AC vs N router – Which wireless standard is better?

There are many confusing tags that accompany various wireless router technologies. Among these is the 802.11 tag, with a variety of terminating letters. Here in an in-depth comparison review of both AC routers and N routers to shed some light on wireless router standards and protocols. Take a look.

The IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers developed a variety of networking protocols named the 802.11 standards. Since their development, there have been multiple improvements with various updates and changes.

Here, we look at the IEEE router naming conventions, comparing two very popular router standards: the ac and n router standards.  Highlighting the features and differences within these standards, this comparison review should provide users with everything they need with regards to both Wireless AC and Wireless N routers.

What are the differences between AC vs N router?

	AC (Winner)	N router
Maximum theoretical speeds	1.3Gbps	450Mbps-600Mbps
Frequency	5GHz	2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies
Release time	2013 (Wi-Fi 5)	2009 (Wi-Fi 4)
	View here	View here

AC vs N router – What are the main differences between the two?

Speed

Speed is an important factor to consider any time when speaking about routers. This factor will give you a rough idea of what kind of performance you can expect from the device. In this instance, 802.11ac enabled routers perform at faster speeds compared to n-routers. Specifically, routers compliant with 802.11ac often have a 1.3Gbps bandwidth.

With this, multiple connections over wider ranges are not only possible but convenient. Clearly, you can see how speed influences performance among other things. This is just over double the speeds n-routers are capable of. Usually, even with the MIMO configuration in play: n-routers are capable of maximum 600Mbps speeds. The standard transfer range is placed at 50Mbps-144Mbps.

Given the 6 year difference between the release of both 802.11n and 802.11ac protocols: this difference in speed in not surprising.

TIP: These speeds are difficult to achieve in real world use. Many users and expert cite that 802.11ac routers are capable of reaching 720Mbps while 802.11n routers reach a maximum 240Mbps. Both are quite competitive speeds.

Spectral bandwidth and modulation

Similarly, 802.11ac enabled routers can access a wider spectral bandwidth. This is the data users can transmit over a channel or a range of frequencies. Beam forming is among the ways ac routers are able to achieve such spectral efficiency.

This is unlike typical wireless signal transmission norm where the signal is simply released from the router and ripples evenly in all direction. This technology allows users to access intense signals without typical dead zones.  Modulation systems on 802.11ac protocols rely on 256-QAM: unlike 64-QAM used on n routers. The result is increased signal transmission rates and more efficient signal beaming.

Range and signal transmission

Most of the time, users tend to overlook rang and concentrate on speed. However, 802.11ac routers are as capable on terms of speed as they are with range. In fact, on an 802.11 enabled router, users can access high speed connections over long distances.

Moreover, even when users are the same distance away from the router, an ac router will deliver faster access speeds compared to the n router. In fact, the fact that this router exclusively uses the 5GHz spectrum which is, more available and less prone to signal interference.

Capacity

Contrary to what some may believe, even on routers, the number of connections is limited. If you intend to use on multiple devices/with many users, then you must consider the type of protocol that can sustain such capacities. In this case, wireless AC allows for connection of even 100 users/devices. On n routers, the capacity is significantly smaller. In fact, a maximum 40 users is all 802.11n enabled routers can manage. This difference in capacity is due to ac router’s provision for more bandwidth.

AC vs N router – A comparison review

AC -Overview and Key Features

The AC standard is among the most popular extension since the basic 802.11 was released in 1997. It is far much capable in terms of speed and range compared to even other enhancements. Take a look at some of the highlights, features and functionalities conferred by the 802.11ac protocol.

Features

Since its release in 2013, the wireless ac has gained a lot of traction. Its popularity over other protocols is thanks to the unmatched change in signal strength and speed. You may also know this networking standard as Wi-Fi 5 or, 802.11ac or even wireless ac. With it, users can access connection on5GHz, which is comparatively less crowded with signals from other devices. Users can rely on an ac-enabled router for all their connection needs, hassle and traffic free.

Routers with wireless ac are specifically designed to handle a lot. Meaning, users with large spaces: households and even office spaces can rely on routers enabled with said protocol. Compared to the other protocols, wireless AC will transmit data/information at faster rates. In fact, the maximum throughput for Wireless ac lies between 1200 to 1500 mbps.

Additionally, routers are often tagged with a series of numbers after the number. This is the theoretical bandwidth of the router at maximum. A common issue many users living in densely populated areas is signal speed. With this standard, the router in your space runs at 5GHz, allowing users to access fast internet transmission speeds over the more exclusive 5GHz frequencies. Since is relatively new, it is still available in many homes and work spaces.

High demand users, like gamers, avid movie watchers and streamers can easily rely on wireless AC. The high performance nature of wireless AC routers coupled with their speed advantage makes them suitable for intense use entertainment systems.

Various additions to ac routers ensure that the devices can provide sustainable high speed connections. For example: MIMO configurations which allow for use of antennae, additional channels and better connectivity allow ac routers this superior performance capability.

In summary

Wi-Fi 5, operated on 802.11ac protocol: is among the most reliable wireless connection available currently. AC routers are enabled with many abilities that allow users to receive concentrated, high speed connections, even with multiple devices.

Advantages

• Backwards compatible
• High speed and performance

Disadvantages

• Users will only notice effects of updates to this version on high bandwidth applications
• Unfortunately, this is the most expensive protocol to implement

N router – Overview and Key Features

The N router developed from the 802.11n wireless standard is another more recent and widely used standard. It operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies for Wi-Fi networks. This allows for very versatile routers that operate with reduced transmission interference. Here are some of the major features and capabilities on n-routers.

Features

Also known as Wireless N, or even WIFI 4: 802.11n enabled routers are very popular among users. The router is designed to utilize dual band technologies.  Meaning, n routers use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies to transfer data.

Basically, n routers operate between transfer speeds of 50Mbps and 144Mbps. However, different design and functional additions like MIMO technology allows n-routers to reach even speeds of 600Mbps. At these speeds, multiple users can browse, surf and stream content in different quality with varying demands: all without lagging or buffering.

This Multiple input and Multiple output technology allows for a dramatic improvement in the transfer speeds. In fact, most n-routers rely on either both 2T3R and 4T4R configurations. IN this system, 2T3R, 2 antennas will transmit data while 3 will receive. Moreover, the protocol enables n-routers to utilize various modulation schemes including OFDM and DSSS or CCK. These in collaboration with the 20MHz and 40MHz channels ensure n routers reach very reliable transmission speeds.

N-routers are backward compatible with other 802.11 devices. With this, users can still work efficiently with said devices without needing replacements for compatible use. The range using an n-router extends about 70m indoors and 250m outdoors. This is just under 300 feet range, just indoors. With this, users especially household won’t need to worry about internet dead zones within the space.

Often, n-routers are not susceptible to interference since they are enabled with dual band technology, which we mentioned earlier. This is because said devices over densely populated networks relay data over the least crowded and most convenient frequency.

In summary

The 802.11n protocol may be considerably older: but it is still valuable to many wireless tech users. In fact, if you require an efficient router, capable of catering to even large households: then the 802.11n enabled devices will suit you just fine. N-routers are well equipped to handle such demands very efficiently.

Advantages

• Backward compatible with 802.11b devices
• Great signal range

Disadvantages

• Performance speed could be better

Verdict: So which one is better, AC vs N router?

Without a doubt, ac routers are more capable compared to n routers. In fact, these devices have faster speeds, better ranges and much more to offer than n routers. Users can rely on these routers for high speed internet connections thanks to the wide spectrum abilities conferred to 802.11ac enabled AC routers.