TP Link ac1750 vs. Netgear ac1750 – which has better router technologies
Having a home router with extended range and speeds helps prevent Wi-Fi dead zones. The TP Link ac1750 and Netgear ac1750 are two mid-range routers suitable for home use. They are compact and offer extended range and speeds.
When choosing the ideal home router it is vital that you put in consideration the kind of stuff you will be using your router for. If you plan on doing some light web browsing and emails then most routers in the market will do. However, if you have multiple devices in the house and you plan on doing some gaming or 4K video streaming then you need a router with features like beamforming, QoS or media prioritization. In this review, we check out the TP Link ac1750 and Netgear ac1750.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the TP Link ac1750 vs. Netgear ac1750?
Model |
TP Link ac1750 |
Netgear ac1750 (Winner) |
Processor |
Qualcomm QCA9558 720MHz |
dual core 1GHz chip |
Dimensions (inches) |
1.4 x 9.5 x 6.0 |
3.74 x 12.91 x 3.74 |
Ports |
Two 2.0 USB – A |
One 3.0 USB-A |
Antennas |
3 5GHz external, 3 internal 2.4GHz |
Three external |
Range and speed |
At 5 feet you get 304.4Mbps for 802.11ac 5GHz |
For 5GHz band scores 524Mbps at 10 feet |
TP Link ac1750 vs. Netgear ac1750 – How do they compare?
Design
The ac1750 comes with three external 5dBi 5GHz antennas and three internal 2.4GHz antennas. At the back you have your Gigabit LAN port, four Gigabit LAN ports, power switch and two 2.0 USB ports. The router has a glossy black finish that does leave fingerprints. At the front are your LED lights that show you various router status updates. The LED lights will glow green in color to show the router is on. The biggest drawback is at night the lights glow in a ghost like way and you do not have a switch to turn them off. The router isn’t that large meaning it will fit on your home desk or small spaces.
The Nighthawk ac1750 has a trapezoid design that makes it stand out. It also comes with rubber feet that makes it stable wherever you place it. Incase you are suffering from a limitation of space you can mount the router on your wall. The antennas are thick and use beamforming technology. This enables you to minimize on dead spots around your home. The antennas are adjustable and removable. You have a single 3.0 USB port for connection to your printers or external hard disks. The ac1750 has 12 LED lights at the front, which like the TP link ac1750 can be quite irritating at night. However, this can be switched off should they become a nuisance.
Performance and throughput speeds
When it comes to speed the Netgear ac1750 performs better than the TP link. For one it has a one dual core 1GHz processor that is supported by 256MB RAM and 128MB flash. The TP link ac1750 comes far behind with a single core 750MHZ CPU with 128MB RAM and 16MB flash memory. While the C7 has more antennas – three internal and three external it still can’t compete with the Netgear ac1750 that comes with beamforming technology. This means it is capable of transmitting its signal further than the TP link. The Nighthawk also has the latest 3.0 USB port which offers better connectivity than the C7 2.0 USB port.
When it comes to performance the TP Link ac1750 still maintains its speed as you move further away from the router. As you move 5 to 30 feet away the 2.4GHz band only slowed down by up to 10%. The 5GHz drops by only 8%. The router maintains a throughput speed of 360.6Mbps for both channels at 5 feet. When you use the 802.11n (2.4GHz) you have a peak of 59.2Mbps at 15 feet, while using the 802.11ac (5GHz) you get 304.4Mbps at 5 feet. The read rates for the Nighthawk for the NTFS format is impressive as you get a read rate of 59.1Mbps and write of 38.5Mbps. When you consider the throughput rates, the Netgear ac1750 gives you 524Mbps at 10 feet.
Installation and technologies
Both of the routers are relatively easy to setup. The routers also share some features like guest networks, parental controls, and ability to use custom firmware; the TP Link uses OpenWRT while the Netgear uses DD-WRT. The routers also feature up and down Quality of Service (QoS) feature. The Netgear has some interesting features like Apple’s machine system and Google Assistant. Connection to the Netgear is mainly through the Genie app but it has issues when it comes to connecting the guest networks.
When setting up the TP link ac1750 you will need to use the username and passwords that are printed underneath the router. You will be asked a few configuration questions then the router will automatically start detecting devices. The full setup process should take you an average of 6 minutes. Customizing the router is more complex as you are faced with up to 20 configuration categories. This can be complicated if you are not a network pro. The router also comes with some of the latest encryption technologies like WPA2 and WEP.
TP Link ac1750 vs. Netgear ac1750 – A Comparison Overview
TP Link ac1750 – Overview
- OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Router for wireless internet, works with Alexa, compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
The design for the ac1750 is such that you have three external 5dBi antennas that serve the 5GHz band and three internal ones for the 2.4GHz. The router is enclosed inside a black glossy chassis that houses the full speed 802.11ac router. At the back you have four Gigabit LAN ports, two 2.0 USB ports, and one Gigabit WAN port. The glossy finish is really nice – though it does leave fingerprints. The ac1750 support some innovative router technologies like parental controls, media streaming and guest networks.
At the front of the router you have your green LED lights that glow brightly at night. This show you activity on your bands, LAN connection and WPS setup. The ac1750 comes with a Wi-Fi connection switch that you can use to turn off Wi-Fi and use wired connections. You can also add clients to your network through the WPS feature. This WPS switch can also be used to reset the routers settings if you press and hold it for 8 seconds.
The ac1750 features four Gigabit LAN connections and 2.0 USB port. It runs of a powerful Qualcomm QCA9558 720MHz Scorpio chip with 128 MB of RAM. While this speed is not the most impressive in the market you do get a boost for weak signals through a Skyworks amplifier. To also help boost your signals the router also comes with beamforming technology but lacks MU-MIMO. At 5 feet using the 802.11ac 5GHz band the ac1750 scores a 304.4Mbps.
Setting up the TP Link ac1750 is easy through their web browser. You can also do it through their dedicated iOS or Android app. You will find the usernames and passwords printed underneath the router. You can customize the router as you wish – though it’s a bit of a challenge doing it manually. You also get parental control to prevent your kids from accessing harmful sites.
What we liked:
- Parental control for child protection
- Beamforming technology
- The 5GHz band offers excellent performance
- Wi-Fi On/off switch
- Affordable router for home use
What we did not like:
- The 2.4GHz band is not that good
Netgear ac1750 – Overview
- Compatible with Amazon Echo/Alexa – Control your home network using voice commands.
- AC1750 WiFi—450+1300 Mbps speeds and high-power external antennas
The Netgear ac1750 comes in a sturdy frame with rubber feats for stability. You can either place it on your desk or mount it on a wall. The router is dual-band 802.11ac capable of a total bandwidth of up to 1,750Mbps from both bands. Individually, the 5GHz band is capable of speeds of up to 1,300Mbps and 450Mbs for the 2.4GHz band. The router works great for your home Wi-Fi as you can use the 5GHz band for high intensive video streaming and multiplayer gaming.
A 1 GHz dual-processor chip runs the router; this comes with 128MB of flash and 256MB of RAM. You also get beamforming technology for sending signals to a wide range. This means your devices get the fastest connections. The router has three detachable antennas and comes with 3.0 USB port.
On the front you get 12 blinking LED lights that keep you informed on the router wireless connectivity status. At night this lights can be an eyesore for some people and you have the ability to switch them off. Netgear have their own router app called the Genie App. This allows you to view your various router settings and even manage stuff like parental control.
The ac1750 is a powerful router coupled with the beamforming technology, it has the capacity of focusing the wireless signal to devices instead of broadcasting them broadly. When it comes to performance, the ac1750 clocks impressive throughput speeds. For reading in the NTFS format it scores 59.1mbps read and 38.5Mbps write. When you tested for the 5GHz band at 10 feet, the router scores 524Mbps.
What we liked:
- Supports beamforming technologies
- QoS feature for optimizing gaming and streaming
- Dual core processor
- VPN and parental control
- Fast connectivity rates
What we did not like:
- A bit pricier
Conclusion: Which is better? TP Link ac1750 or Netgear ac1750?
If you are looking for cool features and fast internet connection, then we would recommend you go with the Netgear ac1750. The router offers enhanced performance when it comes to video streaming and gaming courtesy of QoS prioritization. You also get beamforming technology, a faster 3.0 USB port and VPN support. The Netgear ac1750 is a worthwhile investment considering the price you are getting it for and the awesome features that accompany it.
FAQ
Can I wall mount the Netgear ac1750?
Yes, it has the option of been wall mounted. The router also has a wide base with rubber feet that give it stability when you place it on your desk.
Where are the 2.4GHz antennas located in the TP Link ac1750?
The ac1750 comes with three external 5GHz antennas and internal 2.4GHz antennas. The fact that the antennas are internal does not mean they are less powerful.
