Netgear N300 Vs Tp-Link N300- A battle of the two routers
gRange extenders and routers both help in the dispersion of WiFi signals within their respective environment. Range extenders will, however, cover a large area when compared to routers.
The router in our office was provided by our service provider as they installed the internet, so the problem was that it didn’t have many customization options, the functionality options were also limited and it was buggy. This then prompted our search for another router to see if it would perform better and if it allowed personalization.
Routers provide WiFi signals but are limited in coverage, the reason why many people also invest in the range extenders; the latter have been configured to repeat the wireless signal from the router to expand network coverage. We therefore, settled on the Netgear N300 router and the Tp Link N300 range extender, as we searched for a replacement.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between Netgear N300 and Tp-Link N300
Model |
Netgear N300 (Winner) |
Tp-Link N300 |
Speed |
17.8mbps- Download speeds
27.9mbps-Upload speeds |
300mbps (dynamic) 11g
54mbps(dynamic)11b and 11mbps (dynamic) |
Frequency range |
2.4GHZ |
2.4~2.4835GHz |
Wireless standard |
803.11bgn |
802.11b |
Netgear N300 vs Tp-Link N300- How do they compare
Design
The Netgear wireless router features a very responsive design that allows it to be integrated into different environments. The unit stands upright and doesn’t have antennas like most routers, which, makes placement quite easy. Remember that for your router to perform exceptionally well especially those with antennas, they have to be placed in an open space and that is why the Netgear N300 seems easy to use.
The unit has an intuitive interface that allows for easy operation, for example, it has a lock button, and there is the led light, which indicates internet connectivity among other features. At the back you have been provided with four LAN ports and one internet port, then there is an on and off button. The unit has also been protected from overheating via the side and top perforations that enable air circulation within the route.
The Tp-Link N300, on the other hand, is a range extender that has to be set on an electrical socket for it to work, and because of that, it has quite a compact structure, with the functional features marked at the bottom right. On the underside of the range extender, there is a port for easy connection of external digital devices, such as the gaming console, desktop computers, and TV’s.
Speeds
When using a router, you can only achieve faster speeds if your ISP can match your router speeds, failure to which the speeds will remain low even if your router is high performing. The Tp Link N300 does offer high networking speeds, but remember it is a range extender so it does more than what a router will typically do. The unit therefore captures Wi-Fi from the router, and rebroadcasts to areas within the select environment that are experiencing weak or nonexistent WiFi signals.
The Netgear N300 offers up to 17.8 Mbps download speeds and 27.9mbps upload speeds, the performance of the N300 is not up to par because the standard set download speeds should be at least 25mbps and the upload speeds need to be at least 3mbps, well for the upload it works fine but we also have to consider the ISP.
So to use your internet speeds effectively you also need to consider usage while at home, and this is with regards to the number of devices connected and the activities that they are engaging in, if many are running the bandwidth-intensive activities then some devices will experience lag.
Netgear N300 vs Tp-Link N300- A comparison overview
Netgear N300- Overview
- Supports Windows 8
- Fast downloads and online gaming with speeds up to 300 Mbps
The best feature of the Netgear N300 router is that it gives users the freedom to customize their network usage, a feature that they can access through the Netgear genie application. That means that in an office or home setting users will be able to monitor and control internet usage, they can also repair their home networks.
Another significant feature is the parental control, that comes effective if the router has been adopted for home use. The admin, therefore, has centralized control for all the devices that have been connected to the network. The security features in this unit make it effective for office use given the sensitivity of the information that is passed through the various networking devices.
Pros
- Easy and fast to install
- Allows external device connection
- Integrated an easy to use interface
- Has Netgear lifetime warranty
Cons
- Firmware not very effective
- Doesn’t offer seamless connection with windows 7 laptop
Tp-Link N300-Overview
- Range Extender mode boosts wireless signal to previously unreachable or hard-to-wire areas flawlessly
- Miniature size and wall-mounted design make it easy to deploy and move flexibly
The Tp-Link N300 is compact making it easy to mount on the walls or move. Operating the unit has been made flawless with the incorporation of the buttons; such that when you want to expand the wireless coverage, all you need to do is push the range extender button.
The unit has been equipped with an Ethernet port at the bottom part of the range extender thus allows it to function as a wireless adapter and connect to the wired devices. And for the customization options, you can download the tether application on your phone and tweak it to suit your needs.
You must have noticed the led light function at the bottom right well this can be quite annoying when you are trying to get some sleep at night, not to worry though because the Tp-Link N300 features a night mode option, which reduces the bright light to dim without affecting signal strength and connectivity.
Pros
- Set and placement is easy and flexible
- Features a smart signal indicator light that helps to tell of the signal strength
- Customization and management is easy via the tether application
- The compact size makes it easy to mount
Cons
- Needs to be rebooted weekly
- Speeds are low
Conclusion
The Netgear N300 comes highly recommended in areas where there are bandwidth-intensive activities, while the Tp-Link N300 can best be utilized in areas where the connected devices are not too many because the speeds are not as fast, therefore, some devices will experience weak signal strengths. If you are to take full advantage of the Tp-Link then ensure that your ISP provider also offers strong signals.
Verdict; so, which is better? The Netgear N300 or the Tp-Link N300
Despite the fact that the Tp-Link N300 is used to extend WiFi range in the home or office, it doesn’t match up to the speeds that are offered by the Netgear N300 because many users would prefer to connect directly to the router than using the Tp-link N300. The Netgear N300, therefore, emerges as the best networking device when it comes to offering high speeds and connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is it possible for my Tp-Link n300 range extender to work with an access point or a router that is not from Tp-Link?
Yes your Tp-Link N300 range extender can work very well with an access point or router that is not a product of Tp-Link
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Is it possible to change the Netgear N300 router login username from admin?
No, it is not possible, you cannot change the router’s login username but you can change the admin password.
