Both of the firewalls from WatchGuard are more than eligible for their own target markets. Comparing the WatchGuard T85 vs T185 isn’t about which is better than the other, but how the specs relate to your business network. It’s important to note that both of these models are highly configurable, making them great long-term options for growing organizations.
Between the optional port expansion modules and long-term value, each of these WatchGuard firewalls has its place in modern network security. At the end of the day, it comes down to the strengths and limitations in the specs, so you know which path to take.
Regardless of which model you go with, you’re getting fast and dependable firewall solutions that will last for years. This article breaks down comparisons between WatchGuard T85 vs T185 to offer a straightforward look at the most important differences.
WatchGuard Products from the T-Series of Firewalls
The T-Series of WatchGuard Firebox firewalls is pretty diverse if you haven’t already looked into what they have to offer. Flexible deployment, highly configurable, and future-proof design, it’s exactly what you’ll need through varying stages of business growth.
End-of-life (EOL) dates are a normal part of evolving firewall technology, but that doesn’t mean these firewalls won’t have your back for a while. On top of that, WatchGuard makes it easy to transition from one model to the next. That’s part of what’s great about the T-Series in general: you can grow through the firewall ranks for years.
Not only will you find a firewall device for every stage of your business, but you also won’t have to stress over redoing your entire network architecture. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand how they differ, as the specifications are bound to vary when comparing the WatchGuard T85 vs T185.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox T85?
An optimal choice for small businesses on track for growth, the T85 is also optimized for branch offices. Outside of keeping networks protected across distributed locations, the T85 can support up to 60 branch office VPNs.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most important details about this firewall device:
- Firewall Throughput: 4.96 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 1.8 Gbps
- Antivirus Throughput: 1.88 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 2,600,000
- VPN Tunnels: 60
In the conversation around firewall and network protection capabilities, the features mentioned above are pretty common. However, the capabilities are rarely the same between different hardware models.
What is the WatchGuard Firebox T185?
Created with heavier network traffic loads in mind, the T185 is focused on branch offices and retail environments on an enterprise level. From the advanced connectivity options to throughput capabilities, the clear differences are found in the numbers. For example, as opposed to 60 branch office VPNs, you’re getting 100 VPN tunnels with the T185.
Take a look at how this Firebox model compares to the T85 on the surface:
- Firewall Throughput: 7.9 Gbps
- VPN Throughput: 2.2 Gbps
- Antivirus Throughput: 2.8 Gbps
- Concurrent Connections: 3,850,000
- VPN Tunnels: 100
It’s pretty evident that the T185 is meant to be a strong device with a higher capacity. Then again, it’s always helpful to remember that just because it comes with a higher capacity, it doesn’t mean the firewall is the right choice for your business. The best way to land on the right decision is to assess the needs of your network and compare that with the capabilities of each firewall, as best you can.
Comparing the WatchGuard T85 vs T185
To help streamline your thought process on the matter, it doesn’t hurt to stack up the specifications side by side. The table below offers a direct look at how different spec categories compare between the WatchGuard firewalls.
| Specifications | WatchGuard T85 | WatchGuard T185 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 4.96 | 7.9 |
| VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 1.8 | 2.2 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Antivirus Throughput (Gbps) | 1.88 | 2.8 |
| VPN Tunnels | 60 | 100 |
| Concurrent Connections | 2,600,000 | 3,850,000 |
| Interface | 8 x 1Gb | 4 x 1 GbE 4 x 2.5 GbE 1 x SFP/SFP+ |
While the T185 is pretty strong in comparison, it could very well be too much for your current network demands. The T85 is best for smaller branch office operations, while the T185 leans more toward the enterprise-level crowd. Both are great options, but making a decision means taking stock of your current and expected network security demands over the next few years.
The Final Word
WatchGuard Firebox models have been around for years, and there’s plenty of supporting information that highlights how reliable they are. No matter what stage your business is in, firewall and network protection solutions are crucial in this day and age.
When comparing the WatchGuard T85 vs T185F, the T85 would likely be the best option for smaller companies. Of course, if you’re approaching enterprise-level operations, then the T185 would make a better case. For those who still feel stuck on which way they should go with this information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Firewalls for some additional support.
