Netgear is always coming out with newer router models boast ting better features and functions than the previous ones. The Netgear nighthawk xr500 is a newer version of the xr450 but it is hard to tell these two apart. This is because these two routers are very similar in their external design and also have very similar internal hardware and software. So, what are the differences between these two routers and which is the better model? Read this Netgear nighthawk xr450 vs 500 comparison to find out.

What are the key differences between Netgear xr450 Vs xr500?

Netgear xr450 Vs xr500 – How do they differ?                                        

Design and hardware

The Netgear Nighthawk XR500 is a state of the art designed router that has impressive features as well as functionality.  The XR500 has a 1.7dual core processor, with 5 gigabit Ethernet ports.  This router has a cut-out on the front that makes it look like a real life spaceship.

Unfortunately, this wedge shaped router does not have a fan which means it gets very warm during use.  The LED lights on the front of the router create v shaped lights to make the designed even more realistic and good looking. The lights are for power, internet, Ethernet ports as well as USB ports and guest network indication. On the back of this router are LAN and WAN ports.

The Netgear nighthawk xr450 gaming router is also fitted with a powerful dual –core processor for smooth performance. Its stylish aesthetic equally reflects the stylish internal design of this router.

The Netgear nighthawk xr500 is very similar in design to the Netgear nighthawk 450. At first glance it will be hard to differentiate between the two.

Software

The Netgear Nighthawk XR500 router is the first Netgear router to utilize DUMAOS which is an interactive gamer friendly operating system. DUOMAS is developed by Netduma and it focuses on resource monitoring, network prioritization and bandwidth monitoring. DUMAOS has a dashboard to allow users to see the network system. It contains real time graphs of the installed apps, real time CPU and bandwidth, guest networking status, internet status and Wi-FI status.

Other software that makes this a quality router includes the Geo filter, QOS tab and device manger. The geo filter, found on both the xr500 and xr450, helps reduce lag by limiting the distance and range of the host servers. The QOS offers you several ways to optimize home play while the device manager is a network of maps that allows you to click on connected device and access it settings to enable of block access t the network.

The Netgear Nighthawk XR450 does the work when it comes to advertised software functionality. You can personalise your gaming dashboard on the xr450 to check the real-time bandwidth, ping and other features. On both routers, you can prioritize your gaming devices and allocate the bandwidth to devices based on their needs to eliminate the lag. This makes it easy to control the upload and download speeds on the network.

When it comes to software features, the XR500 dominates over the Netgear xr450.

Performance and speed

The xr500 is considered a powerhouse when compared to other routers and is rated at ac2600. The Netgear xr500 is the best for gamers. The peak throughput of 1714.4mbpos at 15 feet makes it more powerful than the xr450. The powerful Wi-FI transmission on this router makes it perfect for people who have thick walls.

The xr450 on the other hand is a router that uses state of the art software to optimize your connection by stabilizing the ping. Reducing lag and keeping the game with are reliable connectivity either wired or wireless. The router comes with 256mb of flash storage space and 512MB of RAM and works with a 1.7GHZ dual core processor. You can sustain speeds of up to 800mbps on the 2,4ghz and 1,7333mbps on the 5 GHz band.

The Netgear xr500 has peak throughput of 1714.4mbpos at 15 feet making it more powerful as the Netgear nighthawk xr450.

Netgear xr450 Vs xr500 – A Comparison Overview

Netgear nighthawk XR 450 – overview

NETGEAR XR450 Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi Router, AC2400 Dual-Band Quad Stream Gigabit, Gaming Dashboard Powered by Dumaos

• Amp up your Wi-Fi with AC2400 Dual-Band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 2. 4 Gaps
• Put your gaming traffic in a designated Express lane with advanced quality of Service, bypassing network...

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It uses state of the art software to optimize internet connection. You can count on the xr450 to help you reduce the lag spice and stabilize the ping during gaming.  This keeps both wired and wireless connections more reliable regardless of the game speeds. You can personalize your gaming dashboard to check utilization, ping, real time bandwidth and other parameters. Geo fiter allows users to get a limit lag and guaranteed local connection.

With the Netgear nighthawk xr450, you can enable the quality of service to allocate bandwidth to certain connected devices and prioritize network to your gaming devices. It is fitted with led lights that double as Wi-FI transmission buttons to turn Wi-FI on and off as well as enable the Wi-FI protected setup.

 Pros

• Has a low latency design
• Informative dashboard
• Has very good range and performance

Cons

• Bulky and expensive

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Netgear Nighthawk XR500 – Overview

NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 Wi-Fi Router with 4 Ethernet Ports and Wireless Speeds Up to 2.6 Gbps, AC2600, Optimized for Low Ping

• Minimize ping and maximize performance with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag free, wired...
• Amp up your Wi-Fi with AC2600 dual band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 2.6 Gbps

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The Netgear nighthawk xr500 has 4 antennas and an angular design that gives it the perfect gaming look. The size of this router accommodates its features on the sides and underneath the hood.  It is equipped with 5 gigabit Ethernet ports, (one reserved), simultaneous dual band Wi-FI, fast speeds and supports 5 GHz streaming plus a dual core processor for fast Wi-FI speeds

This is the perfect router for gamers looking to customize their experiences and gain complete control of their home network. The dual band Wi-FI of this Netgear XR500 enables users to get an overall smoother service when multiple devices are connected,

The browser menu of the Netgear xr500 makes it stand out from many routers. If you are looking for further setting customization, this is the perfect router for you.   THE DUMAOS gaming software on this router provides features that enable more control. There are tons of ways you can customize your home network with in debt gaming tools, parental control and standard network settings.

The recommended maximum radius for this router is between 3000 to 1800 miles depending on how many networks are attached.  The QOS setting, known as anti buffer bloat, allows you to limit the bandwidth used by other connected gaming devices. You can manage the network traffic to prioritize bandwidth across a wide range of devices. On the Netgear nighthawk xr500, the Qos stands out because it is able to monitor traffic and streak the priority.

Pros

• Has a powerful Wi-FI transmission
• Very intuitive software
• Has a dual band processor of 5GHZ AND 2.4GHZ
• Has great features for gamers
• You can view real time bandwidth utilization and real time ping latency
• Has a highbred VPN system

Cons

• Expensive router

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Conclusion: So, Which is better – Netgear XR450 or XR500?

Overall, the Netgear nighthawk x500 is the winner in this comparison. While the design and most features of the Netgear nighthawk xr500 and xr450 are similar, It’s their performance seems to tell these two routers apart. With the xr500, you get better upload, download and throughput speeds. On top of that, it is equipped with great features for gamers.

FAQ

Can you set the xr500 with an Ipad?

You can access the Netgear app on any device like mobile laptop, and Ipad as long as they have a web browser.

What is the main difference between the Netgear nighthawk xr500 and the xr450?

The xr500 is built to support ac2600 while the xr450 supports ac2400.

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