Netgear ex7500 XG Vs Netgear ex8000 – Which is the better Wi-Fi network extender
The Netgear ex7500 and ex8000 are two of the most highly rated Wi-Fi network extenders, but which one will best suit your needs?
A Wi-Fi extender is very important to ensure that a user is able to get their internet with great connection and full bars over a wide area, whether at home or in an office. Netgear has consistently made itself invaluable as a brand for Wi-Fi implements, particularly Wi-Fi net extenders like the Netgear ex7500 and the Netgear ex8000. These two extenders have become very popular and widely used because they offer efficient and reliable Wi-Fi extending services, making them worth their cost. They have similar functionalities and capabilities, due to the fact that they are part of a series from the same brand. However, it is their slight differences that make them suitable to different users.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Netgear ex7500 and Netgear ex8000?
Feature |
Netgear ex7500 |
Netgear ex8000 (Winner) |
Type |
Plug based |
Desktop |
No of Antennas |
1 |
6 |
Power supply required |
AC (wall outlet) |
DC (Power adapter) |
Ports |
None |
~ USB port (2.0)
~ 4 GB network port |
Speed (5GHz) |
Up to 860 Mbps |
Up to 1800 Mbps |
Wi-Fi technology |
Tri-band |
Tri-band |
Weight |
0.65lbs |
2lbs |
Dimensions (Inches) |
6.4*3.3*3 |
8.9*6.7*3.7 |
Netgear ex7500 Vs Netgear ex8000- How do they compare?
Speed
Measured at about 5 GHz, the Netgear ex7500 should give up to 860 Mbps while the Netgear ex8000 gives up to 1800 Mbps. In fact, the ex7500 has two channels; a 2.4 GHz one that offers speed of up to 400 Mbps and the aforementioned 5 GHz. The ex8000 also has a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz channel which offer the same speed as the ex7500 in addition to the 5 GHz with higher speed. The difference is significant, and the Netgear ex8000 has higher speed and performance.
Weight
The ex7500 and ex8000 are constructed very differently, which makes the ease and convenience of using them rather different. The ex8000 is very heavy for an extender at 2lbs while the ex7500 weighs a sturdy 0.65lbs.This makes the ex7500 easier to carry around and easier to mount against a wall or on top of a different device. The ex7500 is thereforeeasier to install and use because it is more portable and lighter to fix and mount.
Extender type
The ex7500 is a plug based extender, while the ex8000 is desktop based. This implies that the ex7500 has to be directly plugged into a socket for it to work with the current router. Finding a suitable location for it may be tricky because it blocks wall access to any adjacent sockets where it is plugged in and needs to be near the router. The ex8000 on the other hand, can be placed virtually anywhere near the router because it does not have such constraints, save for its weight which is not a big issue during placement. The ex8000 more convenient to use by being easier to place.
Ports
The ex7500 has no ports, while the ex8000 has two types of ports, one USB port and four Ethernet network ports. These are designed to allow it to be connected to a USB printer as well as other devices via Ethernet cables. Its ability to allow more devices to be connected to it aside from the main router makes the ex8000 better than the ex7500.
Netgear ex7500 Vs Netgear ex8000 – A comparison review
Netgear ex7500
- EXTENDED WIRELESS COVERAGE: Adds WiFi range coverage up to 2300 square feet, and connects up to 45...
- SEAMLESS SMART ROAMING: Uses your existing network SSID name so you never get disconnected as you move...
The Netgear ex7500 is the fourth instalment in the Ex-series of Wi-Fi router extenders by Netgear. It has become fairly popular because it guarantees the user of flawless smart roaming, an extended coverage of wireless internet together with a safe and secure connection. It is very simple to set up and install, and can be done by any home user with the help of the manual that comes as part of the package. It has a tri-band that offers a considerable bandwidth of up to 2200 Mbps, which would be suitable for both home and small office use. It is a plug in extender which easily fits a tri-prolonged wall socket and needs to be in close proximity to the main router.
Pros
- It is easy to set up, connect to and use
- It is very stable on a wall socket (tri-prolonged adapter)
- It is small, making it very portable
Cons
- Since it is an extender socket, it has periodic signal drop outs
Netgear ex8000
- Extended wireless coverage: Adds Wi-Fi range coverage up to 2500 square feet, and connects up to 50...
- Seamless smart roaming: Uses your existing network SSID name so you never get disconnected as you move...
The Netgear ex8000 is the sixth instalment in the ex-series by Netgear for Wi-Fi extenders. It has a Tri-band that offers a bandwidth of up to 3000 Mbps. It has technology that is Fastlane3 coupled with a processor that is Quad-core, making the extender very fast, reliable and efficient. These featuresmake it very suitable for both small and large office use. It has two types of ports, a USB port and four Ethernet ones. The USB port is ideal for printers, while the Ethernet cables allow the user to manually connect to the router, which is said to give faster speed. It is rather heavy, at 2lbs, which is greatly due to its large heat sink, which is a small price to pay for its powerful processor.
Pros
- Its set up and use is very simple
- It has a very high speed which increases download speed and eliminates signal variations
- It has a power adapter which makes its placing flexible and easy
Cons
- It is big and heavy compared to a conventional extender
Conclusion
Netgear ex8000 is clearly more advanced in its features and processor, which makes it the better option. However the decision on which one to buy should be based on the individual need of a potential buyer. The Netgear ex 7500 is very functional and just as easy to use. Both devices give good value for money, while being efficient and reliable.
Verdict- So which is better, Netgear ex7500 or Netgear ex8000?
All factors considered, the Netgear ex 8000 would be the better choice of the two because despite its heavy weight, it has a better processer and offers wider coverage with faster speed.
FAQs
Is it viable to use the Netgear ex7500 Wi-Fi extender simultaneously with another similar one?
Yes, it is possible to use two Netgear ex7500 extenders at the same time, or even the combination of the ex7500 and a different Netgear extender, say the ex7700, but with a few limitations. The major one is that each extender needs to be connected directly to the main router. This implies that the two extenders should not be wirelessly connected, otherwise one of the two will give unsatisfactory performance. Therefore one should be connected by LAN and the other can be wireless. Since the ex7500 does not support LAN connection, then the extender it is paired with needs to have the AC feature.
How do you reset the Netgear Extender ex8000?
- Ensure the power light is on
- Find the Reset button on the extender
- Hold this button down for 8 seconds
- Release the button and give the extender time to re-boot
