Looking forward to upgrading your router but can’t choose between tp link vs Netgear router?
Well, from a consumer perspective it’s normal. Because tp link and Netgear router are two of the most reputable manufacturers in the market. As a result, people are always confused About which one to get.
However, from a professional user perspective tp link and Netgear routers are quite different. But How?
In this article, I will provide an in-depth comparison between tp link vs Netgear router based on my usage and professional insight. Moreover, I’ll share which one is good for what along with all the related queries. So, stick here till the end.
Let’s start with a side-by-side comparison.
Tp Link Vs Netgear Router- A Quick Comparison
For this quick comparison, we have chosen 2 of the most popular routers in the mid-price category from both of the brands.
| Comparison Factor | TP-Link AX5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6 | Netgear 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (R6700AX) |
| Specializes In | Performance router suitable for both regular usage and gaming. | Suitable for network-intensive tasks and Gaming. |
| App Availability | Available in both Android and ios | Multiple apps available for Android and ios |
| App Simplicity | Simple and easy-to-use Tether app available in both Android and ios. Compatible with Tp-Link aimesh. . | Have multiple apps available. The Nighthawk app does not have a user-friendly interface. |
| Design & Build Quality | Premium glossy design with air vent and 6 antennas and a durable build quality. | Simple boxy design with 3 antennas. |
| Operating System | Tp-Link Router Os | Netgear Os |
| Compatible With | Microsoft Windows 98SE, NT, 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1/10, MAC OS, NetWare, UNIX or Linux Microsoft Windows 98SE, NT, 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1/10, MAC OS, NetWare, UNIX or Linux | Microsoft Windows 7, 8, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX, or Linux |
| Wifi Generation | Wifi 6 | Wifi 6 |
| Form Factor | Standalone with OneMesh WiFi capable | Standalone |
| Advanced Features | Beamforming, and high-power FEM, Amazon Alexa compatible. | Amazon Alexa Compatible |
| LED Indicators | 7 different LED Indicators. | 5 LED Indicators |
| Affordability | A bit expensive | affordable |
| UserBase | For both performance-focused gamers and regular consumers. | For regular users |
| Warranty | Not available. | 1 Year Hardware warranty. |
| Security | WPA, WPA2, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, parental control, and site blacklisting. | WPA, WPA2-PSK, and Parental Controls. |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
This is a quick comparison, we will move into the detailed review of both of the routers in later parts. Before that let’s have a look at a short overview of both routers.
Tp-Link Vs Netgear Wifi 6-Overview
In this basic overview I will talk about basic features which you will be using on a regular basis. This overview is completely based on my personal usage. So, it might not match with other reviews.
TP-Link AX5400- Multipurpose Performance Router
Tp-link AX5400 is an all-in-one performance router with affordable pricing. Here is a basic overview of it.
Unique Features
- Tp-Link Ax5400 is a Tri-Band wifi 6 Router with 4T4R and HE160 technologies on the 5 GHz band to enable a max of 4.8 Gbps with a moderate range.
- It is equipped with a 1.7 GHz Quad-Core CPU to handle huge throughput and eradicate latency.
- USB Sharing – 1× USB 3.0 port enables easy media sharing and private cloud storage
- TP-Link HomeShield features: Network Security, QoS, MI-MIMO, IoT Device Identification.
Specifications
| Bands | Dual-Band |
| Security Protocols | WPA3, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-PSK. |
| Total Ports | 5 |
| WiFi connectivity | 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11b, 802.11ac, 802.11g |
Our Verdict On TP-Link AX5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6 Router
Design
From a design perspective Tp-Link Ax5400 has a premium yet minimal design. It looks aggressive. All the ports are located at the back. It has 6 antennas and on the upper front, it has a mesh design for improved airflow. Tp-Link Ax5400 vs Netgear R6700AX
Performance
For my long usage Tp-Link Ax5400 has never disappointed me. I used it as my main router for almost 2 years and now using it for my home security cameras.
Firstly, it has a blazing fast speed. On some occasions I got almost 4680 Mbps download speed on my home server and usually got 700-800Mbps download speed on a regular basis.
Secondly, it has supported our 30 devices and covered almost 2200 sq. feet of space without any interruptions.
Lastly, it comes with many advanced features and enterprise-grade security and encryption.
Pros
- Lightning-fast speed.
- Satisfactory performance.
- Value for money product.
- Enterprise-grade security.
- Easy setup.
- Mesh Compatible.
Cons
- Not enough network modification options in-app or SISD.
- Inconsistent 5 GHz speed.
Most Suitable For
To be frank, I would suggest it to anyone with 20-30 devices and a 2500 sq. ft house. However, if you are looking for an ultra-high-performance router then it might not be for you.
More Information and Price: Amazon
Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX- Performance and Affordability
Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX is an affordable solution for mid-tier performance users. Here is a basic overview of it
Unique Features
- Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX is a dual-band system with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web conferencing
- It can cover up to 1,500 sq. ft. with 20+ device support.
- It has a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU and 512MB RAM.
- Easy setup and control with the Nighthawk App.
Specifications
| Wireless type | 802.11ax |
| Bands | Dual-Band |
| Total Ports | 5 |
| Security Protocol | WPA2-PSK |
Our Verdict On Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX WiFi 6 Router
Design
Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX WiFi 6 Router has the simplest standalone router design with grills from all sides for airflow and cooling. It has 5 LED indicators, 3 antennas, 4 ethernet ports, and 1 uplink port.
Performance
Netgear is known for its high-end router models. But Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX WiFi 6 Router is no different. But compared to other models it is surprisingly cheap.
I used this device in my store for quite some time. So, whenever I was free I tested it as hard as I could. To my surprise, it provided satisfactory results in almost every test.
Firstly, its dual band wifi 6 provides great support for 20 devices without any issues. It delivers the advertised speed with no lag.
Secondly, it covers 1500 sq. ft. almost. So, no complaints.
Lastly, its 1.5 GHz CPU and 512 MB RAM handle pressure pretty well. However, it does not have any configuration options.
Pros
- Surprisingly cheap.
- Superfast speed and 20+ device support.
- Good coverage with great speed.
- Easy to set up with Nighthawk App.
Cons
- No configure options available.
- No security features.
- SISD login does not work after the new firmware update.
Most Suitable For
Netgear 4-Stream R6700AX WiFi 6 Router is perfect for people with a small and medium-sized homes and fewer devices. You can use it as an extender as well.
More Information and Price: Amazon
Now that we have got a basic overview of the routers. So, it’s time to dive deep and have a comparison between these Tp-Link Vs Netgear Wifi 6 routers.
Tp Link Vs Netgear Router- In-Depth Comparison
Though tp Link AX5400 and Netgear R6700AX have drastically different price points. However, both of them are dual-band wifi 6 routers with almost identical speed and features. So, the comparison is quite justified.
Moreover, I have already compared a higher price point Netgear router with a lower price Tp-Link one. If you want to find out about it check Tp-Link Ax5400 Vs Netgear R6700AX. So, we are covering the opposite here.
Some information might not match your region. Because routers are manufactured depending on the network type and requirements of a region. So, your router might have different features and firmware depending on your region.
Range
Range is an electing factor between routers if you have a home that’s too large or too small. Both Tp-Link Ax5400 and Netgear R6700AX Have a satisfactory range and it’s enough to cover medium to medium large-sized homes.
Though the exact range is not mentioned, from my testing Tp-Link Ax5400 can cover more area than Netgear R6700AX. It can cover more than 2500 sq. ft of the range whereas Netgear R6700AX have only 1500 sq. ft of range.
Moreover from my testing, almost both of them provide close to advertised ranges. But with advanced features like beamforming and QoS Tp-Link Ax5400 can provide better coverage for homes with obstacles or thick walls.
Device Count
If you have a big family with a lot of devices then the number of devices your router can connect is an essential factor. In terms of device connectivity, TP-link Ax5400 beats Netgear completely. As it can connect 35+ devices wirelessly and 4 wired devices while Netgear R6700AX can connect only to 20 devices.
However, both of them have capable processors and enough RAM. So, they can handle more devices than mentioned.
Performance
Normally, Netgear and Tp-link are slightly different in terms of performance. Because while Tp-Link focuses on regular users, Netgear mostly focuses on performance-centric or gaming-focused consumers. But this is different in terms of Tp-Link Ax5400 and Netgear R6700AX.
Because technically, TP-link has more powerful hardware here. So, in terms of performance Tp-Link Ax5400 has some advantages. On the other hand, Netgear R6700AX is designed with regular users in mind. So it can provide sufficient performance.
Here, Tp-Link has an astonishing 4.8 Gbps speed while Netgear has only 1.8 Gbps. Moreover, the advanced MU-MIMO, 4T4R, HE160 technology, and OFDMA makes Tp-Link Ax5400 unbeatable in terms of performance.
Furthermore, Tp-Link has extra antennas too. Though it helps with range for overall performance, Tp-Link would be my choice.
But the performance difference will not be noticeable to regular users.
Signal Reliability
Signal Reliability is one of the most important features of a router. Because it defines how your router will provide coverage over time.
Every connected device uses a portion of the CPU and RAM of a router. The more devices get connected the more pressure the router gets and it starts to heat. As a result, the router stops dropping signals.
Both Netgear R6700AX and Tp-Link Ax5400 have great CPU and RAM. So, they have better resource management and software optimization.
However, TP-Link has a better cooling system than Netgear R6700AX. But Netgear is not a weak competitor either. So, it can provide stable and reliable connections in any situation.
From my testing, I have found both of them are great in terms of Stability and Reliability. However, I would prefer Tp-Link Ax5400 because it can cover a wider range and more devices with stable connections.
User Interface
As we have mentioned earlier, the Tp-Link Tether app has a simple interface. You just need to scan the QR code and download the app to set up. Anyone can set it up within minutes.
The web interface is easy to use too. Moreover, you can control your network remotely with the app. But there is no advanced network control available.
On the other hand, Netgear’s nighthawk app is quite complicated. Although it’s easy to set up. But controlling the network can be tough for regular users. The web interface is similar. However, in terms of advanced network control nighthawk is great.
Furthermore, Netgear has a login issue in the SSID.
Lastly, both of the brands provide regular updates to solve firmware issues. So, we can say the TP-Link app is better in terms of user experience.
Number of Bands
Number of wireless bands also plays a vital role in the overall performance of your router. In terms of bands, Tp-Link Ax5400 has an advantage as it has 3 bands while Netgear R6700AX is a dual-band router.
However, in terms of 5GHz band performance, Netgear would be the winner. Because it provides a stable connection speed for both bands. On the other hand, on my usage Tp -Link provided a great speed on the 5 GHz. But the 5 GHz band has connectivity issues.
I looked it up on the internet and found many users are facing the same issue. So, there must be a firmware problem.
As a result, if you want great performance on both bands then choose the Netgear R6700AX.
Ports
No matter how good your router’s wifi is, a wired connection always performs better than a wireless one. So, having sufficient ethernet ports is mandatory.
Both Tp-Link Ax5400 and Netgear R6700AX have at least 5 ethernet ports. Among them, 4 are LAN ports and another one is an uplink port. Moreover, both of them have one USB port for file sharing.
If the LAN ports are not enough for you then you can consider buying a switch.
So, both of them are great if you consider the number of ports. However, all the ethernet ports of Tp-Link Ax5400 are Gigabit. On the other hand, the ethernet ports of Netgear R6700AX are not all gigabit.
As a result, Tp-Link Ax5400 has an advantage over Netgear R6700AX in terms of LAN speed.
Security
Security and privacy is a crucial factors to consider nowadays.
Only Tp-Link Ax5400 has built-in enterprise-grade security. So, it’s more secure than Netgear R6700AX. Moreover, with Tp-Link Ax5400 you don’t have to subscribe to any cybersecurity software.
Moreover, both of them have parental control built in. So, you don’t have to waste money purchasing it separately.
Advanced Features
Netgear has always been providing a ton of advanced features with its routers. But Netgear R6700AX is different. It might be because of the low price. So, Tp-Link wins here.
Because AX5400 comes with advanced MU-MIMO, 4T4R, HE160 technology, OFDMA, and beamforming. So, your network performance becomes even better.
On the other hand, Netgear R6700AX does not provide any advanced features. It only has Wifi 6. So, if you are looking for state-of-the-art advanced features. Then you should avoid it.
Warranty
In terms of warranty and future services Netgear wins. Because it provides a limited one-year warranty while Tp-Link does not.
Though Tp-Link provides a warranty with almost all the devices. But it’s not mentioned about this AX5400 anywhere. So, ask the retailer about the warranty if you want to purchase it.
By this time we have seen an in-depth comparison. Now let’s look at some of the common questions.
Which Is Better Between Tp-Link And Netgear?
It really depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a high-quality, reliable router that is a bit more expensive, then Netgear is the better option. If you are looking for a good, affordable router with a lot of features, then TP-Link is the better
Both TP-Link and Netgear are great brands, but they do have their differences. Netgear is a well-known brand for routers and other networking products. They are known for their high-quality products and for being a reliable brand. However, their products can be a bit more expensive than TP-Link’s.
On the other hand, TP-Link is a brand that is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. They make great routers that are affordable and have a lot of features. They are also a very reliable brand.
Which Is Better Tp-Link Vs Netgear Extender?
When it comes to choosing the best TP-Link vs Netgear extender, it can be tough to decide which one to buy. Both brands are popular and have a lot of great features.
TP-Link extenders are generally easier to set up than Netgear extenders. They are reliable too. Moreover, TP-Link’s extenders also come with a one-year warranty, while Netgear offers no warranty with their extenders. However, Netgear extenders are typically more powerful than TP-Link extenders.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use extender with a one-year warranty, then TP-Link is the better choice. If you need a more powerful extender then Netgear is the better choice.
Final Verdict
I hope I have successfully eliminated your confusion on tp link vs netgear router. So, now you can choose between TP-Link AX5400 Vs Netgear R6700AX without worrying.
Lastly, both of them are great models. So, you can choose any of them. However, if you are looking for an affordable option then Netgear R6700AX would be a better choice here. On the other hand, if you want performance and more features then TP-Link AX5400 is better for you.
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!