What are these numbers and what are the differences between these numbers? The Nxxx designation refers to the maximum wireless speed that the router is capable of. This article will help you understand why some NETGEAR routers are described as being N150, N300, N600, etc...
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The 802.11n standard defined specifications for Wi-Fi devices to support multiple radios and antennas that can transmit/receive multiple data streams, also known as spatial streams. You may have seen notation or reference of the send and receive antenna configurations shown as 1x1,1x2, 2x2 or 3x3, etc...
These configurations simply indicate different combinations of transmit and receive antennas are being used in the 802.11n device. Basically, with more antennas and streams, users will experience better overall wireless performance.
Based on the chart above and as an example, the WNDR4300 is referred to as an N750 router because it will support 300Mbps on 2.4GHz and 450Mbps on 5GHz, together, it will yield a maximum speed of 750Mbps, hence N750 Wireless Router.
Below is a chart that will help you quickly understand the NETGEAR naming convention and classification of the 802.11n routers. The following chart is to be used as a quick reference guide and actual product examples shown below may varied and changed over time as new products are being added. Please refer to the NETGEAR Home Product page for an up to date listing of all the wireless routers.
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N150
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N300
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N600
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N750
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N900
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WiFi Speed (Mbps)
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150
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300
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300 + 300
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300 + 450
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450 + 450
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Frequency
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2.4GHz
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2.4GHz
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2.4 & 5GHz
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2.4 & 5GHz
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2.4 & 5 GHz
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Product Examples
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WNR1000
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WNR2000
WNR3500L
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WNDR3400
WNDR3700
WNDR3800
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WNDR4000
WNDR4300
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WNDR4500
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For wireless router comparison, see the Wireless Router Comparison Chart.
Does a higher Nxxx number imply farther range?
No. The different speeds (150/300/450/600) are achieved with different channel widths, 20/40/60/80 MHz respectively.
Larger channel widths do not result in higher range, just faster speeds at close range. Transmission power or Range is not related to the channel width.
What is the difference between "Up to 54Mbps", "Up to 145Mbps", and "Up to 300 Mbps" wireless modes?
"Up to 54Mbps" supports the 802.11g & 802.11b standards.
"Up to 145Mbps" and "Up to 300Mbps" modes support the 802.11N specification and use 20MHz and 40MHz bandwidths, respectively.
"Up to 300Mbps = 40Mhz" will provide the maximum performance in most cases.
"Up to 145Mbps = 20MHz" may work better in areas with more interference from other access points.
"Up to 450Mbps" = 60Mhz, "Up to 600Mbps" = 80Mhz.
Last Updated:11/28/2016
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Article ID: 21918