Linksys wrt1900ac vs. Asus rt ac68u – Which one can deliver what you need?
There are many different types of wireless routers and they’re not created equally. Some offer great value at a cost while others offer the latest technology at an even higher cost. The Linksys wrt1900ac vs. Asus rt ac68u are two popular wireless routers that you can rely on and choose if you’re thinking of upgrading your home network.
I work at home which means I need a reliable internet connection so that I can always reach my clients at any time. I also need a router that has excellent speed and range that will allow me to download and upload files. Routers and other types of networking equipment are evolving from just performing the basic functionalities to processing lots of data within seconds. Wireless communication now uses the MU-MIMO and beamformingtechnologies which can drastically improve my networking system. By using a router, I can have a cheaper network that covers a large area with quality internet access for both my office and home. The problem is there are so many routers that promise reliability, speed, and range but don’t deliver. Then I came across the Linksys wrt1900ac and Asus rt ac68u, two quality routers that can make my work easier.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Linksys wrt1900ac and Asus rt ac68u
Type of router model |
Linksys wrt1900ac |
Asus rt ac68u (Winner) |
Active cooling fan |
Yes |
No |
Total wireless transfer speed |
133.2 Mbps |
1900 Mbps |
Maximum RAM |
512 MB |
256 MB |
Bandwidth speed |
2.4 GHz – 600 Mbps
5 GHz – 1300 Mbps |
2.4 GHz – 600 Mbps
5 GHz – 1300 Mbps |
Linksys wrt1900ac vs. Asus rt ac68u: How do they compare?
Physical shape
This is an important feature because it determines where you can place your router in your home or office. Some people place their wireless routers in the cabinet because they don’t have a very appealing look, but this dampens your wireless range and slows down your signal. So, the closer your device is to the router, the faster the connection will be. The Asus rt ac68u has a better sleek design than the Linksys wrt1900ac. You can easily place the Asus rt ac68u router vertically on a countertop or desk which helps to save space, but the Linksys wrt1900ac router is designed to lay horizontally.
Connectivity and performance
You won’t find the latest technology in these routers like MU-MIMO that allows the router to serve multiple clients simultaneously, because their focus is on home users so you won’t need it. However, both routers use beamforming technology. The Linksys wrt1900ac uses explicitly beamforming, while Asus rt ac68u uses AiRadar technology that helps to amplify the signal to devicesthat are only connected instead of the wifi signal broadcasting everywhere. It also uses the Asus RF fine-tuning to strengthen wireless connectivity.
Software specifications and Hardware
When it comes to hardware, these two routers have some common features, but the differences come in when you look at their respective CPU speeds, features contained in the firmware, and the number of gigabits in the Ethernet ports. Asus rt ac68u router has a dual-core CPU that can deliver 1 GHz, but the Linksys wrt1900ac router dual-core CPU can deliver 1.6 GHz which is a very huge difference. This means the Linksys wrt1900ac processor is 60% faster and with a bigger RAM that is 512 MB than Asus rt ac68u which is 256 MB.
Both routers have great hardware features, but Asus rt ac68u router has some great firmware features like the Trend micro security that identifies and blocks malicious sites so that your devices don’t get infected and this reduces the dangers of the internet your family is exposed to every time they’re online.
Setup
Both routers have simple and straight-forward setups where you just connect your router to your computer then launch the setup wizard after opening a new web browser, and they have comprehensive interfaces that are clear and user-friendly. However, some of the features are different. The Asus rt ac68u router has a clean and easy-to-use interface that has been divided into 3 sections; general and advanced settings and the quick internet setup wizard. Some of the features you will find include a fully built-in VPN server, a unique feature not found in many routers, parental controls, AiProtection, AiCloud for sharing stored data in your computer with other people connected to the same network, etc.
The Linksys wrt1900ac router doesn’t have a very comprehensive interface, but it has features like a guest network where you can create 2 guest networks, built-in parental control, and DLNA medial server. This router works better if you install a new open-source firmware like OpenWRT.
The Linksys wrt1900ac vs. Asus rt ac68u – How do they compare?
Linksys wrt1900ac router
- 4 High-performance Antennas For Maximum Coverage & Reliability
- 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Simultaneous Dual Wireless Bands For A Strong, Reliable Wi-Fi Signal That Eliminates Dead...
This is a dual-band gigabit router that provides excellent wifi performance for your home network. It comes with 4 external antennas, a power adapter, a network cable, a quick start guide, and a disc with a user manual. The 4 unique external antennas help to improve the dual-band connection by providing greater strength and coverage. This router has a powerful 1.2 GHz dual-core processor that helps to support multiple online users and digital devices in your home by removing the dead spots and spotty coverage to far corners of your home that may be caused by floors, walls, or story buildings. This dual-band router promises a maximum theoretical throughput of 600 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and 1300 Mbps for the 5 GHz bandwidth to provide fast data transfers.
You can have multiple users in your home using the network for streaming movies, online gaming, and transferring files all at the same time without lagging interruptions. This router has an impressive 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB for flash storage. At the back of the router, you will find a power switch, reset button, WPS button, 4 Ethernet ports, a 3.0 USB port, and an eSATA/ USB 2.0. The dual-band wifi coverage improves the delivery transfer speeds to give you a strong and reliable wifi signal in your home. With the help of the wireless AC technology, this router supports beamforming that allows the router to strengthen the wireless signal to specific devices creating stronger, faster connections with a better range and reduced interferences.
The eSATA port is very helpful if you want to attach an external SATA storage device, and you can also use the same port as a USB 2.0 port. For the advanced users, you can customize the router so that you can use the OpenWRT that has open-source firmware to gain access to third party websites. Apart from connecting to an array of devices and super-fast transfer speeds, this router features an exclusive SMART wifi software that will help you monitor and control your network from anywhere and at any time, ensure safe internet for your kids, create a separate guest network for your guests and control usage.
Pros
- Quick and easy to install and set up
- The smart app makes it easy to manage your network from anywhere and at any time
- It allows you to set up a separate guest network with own wifi password
- The gigabit Ethernet ports provide a faster and more reliable signal
- Able to provide uninterrupted wifi connection to multiple devices at the same time
Cons
- It’s expensive
- It’s a large and heavy router that would require heavy-duty double tape to mount on the wall
Asus rt ac68u router
- Dual band with the latest 802; 11 AC 3x3 technology for combined speeds of up to 1900 Mbps
- 1 GigaHertz dual core CPU enables smart multitasking by dedicating separate lanes for Wi Fi and USB data;...
This router has a sleek design with lightning-fast speeds which makes it one of the fastest wifi routers that have a combined dual data rate of up to 1900 Mbps. The 2.4 GHz band will deliver a data range of up to 600 Mbps while the 5 GHz band will deliver 1300 Mbps. It has amazing throughput speeds so you won’t have problems playing your favorite or streaming your favorite movie. Once you connect any device to this router, you automatically get a quick and simple internet setup that guides you through the procedure where you create an SSID, connect to the internet, and you’re done. This router is powered by a dual-core processor that helps to eliminate the performance drop that occurs in most busy networks, so the network streaming flows smoothly without any interruptions.
The built-in 3.0 USB and 2.0 USB ports allow you to connect your USB-enabled devices like printers and external storage drives to your router and share them through wifi while still keeping your network secure with AiProtection. As wireless technology continues to evolve so do online threats. AiProtection provides multiple stage protection from threats and prevents any infected devices from transmitting personal data or private data being stolen. This protects your family members as they’re exposed to the dangers of the internet every time they’re online. AiMesh is another feature in this router that provides you with a powerful and flexible way of solving your wifi problems and allows you to connect to multiple Asus routers to create a home wifi network.
This router has an intuitive user interface that gives you easy access to plenty of advanced options and a 3-step installation process using the website. This router features a dual-core processor that helps to eliminate performance drop which means even when multiple devices are connected to your home network at the same time, there will be no interruptions. So you can video stream, download files, and game online on a smooth network. AiRadar helps to enhance signal stability and range by fine-tuning the wireless connectivity using 802.11ac beaming technology which amplifies the network’s coverage, stability and increases its dynamic data speed.
Pros
- Provides a very strong signal around the house
- Has a sleek design and excellent features and advanced technologies
- Has a very easy and quick setup
- Delivers a total speed of 1900 Mbps and maintains its stability throughout
- You can easily control your network from anywhere
Cons
- The signal strength is great but the wifi constantly drops out in many devices
- At first, the network is great hen later it starts being slow
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a new router or you want to upgrade, the Linksys wrt1900ac and Asus rt ac68u are great routers that you should consider. They both have great advantages in their speed, performance, and range.
Verdict: So which is better? Linksys wrt1900ac or Asus rt ac68u?
Although Asus rt ac68u has its own advantages like its sleek looking design, better wifi performance, and a more composed interface, Linksys wrt1900ac is the better choice because first of all, it’s cheaper than Asus rt ac68u so you get to save some money. Another thing you notice is its retro design, better internal hardware, a fast processor with twice as much memory. So with Linksys wrt1900ac, you get a significantly stronger and faster router at a cheaper price.
FAQ
Does a router increase Mbps?
Wifi is often 2-10 times faster than you might need on most residential internet connections. This means you don’t need to get the most expensive router because it won’t necessarily improve your online experience if you have a slow internet connection.
What is the range for Asus rt ac68u?
This router has an exceptionally long range of about 200 feet. Generally, walls shorten the reach of a wifi signal and even other wifi devices create some interference. So like all other routers, you will get varying results depending on where you live.
Is Linksys better than Netgear?
When you’re looking for a high-end router, Netgear may be a better option of the two, while Linksys is better when it comes to mid to low-range.
How do I know if my Linksys router has the latest firmware?
To check if the latest firmware is running in your router, check the words ‘firmware version’ then several numbers at the top right corner of your screen. You can also go to the search box and search your Linksys router with its model number, then download the latest firmware from the list.
