Netgear N600 vs.Netgear AC1750 – which is the better Netgear choice?
In these times, having a good internet connection that is reliable is very important, because plenty of your activities depend on it. It is only the best routers like the Netgear N600 and AC1750 that can get you there, which makes it important to choose one that works well for your needs.
With that said, not all routers are equal. Good routers always mean great internet connection, and the best routers will add some useful features like covering large areas.That brings us to the Netgear N600 and AC1750, two offerings from Netgear, a well-known company specializing in the best routers, yet they are quite different.
For the Netgear N600, this router supports the N standard. The 802.11n was the first connection standard to use the MU-MIMO connectivity technology (it spreads the signal across two bands, the 5GHz and 2.4GHz), and came in 2009, with the maximum theoretical speed being 600 Mbps. On the other hand, the AC1750 uses the 802.11ac standard, a later standard that supports both old and new devices, and the maximum speed is 1750 Mbps.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the N600 and AC1750?
Netgear N600 (Winner) |
Netgear AC1750 |
|
Throughput speed (average) |
75.8 Mbps |
110 Mbps |
Dimensions (in inches) |
6.89 x 4.53 x 1.0 (the more portable router) |
12 x 10.1 x 4.1 (twice as large as the N600) |
Wireless communication |
802.11n/g/b/a |
802.11ac |
Download speed |
50 Mbps |
60 Mbps |
Upload speed |
10 Mbps |
10 Mbps |
Netgear N600 vs. AC1750 – How they compare
Throughput speeds
In the case of the N600 router, it is a dual-band router, which comes with an expected throughput of 300 Mbps. When we did our testing to see the actual performance, we found that it exceeded half of the theoretical throughput – and if a router can achieve half of its advertised performance, then it is a good choice. In fact, the N600 achieves a maximum throughput of 121 Mbps (65.4 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and 75.8 Mbps on the 5GHz band), which also happens to remain steady even when you move 30 feet from the router.
In the case of the AC1750, the actual speeds are actually quite impressive, even though they did not match up to the theoretical speed, with the actual throughput reaching 400 Mbps when you use it at a distance of 5 feet from the router. The theoretical throughput to expect from the AC1750 is up to 450 Mbps, while the 5GHz band produces a theoretical speed of 1300 Mbps, which total to 1750 Mbps.
Setup
Even though the process of setting up the N600 is not always as seamless as what you would find in some other route options (including the AC1750), the manufacturer, Netgear, goes out of its way to make it as easy as possible. This is through the Genie app. While you will require some basic knowledge of networking in order to set up the router correctly, the Genie app is nevertheless a major improvement over the Setup Wizard that older Netgear routers used.
The app itself will give you a more logical process to follow when setting up the system, and even offers graphics to help you understand the process. The only criticism we may have with the Genie app setup is that the instructions are too detailed, which might not make much sense as the router itself is targeted to a tech-savvy user.
The AC1750 router is similarly easy in installation, especially due to the intuitive interface. In some cases, such as the Netgear AC1750, the router automatically sets up a wizard to make the process easier – though you will need to update the firmware afterwards.
Design
We must say that as time goes by, routers are increasingly becoming sleeker and thinner in design. However, the case is different for the N600, as Netgear has not gone too far from the older RangeMax router that they made some years before the N600. The router itself is large by the standards of today’s routers, weighing slightly more than one pound and measuring 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches.
The good news here is the inclusion of a stand, which will allow you to place the N600 in a vertical position. This also allows for placement flexibility and more positioning options. Its front panel has 2 buttons – one for disabling the wireless signal, and one for WPS. The rear, on the other hand, houses a USB port where you can attach external storage, a WAN port, and four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
On the other hand, most AC1750 routers will use a 720MHz CPU, and are quite big – measuring 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches. The most noticeable attribute of the AC1750, is the dual-band capability. Your older devices can use the 2.4GHz band, and the newer ones the 5GHz band. The major disadvantage is the slow performance of the 2.4GHz band, and you can experience a reduction in available speed when you use it to connect to the network.
Netgear N600 vs. AC1750 – A comparison review
Netgear N600 – Overview
- Faster WiFi Speed: N600 Dual Band WiFi delivers 300 + 300Mbps
- Ideal WiFi range for medium to large homes. System Requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10,Vista, XP,...
This is among the fastest routers we have seen so far, and its performance makes it suitable for small businesses or technically inclined consumers who happen to require high bandwidth. Note that the physical topology of your network will determine the throughput you get from the N600, and this also includes the RF environment where the signals have to operate in. Its network storage can use some much-needed improvement, though.
The setup is greatand it includes plenty of features that are enough to please even the most demanding tech-savvy user. It is also among the fastest routers in terms of connection speed, easily outpacing most of its competitors.
Pros
- Very good throughput levels
- Loaded with plenty of features
- The Genie app ensures an easy setup
Cons
- It lacks Gigabit Ethernet
- File copying speed through USB is slow
- You will need some knowledge of networking to set it up
AC1750 – Overview
- Supports Windows 8
- Industry's first and fastest 802.11ac wireless router with speeds up to 1750 Mbps
With many great router options on the market today, it is not a surprise that the AC1750 might have come up on your list quite often – or any AC router for that matter. The standard of Wi-Fi technology in use in the AC1750 denotes that it is newer than the N600, though there are some weaknesses that it needs to overcome. The good news is that the setup is very easy, as the app will guide you through configuration. The main advantage though is that the app will do a fine job of creating network security, as well as SSIDs for every radio band.
There are several brands that use the AC1750 standard, and we tested several of them – since they share the same features in most cases. They are also very affordable, making them great for those on a budget.
Pros
- Very affordable option
- Fast performance on the 5GHz band
- Reliable connectivity
- A stylish design
Cons
- Slower performance on the 2.4GHz band
Verdict: So what is better? The N600 or the AC1750?
The truth is that we have not seen a trustworthy Netgear router for some time, but the N600 comes very close to achieving that – even giving reputable routers a run for their money. The very efficient setup process, as well as the whole host of great features, makes the N600 our clear winner in this review.
Frequently asked questions
How can I reset my Netgear N600 router?
You need to first verify that the light of the router is on, then locate the Reset or Restore Factory settings button. Press and hold this button for seven seconds, then release it to allow the router to reset.
Where is the WPS button on my Netgear AC1750?
This button is located at the back of all routers, and the same is true for the Netgear AC1750.
