A device that allows personal computers or other devices in your local network to connect to the internet by establishing communication is called a router. Every router belongs to a standard established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
The features and cost of a router vary with its standards. The newest approved standard is the 802.11ac.
Two of its predecessors are 802.11n and 802.11g.
Key Takeaways
- N routers, or 802.11n routers, provide faster data transfer speeds, improved range, and better signal stability than G routers or 802.11g routers.
- G routers, or 802.11g routers, have lower data transfer speeds and shorter ranges than N routers but are compatible with a wider range of older devices.
- N and G routers are Wi-Fi standards for wireless networking, but N routers offer more advanced performance and features than G routers.
N router vs G router
The difference between the N and G routers lies in the varying transmission speeds of data and their compatibility with older 802.11 standards. The N router can transmit data from 50 Mbps to 600 Mbps, whereas the G router can transmit a maximum of 54 Mbps.
The N standard is backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g, thus making it more versatile. The G standard is, however, compatible only with 802.11b.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | N router | G router |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Name | It is technically referred to as the 802.11n router or Wi-Fi 4. | It is technically referred to as the 802.11g router or Wi-Fi 3. |
| Data rate(data transmitted in one second) | Data rate ranges from 54Mbit/s to 600Mbit/s. (can transmit 54 to 600 megabits of data in one second) | It has a maximum data rate of 54 Mbit/s. (can transmit a maximum of 54 megabits in one second) |
| Backward compatibility(operating reciprocally with older versions) | Backwards are compatible with 802.11a/b/g devices because they can operate on radio frequency bands. | Backwards is compatible with only 802.11b devices because it operates on only one radio frequency band. |
| Frequency | The 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz frequency bands can be chosen to operate an N router. | It operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. |
| Wireless range | The maximum indoor range is over 175 feet. (more than that of the G standard) | The maximum indoor range is up to 150 feet. |
What is N router?
Technically known as 802.11n or Wi-Fi 4, the N router came as a successor to the 802.11a/b/g standards of routers. The MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) technology can achieve faster data rates than its predecessors.
Unlike other router standards, it can support more bandwidth using several wireless signals and antennas. Data rates of an N standard router can reach up to 600Mbps.
Its backward compatibility with 802.11a/b/g standards makes it versatile. The 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz frequency bands can be chosen to operate an N router.
They cover an indoor wireless range of over 175 feet because they can operate on two frequency bands (2.4 and 5 GHz). One can find different types of N routers to suit his/her needs, ranging from high speeds, uninterrupted gaming, smooth media streaming or even just standard internet browsing.
Asus, Linksys, TP-Link, Netgear and Belkin are some of the leading manufacturers of N routers. A few such routers are Linksys EA4500 N900(for speed), TP-Link N450 TL-WR940N(for streaming), Netgear’s N600 WNDR3400(for home) and Belkin N600(for gaming).
N routers, being more expensive, are not the best choice for standard internet browsing and streaming. However, their performance and efficiency will be worth your money.
What is G router?
Technically referred to as 802.11g or Wi-Fi 3, G routers are a standard of routers that include the best 802.11a and 802.11b routers. They achieve a maximum data rate of 54 Mbit/s. And have a maximum indoor wireless range of up to 150 feet.
A G router’s data rate and wireless range are lesser than the N router’s. They are backwards compatible with only 802.11b devices because they operate in only one radio frequency band, i.e. the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
A G router could be your best pick if you do not require high internet speeds or if your ISP connection isn’t fast enough. Moreover, they are less expensive than N routers.
Some of the best G router manufacturers are TP-Link, Linksys, Asus and D-Link. A few such routers are:
- D-Link DIR-842- Despite being costlier than the usual G router, they include more functionalities)
- D-Link DIR-605L- While more affordable, it gives you more speed than the usual G router.
- ASUS Wireless RT-N12- Another router with good speeds and decent functionalities worth the price.
Main Differences Between N router and G router
- The N router has a higher bandwidth or data rate (54Mbit/s to 600Mbit/s) than its counterpart. This implies that it can transmit more data in one second.
- The former can operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The G router operates only in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
- Concerning backward compatibility, the N standard can work with 802.11a/b/g devices, and the G standard can only work with 802.11b devices.
- The indoor wireless range for an N router (over 175 feet) is more than that of the G router (up to 150 feet).
- The N router has a higher bandwidth and price than the G router because it is upgraded.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Highly informative article. I appreciate the depth of this content.
A very educative comparison. I have a better understanding of N and G routers now.
We need more content like this. Very beneficial for readers.
Absolutely top-notch post. Very informative.
Incredible insights into the functions and features of N and G routers. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely fantastic. I learnt a lot from this post.
This is a comprehensive and detailed explanation differentiating the N and G routers. Excellent work!
Thank you for breaking down the technical aspects into an understandable piece.
I echo the same thoughts. A very useful post.
The comparisons between N and G routers were well explained and very useful to determine the best option. Great post!
I found this article very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Agreed!
I have a clearer understanding of N routers and G routers now. Good job in explaining the differences in detail.
Completely agree. I couldn’t have explained it any better.
Very well written post. I’ve learned a considerable amount about N and G routers. Thank you!
This was both insightful and educational. Kudos to the author.
Definitely, the depth of information is commendable.
This is a very educational article for me, as a reader. This clarified some doubts I had. Thank you!
Absolutely, I feel the same way. Very well written!
The comparisons and contrasts in this article are spectacular and easily understandable. A job well done!
Informative and well-researched. This post gets a thumbs up.
Absolutely, the technical details were presented in a very accessible way.
The information regarding the leading N and G routers manufacturers was very enlightening. Thank you!
I wasn’t familiar with the leading N and G router manufacturers. This has been very insightful.
Really well-researched post. Appreciate the effort!