Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (dual-band) review

The router performed less impressively in the 2.4GHz band, achieving 40.6Mbps in our throughput test and 21.12Mbps in our range test. In mixed mode, with the router set to work with both wireless-n and wireless-g clients, it scored 35.2Mbps -- about average among the routers we've tested.

The Base Station offers good range. In our testing facility, an office building that's not optimised for wireless range, we were able to hold a steady connection to it from further than 90m in the 2.4GHz band and about 85m in the 5GHz band. Both of these numbers are impressive. Expect even longer range if you use it in a more open environment.

5GHz wireless-n performance scores
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Range

Throughput

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (5GHz)

59.04 

66.48 

Linksys WRT610N (5GHz)

54.8 

64.8 

D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router DIR-825 (5GHz)

36.48 

80.96 

2.4GHz wireless-n performance scores
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Mixed mode

Range

Throughput

D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router DIR-825 (2.4GHz)

55.04 

40.4 

57.44 

Belkin N+ Wireless Router (2.4GHz)

36.16 

29.44 

55.44 

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (2.4GHz)

35.2 

21.12 

40.6 

Linksys WRT610N (2.4GHz)

27.04 

28.8 

35.76 

We were impressed with the Base Station's stability. We moved data constantly back and forth between clients over a long period of time, and none of them became disconnected. The router did run warm throughout our testing though, so we recommend you leave it in an open, well-ventilated location.

Conclusion
The Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station looks attractive and offers good performance, but it lacks many of the features found in other high-end routers. As such, it's suitable mainly for networking novices and undemanding users.

Additional editing by Charles Kloet