Belkin N300 VS Netgear N300 – which provides better performance?
Are you looking for an affordable and budget friendly router? If so, consider either the Belkin N300 or Netgear N300. In the following article, we’ll provide their major features and provide a detailed review of their performance to see which one suits you most.
In today’s world, it is almost impossible to live without a router. If you are new to routers and are looking for an entry level router below fifty bucks, consider any N300 router. Among the best are the Netgear N300 WNR3000 and Belkin’s N300. The N usually denotes the maximum theoretical throughput speed provided by the router which is 300 Mbps. This however does not mean they have same performance because a lot of factors go into the performance of a router. With internet slowly becoming a ‘basic’ need, these routers are great introductions for anyone looking for their first router. the following are the major differences.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Belkin N300 and Netgear N300?
Model |
Belkin N300 (Winner) |
Netgear N300 |
MU-MIMO |
No |
No |
Beamforming |
Yes |
No |
Ports |
6 |
5 |
Chipset |
Broadcom BCM4708 dual core 800Mhz processor |
1Ghz dual-core processor |
Speed (Long range) |
300 Mbps
|
300 Mbps
|
Antenna |
3 internal |
3 internal |
Availability |
Belkin N300 vs Netgear N300 – How do they compare?
Speed
The speed and performance of the routers vary by a large margin. Although both are rated as 300 Mbps routers, they provide different speeds when tested in a real world environment. The Netgear boasts higher speeds beating the Belkin in this category. A test revealed that the Netgear provided a speed of about 80 Mbps while the Belkin came in at 69 Mbps. Furthermore, it is important to remember that both are single band routers so don’t expect super performance from them. The speeds are enough for regular day to day surfing, checking mails and socials and generally small tasks. In addition, being single band limits the number of connected people. Even the Netgear with higher bandwidth struggles when too many devices, usually above four, are connected. For higher speeds however, go with Netgear N300 WND3000.
Design
Another factor to always consider is the physical design of the router. Usually, design depends on the buyer’s personal taste and preference. The Belkin N300 and Netgear N300 differ quite a lot in design. While the Netgear takes a rectangular box shape, the Belkin features an oval design with a foot stand. The very unique design stands out among all router in general. It is strikingly beautiful and this is why we think it takes this category. The Belkin is also more practical as it is lighter and smaller making it easy to place around the house. On the other hand, the Netgear router is bulky which is great for durability. Overall, Belkin N300 looks much elegant and features a more practical design
Range
The range refers to the maximum distance or area the router can cover wirelessly. With both products being single band routers, don’t expect much coverage with these routers. Once again, the Belkin is better because it provides slightly more range. A test revealed that Belkin covers up to 650 sq. feet which is more compared to the Netgear’s 550 sq. feet. In addition to this, the Belkin router is equipped with beamforming known as MultiBeam technology that ensures connection is steady even for devices far away from the router. Netgear N300 struggles to maintain stable connections for devices out of its comfort zone. Therefore, if you have a relatively large small house, go for the Belkin as it will serve you better.
Ports
Ports are essential as they ensure high speed devices are connected through cable. Usually, the more the ports, the better the router is. Belkin is better than the Netgear N300. This is because it has six ports: four gigabit Ethernet LAN, one WAN and one USB port. On the other hand, the Netgear features a total of five ports: four gigabit Ethernet LAN and one WAN port. With an extra USB port, devices such as printers can be connected directly multiple users.
Belkin N300 vs Netgear N300 – A comparison guide
Belkin N300
- MultiBeam technology for a high-powered signal throughout your home
- Easy setup for getting your network up and running in 3 steps
Entry level routers such as Belkin N300 are great for first time users and people on a tight budget. Not only does it get the job done, but does it at a very low price. The Belkin N300 is also excellent for small households that don’t exceed four connections at a time. Being a single band router, not many devices can be connected to it before it starts struggling. It is the perfect choice for students living alone because of this. However, when connected the router does a fantastic job with seamless and steady connection. First, it provides decent speed of 69 Mbps which is enough for day to day use such as social media, email and research. In addition, it comes with a special MultiBeam technology that ensures connection is stable even for devices far away from the router.
The Belkin N300 comes with a lot of ports for a router in its caliber. There are six ports: 4 LAN ports, 1 WAN and a USB 2.0 port. With these, you can connect devices that require high speed connection such as your smart TV or laptop. It is also small, round with a foot stand for support. The unique design is rather beautiful compared to other entry level routers
Pros
- Very easy to setup and configure
- Cheap and affordable for almost everyone
- Steady and seamless connection for devices that are far away through MultiBeam technology
- The design is beautiful and attractive
Cons
- The technical support team is unresponsive
Netgear N300
- Supports Windows 8
- Fast downloads and online gaming with speeds up to 300 Mbps
Netgear is known for its top quality products and the N300 is no exception. It is a single band router with a simple yet elegant design. The unit comes in black and features a rectangular box shape that is placed vertically. For some, this design may be limiting since it consumes space. On top of this, it uses the bulky design that we’ve seen in many Netgear routers before. This together with the solid and sturdy build materials ensures durability of the router. Like the previous router, don’t expect much in terms of speed and performance. Netgear’s N300 provides speeds of about 72 Mbps which is rather decent compared to other low budget routers. Furthermore, it comes with a 90 day basic support meaning you get free service until it runs smoothly.
Pros
- Relatively high speed of 72 Mbps
- Robust parental controls that are powered by openDNS
- It is easy to setup
- It comes with a 90 day free support service
- Sturdy design ensures durability
Cons
- Unstable connection that needs restarting
Conclusion
When looking for the best router, we take the one that suits our needs best. The routers are both entry level. If you’re looking for a cheap router for a quick fix, the Belkin N300 is definitely the router for you. Otherwise, for faster speeds and range, the Netgear N300 is better for you
Final Verdict – which is better of the two?
When you put all factors into consideration, Belkin N300 is a better router than the Netgear N300. It is affordable, offers fast speeds, better range and has an excellent design.
FAQs
- Does the Belkin N300 support beamforming?
Yes. It is known as MultiBeam technology and makes the connection steady
- Does the netgear N300 Alexa overheat?
No. It has a mesh-like design wall that allows heat and air to circulate for cooling purposes.
