Linksys ac1900 vs. wrt1900ac – Which is the best for home use
Routers allow you to connect several devices to the internet. Depending on the size of your house you need a router that maximizes on speed and range. In this review of Linksys ac1900 vs. wrt1900ac we check out two mid-range routers and tell you the best for your house.
Having a home router is a sure way to get all your internet enabled devices connected. In a world of fast connectivity you have multiple Ethernet ports for connecting your modem and USB slots for printer connections. But, it is imperative that you be aware of how range affects internet connectivity. If you are living in a house with many walls then you may notice that the signal gets worse as you approach certain rooms. This review of Linksys ac1900 vs. wrt1900ac examines two routers that have been dominating the router scene and we tell you which is faster and most suitable for your home.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Linksys ac1900 vs. wrt1900ac?
Model |
Linksys ac1900 |
wrt1900ac (Winner) |
Dimensions (inches) |
10.1 X 7.3 X 1.6 |
9.68 X 7.63 X 2.04 |
Weight (pounds) |
1.2 |
2.11 |
Processor speed |
Dual core 800MHz |
Dual core 1.2 GHz |
Range (close and long) |
208Mbps and 87 Mbps on 5GHz band |
At 15 feet 521Mbps and at 100 feet 341Mbps |
Bands |
2.4GHz 5GHz |
2.4GHz 802.11n/a/g/b 5GHz 802.11ac |
Ports |
4 LAN Gigabit, 1 WAN gigabit, 1 2.0 USB, 1 3.0 USB |
4 LAN Gigabit, 1 WAN Gigabit, I 3.0 USB, 1 2.0/eSATA/USB |
Availability |
Linksys ac1900 vs. wrt1900ac – How do they compare?
Design
Unlike the other Linksys routers the wrt1900ac comes with an innovative and beautiful design. It is a mixture of blue and black colors that makes the router really stand out. The router measures 9.68 X 7.63 X 2.04 inches and at 2.11 pounds is a bit heavier than its competitors. Coupled with its robust design the wrt1900ac also has One gigabit WAN port, four gigabit LAN port, one 3.0 USB port and another port that you can use as either an eSATA connection or 2.0 USB. You will have a set of lights that tell you when your connections are on but should you choose you can power them off through the web-interface.
The Linksys ac1900 measures 10.1 X 7.3 X 1.6 inches and weighs 1.2 pounds. This makes it lighter and more compact than the wrt1900ac. You can mount it on walls but it is best to lay it on flat surfaces. On the front of the router is just one Linksys designed logo that displays a white LED status light. On the rear you have one Gigabit WAN port, four Gigabit LAN port, one USB 3.0 and one 2.0 USB. You can also turn off some of the network port lights through Linksys web interface. One great shortcoming of the Linksys ac1900 is that its 3.0 USB port is very unresponsive which makes it basically useless. The 5GHz band is also very unstable so you will mostly have to do with the 2.4GHz one.
Performance
When it comes to performance the wrt1900ac has a slight edge over the Linksys ac1900. It comes with a powerful dual core 1.2 GHz processor which is superior to the ac1900 dual core 800MHz. While the wrt1900ac comes with four antennas it is still a three stream router. This enables it to deliver speeds of up to 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and at the 5GHz 1,300Mbps. The 1.2GHz processor also comes with 256MB RAM. The ac1900 is powered through a Broadcom TurboQAM Wi-Fi chip that enables the router to support speeds of 1.3Gps of 8011.ac for the 5GHZ band and 600Mbps for the 2.4GHz. While the speeds are great, the router is a bit unstable when it comes to the 5GHz band.
Installation and security
Both routers are easy to install. Linksys has provided some basic installation steps at the back of the router that enables you to start using the router immediately. Here all you need to do is plug in the router to a power source then connect it to a WAN port and you are good to go. Should you desire more advanced settings, plug the router to a web interface and you can configure the router to your individual preferences. You also get a sizeable amount of Linksys Smart Wi-Fi mobile apps for more customization.
The wrt1900ac network map comes with a host of customization options for your mobile devices, printers and computers. On the map you can add a client and assign them names. The media personalization page allows one to categorize their clients. You can have high and low priority ones. You also get parental control feature that lets you monitor what your kids access online. The MAC filtering features allows the router to block someone who is connecting through a MAC address. A short coming to the customization feature is that it does not allow to modify the settings for the 5GHz band only set to auto. If you want the Dynamic DNS you will find it under connectivity instead of security as it common in most router settings.
In the ea1900 you will find some of the features in the wrt1900ac like media personalization page and parental control. The router has an intuitive guest access feature but it is only limited to the 2.4GHz band. The media prioritization feature is what was previously titled the quality-of-service (QoS) and this allows you to give priority to clients. You can also prohibit some users from accessing your network. You also get some standard router features like DynDNS, IPv6, WPA/WPA2, firewall, and Wi-Fi encryptions.
Linksys ac1900 – A Comparison Overview
Linksys ac1900 – Overview
- Up to N600 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + AC1300 Mbps (5.0 GHz) speeds with Simultaneous Dual Band
- Platform Compatibility : Windows XP, Windows Vista 32/64, Windows 7 32/64, Windows 8 32/64, Mac 10.5.8...
The Linksys ac1900 is one of the first models in the ea series. It boost of fast speeds, a compact design with three external antennas and a glossy finish that is easy to wipe of dirt. The router measures a decent 10.1 X 7.3 X 1.6 inches and this makes it ideal for lying it down flat instead of mounting it on walls.
The router comes equipped with a Broadcom TurboQAM Wi-Fi chip. With the chip the Linksys ac1900 is capable of achieving speeds of 600Mbps at 2.4GHz and at the 5GHz 1,300Mbps. This isway higher than what you get from other routers in the market. Processor speed is courtesy of a dual core 800MHz processor that enables the each of the spartial stream 2.4GHz frequency reach 200Mbps instead of the common 150Mbps. When it comes to speed the Linksys ac1900 is on a class of its own and this helps it stream 4K videos and allows users to play some high end multi-player games.
When it comes to the design you get on Linksys logo shaped status LED light at the front and four Gigabit LAN ports at the rear plus one Gigabit WAN port, one 2.0 USB port and 3.0 USB port. Should you find the network port lights distracting you can switch them off through a web interface. At the back you also get WPS protected setup and reset buttons. The former gives WPS enables clients some 2 minute window to automatically connect to the network.
When it comes to installation and setup the procedures are pretty straightforward. Firstly, the router comes with password and default router settings. This means once you have powered it on and followed some of the basic guidelines you should connect to the network very fast. Note that both of its bands the 2.4GHz and 5GHz share the password and name.
The router comes with some advanced settings which you can adjust through a web interface. This will allow one to change the Wi-Fi name and password as well as some advanced settings like parental controls. You can also login by creating a Linksys smart Wi-Fi account. If you have been using the ea6500 then you will find the Linksys ac1900 almost similar in terms of features. We found the Media prioritization feature to come in handy as it allows one to prioritize internet traffic to specific clients. You also get parental control settings to regulate what your kids surf through the net.
What we liked:
- High speeds at close range
- Compact design
- Easy to install and setup
- Remote ability to manage network
What we did not like:
- Unstable 5GHz band and non-working 3.0 USB port
Wrt1900ac – Overview
- Wireless AC, up to 4.3x faster than N technology: Simultaneous dual band speed up to 600 Mbps (2.4 GHz) +...
- 4 high performance antennas: Engineered to enhance dual band communication, four external, adjustable...
The Linksys WRT1900AC is rated as one of the most powerful routers by Linksys in the market. It offers excellent Wi-Fi range backed by superior performance. This is a perfect choice for someone who wants to do some work at home while streaming some 4K videos. However, the router also comes with a hefty price tag. It is also quite large meaning you will have to move some stuff on your shelf to accommodate it.
If you have been using Linksys router before then the Linksys WRT1900AC design is quite a surprise. Here is a large router adorned in blue and black colors that make it really stand out in a room. But, it is underneath where the magic really happens. The Linksys WRT1900AC comes with a fast 1.2GHz ARM-based dual-core processor with 256MB of DDR3 RAM and 128MB flash storage. The best part is that the router also allows use of third party software like OpenWRT.
The Linksys WRT1900AC comes with four antennas of average size but the router still remains a three-stream router. When it comes to Wi-Fi speeds you get 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1,300Mbps on 5GHz band. A closer observation of the router will reveal one 3.0 USB port and another you can use as either aeSATA connection or 2.0 USB. The router LED lights are on the front and this can be removed through the web interface should they become irritating.
The Linksys WRT1900AC is very easy to setup. Once you remove it from the box it comes with its own set of default settings. All you have to do is connect it to an internet WAN port, power it and you are good to go. However, if you want more then you need to login to their web interface and configure the settings to match your preferences. When doing this you will be asked to set up a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account.
What we liked:
- Offers superior performance
- Easy to setup
- Comes with a host of advanced settings
- Availability of more features through the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi apps
What we did not like:
- The router is very bulky hence occupying lots of space
Conclusion: So, which is better? Linksys ac1900 or WRT1900ac
In this review we have a clear winner in fast router for home use in the WRT1900ac. The router innovative and cool design is a plus. The black and blue colors really stand out. Underneath the router has a powerful dual core 1.2GHz processor that is capable of supporting high interconnectivity speeds. While the WRT1900ac is pricier than the ac1900 it does provide good value for money. You can connect at high speeds of 1,300Mbps on 5GHz band and 600Mbps on 2.4GHz band. The 3.0 and 2.0 USB ports are great additions for connecting to your laptops and printers. Overall, this is a great printer for home use.
FAQ
How often should I replace my router?
There is no standard procedure for this but based on how fast technology is changing it is recommended that you do this after every three to four years. This is because it is at this time that most people will upgrade their smartphones. With the introduction of IoT devices this puts pressure on the networks for better routers.
Can a router be infected by malware?
It is possible for hackers to get into your router network an infect it with malware. The first thing they will do is bypass the initial login screen then go to your router settings and modify it. Once this is done they can start controlling how the router operates. However, most of the modern routers do come with their own set of internal malware solutions.
