• NETGEAR WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Review

Hey folks, Valkor here. As much as we handle tech around here at TOV, it's only been until this year that I've truly embraced wireless technology. Sure my laptop has onboard Wi-Fi, but I've mostly kept it wired unless I was taking a trip. My phone, which used to be a standard is now a smartphone for accessing my email and the interwebz, I have a Clear personal hotspot, and now thanks to the folks at NETGEAR I get to try out one of their latest wireless routers – the NETGEAR WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (I'll call it the WNDR4500 for short).

NETGEAR WNDR4500 Gigabit router


Let's start with the design; the WNDR4500 is a sleek black box that's attached to a non-removable plastic stand. At the front, you have all your indicator lights and at the back, you have 2 USB ports, which can be used for other devices such as external hard drives or printers, 4 LAN Ethernet ports, an Internet port, reset switch, power port, and an on/off switch.

The WNDR4500 is a dual band router so it supports 450 MPS in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Other features include:

  • • Offers ReadyShare USB and Printer support that allow you to plug a printer or external drive into the router and share it with other devices.
  • • 450 + 450 gets you up to 900 Mps speed
  • • Guest Network Access
  • • DNLA support for streaming digital content to supported devices such as the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360
  • • Wide range (great for large homes)
  • • Parental Controls

There are several options to set up the device; the first is to simply plug and play by following the included instructions – that's only if you're ok with using the default password included to secure your connection. The other way is to use the included software or point your browser to a web address. Either way, you'll have total control over your connection, all of which is very simple to set up. Once completed, you're then on your way.

NETGEAR WNDR4500 Gigabit router


In the house of Val, we're hooked up through Xfinity (Comcast) High-Speed Internet which offers up to 12mps download speeds. And on the Wi-Fi side, I use my own Clear Wireless Personal Hotspot (which uses 4G wireless). Of course, it's no contest which offers the faster speed, but to see how big of a difference I used PC Pitstop Bandwidth Speed test.


NETGEAR WNDR4500



Clear Wireless


So after spending some time with the WNDR4500, how did it fare in Val-cave testing? Check it out in the TOV Breakdown!

The Bang:

Speed test aside, the WNDR4500 performed impressively well at both the 2.4 and 5 GHz speeds (with the 2.4 being slightly slower, but to me not that noticeable). It's been awhile since I've been able to pull off a torrent download while doing some casual online gaming, which I couldn't do as much with my Clear Wireless modem. The range of the device from the router to my laptop is approximately 20 feet behind a closed door and to me, it still feels like I'm on a wired connection. The Wi-Fi connects all my wireless devices such as my Playstation 3 and iPhone 3GS (gotta save on that limited bandwidth AT&T is dishing out) and everything flows smoothly. It's been great having to visit Playstation Home once again but I've also been able to get my adventure on with Lord of the Rings: War in the North. In short – the WNDR4500 is the Cadillac of Wi-Fi routers!

The Slack:

Very nitpicky, but the stand should be removable for optimal positioning, especially given the wide range the baby can reach.

NETGEAR WNDR4500 Gigabit router


Overall:

Out of all the caves in the world, NETGEAR's WNDR4500 N900 Wireless router had to walk into mine and impress the hell out of me with its incredible speeds. If you're looking for the perfect router to suit your streaming, gaming, and all-around Wi-Fi needs then look no further fellas, you found it! And out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving the NETGEAR WDNR4500 a 4.5 and it's been Valkor tested, TOV Approved!