TP Link Archer C7 vs. Netgear Nighthawk – what budget router should I go for?
You might have considered buying a top router before, but do not have enough funds for a good one. The selection of budget routers is extensive as well, but you cannot just choose anything because it seems appealing.
Two of these routers are the Archer C7 and Nighthawk. Both of these are dual-band, and both offer similar feature, and both are great purchases for someone working with a tight budget and cannot afford the premium routers. This raises an important question, one which you might have asked repeatedly – what should I choose? Are they the same?
Before getting into the review, it is important to keep something in mind: the TP Link Archer C7 is an AC1750 router, which denotes is theoretical speeds to be 1750 Mbps, while the Netgear Nighthawk is an AC1900 router, holding its theoretical speeds as 1900 Mbps. The question is – do they live up to these theoretical speeds in their actual performance? What makes any of them a better option compared to the other?
Table of Contents
What are the differences between TP Link Archer C7 and Netgear Nighthawk?
TP Link Archer C7 |
Netgear Nighthawk (Winner) |
|
Wi-Fi performance |
91.3 Mbps (2.GHz), 509 Mbps (5GHz) |
117 Mbps (2.4GHz), 431 Mbps (5GHz) |
Upload speed |
81 Mbps |
225 Mbps |
Download speed |
66 Mbps |
20 Mbps |
Wi-Fi connectivity |
802.11ac/n/b/g |
802.11ac |
Dimensions (inches) |
9.6 x 6.3 x 1.3 (smaller and more portable) |
11.2 x 7.3 x 1.9 (slightly bigger choice) |
TP Link Archer C7 vs. Netgear Nighthawk – How they compare
Appearance
When looking at the Archer C7 (also known as the TP Link AC1750), it is a dual-band type by default. It uses a CPU of 720MHz, and can achieve speeds of a maximum of 450 Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on its 5GHz band. It contrasts with the Nighthawk slightly, as the Nighthawk takes on an interesting trapezoid appearance and flared sides, making it look similar to a mini-fighter jet.
The appearance is the same as you would expect from any router, coming in a black casing that measures 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches. It has all the ports you would expect in routers, including the Gigabit ports, WAN and LAN ports, and so on.
The Nighthawk is a fairly large router, even when you compare it to others in its price range. It measures 1.9 x 11.2 x 7.3 inches, making it slightly larger than the Archer C7, and it weighs slightly more than 1.6 pounds. Unlike previous models in the Netgear line, the Nighthawk operates in a horizontal position, though you can still mount it if you want.
Controls
In order to control the Archer C7, you use a web console. However, this is in form of an older text-based version, so it will lack the interesting graphics in the newer TP Link routers. In addition to that, there are some lags you will experience when you are making changes in the settings and when the system applies these changes. With this said, there are plenty of features you will enjoy here, with each setting having some detailed explanation.
Similar to most new routers in the market, the Nighthawk is easy to set up and use, as the package includes a comprehensive installation guide. The last configuration step requires that you use a web browser, which will display that the router is connected to the web successfully. When you select the resulting ‘Take me to the internet’ button, it takes you to the Netgear website where you can get all the management apps you need for the router.
Performance
The throughput tests from the Archer C7 are exceptional, especially considering that this is a budget router. The 2.4GHz band has a throughput of 91.3 Mbps on average when you use it in close proximity, while the performance at 30 feet in the same band is 62.8 Mbps – not bad for stability. The same benefits extend to the 5GHz band, which has a performance of 509 Mbps in close proximity.
When checking the file transfer speeds, we used a folder of 1.5GB to test this feature. This is where the speeds begin to middle – it has a write speed of only 21.5 Mbps and a read speed of 27.5 Mbps.
On the other hand, you can be assured that you will get beefy specs in the Netgear Nighthawk router, since it is a beefy router by design anyway. It uses a 1GHz CPU processor as the source of power, making it more powerful compared to the Archer C7. It also includes the flash memory capacity of 128 MB and a RAM of 256 MB.
You will note two USB ports here – one on the rear (a USB 2.0) and one at the front (a USB 3.0). The reason for the USB 3.0 placement at the front was to reduce interference with the Wi-Fi signals coming from the 2.4GHz band. One thing that surprised us was the tendency it has to run warm (though not too hot). This means you will need to place it somewhere in your room where there is good air circulation in order to maintain its optimal performance.
TP Link Archer C7 vs. Netgear Nighthawk – A comparison review
TP Link Archer C7 – 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
This router is great when it comes to the throughput speeds, especially when you look at it from its price point – less than $100. It also offers a variety of settings, and is very easy to install.It has plenty of management settings, but its web console is slow and does not have a high degree of user friendliness.
One major advantage with the wealth of controls is the ability to create separate networks that have limited access, and this will allow you to control bandwidth and access in each network. You can also create network-wide internet access through the separate Access Control option, and you can do additional things such as updating the firmware and viewing system logs.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Very affordable price
- The performance is fast and efficient
- Plenty of management settings
Cons
- It only has USB 2.0 ports
- File transfer speeds are slow
- User interface is difficult to navigate
Netgear Nighthawk – 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...
Like the Archer C7, this router has plenty of features, and has great range and throughput – especially for its 5GHz band. All of its benefits make it among the best routers we have used, even from Netgear, even though it has some slight annoying features.
It has a wide base that helps it to remain sturdy, even though you connect cables in all its ports. It will not risk sliding and slipping all over different surfaces, because of the base and rubber feet. There is something you should note about the design – the power cord brick is huge, although it is thin. You will not have too much trouble putting it next to other power adapters.
Pros
- Very attractive design
- Very good range
- Great throughput, particularly in the 5GHz band
- Full capability of VPN
- Very good QoS setup and functionality
Cons
- Quite slow in applying the changes in the settings
- Challenges in configuration of the bridge mode
- 4GHz band experiences performance challenges
Verdict: So what is better? The TP Link Archer C7 or Netgear Nighthawk?
When all is said and done, we choose the Nighthawk as the winner of this article. This is because of the higher performance, even when coming at an affordable price, and the extra abilities such as the VPN and QoS features.
FAQs
How can I connect my Archer C7 to my printer?
Plug the USB printer cable to the USB port of the modem, and make sure the router’s USB light is on. You can then select the Set Auto Connect printer option.
How long can I expect my Netgear router to last?
The general rule is replacing it after three or four years, which is about the same time it takes to replace a smartphone or computer.
