Tp Link Archer C9 Vs Netgear Nighthawk- Finding the best wired and wireless router for your devices

Having a router is one thing but having one that can be effectively connected to all your devices whether wired or wireless is the real deal.

Many network-capable devices don’t come with supporting connectivity a fact that has had a negative impact on TV sets. So the problem is that the network cpapable devices are being utilized in different rooms, and given that I can do some of my office work from home, having a strong internet connection in all the internet-enabled devices is important.

I, therefore, went in search of an efficient Wi-Fi router with high upload and download speeds after getting rid of the Ethernet adapters and cables that ran around the house. I then settled for the TP-Link Archer C9 and the Netgear Nighthawk; the excerpt below will, therefore, explicate on the differences of the two routers to determine the best that will cater to my home needs.

What are the differences between Tp Link Archer C9 and Netgear Nighthawk

Tp Link Archer C9 and Netgear Nighthawk- how do they compare

Coverage

The Tp Link Archer C9 has been equipped with three dual-band antennas complete with high powered amplifiers so that all the users in your home will be able to receive the Wi-Fi signals in the devices that they are using. The antennas and amplifiers enhance coverage thus obliterate occurrences of failed downloads, uploads or slow loading speeds.

And to make your experience even better the unit has incorporated the beamforming technology that focuses wireless signals towards a specific device, its importance is that it prevents the signal from spreading to all directions when released from a broadcast antenna.

The Netgear Nighthawk, on the other hand, has been equipped with high-performance external antennas, which enable users to enhance their mobile speeds to 100%. And just like the Tp Link Archer C9, Netgear Nighthawk has been equipped with the beamforming+ technology, but which is a little bit advanced as it has been equipped with the plus benefit that offers improved performance when used with 5 GHz frequency band.

By installing the Netgear Nighthawk in your home all the high-bandwidth online services that u want to engage with will be availed to you at higher speeds, and what’s more, is that the 1GHz dual-core processor can prioritize the game that you are playing online, thus prevent other devices from interfering with your transmission or from slowing you down.

Netgear has equipped its Wi-Fi router with the latest technological innovations, which ensures that its users don’t experience coverage hiccups. To which end the unit has also been equipped with Dynamic QoS specially optimized to offer users uninterrupted streaming of heavy applications such as Netflix and YouTube.

Parental controls

The Netgear Nighthawk gives parents full control of which devices they can allow to be serviced by the internet and they have also been given the power to manage the content that is delivered to a specific connected device. The above is achievable using the circle application which gives you the liberty of setting time limits for particular applications and websites.

And not only that as homeowners can pause the internet for a particular user or a particular device, and for those who have kids that are addicted to the internet the circle, the application allows them to set the bedtime for their young family members on their devices.

Tp Link Archer C9, on the other hand, does not have the parental control option as it was removed after updating the firmware version to 20150811. The user interface has also been changed in the current firmware version but the parental control status has not been removed. And even when tweaked to restrict access to the internet it rarely works.

Speeds

Both the Tp Link Archer C9 and the Netgear NightHawk support the latest 802.11ac networking standard that guarantees users fast Wi-Fi network connections when utilizing the 5GHz frequency. Both routers, therefore, have a theoretical bandwidth of 1900Mbps and the reason why they have both been equipped with three antennas.

Both routers are, therefore, able to handle the high demands of 4k streaming, and for the gaming enthusiasts, online gaming has never been fun with zero interruptions or buffering.

Detachable external Antennas

There is something about many antennas in a router that is not very apparent, and the first basic knowledge about them is that the more antennas on your router the better it will perform. Routers that only have one antenna whether external or internal utilizes the one antenna to transmit and receive.

On our case, however, we find that both routers have three antennas, which means that the three are used to transmit and receive data, expressed as 3×3 MIMO (Multiple Input and Multiple Output). 3×3 routers are thus able to receive and send data via three spatial streams which inadvertently triples the data rates.

When each of the antennas receives a signal, the router will now combine the different versions algorithmically and come up with a better version.

USB ports

Tp Link Archer C9 and Netgear Nighthawk both have two USB ports and the only difference is their positioning. The USB ports are both 3.0 and 2.0, the latter in most routers including the Netgear Nighthawk is located at the back, its transfer rates tend to be much lower at only 480 Mbps. The 3.0 USB on the other hand, offers higher transfer rates at 4.8 Gbps, which is 10x faster than what USB 2.0 is offering. k

USB 3.0 is still the latest version in the industry of the universal standard bus that was designed to offer higher transfer rates, improved power management, and increased maximum bus power. The 3.0 technology was pioneered in 2009 with the USB 3.0 adapters so that they could allow the installation of the 3.0 ports.

Therefore, since the Tp Link Archer C9 and the Netgear Nighthawk both utilize 3.0 USB ports, you will have to also use the USB 3.0 cables and devices to benefit from the fast transfer speeds.

Mobile Interface

Setting up your Tp Link Archer C9 should not be a problem because the manufacturer has been kind enough to provide users with the Tp-Link Tether application that you can easily access via your mobile phone. Individuals with either ios or android phones can access the tether’s intuitive layout that allows them to carry out all the necessary operations from their device.

For example, they could access the Wi-Fi settings and change certain functions like guest privileges’, device maknagement and scheduling. Netgear has also simplified the process of setting up the Wi-Fi router by offering users an interface that they can easily interact with through their phones. Users will, therefore, have to access the Nighthawk application, which helps them configure their Netgear routers.

Structure and Design

Tp Link Archer C9 and the Netgear Nighthawk have almost the same features and operate the same except for some minor variations and despite the above, the routers have been made with very distinct but sophisticated features that make each of them stand out. The Tp-Link, for example, has been made with a supporting stand, which is meant to help the user position it appropriately in the house.

The three external antennas can be seen protruding from the back meant to help encourage connectivity and coverage, the USB 3.0 port is located on the side, and the USB 2.0 at the back. The unit has also been equipped with 4 gigabit LAN ports at the back to help with the connection of wired devices, all other controls have been indicated on the face of the unit, to let you know whether it is functioning or not.

The power supply button is located at the bottom right back complete with the switch and when you switch it on, it will be indicated at the face of the router. The Wi-Fi button is located at the side next to the USB 3.0 port.

The Netgear Nighthawk has also been made with an easy to use design, however, it lays flat when compared to the Archer C9 that assumes a standing position. Netgear’s external antennas have been conveniently located at the back of the unit, however, to know that your unit is up and running the operational controls are located at the front.

The USB 3.0 port has also been strategically positioned at the front and the USB 2.0 at the back. The power cable and the switch are conveniently located at the back, and other wire connections can be successfully done from the provided ports at the back of the unit.

Tp Link Archer C9 and Netgear Nighthawk – Comparison Overview

TP-Link AC1900 Smart Wireless Router

TP-Link AC1900 Smart Wireless Router - Beamforming Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Internet Routers for Home, High Speed, Long Range, Ideal for Gaming (Archer C9)

• 1 of wireless routers for Home which is compatible with all Wi Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
• Gigabit router with 4 gigabit LAN ports, fast Access to Multiple connected wired devices, also ideal as...

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The Archer C9 router is a convenient option for many homeowners because it offers unlimited compatibility options with all the Wi-Fi devices that are in your house. Even more interesting is the fact that it can accommodate gamers and if you wish to connect other devices for faster internet speeds then you have been provided with up to 4 gigabit LAN ports at the back.

The unit’s three external antennas offer long-range coverage, and when enhanced by the beamforming technology users get to enjoy faster load, download and upload uninterrupted speeds.  The 1 G hertz dual-core processor can conveniently accommodate multiple devices such as laptops, phones and be configured with the relevant smart home devices such as Alexa.

The manufacturer offers the router users a free 24/7 tech support in addition to the provided 2-year warranty. Using this type of router has no limits because users are even allowed to share files and other media via the two provided USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.

Pros

• Offers extensive uninterrupted coverage
• Comes with a 2-year warranty
• Easy to install and configure using the provided mobile application
• Allows users to share files and media

Cons

• Users experience problems with QoS
• Antennas not sturdy enough when screwed to the router

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Netgear R7000 Nighthawk AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router

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The incorporated three antennas of the Netgear Nighthawk, when combined with the high powered amplifiers, have the ability to extend a user’s Wi-fi range. And just like the Archer C9, the unit allows users to enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions, connectivity and coverage has been enhanced by the incorporated beamforming technology.

The manufacturers have made the router in such a way that users can benefit from faster internet speeds, a feature that has been achieved by incorporated USB 3.0 port at the front and the 1 GHz Dual Core Processor.

Pros

• Easy to install and set up using the recommended Netgear application
• Can handle long-range connectivity with minimal interruptions
• Capable of handling lag-free gaming

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Conclusion

The two routers reviewed above can well be termed as identical twins, except for the difference in the parental control application that seems to have been disabled after they updated the firmware. Netgear’s parental control works well and parents can manage what their kids access with the high-speed Wi-Fi and control the time that they spend on the internet so that it doesn’t interfere with other routines such as school.

Verdict; So which is better?Tp Link Archer C9 or Netgear Nighthawk

Netgear Nighthawk takes the lead when it comes to the best performing router when compared to the Tp Link Archer C9. Though the services and functionality offered are similar Netgear has one distinct feature that makes it a better option, and that is the parental control option, which can be quite a headache reliever for parents with young kids that can access the internet.

FAQ’s

How can I boost my Tp Link router signal

If you are having problems with your router then there are a couple of things that you could do to boost its signal reception, for one you could update your wireless adapter drivers, add a wireless repeater or change your wireless channel.

What is the significance of the Led lights on the Netgear Nighthawk router

The led lights are a status connection indicator, between your router and the devices that have been connected to it. They are also used to indicate the status of your WPS connections, Internet, Wi-Fi and Ethernet.