performance routers, and the N600 is not any different because for one it offers faster download and upload speeds. The incorporated Ethernet ports are super fast but remember the unit has been specially configured to carry out the basic networking activities, such as browsing, downloading and video streaming.
Pros
- Easy to deploy via the two placement designs
- The router is a simultaneous dual-band thus reduces interferences
- Supports Windows 8
- Offers high upload and download speeds
Cons
- Users complain of slow download speeds
- Users experience hiccups with the Wi-Fi
Conclusion
The Apple Airport Express is a completely toned down router and can only be used in an environment that is not very busy; the Netgear, on the other hand, has been equipped with enhanced networking features to be adapted in a busy environment such as a school, office or business.
Verdict; so which is the better router? The Apple Airport Express or the Netgear N600
The Netgear N600 is the better router because it offers high upload and download speeds making it a good fit for the bandwidth intensive applications. The router can also accommodate up to 64 devices while supplying them with high signal strengths simultaneously and even better is that it features the latest wireless communication standard that enhances the performance of the router.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I use Airport Express as a Wi-Fi extender?
If you are using the Airport extreme as your primary router, then you can easily configure your Airport express device to work with the extreme as a Wi-Fi extender utilizing Ethernet or Wi-Fi, however, for good results, it would be best if you connected the devices using Ethernet.
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Is the Netgear N600 a good router for streaming?
The Netgear N600 is the best router for streaming first because it offers a secure wireless connection; it has incorporated the ready share feature for the USB wireless access, sharing, and storage. The router also features high upload and download speeds to allow users to cater to the bandwidth-intensive applications. It has also been equipped with the latest wireless communication standard that enhances networking speeds.