Linksys WRT AC1200 vs. Linksys AC1900 – are both these Linksys routers the same?
Since many devices are increasingly relying on secure internet connections for streaming, surfing, gaming, uploading content, and so on – you will need a good router that can handle all your demands. One of these will fulfill your needs; either the Linksys AC1900 or the AC1200.
In your home, chances are that you have many devices that are termed as ‘smart devices’ – your TV, refrigerator, computer, laptop, smartphones, alarm systems, and so on. In powering all of these, the router you may get from your ISP by default may not fulfill these needs, which forces you to search for one on your own. This raises the question: what exactly should I be looking at, and what brands can I consider?
This is where our knowledge of these brands comes in – and in this case, it is comparing Linksys routers, which we happen to have extensive experience with. Linksys is well-known for good quality routers that are mostly at affordable prices, although some of their offerings might be unsatisfactory for your requirements.
This leads to our comparison of the AC1200 and AC1900 – both AC routers, both dual band, and both offering high theoretical speeds (the AC1200 offering 1200 Mbps and the AC1900 offering 1900 Mbps). You might rush to say the AC1900 is better because of the speed, but that is not always the case – so it is important to do your homework before making a decision.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the WRT AC1200 and AC1900?
Linksys AC1200 |
Linksys AC1900 (Winner) |
|
Average throughput speeds (close proximity) |
50.6 Mbps (2.4GHz), 272 Mbps (5GHz) |
97.3 Mbps (2.4GHz), 495 Mbps (5GHz) |
Upload speed |
90 Mbps |
100 Mbps |
Download speed |
20 Mbps |
30 Mbps |
Dimensions (inches) |
9.76 x 7.68 x 2.01 (the more portable choice) |
10.03 x 7.25 x 2.19 (slightly bulkier) |
Ethernet ports |
2 |
5 |
Wireless communication standard |
802.11n/g/b |
802.11ac |
Linksys WRT AC1200 vs. AC1900 – How they compare
Design elements
The WRT AC1200 is the latest addition to the family of WRT open-source routers. It is a dual-band model which gives you very good performance on its 5GHz band (even though it struggles on the 2.4GHz band) and provides quick speeds in file transfer.
It comes in the appearance of a blue and black chassis, along with many air holes for ventilation at its bottom and top. The main distinction is the design of having two adjustable antennas, instead of all four being adjustable – which is quite different from what we usually see (either all antennas are adjustable or non-adjustable). It has a very large footprint though, measuring 2.1 x 9.6 x 7.6 inches, which makes it difficult to place in an inconspicuous location in your home.
When it comes to the AC1900 (also known as the Linksys EA7500), this is also a dual band router that uses a 1.4GHz dual-core processor. It also operates in AP (access point), bridge, and router modes, and uses 3×3 data streaming through its 3 detachable antennas.
It looks similar to other routers, measuring 2.2 x 10.1 x 7.2 inches, and comes in a black casing. The Linksys logo has a backlit power source that comes on when the router is on, and it will flash when there are connection problems.
Management of the router
In the instance of the AC1200, you can choose to replace the firmware either immediately or later, through the use of OpenWRT firmware, which is a Linux distribution package that gives you network control mechanisms. The console will allow you to use a variety of widgets for easier navigation, as well as setting up firewalls, assign parental controls, set up guest networks, assign static IP addresses, and so on.
Like the AC1200, the AC1900 also uses the Smart Wi-Fi web console to manage the router. The common settings are on the right – these include time zones, local network and internet settings, basic network credentials, and creation of access schedules. The left has a smart Wi-Fi tools menu – these include Guest Access, Network Map, Speed test, media prioritization, and parental controls.
Performance
The performance statistics of the AC1200 is better on the 5GHz band than the 2.4GHz band. It scores a very impressive 272 Mbps when you are using the 5GHz bad in close proximity, placing it firmly in the mid-range of routers in the same class. The bad news is that the throughput drops are very drastic when you move away from the router, as the 30-foot test results in a score of only 70.6 Mbps. On the other hand, its performance on the 2.4GHz band was very disappointing all through – it only scores 50 Mbps in close proximity, and a very low 18.9 Mbps on the 30-foot test.
In both cases of the CA1200 and AC1900, we connected a USB 3.0 drive to the USB 3.0 port, and the drive contains 1.5GB of data – documents, photos, music, and videos. The file transfer speeds is where the router shines best; it has a write speed of 73.1 Mbps and a read speed of 76.8 Mbps, making t among the fastest routers in its class in this department.
The AC1900, on the other hand, had impressive results in the 2.4GHz band, turning in a score of 97.3 Mbps in close proximity, though its 30-foot throughput in the same band reduced significantly to 52.1 Mbps. The 5GHz band also delivered good results, scoring a high 495 Mbps in close proximity and 298 Mbps at 30 feet. Both of these make it much higher than the AC1200.
In regards to the MU-MIMO performance, the test reveals an average speed of 176 Mbps in close proximity, and 81.2 Mbps at 30 feet. In addition to this, the file transfer reading performances were also great in comparison to the AC1200; they were 66.7 Mbps – but it struggles in the write tests, coming at a score of 27.8 Mbps.
Linksys WRT AC1200 vs. AC1900 – A comparison review
Linksys WRT AC1200 – Overview
- Features AC1200 speeds of N400 + AC867Mbps and a 1.3GHz dual core CPU
- Two adjustable, removable antennas ensure maximum range and performance in single and multi story...
This is a router that comes at a fairly moderate price among the dual-band 802.11ac routers. It still has its advantages, such as good performance of the 5GHz band, as well as fast transfer file speed – something that many budget routers struggle with.
The rear holds the usual ports – a WAN port, four Gigabit Ethernet ports an eSATA/USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port, and a series of buttons for Power, WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), and resetting the system. The LED lights present on the front are indicators for both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, eSATA connection, internet, power, and USB connectivity, and every wired port has its own indicator LED, and this is different from the AC1900, which has no LEDs except for the Linksys logo.
Pros
- Good performance on the 5GHz band and quick file transfer speed
- Setup and management is easy
Cons
- The performance of the 2.4GHz band is weak
- Very large design
Linksys AC1900 – Overview
- Provides up to 1,500 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 15plus wireless devices
- Works with existing modem, simple setup through Linksys App
The AC1900 aims to deliver plenty of speedy dual-band performance, as well as MU-MIMO connection for added reliability. Thanks to MU-MIMO enablement, you can have multiple clients without degradation of the bandwidth – although it is important to note that you will need a network adapter to take advantage of the throughput.
The setup process is similar to the AC1200, although you can configure the router manually from the web browser setup page, or use the Setup utility to allow the system to do the job for you. If you choose the Setup utility, it will walk you through the initial router-password and wireless settings procedures.
Pros
- Very good port selections
- Speedy throughput when doing testing
- MU-MIMO enabled
- Plenty of management options
Cons
- Mixed file-transfer performance
- Quite expensive
Verdict: So which is better? The AC1200 or AC1900?
It is slightly difficult to choose just one router here, because they all seem appealing in different ways. However, we need to pick one of them, so we will choose the AC1900 – despite its problems with the file transfer performance, its throughput and average speeds are its saving grace.
Frequently asked questions
How can I resolve the issue of Linksys AC1200 or AC1900 not working?
The easiest solution is power cycling. You need to switch off the router, unplug its power cord, and then wait for 10 seconds before plugging it back.
Where can I find the serial number of the AC1900?
This number is on a sticker, which is under the router itself. If you choose to search in the system, select Troubleshooting – Status – Report.
