Apple router vs. Netgear – Which one should i buy?
Since we live in the days of gaming, surfing, streaming, and so much more, it is very important to have a router that is worthy of these activities instead of slowing you down.
Technological advancements are increasing, and that means more devices require internet connectivity. That makes it important to select a router that can accommodate their needs. We set out to investigate and compare the Apple and Netgear routers for this reason, in order to see their attributes (especially in terms of performance).
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Apple routers vs. Netgear?
Apple |
Netgear (Winner) |
|
Wi-Fi technology |
802.11 ac |
Tri-band, AC5300 |
Wi-Fithroughput speed |
450 Mbps |
1000 Mbps |
Coverage |
150 sq. ft. |
1200 sq. ft. |
Dimensions (in inches) |
6.6 x 3.85 x 3.85 |
12.4 x 10.4 x 2.4 |
Apple router vs. Netgear – How they compare
Design of the routers
When it comes to the appearance of the routers, they are quite different in how they actualize space. Both of them are large, but the Apple chooses to focus on performance – which means their router is taller and the antennas are at the top. This is in contrast to the Netgear, which employs a horizontaldesign that is space-intensive and difficult to place in tighter spots.
The design of the Apple router increases its efficiency, as the antennas provide a higher platform that can disperse the signal even further. The antennas are also more than what you will find in some Netgear models, coming in at 6 in contrast to the Netgear’s 4 to 8 – in the Apple one, three cover the 5GHz band, and three cover the 2.4GHz band. The front is quite sleek, lacking any ports, and the LED is similar to the Netgear as it is only one and will either flash green (active connection) or orange (if there are any problems).
The number of antennas you will find in every Netgear router will vary, as some come with three routers (one 2.4GHz and two 5GHz), and some coming in with four antennas. The LED design is not much though, as they will usually have only one LED light, and a switch at the back that you can use to turn it off.
Software
Both routers have a fast setup mechanism, though their approach will be slightly different – the Apple router’s setup software will exclusively cater to iOS devices (understandably so, though this limits the people that can use it), while the Netgear app caters for both Android and iOS.
When you use the Apple router, the setup of the Wi-Fi network is easy and quick. This is due to the inclusion of a Wi-Fi setup assistant, which is built in the modem and your iOS device. The moment you plug the router in and connect it to your cable modem or DSL, you can then follow the instructions on your iOS device or Mac.
On the other hand, the Netgear will use the Smart Wizard software, which is usually included in the Netgear wireless adapter. Depending on the specific wireless security you use (either WPA or WEP), the specific method of configuration will be slightly different.
Performance
Like the Netgear, the Apple router supports every Wi-Fi client regardless of the standard they use, especially for the Wireless-N (802.11n) and 802.11ac. When you contrast the Apple with other routers, you will not see much of a difference, even with the Netgear – but it begins to shine when the distance between the router and your device increases. When the distance is at least 10 meters, it will produce enough power to give you a Wi-Fi speed of up to 160 Mbps – and this can easily blow the competition away. When you use it in 11ac mode, the speed is even faster. However, the USB connectivity is quite slow, as the USB 2.0 architecture limits it significantly to less than 20 Mbps.
When using the Netgear, you will note that it can achieve a maximum throughput of 1.9 Gbps, and its ability to connect many devices increases its overall efficiency and speeds. This makes it suitable for homes that have thicker walls, such as suburban homes, and its long range of up to 150 feet will surpass the Apple router that has a slightly lower range of 140 feet.
For both its 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrums, it will give good ranges of speed and reliability, ranging from 92 Mbps and 104 Mbps within 5 feet. The speeds will however drop as you move further away, unlike the Apple router which shines at longer distances.
Apple router vs. Netgear – A comparison review
Apple router – Overview
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Apple products are always famous when it comes to their ease of use, as well as their simple design – and this router follows the same trend. It does stand tall among others, but still maintains a small footprint without antennas or protrusions like legs. The device is also capable of hosting up to 30 simultaneous connections, and can prove useful to you in the long term.
It supports dual-band broadcasting from simultaneous connections, and this is thanks to its throughput of 1300 Mbps (when using the 5GHz band) and 450 Mbps (when using the 2.4GHz band). The router has 3 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, and this is far from the usual standard routers that have 4 ports. If you want to add some ports, you can connect a hub to do so.
This router does not come with parental controls, QoS (quality of Service), or WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia), therefore it cannot guarantee predictable network behavior or prioritizedifferent varieties of network traffic. Instead. It relies on the device itself to choose the optimal band.
Also, it lacks support for SPI protocols (Stateful Packet Inspection), which can allow for network packet screening and seeing whether they have malicious content. Rather than this, its firewall supports NAT (Network Address Translation), which will then present one IP address to the internet and hide the addresses of the other connected devices.
If you have a large home and plenty of Apple devices in your home, then the Apple router is best for you. Its signal is also powerful enough to ensure that you are getting optimum signals even at longer distances.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Very strong signal that can accommodate multiple devices
- Durable construction
- Reliable performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Does not allow for media streaming through the USB storage, or Time Machine backup
Netgear router – Overview
There is plenty to love about the Netgear router, as the company aims to create products that give you quality service. The devices are also smaller, and the tri-band connection makes it highly effective when it comes to surfing speed and Wi-Fi connection. The router will also include support for MU-MIMO technology and in-built antennas.
The major disadvantage that it has is the size, as it is deemed too big to position in an inconspicuous area. Regardless of the specific Netgear model you are dealing with, the mechanism is powerful and the performance is quite impressive.
Some of the best Netgear router models available here include:
Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart router
- Fast WIFI Performance: Get up to 2500 sq ft wireless coverage with AD7200 speed (Tri-band up to 800 +...
- Recommended Up to 45 Devised: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart...
Despite its high price, this provides a great way that future-proofs your wireless networks. It has a throughput of 5 GHz and an internet speed of 60 GHz (maximum).
Netgear AC1200 R6220
- AC1200 WiFi-300+867 Mbps speeds
- External antennas for improved Wi-Fi coverage
This is the more relatively affordable choice among the Netgear routers. It also comes with a USB port, a great selection of management settings to allow for full control, and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology.
Netgear X4S R7800
- Fast wifi performance: Get up to 2500 square feet wireless coverage with AC2600 speed (Dual band up to...
- Recommended for up to 45 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
This will deliver strong MU-MIMO performance and 5GHz throughput, and the web console gives you plenty of management options while still remaining user-friendly.
Netgear X8
- Get fastest speeds available up to 5.3Gbps. Up to 1,000 Mbps @ 2.4GHz 1024 QAM. Up to 2,166 Mbps @ 5 GHz...
- Tri-band WiFi/Quad Stream/MU-MIMO delivers more WiFi to your devices. Smart Connect intelligently selects...
This has all the benefits that come with the X6, along with amplified antennas and high surfing speed, but the drawback is its prohibitive cost.
Pros
- It has very fast data transfer speeds
- Very good performance
- Packed with a variety of features
- Generally supports multi-user input
Cons
- Very costly
- Takes up big spaces
Verdict: So which is better? The Apple router or Netgear?
The features of the Apple router are great, but they might not be sufficient if you want advanced customization and features, which is why the Netgear is our pick from this review.
Frequently asked questions
How can I configure my Apple router?
There are 2 ways, depending on the OS you use. After using these methods, go to the Base Station Chooser and choose the primary Wi-Fi base station, then select Continue. The methods are:
If you are using Windows, go to the Start menu, select All Programs, and then select AirPort to start AirPort Utility.
If you are using Mac, go to the desktop and select Go. Click on Applications, then open the Utilities folder. Select open AirPort Utility.
Is it advantageous to use Apple routers?
Yes, as long as you have the capacity to set it up. The new generations of Apple routers all have good signal dispersion and internet speeds, as well as being more compact to fit smaller rooms.
How long can I expect my Netgear router to last?
The general rule is to upgrade the router after every three to four years. This will account for the frequency that people use to upgrade computers and smartphones.
