Linksys AC1200 vs. Netgear AC1750 extender – which is the better option for you?
Thanks to the advent and advancing of technology, there are an increasing number of devices that can access an internet connection – your refrigerator, smartphone, TV, security system, and so on. It is therefore essential to have a router that can accommodate all these devices.
All the devices that can access the internet today have come a long way. While it was thought in previous years that they had to have wire connectivity in order to function, those you will find in the market most operate through wireless internet. Not all routers will satisfy their requirements though, so it is important to choose one that does.
In this article, we take a look at the Linksys AC1200 and Netgear AC1750, two very well-known brands that have a good reputation on the router scene. Hopefully, you can get the answer to the question of which one is the best pick for your needs, despite the cost tags attached to it.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Linksys AC1200 and the Netgear AC1750?
Linksys AC1200 |
Netgear AC1750 (Winner) |
|
Dimensions (in inches) |
0.45 x 1.69 x 6.06 |
1.75 x 6.3 x 3.2 |
Bands supported |
Dual band |
Dual band |
Wi-Fithroughput speed |
300 Mbps (2.4GHz), 867 Mbps (5GHz) |
450 Mbps (2.4GHz), 1300 Mbps (5GHz) |
Linksys AC1200 vs. Netgear AC1750 – How they compare
Design
With measurements of 13.2 x 10.3 x 27.4 inches, you will find that the Linksys AC1200 is not as small compared to most routers, and it does have plenty of depth. Its design has a black exterior, and attached to it are four wired WAN ports and two non-removable antennas. Aside from these, there is also a small LED to indicate the router’s status and activity, a USB 2.0 port, and power switch.
The LAN ports are only of the fast Ethernet quality (this is the 10/100 type) rather than of the faster Gigabit LAN type (the 10/100/1000 variety). Inside the hood area, you will find a MediaTek chipset, as well as a reset button at its bottom area.
The Linksys AC1200 will also utilize the user-friendly Smart Wi-Fi interface on its web page setup. Its console will make use of widgets that allow for changing of parental controls and setting up guest networking modes, as well as checking on the status of external storage, the network status of the LAN and wireless networks, and the enabling or disabling of QoS settings. Its wireless settings will include security modes (this includes Personal, WPA2 Enterprise, and WEP), SSID naming, MAC address filtering, and network mode.
The design of the Netgear AC1750 is not much different from the Linksys AC1200 though; it has a series of antennas that you can rotate to get better signals, but you cannot detach these antennas. There are also in-built amplifiers, which will improve the range you are getting from 2.4 and 5GHz connections.
Rather than the approach of using a bright show of LED lights, the Netgear AC1750 has a white LED that takes on a subdued appearance, and you can turn this off through the back switch. The only exception, as with many Netgear routers, is the power light, which you will need to switch off separately. Other than that, you can also connect new devices easily through the WPS mechanism.
Performance
The throughput results from the Linksys AC1200 router were mixed. The 2.4GHz delivers one of the best performance speeds we see in budget-level routers, with a maximum of 77.4 Mbps in close proximity. However, its performance on the 5GHz band was very slow, scoring a measly 95 Mbps even when you use your device in close proximity to it.
On the other hand, the Netgear AC1750 is among the fastest routers in the market. Coming in with a 1GHz dual-core processor and a USB 3.0 port that help in creating fast HDD access, it gives you an average speed of 433 Mbps at a distance of 5 feet.
In our tests, we saw that the 5GHz band offers 1300 Mbps, which is not that different from the AC1200 router. At a distance of about 5 feet from the router, you will noticethat it clocks an average of 400 Mbps, but the biggest distinction between the two is when you look at the 2.4GHz band – and the AC1750 has the greater advantage.
This is mainly due to the use of the 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology standard, which will offer you an overall advantage in reliability and higher speed. The dual-band capability is another advantage, as you can connect older devices and newer, more demanding ones to different bands. The area where it falls flat though is the weaknesses in the 2.4GHz band, which leads to drops in speeds if you are connecting more than one device to the network.
Setting up
One of the major advantages of the Linksys AC1200 is the ease of installation. All it needs is for you to attach the router to your PC via the LAN cable included in the package, connecting it to the internet source (your modem), and typing in the address bar of your browser linksyssmartwifi.com. This will then lead to the service of the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi setup, and it will then guide you through the wireless security settings and basic connectivity to the internet.
The use of parental controls in the Linksys AC1200 will let you block access to specific websites and internet access. The router also includes two guest networks, which you can quickly switch off and on. Any guest clients coming to the network can also use the router to access the internet, but it will not let in access to local resources like printers, and they cannot see each other either.
The Netgear AC1750 does not have a very different approach, although its app will help you have an easier time setting it up and getting the most you can from using it. The Netgear app works well with PC and smartphone devices as well, and this also assists in quick setup and use. In order to help you in the process or answering any questions you might have, the app can also send you instructions.
Linksys AC1200 vs. Netgear AC1750 – A comparison review
Linksys AC1200 – Overview
- 2.4GHz & 5GHz dual bands
- Eliminates dead spots & extends the existing Wireless AC coverage
While the Linksys AC1200 is quite affordable when compared to other router options, and delivers a solid performance in its 2.4GHz band, its 5GHz band is disappointing and the overall features leave much to be desired.The router itself is a dual-band type, which should offer you a chance to explore good multi-band wireless networking options, but the low price means that you are sacrificing on something else.
Its USB ports can connect to external storage drives, as long as you format them in NTFS, FAT32, and HFS+ formats. There is a drawback though; it does not support Time Machine backups, which makes it disappointing if you are a Mac user.
Pros
- Very good 2.4GHz performance
- Very affordable option
- Very easy to install
Cons
- Underwhelming 5GHz performance
- Only has a USB 2.0 port
- Its wired ports are 10/100
Netgear AC1750 – Overview
- EXTENDED WIRELESS COVERAGE: Adds WiFi range coverage up to 2000 sq ft, and connects up to 32 devices such...
- SEAMLESS SMART ROAMING: Uses your existing network SSID name so you never get disconnected as you move...
There are plenty of people that enjoy using the class of AC1750 routers, as evidenced by their never-ending popularity. Netgear also wants to cash in on this opportunity, as evidenced by their commitment and time to produce good products.
The main benefit of the AC1750 class of routers in general is offering their users greater dependability and speeds, as well as their dual-band capabilities.The main disadvantage is the lower strength on their 2.4GHz band, which is the opposite problem from the Linksys AC1200. If you want to connect many devices, all which are demanding high throughputs, to the network, then you will experience reductions in the available speeds. However, as a budget-friendly option, the Netgear AC1750 is a great router choice to pick.
Pros
- It supports OpenVPN
- Has good support for both WAN and VLAN bridging
- Good connectivity overall
Cons
- You cannot upgrade its firmware
Verdict: So which is the winner? The Linksys AC1200 or the Netgear AC1750?
Both of these routers have similar attributes in their speed, design, and setup, so it can be difficult to know what to choose. Our research into both routers reveals though that the Netgear AC1750 is the better choice – even though speeds can be a struggle at times, it has the higher technology, leading to better performance.
Frequently asked questions
What are some reasons why my Linksys router does not work?
Some of these reasons include slow uploads and downloads, dropping internet connectivity, forgetting the router’s settings, and being unable to access the web setup page. For many Linksys devices, including the AC1200, the simplest solution is power cycling the device. You do this by turning off the router, unplugging its power cord, then waiting for 10 seconds before re-plugging it and seeing if the problem persists.
Do I need a separate modem for my Netgear AC1750?
Yes. Since the router does not include a modem in its package, you may need to purchase a separate one that is compatible with Netgear routers.
