AC1900 vs. AC2600- Best Wi-Fi router for your connectivity requirements

When choosing a Wi-Fi router for your home or office, there are a few factors that usually stand out as seen in AC1900 and AC2600.

First, the hardware and software features of the router ought to be configured in a way to bring out the best out of the system. Secondly, it does not hurt to go for a router that is aesthetically pleasing.

To help you make the choice between all the premium quality products in the market, this article has narrowed to TP-Link AC1900 and Netgear AC2600. Right off the bat, there are many similarities that can be seen between them like their overall design. However, there is need to look at their differences to help you know which one is best suited for you.

What are the differences between AC1900 and AC2600?

AC1900 vs. AC2600- How do they compare?

Speeds

For AC1900, it offers speeds of up to 1900Mbps with 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. On paper, AC2600 is faster with a combined speed of up to 2.6Gbps. The 2.4GHz band can deliver 800Mbps and 1733Mbps on the 5GHz band. Another quality feature that boosts the performance of AC2600 while on multiple devices as well is MU-MIMO. This gives you seamless streaming of data to more than one device.

Parental Control

Both devices offer parental control features. However, they have proven to be quite lacking because the keyword blocking for underage users does not work with websites that work with “https”. This can be quite the deal breaker because almost all websites use “https” nowadays for added safety. The parental control feature on site blocking therefore fails to function because of this minute detail.

Performance

Regarding performance, AC1900 and AC2600 are both high powered Wi-Fi devices. They both deliver on fast transfer speeds to enhance your overall experience. For AC1900, you need not worry about buffering with it. Its dual-band frequency mode can handle all kinds of resource intensive tasks like 4K streaming and online gaming on your PlayStation, Xbox or gaming PC. Statistically, the dual band increases overall output. The additional antennas and Beamforming+ technology also strengthen the Wi-Fi connection throughout your home/office area.

When put to the test, the AC1900 has the throughput speed of 150Mbps when in close proximity. For AC2600 it can deliver up to 315Mbps when within 15 feet.

Range

Homes and offices come in all designs, sizes and shapes. Examples include L-shaped houses and ranch houses that are rather long and narrow. For both AC1900 and AC2600, their range abilities are enhanced with the external antennas and extra amplifiers. Beamforming (both explicit and implicit) also work together to ensure widespread coverage for all your devices no matter where they are.

Specifically, AC2600 makes use of three external antennas that expand the range for mobility throughout your home. It has also dealt with dead-zones or ‘blind-spots’.

Additional accessories

For smoother streaming and lag-free gaming, both of these routers are fitted with advanced QoS (Quality of Service) which enhances your overall experience. To add, both TP-Link and Netgear have developed their own apps to make your experience hassle-free. For example, the set-up process is clearly detailed in the Netgear Nighthawk app that can be easily downloaded to your smartphone or tablet. Once you are signed in, you can finish the installation process of your router system as well as enjoy other control features.

AC1900 also has its own app-TP-Link Tether app. It allows you to quickly set-up the network as well as enjoy other functions. For example, you can check on the kind of guest access options that visitors to your network enjoy. Other Wi-Fi settings you can also access through the app include device management and scheduling. This entails the parental control options of determining how often your children can access the internet.

Sharing

With Netgear AC2600, sharing has been made easy and quick. Using the USB 3.0 port, you can access your stored media through any connected device. AC2600 also has Ready Cloud USB access which simply makes sure you can securely access your personal storage drive. You can also share music and other photos to wireless DLNA.

With AC1900, you can also easily share content between your connected devices in the network. This is made possible with the 3.0 USB port that lets you share external drives with other connected devices. This port is almost 10 times faster than the original 2.0 USB port. Sharing of photos, music, videos and other files is therefore, easy and fast using this router.

Security

In today’s modern age, cyber-attacks are prevalent and highly dangerous. Maintaining high security across your network ought to be a priority to help secure your privacy and that of your family while online. Both AC1900 and  AC2600 have incorporated security features on their platforms.

AC1900 vs. AC2600- Overview and Key Features

AC2600

NETGEAR Nighthawk AC2600 Smart WiFi Router (R7450)

• AC2600 WiFi—Up to 2.6Gbps (800Mbps 2.4GHz + 1733Mbps 5GHz)
• MU-MIMO for simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices

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For boosted performance in both wired and wireless connections, WAN-to-LAN, AC2600 has some quality features. First, it is fitted with a 1GHz dual core processor that is built to handle all kinds of demanding tasks ranging from playing online games to 4K/8K streaming of movies. It also has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port to further enhance the speeds you get with this router. To add, AC2600 is a dual-band router. With its universal compatibility with any modem, you can be assured of minimal interference even with many Wi-Fi devices connected. It is also an updated version of the X4 R7500 meaning it runs much faster with a wider range.

Regarding its outward design, Netgear AC2600 is a compact-sized router that comes in a stylish, modern looking design. It weighs just under3 pounds with the dimensions 13.2 x 3.9 x 9.5 inches. AC2600 also primarily comes in white or black. The color is subtle enough to make it a good fit for right about any living room or office without standing out.

To access shared storage drives with devices connected to the same network, AC2600 also has 2 USB ports 1 x 3.0 and 1 x 2.0 USB.Other additional features of AC100 include Guest Network Access options and VPN support as well. For the VPN, it works by ensuring secure access throughout your home network. Guest Network Access also adds to the security features of this network. This is because visitors can easily compromise your network. Consider setting up a separate and secure access for your guests. The Wi-Fi network also has uses protect access protocols like WPA/WPA2-PSK. To bolster all these features, AC2600 also has double firewall protection: NAT and SPI. Denial-of-Service (DOS) also comes in to protect your network from cyber threat attacks.

You can also enjoy the latest Wi-Fi router technology. For example, it has MU-MIMO technology (multiple-user, multiple-input, multiple-output). This ensures that this router can deliver fast speeds even when multiple devices are connected to the same network. Users can now do simultaneous downloads and 4K streaming without unnecessary lag times or buffering. With Beamforming+ technology, AC2600 also ensures you can enjoy wide coverage throughout your home. The 4 external antennas also ensure that there are no ‘dead-zones’ or ‘blind-spots’. This router is able to transmit Wi-Fi signals from your patio to your outdoors and even to your basement.

Finally, Netgear AC2600 is also fitted with Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) that is able to gauge which device to prioritize. For instance, if multiple users are playing online games and others are video streaming, Dynamic QoS works to ensure that each task is provided with the priority and bandwidth requirements it has. In turn, it ensures that other lower priority tasks like download files are able to run throughout in the background with minimal interference.

You can also get the most out of your router using this app. Some of the things you can do with the app include running an internet speed test to check on the status of your Wi-Fi as well as set up a separate Guest Network solely for visitors. Through the Nighthawk App, you can also pause the internet connection in any device. This comes in handy for parents who want to set online time limits for their children. During dinnertime and bedtime, you can easily cut off your children from the Wi-Fi network so that they are fully immersed in their activities.

Like all other Wi-Fi routers, AC2600 is not a perfect product. For instance, it advertises quite a wide range that might not make the cut for certain houses. An example is multi-story homes that were constructed with heavy materials like metal. For such a house, you might need to purchase router boosters or extenders. Additional satellites are also available for wider coverage.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Comes with the Nighthawk app

Cons

• Practically, range might not be as far reaching

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AC1900

TP-Link AC1900 Smart Wireless Router - Beamforming Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Internet Routers for Home, High Speed, Long Range, Ideal for Gaming (Archer C9)

• 1 of wireless routers for Home which is compatible with all Wi Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
• Gigabit router with 4 gigabit LAN ports, fast Access to Multiple connected wired devices, also ideal as...

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Designed by TP-Link, AC1900 is a formidable Wi-Fi router. First, it is equipped with a 1GHZ dual-core processor and Beamforming+ technology to boost the connection status of the router. This technology works by helping the AC1900’s antennas to locate connected devices running tasks. Once the high-gain antennas have located the Wi-Fi device, the router then sends the wireless signal directly towards it. For example, if you try to stream 4K/8K movies, AC1900 is able to single out your device instead of having to send the router’s signal in all directions at the same time.

Secondly, another quality feature of TP-Link AC1900 is its combined fast speeds. As it is a dual-band router, the 2.4GHz and 5GHz are both designed for high performance. Altogether, AC1900 can deliver up to 1900Mbps that is 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band + 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band.

Yet another pro feature of AC1900 is the TP-Link Tether app that is accessible for Android and IOS users. With a simple download, you can easily tweak this router to your own settings. You can also exercise other controls like scheduling online time limits as well as remote device management.

The TP-Link AC1900 also does not lack in its design features. It is a simple yet elegantly style router with a white body and glossy finish. This outer layer ensures fingerprint marks are not left all over the router. A non-detachable silver band is also the router’s stand as it can only be positioned vertically.

AC1900 is not without fault though. First, it lacks some primary tweaking options to enhance your overall Wi-Fi experience. Secondly, it does not come with a VPN server which comes in handy as an additional security tool.

Pros

• Good value for money
• Easy set-up process through the web interface

Cons

• Does not provide a VPN server
• Cannot be wall-mounted and is only to be positioned vertically

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Conclusion

Both AC2600 and AC1900 are high-performance Wi-Fi routers. They are both equipped to handle resource intense tasks like HD streaming, online gaming and virtual reality. This is because their general design is tweaked to bring out the best in each node. For instance, they are both developed with Beamforming+ technology that enhances the connection and speed of each router. Their powerful quad-core processors are also able to handle each of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for seamless and uninterrupted internet connections.

Verdict: Which is better between AC1900 and AC2600?

When it comes down to it, TP-Link AC1900 wins out narrowly. While it does not have certain rich-features, it is good enough for its stability, reliability and affordable price tag. If you are strapped for cash but you want a quality product, TP-Link AC1900 is the one you ought to go for.