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Linksys vs Netgear Router
There are plenty of well-known consumer network hardware brands that have been around for years. Linksys and Netgear are two of the biggest names, and you can find their products pretty much anywhere in the world.
Ranking one brand above the other isn’t simple. Both have a solid track record of making quality network hardware, but like any established brand, you’ll find some models that hit the mark and others that miss it.
Your experience really comes down to which specific products you’ve used. Someone who had a great Netgear router might swear by the brand, while someone else who got a dud might feel differently.
With that in mind, let’s compare these two brands across user ratings, budget routers, mesh systems, and performance models.
Linksys vs Netgear: User Experience
Linksys Vs Netgear Router – User Experience
Getting a reliable overall brand rating from users is tricky. Most review platforms don’t cover routers that well and tend to lean heavily toward complaints.
Amazon reviews give us a better picture. Looking across all Netgear routers on the platform, the average rating comes in at 4.5 out of 5 stars. Linksys isn’t far behind with a 4 out of 5 average, and most of their models individually hit 4.5 stars.
Both brands have had their share of firmware issues across different models. Customers have also reported that tech support can be hit or miss for both Linksys and Netgear.
Linksys Vs Netgear: Budget Routers
Linksys
Linksys Vs Netgear Router
The E5600 is Linksys’ newest budget router. It’s a standard AC1200 model with 4 Ethernet ports, guest access, and parental controls.
Those parental controls give Linksys an edge over Netgear in the budget category right out of the gate.
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Setup is done through a basic web interface. You won’t get app support or smart home integration, but for the price, it covers the basics well.
Netgear
Linksys Vs Netgear Router
The R6230 is Netgear’s answer to the E5600. It matches the AC1200 rating, basic firmware features, and four Ethernet ports.
The trade-off? You lose the parental controls but gain a USB slot for shared storage.
Configuration runs through a basic web interface that doesn’t play nice with smartphones, so you’ll want a computer handy for setup.
This router is fairly limited in what it can do. Don’t expect any power-user features, but it handles everyday family browsing and streaming just fine.
Linksys Vs Netgear: Mesh Routers
Linksys
Linksys Vs Netgear Router
The Velop Mesh System is Linksys’ entry into the growing mesh router market.
You can buy it as a single unit, a two-pack, or a three-pack. Linksys even includes a configurator tool to help you figure out which option works best for your home.
Performance is strong for everyday use, though it won’t match what you’d get from a premium gaming router.
For more on this, take a look at our Netgear router lights meaning guide.
All packs come with a 3-year warranty, which is a nice touch. You also get Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit compatibility built in.
Netgear
Linksys Vs Netgear Router
Netgear’s Orbi line takes a slightly different approach to mesh networking. Instead of a true mesh where every node is equal, the Orbi uses a hub-and-spoke model with a central router and satellite units.
In practice, this doesn’t make a huge difference. Most mesh systems have one node connected to the internet anyway, so the end result is similar.
The real advantage of Netgear’s approach is that Orbi mesh routers dedicate one of their 5GHz bands as a backhaul channel between nodes. This keeps your devices’ traffic separate from the node-to-node communication, which helps maintain speed.
Linksys Vs Netgear: Performance Routers
Linksys
Linksys Vs Netgear Router
The E8450 is Linksys’ newest performance router. It skips the typical multi-antenna spider look that most performance routers go with.
Instead, it has a sleek modern tower design with four internal antennas. It supports WiFi 6, which is the current standard for faster speeds and better handling of multiple connected devices.
One odd choice by Linksys: they dropped smartphone app support for this model. Setup is only available through a web interface.
Netgear
Linksys vs Netgear Router
The RAX120 belongs to Netgear’s Nighthawk lineup, which targets gamers and power users. Design-wise, it’s bigger and more aggressive-looking than anything Linksys offers.
It backs up those looks with an AX6000 speed rating and some features you won’t find on most consumer routers.
On the connectivity side, the RAX120 supports link aggregation on two of its Ethernet ports. It also packs eight internal antennas and two USB 3.0 slots for connecting shared storage devices.
Final Thought
At the end of the day, both Linksys and Netgear sit firmly in the mid-range consumer networking space. They both make solid hardware with good features, but they also both suffer from occasional quality control hiccups, particularly when it comes to firmware.
Your best bet is to compare specific models rather than picking a brand and hoping for the best. Both companies have winners and duds in their lineups.
For a clear breakdown, see our modem vs router guide.
Need admin access? See our WiFi router login guide.
Wondering about WPS? See our WPS explainer.
