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Netgear WNR3500L Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£90
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 300 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 1 Gbps
  • Wireless coverage: 300 m²

Netgear WNR3500L review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

6.2

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%

5.9

Technical Score

10.0%

8.8

User score

Good
5.9

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%

5.8

Ports

18.0%

7.1

Networking

14.0%

9.2

Security

12.0%

4.1

Hardware

10.0%

6.3

Management

Good
8.8

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%

8.3

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
(755)
amazon
4.3
(529)
amazon
4.2
(216)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(1031)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Excellent
  • 3.8
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    1.3

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    5.2

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    1.9

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    9.0

    Maximum connected devices

  • 5.0
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    9.3

    Weight

    30.0%

    1.3

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

  • netgear-wnr3500l
netgear-wnr3500l

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

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

Verdict

The Netgear WNR3500L is an open-source N300 Wireless Gigabit Router designed for enthusiasts, featuring a 480–500 MHz Broadcom processor, up to 128MB of RAM, and 128MB of flash memory. This single-band 2.4 GHz device includes one WAN and four LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed wired connectivity, alongside a USB 2.0 port for ReadySHARE storage sharing. Its primary advantage is extensive support for third-party Linux-based firmware like DD-WRT, Tomato, and OpenWRT, offering advanced customization and stable routing throughput of around 250–300 Mbps. However, its main drawbacks include the lack of a 5 GHz band, internal antennas that limit physical range compared to external designs, and aging hardware that struggles with modern high-bandwidth demands.

Technical Specifications of router Netgear WNR3500L

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%

5.8

Ports

18.0%

7.1

Networking

14.0%

9.2

Security

12.0%

4.1

Hardware

10.0%

6.3

Management

5.9
Netgear WNR3500L has a technical score of 5.9 points, which is lower than that of 74.5% 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%

8.3

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
(755)
amazon
4.3
(529)
amazon
4.2
(216)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(1031)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

8.8
Netgear WNR3500L has a user score of 8.84 points, which is higher than that of 72.8% 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 WNR3500L 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%

6.2

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

7.3
Netgear WNR3500L has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.3 points, which is lower than 65.2% 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 WNR3500L 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
Netgear WNR3500L supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 75.3% of routers and equal to 22.3% 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

300 Mbps
Netgear WNR3500L delivers 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 73.5% of routers and equal to 17% 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 WNR3500L 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
Netgear WNR3500L supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 41% of routers and equal to 17.7% 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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

no
Netgear WNR3500L does not support VLAN tagging. 63% 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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

1
Netgear WNR3500L has 1 USB ports, which is more than 39.2% of routers and the same as 39.9% 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 WNR3500L 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
Netgear WNR3500L uses Web UI for management, which is less advanced than 72.2% of routers and equal to 27.3% of routers.
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
Netgear WNR3500L supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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

0.453 GHz
Netgear WNR3500L runs at 0.453 GHz, which is slower than 82.4% 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

64 MB
Netgear WNR3500L has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 66.9% of routers and the same as 15.2% 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

0.007812 GB
Netgear WNR3500L has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 73.1% of routers and the same as 20.3% 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

?
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 WNR3500L has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.7% of routers and the same as 40.3% of routers.
Show more

Netgear WNR3500L vs the average router

  • 61.3% wider wireless coverage
    Netgear WNR3500L has wider wireless coverage than the average router (300 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 WNR3500L has wider wireless coverage than the average router (300 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².300 m² vs 186 m²
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear WNR3500L supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 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 WNR3500L supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 10.5% higher user score
    Netgear WNR3500L has a higher user score than the average router (8.84 vs 8.000).
    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.
    Netgear WNR3500L has a higher user score than the average router (8.84 vs 8.000).8.84 vs 8
  • 61.3% wider wireless coverage
    Netgear WNR3500L has wider wireless coverage than the average router (300 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Netgear WNR3500L supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.

Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Netgear WNR3500L supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
  • 79.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear WNR3500L has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • Narrower channel widths
    Netgear WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Netgear WNR3500L does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • No VLAN tagging
    Netgear WNR3500L does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Netgear WNR3500L supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
  • Weaker management tools
    Netgear WNR3500L uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    Netgear WNR3500L has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.453 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
  • 12.9 W higher power consumption
    Netgear WNR3500L uses more power than the average router (21 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
  • 50% GB less RAM
    Netgear WNR3500L has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 128 MB). The average router has 128 MB of RAM.
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    Netgear WNR3500L has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • 6 years older release date
    Netgear WNR3500L is an older model than the average router (2,009 vs 2,015). The average router release year is 2,015.
    September 2009
  • Limited firmware updates
    Netgear WNR3500L supports the firmware update methods Web UI, 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 WNR3500L supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Netgear WNR3500L supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 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

    Netgear WNR3500L supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • No VLAN tagging
    Netgear WNR3500L does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support 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

    Netgear WNR3500L does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • 79.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Netgear WNR3500L has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 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 WNR3500L has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.300 Mbps vs 1450 Mbps
  • Narrower channel widths
    Netgear WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L 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
  • Weaker management tools
    Netgear WNR3500L uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    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 WNR3500L uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    Netgear WNR3500L has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.453 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a 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 WNR3500L has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.453 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.0.453 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • No band steering
    Netgear WNR3500L 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 WNR3500L does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
Total
Overall
Wireless
Networking
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of Netgear WNR3500L and other routers

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.1
755 Reviews
amazon
4.3
529 Reviews
amazon
4.2
216 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
1031 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Netgear WNR3500L?

  • Open-source friendly: Officially supports third-party firmware like DD-WRT, Tomato, and OpenWRT.
  • Reliable wired connectivity: Features four Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed wired networking.
  • Hardware value: Includes 64MB RAM and 8MB Flash, which was considered substantial for its class at release.
  • Integrated USB port: Supports ReadySHARE for basic network-attached storage (NAS) functionality.
  • Sleek and cool operation: Users noted an attractive design and that the unit generally runs fairly cool.

What customers dislike about Netgear WNR3500L?

  • Software stability issues: Users reported routing throughput drops of up to 70% and potential lock-ups when using certain firmware.
  • Limited wireless performance: Range and speed are often described as undistinguished or mediocre compared to newer standards.
  • Single-band only: Lacks support for the 5GHz band, which can lead to interference in congested 2.4GHz areas.
  • Outdated stock interface: The factory user interface is frequently cited as dated and scattered.
  • Setup quirks: Some users found it difficult to flash firmware using modern browsers like Firefox, requiring older versions of Internet Explorer for compatibility.

Expert reviews

O
overclockers.com
28/04/2010
New Router - WNR 3500L - Also, a mini review

This 2010 review of the Netgear WNR3500L highlights its role as a stable, flash-friendly upgrade from aging hardware, particularly when running DD-WRT BIG firmware. The router, equipped with 64MB RAM and a 480MHz CPU, proved capable of handling demanding custom software that causes bottlenecks on lesser devices. Performance tests indicated a 3.6 Mbps increase in download speeds,...Read more

E
eve.gd
18/02/2011
Open Hardware: the Netgear WNR3500L

Martin Paul Eve’s review highlights the Netgear WNR3500L as a premier "open" router, chosen for its stability under heavy loads and support for third-party firmware like DD-WRT. The device features a recovery mode for safe flashing, 128MB RAM, 128MB flash, and Gigabit Ethernet, making it robust for custom configurations. However, the WNR3500L lacks an integrated ADSL2+ modem,...Read more

A
au.pcmag.com
02/04/2009
Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNR3500 [Note: This review covers the initial model performance relevant to the L version hardware]

The Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNR3500 features an attractive, upright design with internal antennas and provides user-friendly setup with excellent context-sensitive help. Notably, it acts as a capable wireless repeater for extending network coverage. However, the unit suffers from mediocre wireless throughput, with speeds of 66 Mbps at close range and 38 Mbps at 50...Read more

S
smallnetbuilder.com
03/06/2010
Lots More Features, Lots Less Performance: NETGEAR WNR3500L with DD-WRT Reviewed

The SmallNetBuilder review of the Netgear WNR3500L with DD-WRT ("Lots More Features, Lots Less Performance") highlights a significant trade-off, offering advanced functionality like VPN support and granular QoS at the expense of raw throughput. While the hardware supports robust, open-source firmware, the review found that installing DD-WRT causes a drastic, up to 70% decrease in...Read more

S
smallnetbuilder.com
25/05/2010
NETGEAR WNR3500L Rangemax Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB Reviewed

The NETGEAR WNR3500L is a single-band 802.11n, Broadcom-based router specifically targeted at the open-source community, offering official support for DD-WRT, OpenWRT, and Tomato firmware. It delivers impressive wired routing throughput (approx. 256-301 Mbps) using factory firmware, paired with Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB port for sharing. However, the unit is limited to 2.4...Read more

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