

Now, this is, arguably, the one feature that matters most as the speed limit on your router determines whether you can use it effectively. So, yet again, the Netgear XR500 just barely bumps off its competitor and takes the first place. This might be a vital feature if you plan on getting one for an office. After all, it affects the number of devices you can keep connected to the router without it going haywire. That’s not a difference that you’ll feel too acutely in day-to-day home use but it’s still worth noting. However, the Netgear XR500 does have a 1.7 GHz processor while the Linksys EA8500 only offers a 1.4 GHz one. That might not be an essential feature but it’s still a plus.Īside from that, there’s little to edge out the competition as both models offer the latest network protocols and encryption. Yes, indeed, that model is fitted with two ports for USB connectivity. Now, you might be thinking that the Linksys EA8500 is the clear winner here, after all, how could the Netgear XR500 possibly compare? Well, it offers all the same in terms of LAN/WAN but it doubles down on USB 3.0.

This means you can hook it up to plenty of devices, including old PCs that might not even support WiFi. The wireless router from Linksys has 1 WAN port and 4 LAN ones as well as a USB 3.0 aperture and a USB 2.0/eSAT combo one. And, on the one hand, we’re happy to report that both models excel in this one but, on the other, this just makes the choice that much harder.įor example, let’s start with the connectivity ports. This is one of the two key categories when it comes to routers as what’s in the device determines how well it works and whether it will be of any use to you. So while not everybody will like the bold new design of the Netgear Nighthawk wireless router, we have to concede that it gets the win in this category. Though we did feel like the Netgear model was a bit more compact as its antennas were thinner and the device itself was low-set while the Linksys router is pretty high. However, the Linksys EA8500 is no slouch either, offering the same number of antennas. With four antennas sticking out of the router, you know for sure that this model will reach even the furthest corners of your home with its signal. Meanwhile, the Netgear XR500 has a cool design with an unusual shape and curved body. For example, the Linksys EA8500 has several ventilation apertures to keep the device from overheating, useful since you don’t really shut off your router, keeping it on 24/7. However, these two do manage to stand out and differentiate themselves from each other. Many are just a white or black square box with a few lights on it. You might be thinking that there’s little difference between these two as most routers out there are pretty similar when it comes to design. Who will win and who will enjoy the comfy second place? Let’s find out! We’ve chosen two of their flagship models for home use and now we’re going to compare them step by step to see the pros and cons. However, there has to be only one that deserves the title of the best router manufacturer and today we’ll decide which company has the perfect wireless router.

They offer cutting-edge technologies and great routers for home use, never lagging behind or compromising on the quality of their products. It would be a good idea to actually get a router that’s just a bit more powerful than required since that margin would cover for any dips in signal quality.Īll of the above is usually readily available in any router from the Linksys and Netgear companies as these have been the leading manufacturers in the industry for quite a while.

And, of course, don’t forget to see if the coverage area is large enough for your home. If we’re talking about ports, at least a couple of LAN ones are a good bonus since you never know if you’ll have to hook up an older gadget to the device. We also recommend checking the security measures available in the router, though they’re largely the same for most models, featuring basic encryption to prevent hacking. Make sure that whichever model you pick has up-to-date network standards and at least a couple of antennas as those boost the signal strength substantially. For example, many of the best wireless Linksys routers are strong enough to cover a two-story home without any dips in signal quality. Thus, make sure your router supports high-speed connections, has enough ports to keep everything hooked up, and doesn’t lose connection to the gadgets just because a thin wall is placed between them. It’s not only about size or cool design as you’re buying an electronic device that your home’s online connection hinges on. First up, we should pinpoint which qualities one needs to look for when choosing a wireless router.
