ac1900 vs. ac2100 – which offers the latest router technology
Routers are the gateway to fast internet access in the house. It allows you to stream and watch live videos form a multitude of sources without compromising on internet coverage. In this review we examine Nighthawk ac1900 and ac2100.
Having a good home router enables you to enjoy fast internet access without suffering from buffering issues. You can stream 4K videos, play various online multiplayer games and download long videos. NETGEAR has been on the forefront on producing some high end routers that are armed with some of the latest router technologies like beamforming and dynamic QoS. With these technologies, the router offers a wider internet coverage while focusing signals to high bandwidth devices. In this review, we take a look at the Nighthawk ac1900 and ac2100 and tell you which is ideal for your home.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the ac1900 vs. ac2100?
Model |
Ac1900 (Winner) |
Ac2100 |
Processor |
Dual core 1,000MHz Broadcom BCM4709 chip |
1 GHz Dual core |
Wi-Fi technology |
Beamforming, smart connect |
802.ac dual band Gigabit |
Speed |
At 15 feet clocks 174Mbps |
For 2.4GHz clocks speeds of 800Mbps and 1,300 Mbps for 5GHz band |
Security |
NETGEAR Armor |
VPN support, double firewall protection (SPI, NAT) |
Availability |
ac1900 vs. ac2100 – How do they compare?
Design
The ac1900 is a bulky router with three large external antennas. It is all black with multiple air vents at the bottom for cooling the system. The router features some innovative technologies like OpenVPN server, Broadcom TurboQAM and DD-WRT for support of third party firmware. The router is bulky meaning you cannot mount it around walls. It comes in a plastic body that is sturdy enough to withstand hits. Since the router does not have a glossy surface you should not expect it to leave your fingerprints on it.
The ac2100 Nighthawk is a dual band 802.11a/b/g/n router that comes with three external antennas and large air vents to keep the router cool. It also features beamforming technology and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 2,100Mbps. The router also features Advanced QoS that enables upstream/downstream QoS. This is a great feature for those focused on gaming applications as it allows the router to recognize and prioritize the devices.
Performance and technologies
The ac1900 is capable of speeds of up to 600Mbps for the 2.4GHz band and 1.3Gbps for the 5GHz band. A Broadcom BCM4709 Wi-Fi chip runs the router. It also comes with the TurboQAM technology that enables it to deliver speeds of up to 200Mbps for its 2.4GHz band instead of the usual 150Mbps.
The processor speed for the router is dual core CPU that delivers 1000MHz and you get 256MB of RAM and 128GB of flash memory. On the front you get a 3.0 USB port. To keep you network protected you have the NETGEAR Armor. Bitfender powers this and this means it will keep your devices protected from cyber threats, spyware, Trojans, ransomware and much more.
The router also comes with a parental control feature that allows one to control the kind of content the kids are accessing online. You can access this feature on the app by clicking on Smart parental control icon. Here you can set time limits and block a set of harmful websites. You also get the Nighthawk Dynamic QoS that comes in handy when you are streaming your Netflix and YouTube videos. The router maximizes on the beamforming technology to ensure you have enhanced coverage to your external antennas.
The ac2100 is a dual core router that runs on the 802.11a/b/g/n circuitry. The router is dual band with three external antennas and four Ethernet ports. The router is capable of leveraging on the beamforming technology to generate speeds of up to 2,100Mbps. The router also uses the MU-MIMO technology to ensure simultaneous streaming of data. This means it will deliver fast speeds to all devices connected to the router.
This gives the clients to do 4K video streaming, video conferencing and engage in various online multiplayer games. The router fast processor is capable of boosting speeds to 800Mbps for the 2.4GHz and 1,300Mbps for the 5GHz band. You also get advanced QoS for smooth streaming and lag free gaming. The three router antennas also come with amplifiers that work great at boosting the router coverage in all directions.
Installation
When it comes to installation of both the ac1900 and ac2100 you can do it through their web browser. Simply connect the router to your power source and head to their site www.routerlogin.net. Here you will be requested to enter the router default address which in this cases happens to be 192.168.1.1. The default username is admin. You can download the Netgear genie app next and this gives you the ability to monitor your router settings remotely. The app is available for both iOS and Android app.
NEATGEARCLOUD USB access is an innovation by the company that allows one to plug in their USB hard drive and use it to share and store files. You can also enjoy the convenience of accessing some of the common storage apps like Dropbox and Google Drive. If you are into gaming then you are going to benefit a great deal by using the Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) feature. This feature helps in preventing internet traffic congestion. The feature will identify various devices on the network and then allocate bandwidth automatically. This means you will not experience any latency when you are engaged in some high intensive gaming applications. The Nighthawk App enables you to manage, monitor and change your network settings from anywhere through the app. It even enables you to perform various speed tests.
The Nighthawk high powered amplifiers are capable of boosting your mobile Wi-Fi by up to 100% hence giving you the ability to run multiple gadgets at the same time without compromising on speed. With the beamforming technology you are capable of focusing the signal to specific devices hence boosting coverage and speeds. The routers are also ideal for streaming HD videos without worrying about buffering. You can also add an extra hard disk through the 3.0 USB and share and move files.
ac1900 vs. ac2100 – A Comparison Overview
ac1900 – Overview
- Fast wifi performance: Get up to 1800 square feet wireless coverage with AC1900 speed (Dual band up to...
- Recommended for up to 30 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
The NETGEAR Nighthawk ac1900 is a powerful router that runs on the 5GHz band and that offers superior router features at an affordable price. The ac1900 uses a 1GHz dual core processor and operates on the 802.11ac circuitry to deliver superior internet speeds. To boost your Wi-Fi speeds the router supports Broadcom TurboQAM and is built on OpenVPN server. The ac1900 also allows third-party software like DD-WRT.
The router is larger than you would expect and this means you may have to find it some decent space for it. The power adapter is also large and can be an obstruction. The nighthawk resembles a stealth plane with flared sides. But, that’ not all it also performs quite well when it comes to network speeds. You have some of the latest router technologies like the Quality of Service (QoS) that allows you to give priority to certain devices hence reducing buffering speeds.
The ac1900 is a 802.11ac router and operates in both 2.4Ghz and 5GHz bands. If you are living in a large house then range should not be an issue any longer as the nighthawk delivers. The router comes with open source firmware so you can flash it. The ac1900 is a large router measuring 1.97 X 11.22 X 7.26 inches and weighs over 1.9 pounds. You can choose to mount it on a wall or operate it horizontally. The wide base and rubber feet ensure that the router is safely secured in place.
When it comes to speed the dual core 1GHz processor is capable of delivering 1300Mbps for the 5GHz and 600Mbps for the 2.4GHz. You also get 256RAM and 128MB of flash memory. To connect in some of your peripherals you have front 3.0 USB and back 2.0 USB. One of the reasons why many router manufacturers place the 3.0 USB on the front is to prevent router interference. At the back you also get four Gigabit LAN ports and one WAN Gigabit port plus power button and reset button.
The setup for the ac1900 is simple as it comes with installation guidelines. Once you have unpacked the router the next step is launch the web browser and finish up the configuration settings. The nighthawk comes with a highly advanced Quality of Service (QoS) feature that enables you to optimize video streaming. For example, the feature has the Wi-Fi MultiMedia (WMM) feature that ensures you can connect with either 2.4GHz or 5Ghz signal while giving your multimedia streams priority. The router features the beamforming technology that optimizes signal optimization to clients. When the router is put under a speed test it will clock 174Mbps at 15 feet.
What we liked:
- Great design
- Excellent range
- Throughput for the 5GHz is great
- Improved QoS feature
What we did not like:
- The throughput for the 2.4GHz is not that great
ac2100 –Overview
- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process...
The ac2100 Nighthawk is a dual band 802.11a/b/g/n router that has four Ethernet ports and three antennas. By leveraging on the beamforming technology it is capable of transmitting 2,100Mbps. You can easily configure the router through the web interface or mobile app. The router supports 1,300Mbps at 5GHz and 800Mbps at 2.4GHz. You also have a 3.0 USB for connecting a printer or any other peripheral.
The ac2100 is an mid-sized router that comes with three external antennas. You have large air vents to the side that help keep cool the router. It is one of the newly marketed routers by Netgear. The ac2100 delivers a combined speed of over 2.4Gbps and this enables one to handle HD video streams and multiplayer online games. The router uses the latest MU-MIMO technology, which ensures simultaneous data streaming for multiple devices.
A dual core processor that is capable delivering fast and efficient bandwidths to all your connected devices runs the ac2100. You can install the router through the Nighthawk App and monitor all your network information from there.
The router also features the QoS feature that allows it to prioritize devices in the network. It also ensures smooth streaming and lag-free gaming. To enable the router get better range it has three amplifiers for the external antennas. This makes the ac2100 ideal for both small and large homes.
The Netgear ac2100 also gives the user the ability to store their files from a USB hard drive to their NETGEAR ReadyClOUD USB Access. With this feature you can bring your business to your home by accessing DropBox and Google Drive. You get access to do this on the move through the ReadyCloud mobile app feature.
What we liked:
- Innovative cloud technologies like the ReadyCLOUD USB Access
- Excellent performance for 5GHz band
- Support of third party firmware
- Large air vents for cooling router
What we did not like:
- A bit bulky and the 2.4GHz band isn’t that fast
Conclusion: Which is better? ac1900 or ac2100
The Nighthawk ac1900is the better router for home use as comes with a host of awesome features meant for home use. With top speeds of up to 1,300Mbps and 600Mbps you are assured that the router will meet all your router needs even when connected to multiple devices. The ac1900 comes with some of the latest router technologies like smart connect, beamforming, Amazon voice controls and Dynamic QoS.
FAQ
Can I store files on cloud in the ac2100?
The ac2100 comes with an innovative NETGEAR ReadyCLOUD USB Access that enables you to share and upload files from your USB to the network cloud. You can also access Dropbox and Google Drive from the feature or upload them through ReadyCloud mobile app.
How do I protect my network from attacks when using the ac1900?
The ac1900 comes with its own software to manage cyberattacks. The NETGEAR Armor by Bitfender will detect and eliminate any ransomware, Trojans, viruses that try to infiltrate your network. The software will automatically check your network and send you alerts in case of any issues.
