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Netgear WNDR4500 Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£35
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 900 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 1 Gbps
  • Wireless coverage: 167 m²

Netgear WNDR4500 review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

6.7

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

6.5

Technical Score

10.0%

8.5

User score

Good
6.5

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

4.0

Wireless

20.0%

6.2

Ports

18.0%

8.1

Networking

14.0%

9.0

Security

12.0%

5.8

Hardware

10.0%

7.5

Management

Good
8.5

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

7.8

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(947)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(1179)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Excellent
  • 3.6
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    2.3

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    5.8

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    3.0

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    3.5

    Maximum connected devices

  • 4.3
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    6.8

    Weight

    30.0%

    2.3

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Netgear WNDR4500, also known as the N900, is a simultaneous dual-band Gigabit router that delivers theoretical speeds up to 900 Mbps (450 Mbps on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands). Key specifications include five 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 4 LAN), two USB 2.0 ports for ReadySHARE storage and printer sharing, and 128 MB of both RAM and Flash memory. Its main strengths are exceptional 5 GHz wireless performance, extended signal range suitable for large homes, and a user-friendly management interface via the Netgear Genie app. However, notable drawbacks include subpar 2.4 GHz data rates compared to competitors, slow USB transfer speeds for network-attached storage use, and a fixed vertical design that prevents wall mounting or horizontal placement.

Technical Specifications of router Netgear WNDR4500

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

26.0%

4.0

Wireless

20.0%

6.2

Ports

18.0%

8.1

Networking

14.0%

9.0

Security

12.0%

5.8

Hardware

10.0%

7.5

Management

6.5
Netgear WNDR4500 has a technical score of 6.45 points, which is lower than that of 55.2% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.

When it matters: When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

7.8

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(947)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(1179)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.5
Netgear WNDR4500 has a user score of 8.46 points, which is higher than that of 59.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
Netgear WNDR4500 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 63.5% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

6.7

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

7.7
Netgear WNDR4500 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.7 points, which is higher than 53.4% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Netgear
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Netgear WNDR4500 uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.2% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Netgear WNDR4500 supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 25% of routers and equal to 67.9% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

900 Mbps
Netgear WNDR4500 delivers 900 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 60.5% of routers and equal to 2% of routers.
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

20 MHz + 40 MHz
Netgear WNDR4500 supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.9% of routers and the same as 34.8% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X
Netgear WNDR4500 supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 62.2% of routers and equal to 4.9% of routers.
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 includes DoS protection. 11% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 3.6% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 supports MAC address filtering. 1% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 supports URL filtering. 1.8% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 supports IPv6. 10.9% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 supports dynamic routing. 46.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear WNDR4500 does not support inter-VLAN routing. 22.2% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 supports VLAN tagging. 37.2% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 includes QoS controls. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

4
Netgear WNDR4500 has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.4% of routers and the same as 69.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

1 Gbps
Netgear WNDR4500 offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.2% of routers and on par with 59.8% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

1
Netgear WNDR4500 has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

2
Netgear WNDR4500 has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.3% of routers and the same as 20.4% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear WNDR4500 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App, Utility
Netgear WNDR4500 uses Web UI, App, Utility for management, which is more advanced than 92.9% of routers and equal to 2% of routers.
NETGEAR genie
Firmware upgrade method
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, Automatic
Netgear WNDR4500 supports Web UI, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 35.4% of routers and equal to 37.8% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 includes traffic monitoring. 17.5% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Netgear WNDR4500 does not offer captive portal features. 23.9% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

0.6 GHz
Netgear WNDR4500 runs at 0.6 GHz, which is slower than 69.2% of routers and on par with 2.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

128 MB
Netgear WNDR4500 has 128 MB of RAM, which is more than 33.3% of routers and the same as 16.8% of routers.
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

0.125 GB
Netgear WNDR4500 has 0.125 GB of internal storage, which is more than 44.4% of routers and the same as 22.5% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Netgear WNDR4500 offers hardware acceleration. 19.3% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

0
Netgear WNDR4500 has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.7% of routers and the same as 40.3% of routers.
Show more

Netgear WNDR4500 vs the average router

  • 1 more USB ports
    Netgear WNDR4500 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
    When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 1 USB port

    Netgear WNDR4500 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.2 vs 1
  • Better management tools
    Netgear WNDR4500 uses the management interface Web UI, App, Utility, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    NETGEAR genie
    What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
    When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear WNDR4500 uses the management interface Web UI, App, Utility, while the average router uses Web UI, App.Web UI, App, Utility vs Web UI, App
  • 1 2 more spatial streams
    Netgear WNDR4500 has more spatial streams than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
    What it is: Shows how many parallel Wi-Fi spatial streams the router can use for wireless data transmission.
    When it matters: When modern clients need higher throughput from wider multi-stream Wi-Fi connections.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 4 spatial streams

    Netgear WNDR4500 has more spatial streams than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.3 vs 2
  • Suitable for gaming
    Netgear WNDR4500 is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.2% of routers are designed for gaming.
    What it is: Highlights whether the router is aimed at gaming-focused use, such as lower-latency traffic handling or gaming-oriented controls.
    When it matters: When gaming traffic, lower latency, or easier prioritization of consoles and gaming PCs matters in your network setup.

    Importance: LOW

    Netgear WNDR4500 is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.2% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear WNDR4500 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
    When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear WNDR4500 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Netgear WNDR4500 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £90).
    Netgear WNDR4500 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £90).£35 vs £90
  • 1 2 more spatial streams
    Netgear WNDR4500 has more spatial streams than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear WNDR4500 supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
  • 1 more USB ports
    Netgear WNDR4500 has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
  • Better management tools
    Netgear WNDR4500 uses the management interface Web UI, App, Utility, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
  • Suitable for gaming
    Netgear WNDR4500 is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.2% of routers are designed for gaming.

Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
Ports
Management
Hardware
  • Narrower channel widths
    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
  • No band steering
    Netgear WNDR4500 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Netgear WNDR4500 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • 37.9% 40% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (900 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • 10.2% 40% narrower wireless coverage
    Netgear WNDR4500 has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (167 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
  • Limited firmware updates
    Netgear WNDR4500 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
  • 2 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear WNDR4500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Netgear WNDR4500 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
    When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear WNDR4500 supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Narrower channel widths
    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
    When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • No band steering
    Netgear WNDR4500 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
    What it is: Can guide dual-band or tri-band clients toward the more suitable frequency band automatically.
    When it matters: When you want devices spread more intelligently across 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz bands.

    Importance: LOW

    Netgear WNDR4500 does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Netgear WNDR4500 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
    What it is: Uses signal-shaping techniques to direct wireless energy more effectively toward connected clients.
    When it matters: When coverage at the edge of the home needs to stay more stable for active devices.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Netgear WNDR4500 does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • 37.9% 40% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (900 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
    When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2700 Mbps

    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (900 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.900 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
    When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

    Importance: HIGH

    Netgear WNDR4500 has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 10.2% 40% narrower wireless coverage
    Netgear WNDR4500 has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (167 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    What it is: The estimated area the router is intended to cover with usable Wi-Fi signal.
    When it matters: When one router needs to serve a large apartment, multi-room house, or open office area.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >230 m²

    Netgear WNDR4500 has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (167 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².167 m² vs 186 m²
  • 2 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear WNDR4500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
    When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 3 antennas

    Netgear WNDR4500 has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.0 vs 2
Total
Wireless
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of Netgear WNDR4500 and other routers

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
947 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
1179 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Netgear WNDR4500?

  • High performance on the 5GHz band with impressive range and data rates for its generation.
  • Dual-band support (450Mbps + 450Mbps) allows for simultaneous usage and reduced interference.
  • Straightforward initial setup process using the Netgear Genie interface, which is noted as user-friendly for beginners.
  • Includes two USB 2.0 ports for basic file sharing and printer sharing via ReadySHARE.
  • Solid build quality and stable vertical design that aids in passive cooling.
  • Features dedicated physical buttons for Wi-Fi On/Off and WPS for easy management.

What customers dislike about Netgear WNDR4500?

  • Subpar 2.4GHz wireless performance, often registering significantly slower speeds than competing routers of its time.
  • Limited physical flexibility as the design essentially requires it to be positioned vertically on its non-removable base.
  • Slow data transfer speeds when using external hard drives via the USB ports.
  • Hardware is now several generations out of date (802.11n), making it unsuitable for modern high-speed gigabit internet plans.
  • Recent user reports highlight frustrations with customer support and technical assistance once the warranty period has expired.
  • Large and heavy 'brick-style' external power supply compared to typical home routers.

Expert reviews

U
uk.pcmag.com
13/06/2018
Netgear N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WNDR4500 Review Are you looking for specific benchmark results from these tests or perhaps firmware upd...

The PCMag review of the Netgear N900 (WNDR4500) highlights its exceptional 2.4 GHz throughput and strong 5 GHz performance, positioning it as a high-performance, simultaneous dual-band router designed for heavy network loads. Key features include the user-friendly Netgear Genie management software and dual USB 2.0 ports, though the unit is limited by a bulky, vertical-only design....Read more

L
legitreviews.com
06/07/2012
Netgear WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Router Review

The Netgear WNDR4500 N900 is a high-performance, dual-band router capable of 450Mbps speeds on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, designed for heavy traffic like HD streaming. A key pro is its dominant "write" speed performance, especially with large files, though a con is its bulky, non-detachable vertical stand. Functionally, the router offers ReadySHARE for USB devices and the intuitive...Read more

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slashgear.com
02/03/2012
Netgear WNDR4500 Review

The Netgear WNDR4500 is a vertical "monolith" router featuring a 3x3 antenna array, four gigabit Ethernet ports, and an internal fan for cooling, as detailed by SlashGear. It offers strong, stable wireless performance, delivering up to 450 Mbps on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, with the Netgear Genie app simplifying setup. However, the review notes significant drawbacks, including...Read more

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pcmag.com
12/12/2011
Netgear N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router (WNDR4500) Review

The Netgear N900 (WNDR4500) is a high-performance dual-band router recognized for excellent 2.4 GHz throughput, making it ideal for legacy devices, and featuring user-friendly Netgear Genie management software. It boasts dual-band support with a combined 900 Mbps speed and includes ReadySHARE functionality via two USB 2.0 ports. However, the unit is higher priced, limited to...Read more

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gizmodo.com
11/11/2011
Netgear WNDR4500 Wi-Fi Router Review: Simply the Best

The Gizmodo review (via Maximum PC) highlights the Netgear WNDR4500 (N900) as a top-performing 802.11n router, featuring 450Mbps speeds on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for superior performance with legacy devices. It features the user-friendly Netgear Genie software for management and a distinct vertical design, though this fixed orientation limits placement options. While 5GHz...Read more

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uk.pcmag.com
16/05/2014
Netgear N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router WNDR4500

The Netgear N900 (WNDR4500) is a high-performance 802.11n router featuring 450Mbps throughput on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, designed for power users with a vertical, five-gigabit Ethernet port design. Key pros include exceptional 2.4GHz performance nearly doubling its predecessor's speed, easy mobile-friendly setup, and the intuitive Netgear Genie management software. However, the...Read more

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expertreviews.co.uk
02/11/2012
Netgear WNDR4500 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router review Do you need technical specifications or setup guides for this specific Netgear model? Copy

According to Expert Reviews, the Netgear WNDR4500 (N900) sets a high standard for performance by delivering record-breaking speeds on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The router features a distinct vertical "monolith" design, offering robust, stable connections and easy CD-less setup via Netgear Genie software. Pros include dual USB 2.0 ports for ReadySHARE, extensive parental controls,...Read more

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avforums.com
16/10/2012
Netgear N900 (WNDR4500) Wireless Router Review

The AVForums review characterizes the Netgear N900 WNDR4500 as a high-performance, dual-band router featuring simultaneous 450Mbps speeds on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. While praised for its stylish, vertical design and comprehensive connectivity—including five gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB ports for ReadySHARE—the unit is noted for being bulky and a magnet for fingerprints....Read more

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cnet.com
19/03/2012
Netgear WNDR4500 review

The Netgear WNDR4500 (N900) delivers exceptional 5GHz wireless performance, marking it as a high-speed router capable of concurrent 450Mbps speeds on both bands for demanding home networks. However, the device features a bulky, non-detachable vertical design that cannot be mounted on walls. Key performance strengths include excellent signal range and stability, enhanced by the...Read more

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storagereview.com
06/01/2012
Netgear N900 (WNDR4500) Review

The Netgear N900 (WNDR4500) is a high-performance, vertical-standing dual-band router featuring user-friendly Netgear Genie software and strong wired performance, achieving up to 109 MB/s in testing. It provides robust wireless speeds suitable for HD streaming (16MB/s) and includes dual USB 2.0 ports for network storage, although those ports exhibit relatively slow transfer speeds....Read more

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smallnetbuilder.com
12/10/2011
NETGEAR WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Reviewed

The Netgear WNDR4500 N900, reviewed on SmallNetBuilder, is a high-performance three-stream 802.11n router featuring a revamped "Genie" interface, two USB 2.0 ports, and four Gigabit Ethernet ports. While it offers top-tier 5 GHz throughput ideal for high-bandwidth tasks, it suffers from poor 2.4 GHz performance with two-stream clients, often showing high variation and oscillation....Read more

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cnet.com
19/09/2011
Netgear WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router review

The Netgear WNDR4500 N900 is a high-performance router supporting 450Mbps on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, featuring a revamped Netgear Genie interface for easy management. It excels in 5GHz speed and range, making it ideal for high-end wireless clients. However, the device suffers from subpar 2.4GHz performance and weak USB storage transfer speeds, while its large, vertical-only...Read more

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