OnHub vs. Nighthawk – which is the best budget-friendly router option?
Getting a good router for your internet activities is not always a straightforward decision, as our experiences continually tell us. Choosing one among many brands is even more difficult when you are unsure of what to look for – which is why we compare the OnHub and the Nighthawk.
We know very well how annoying it is dealing with ugly-looking routers, even if they come at a budget-friendly price. The software is even more of a hassle to deal with, although some routers offer a seamless experience. Read on for our experiences on these two routers, and which between them is ultimately better than the other.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between OnHub and Nighthawk?
OnHub |
Nighthawk (Winner) |
|
Wi-Fithroughput |
1300 Mbps (5GHz) |
600 Mbps |
Dimensions (inches) |
4.6 x 7.5 |
11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 |
Technology in use |
802.11ac |
802.11ac Dual band |
OnHub vs. Nighthawk – How they compare
Design
When it comes to design, the OnHub is easily among the best we have seen. It comes in the form of a cylindrical tube that is slightly narrower at the base than the top. The inner workings of the design are fully protected by a removable shell made from plastic and encased inside a grey tube. Some parts of the tube will peek from under the cover, and an LED ring surrounds this area. This makes it similar in many ways to the Apple AirPort router, but the OnHub goes a step further and introduces a removable cover and 2 network ports (one is for attaching to your cable modem, and the other is for attaching wired devices).
If you would mistake it for a Bluetooth speaker, you would not be wrong about that either. The top has a speaker of 3 watts, but no microphone or volume control. The indicator light will shine very subtle colors, through this depends on the router’s state – amber is an indication that there is something wrong, teal indicates the router is active, while blue means it is ready for the setup process.
You will not see any hard angles or sci-fi antennas here – in fact, Google includes some unique Ethernet cables that can wrap around the base easily and stay unobtrusive. In short, this is among the most attractive routers in the market in terms of appearance.
On the other hand, the Nighthawk chooses to utilize space in a much larger way compared to the OnHub, and this is because of the horizontal design. While this is a good thing because it makes it easier to locate in the house, it is also difficult to put in a tighter spot because of its large size. The LED design is similar to the OnHub, as it will flash either orange if there are any issues with the connection, or green if everything is okay.
This increases thanks to the finlike antennas that you will find at the back. You can mount it on a wall or make it sit on a shelf, though you need to note that its AC adapter is really big, so it can pose an issue when you are trying to mount it on the wall.
Performance
The Nighthawk comes with a processor with 1GB power, 128MB storage space and 256MB RAM. It also reaches a bandwidth of 1.9 Gbps, with a bandwidth of 444.8 Mbps at 5 feet. When you compare it with other routers, this is about 35% of what you can expect from a typical router. Its coverage will be sufficient for a smaller house or an apartment, but will not be as beneficial if you have a huge mansion to work with – unless you purchase them in a series and use them to create a mesh network.
As a point of reference, the Nighthawk did not tire out on us after some time of using it for heavy-duty work, which makes it dependable for long periods. The Nighthawk is solid, even when you use it with a whole plethora of devices – like your smartphone, PC, and iOS device. What’s more, it is relatively affordable, and is a good buy if you are looking for something that is friendly to your wallet, yet reliable to use.
On the other hand, the OnHub router is a 3×3 router. This means that it has a top speed of 1300 Mbps when you use the 5GHz band, while the 2.4GHz band has a top speed of 600 Mbps. It also comes with a dual-core processor of 1.4 GHz and 1GB RAM. Since many mobile devices use the 1×1 setup of Wi-Fi that has a maximum speed of 433 Mbps, this makes the OnHub enough for your devices and a few other wireless types.
Setup
When it comes to the setup process, the OnHub only has only one way: using a Google account. You will notice that it is pre-configured with only one Wi-Fi network, which has its details on its underside. Through the use of this information, you can use it to connect it to a broadband internet source.
Note that OnHub routers do not have a web interface that allows you to access it through a browser, unlike in the case of the Nighthawk. This means that you will need the Google On app for Android and iOS, as well as the Google account and a live internet connection.
The Nighthawk router employs a different strategy, thanks to its app that allows for easier setup and making the most from your router. The app is also intuitive and works well with both smartphones and PCs, which also helps in setting up the device quickly. The app will send you instructions that will guide you through the process as well.
u is an AC1900 router, which means that it is a 3×3 rouuter that has a top speed of 1300 Mbps
OnHub vs. Nighthawk – A comparison review
OnHub router – Overview
- The companion Google Wifi app makes setup simple and lets you to control your network from your...
- Super fast Wi-Fi speeds up to 1900 mbps to help with smooth streaming, gaming and downloading
This combines oddness and coolness in one product – making it quite the pick among other routers. Its design is also radical and very attractive in appearance, which is one you might not mind displaying to your visitors in your living room space. The major disadvantage they have though, is the painful lack of useful features and multiple connection Ethernet ports.
The single local network port design will really disappoint you if you are looking for a router that allows for multiple hardwiring of products that arenot wireless-friendly. Moreover, the speeds that the OnHub router are disappointing, and the wireless coverage as we have seen earlier in the comparison is quite small.
Pros
- Compact and attractive design
- Very convenient setup process
- The app works well for both iOS and Android devices
- The tool includes promising hardware that will help in smart-home functionality
- Hardware is well-designed
Cons
- The potentially friendly features are inactive when you first launch the use of the OnHub
- Wireless performance is average compared to most routers
- You can only set it up from an Android or iOS device
- It only has one Ethernet port
Nighthawk router – Overview
- Fast wifi performance: Get up to 1800 square feet wireless coverage with AC1900 speed (Dual band up to...
- Recommended for up to 30 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
The Nighthawk shares many similarities with other Netgear routers, as they are from the same manufacturer. At the front of this router, you will notice that it has a port that allows you to connect your shared printers and external hard drives.The aim for this design is to reduce interferences from the wireless signals. At its back, you have four gigabit LAN ports, as well as one USB 2.0 port.
The router is also quite the performer in terms of efficiency, speed, and range. It also has an easy-to-setup connection process, while still affordable in price range. The hardware components are responsible for its efficiency is due to the great hardware not as bulky as you might initially think.
The hardware happens to be among the best among most routers, as it supports all clients that use Wi-Fi connections regardless of what they are. The speeds go up to 600 Mbps, and the high speeds are due to the chip in the system, which is TurboQAM, and improves the router’s performance. The amplifiers and antennas that it comes with are powerful enough to cover a wide range of devices in your home.
Pros
- Very long range and coverage area
- Has plenty of router stability
- It has the fastest throughput at peak levels we have seen
- Very slick design
- USB network performance is very good
- Design includes a front-mounted USB port
Cons
- Very expensive
- The set-up is difficult
- Ports are not entirely consolidated in the rear
Verdict: So which is better? The OnHub or the Nighthawk?
If you want the fastest and best Wi-Fi speeds in your router, it means you will need to shell out serious money for it – but in this case, the Nighthawk is a much better option. It may come at a high price tag, but it is well worth its price; especially because it has a higher efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Nighthawk support a third-party NAS?
Yes, any network storage device can connect to the Nighthawk Ethernet port. You just need to ensure that it is getting a valid IP address from the router. You will also need to refer to the NAS manufacturer for extra assistance.
How long can I expect the OnHub to last?
Its lifespan is not bad; as they can last between 3 to 4 years until they need replacement, which is roughly the same time you use to upgrade your smartphone.
