Asus AC1750 vs. Netgear AC1750 – are these AC1750 routers the same?
Thanks to the increasing gaggle of products that can connect to the internet, the need for a good, solid router is becoming increasingly important to handle the increasing bandwidth demands, such as what we will see in our review of the Asus AC1750 and Netgear AC1750.
Looking at the Netgear AC1750 and ASUS AC1750, it is easy to wonder if they are truly the same – after all, they are both AC1750 routers. the Ac1750 notation means that they are both 802.11ac networking standard supporters, while the 1750 means they can attain theoretical speeds of 1750 Mbps – the 2.4GHz band supporting a speed of 450 Mbps, while the 5GHz band supporting a speed of 1300 Mbps.
Even though both seem similar, they are also quite different due to several reasons, and our tests of both go a long way to explain why this is the case.They also carry differences in their physical attributes, such as the ASUS AC1750 being a portable router while the Netgear AC1750 is a bulkier option – and yes, that is in spite of them having the seemingly same level of performance.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between ASUS AC1750 and Netgear AC1750?
ASUS AC1750 (Winner) |
Netgear AC1750 |
|
Actual Throughput speeds(in close proximity) |
97 Mbps (2.4GHz), 551 Mbps (5GHz) |
48 Mbps (2.4GHz), 211 Mbps (5GHz) |
Dimensions (inches) |
5.8 x 1.7 x 8.5 (the more portable choice) |
11.2 x 7.3 x 1.9 (the bigger router) |
Connectivity technology |
USB 2.0, USB 3.0 |
Wi-Fi |
Upload speeds |
50 Mbps |
60 Mbps |
Download speeds |
10 Mbps |
10-15 Mbps |
ASUS AC1750 vs. Netgear AC1750 – How they compare
Design
The Asus AC1750 comes in dimensions of 1.7 x 8.5 x 5.8 inches, and it also has non-removable antennas (although you can adjust them). All the important ports and buttons are in its rear, except for the USB 3.0 port that you will find at its front. For its power source, it sues a dual-core, 1GHz CPU, and is a 3×3 router that supports MU-MIMO data streaming and beam forming.
The Netgear AC1750, on the other hand, has a very nice and strong design. The design is very similar to Netgear Nighthawk routers, with a wide base and feet comprised of rubber that prevent sliding on surfaces. If you have space constraints, you can also mount it on a wall if you wish to do so.
Like the Asus AC1750, there is a single USB 3.0 port, and antennas will improve its reception even if you are using it in a large space. Unlike the Asus AC1750 though, the antennas are removable, and you can also adjust them, which makes it easier to replace them if they are damaged.
The LEDs are quite many too – up to 12 on the front, and you can switch them off if they are too bright for you. The router also remains cool throughout use thanks to the ventilation holes on the sides and back.
Setup features
Managing the ASUS AC1750 involves using the AsusWRT console, which is web-based, or you can choose to manage it through the Asus Router app for both Android and iOS devices. When using the console, it will open to a screen that has an advanced settings menu on its left, a System status panel on its right, and a network map in its center. It also has a General menu, which will contain the USB applications and Guest Networking profiles, and a Traffic Analyzer that will display the use of the network at different times.
In addition to this, the AiProtection settings allow for configuration of the Trend Micro protection settings, which include router security assessments and two-way Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). The configuration of other network settings like Firewalls, IPv6 and VPN are all in the advanced menu options.
The Netgear AC1750 uses the Netgear Genie app for its setup and use, rather than forcing you to manage it through a web browser on your laptop or desktop PC. Measuring 11.2 x 7.3 x 1.9 inches, it is still quite lightweight despite its size, and you can easily mount it on a wall.
Performance
The ASUS AC1750 follows the trend of today’s routers being very easy to set up, as it will require connection to a desktop PC and waiting for an internet connection. In the web browser’s search bar, you type in https://router.asus.com, which will automatically launch the Setup utility. You can then change the password and username, verify the IP address, and you are done.
In terms of performance, the ASUS AC1750 is still impressive, and even surpasses other budget routers we have seen. The 2.4GHz band gives a throughput of 97 Mbps with a 30-foot speed of 65 Mbps, and the 5GHz band still retains the same advantages, reaching a score of 551 Mbps in close proximity and 230 Mbps at 30 feet.
The file transfer speed is the shaky part, though. We tested it using a 1.5GB folder that contained videos, photos, music, and documents, and found the write speed to be 34 Mbps, while the read speed was 38 Mbps.
The case is similar in many ways for the AC1750, which also has good speeds. The router performs at its best when you use theFAT32 and NTFS formats compared to most AC routers, including the Asus AC1750. It also does well when you are at mid-distance from the device, which is around 10 feet away, delivering an average throughput of 211 Mbps for the 5GHz band. The 2.4GHz band has a much lower speed though, making it just as challenging – with a throughput of 48 Mbps at short range.
ASUS AC1750 vs. Netgear AC1750 – A comparison review
ASUS AC1750 – Overview
- 1GHz CPU powers dual-band 3x3 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology for speeds up to 1750Mbps and wide, responsive...
- Monitor and manage your network with ease from your mobile device using the intuitive ASUS Router App;...
If you are searching for budget-friendly routers in the market that still give you great performance, then this might be among the best ones for you. It is packed with features, easy to install, and will give you solid performance and throughput for your needs. Like other budget picks though, there are some struggles you will encounter with it – such as middling file transfer – but there are other redeeming qualities with it.
The ASUS AC1750 is a dual-band router that is still the same in design as you would expect from any other router, but it has some important upgrades in form of its new chip set, AiProtection from the Trend Micro Company, addition of a USB 3.0 port, and added compatibility with the AiMesh technology from Asus that allows you to make a mesh network even if you are using a series of different Asus router models.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Throughput performance is impressive
- Very good parental controls and protection against malware
- Four LAN ports for greater efficiency
Cons
- Antennas are non-removable
- File transfer performance is middling
Netgear AC1750 – Overview
- Maximum Range : 1500 Sq Ft
- Recommended for up to 25 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
Also known as the Netgear R6700, this is among the bestselling routers because of its affordability – however, it does lack plenty of advanced features that you will expect from higher end models. If you need something that can cover your basic needs though, it should do the job just fine.
To manage its performance, you require the Genie app or the web interface – both which are very user-friendly and intuitive (though slightly outdated), which makes it easy to monitor its performance, and make adjustments.
Pros
- Very good throughput speeds
- Very fast storage/NAS performance
- A fairly compelling set of features
- Good for general streaming and gaming
- Exceptional range because of beam forming
- Supports VPN
Cons
- Its wall wart is exceedingly large
- Firmware is average in performance, which means you will need to upgrade it
- Unsatisfactory performance on the 2.4GHz band
Verdict: so which is better? The ASUS AC1750 or the Netgear AC1750?
When all is said and done, the ASUS AC1750 is our clear winner of this review. This decision is due to the budget friendly price, and this brings to light its great performance and compelling feature set that proves useful for your operations.
Frequently asked questions
How can I update the ASUS AC1750 firmware?
First, you open a web browser and navigate to https://router.asus.com. If there is any update available, a pop-up message appears on the top right of the screen. When you tap on ‘Update Now’, it leads you to the System page, where you can do the firmware upgrade.
Where can I find the WPS button on the Netgear AC1750?
The WPS button is always at the back of the router. To connect to it, you will need to connect your mobile to the WPS network on the computer.
