Summary

NETGEAR is a multinational networking company that was founded in 1996 in San Jose, California. The company specializes in providing networking hardware for both consumers and businesses, including routers, switches, wireless access points, and network storage.

Mission:

NETGEAR’s mission is to provide innovative networking solutions that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live.

Vision:

NETGEAR’s vision is to be the leading provider of networking solutions that empower people to connect with the world around them.

Top Products and Services:

  • NETGEAR Nighthawk routers
  • NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi systems
  • NETGEAR ReadyNAS network storage
  • NETGEAR Insight cloud management platform
  • NETGEAR Business switches and access points

The Details

The NETGEAR Nighthawk 3-pack mesh system is a high-performance WiFi system that is designed to provide seamless, whole-home coverage for all your devices. The system includes three mesh units that work together to create a single, powerful WiFi network throughout your home.

Some of the key features of the NETGEAR Nighthawk 3-pack mesh system you will see below, along with more detailed information in the next pros and cons section.

  1. Whole-Home Coverage
  2. High-Speed Performance
  3. Easy Setup and Management
  4. Advanced Security Features
  5. Smart Connect Technology
  6. Beamforming Technology

In addition to their hardware products, NETGEAR offers subscription services to enhance your home network. These services include:

  1. NETGEAR Armor: NETGEAR Armor is a cybersecurity service that helps protect your connected devices from hackers, viruses, and malware. With real-time threat detection and automatic updates, NETGEAR Armor provides an extra layer of security for your home network.
  2. NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls: This subscription service allows you to manage and monitor your children’s internet usage. You can set time limits, block inappropriate content, and track their online activity to ensure they are safe while online.
  3. NETGEAR Circle: NETGEAR Circle is a parental control service that allows you to set age-appropriate filters, time limits, and bedtime schedules for each family member’s devices. With insights into online activity and the ability to pause the internet, NETGEAR Circle helps you manage your family’s online experience.
  4. NETGEAR Insight Pro: This subscription service is designed for businesses that want to manage their network devices remotely. With features like multi-tenancy support, device monitoring, and firmware management, NETGEAR Insight Pro simplifies network management for IT professionals.
  5. NETGEAR Armor Bitdefender: This subscription service offers advanced cybersecurity protection for your home network, including anti-virus and anti-malware software. With real-time threat detection and automatic updates, NETGEAR Armor Bitdefender helps keep your devices safe from online threats.

What We Liked

  • Whole-Home Coverage: The three mesh units work together to provide coverage for up to 5,000 square feet, ensuring that every corner of your home has a strong WiFi signal.
  • High-Speed Performance: The system is capable of delivering speeds of up to 3Gbps, ensuring that you can stream HD video, play online games, and download large files without any lag or buffering.
  • Easy Setup and Management: The system can be set up quickly and easily using the Nighthawk app, which guides you through the setup process step by step. The app also allows you to manage your network, prioritize devices, and monitor your WiFi usage.
  • Advanced Security Features: The system includes advanced security features such as WPA3 encryption, guest network access, and parental controls to keep your network and devices safe from cyber threats.
  • Smart Connect Technology: The system uses Smart Connect technology to automatically connect your devices to the best available WiFi band, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
  • Beamforming Technology: The system uses beamforming technology to focus the WiFi signal directly to your devices, ensuring a strong and reliable connection wherever you are in your home.
  • Additional Protection: Additional subscription services like NETGEAR Armor, Smart Parental Controls, and NETGEAR Circle provide extra cybersecurity and parental control options for your home network.

You Might Not Like

  • System Price: The system is more expensive compared to other mesh WiFi systems on the market, which may not be affordable for everyone.
  • Limited Customization: Some users may find that the system lacks advanced customization options for network settings, which can be a drawback for tech-savvy users who want more control over their network.
  • Limited Range: While the system provides whole-home coverage, some users may experience limitations in coverage in larger homes or homes with thick walls, leading to dead zones where the WiFi signal is weak or unavailable.
  • Dependence on the Nighthawk App: The system heavily relies on the Nighthawk app for setup and management, which may be inconvenient for users who prefer to have more control over their network settings through a web interface.
  • Subscription Services Cost: While the additional subscription services offer extra security and parental control features, some users may be hesitant to pay for ongoing subscriptions on top of the initial cost of the system.

Comparison

TP-Link

TP-Link is a global provider of networking products founded in 1996 in Shenzhen, China. Like NETGEAR, TP-Link offers a wide range of networking hardware for both consumers and businesses, including routers, switches, and access points. TP-Link’s mission is to provide affordable and reliable networking solutions to connect people and improve their lives. They also offer subscription services for enhanced security and parental controls similar to NETGEAR.

Similarities:

  • Both companies offer a range of networking hardware products for consumers and businesses.
  • Both companies provide subscription services for enhanced security and parental controls.

Differences:

  • TP-Link is known for providing affordable networking solutions, while NETGEAR is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
  • TP-Link’s customer service is generally well-regarded, while NETGEAR has faced complaints about long wait times and difficulty in getting timely assistance.

Overall rating for TP-Link: 8/10

ASUS

ASUS is a multinational company founded in 1989 in Taiwan that offers a wide range of technology products, including networking hardware like routers, switches, and access points. ASUS is known for its high-quality and innovative products, with a focus on providing reliable and fast connectivity for users. ASUS also offers subscription services for security and parental controls, similar to NETGEAR.

Similarities:

  • Both companies offer a range of networking hardware products for consumers and businesses.
  • Both companies provide subscription services for enhanced security and parental controls.

Differences:

  • ASUS is known for its innovative design and high-quality products, while NETGEAR is more focused on high-speed performance and reliability.
  • ASUS has a strong reputation for customer service, while NETGEAR has faced complaints in this area.

Overall rating for ASUS: 9/10

To conclude, while all three companies offer a range of networking hardware products and subscription services, TP-Link stands out for its affordability, ASUS for its innovative design and high-quality products, and NETGEAR for its high-speed performance and reliability. Each company has its strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable choices depending on the specific needs and preferences of the consumer.

Final Thoughts

The NETGEAR Nighthawk 3-pack mesh system offers whole-home coverage, high-speed performance, advanced security features, and easy setup and management. The system also includes subscription services like NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Controls for added security and control. While the system may be pricier compared to other options on the market, it delivers excellent performance and reliability. For more information on pricing plans tiers and to purchase the NETGEAR Nighthawk system, visit the official website here: https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/mesh/mk63s/.