Linksys wrt1900acs vs. Netgear r7000 – Which offers the best coverage?
Router technology keeps changing. Today, the latest routers are now sporting Wi-F-5 and some Wi-Fi 6. These work great when you are in search of fast internet speed and range.
If you are living in a large home and are thinking of getting yourself a router, you need to closely examine the coverage offered to prevent you from experiencing dead zones. In this regards, search for a router that comes with beamforming technology for a more focused signal. These two routers – Linksyswrt1900acs and Netgear r7000 are powerful enough to take care of all your household internet needs.
Table of Contents
What are the key differences between the Linksys wrt1900acs vs. Netgear r7000?
Model |
Linksys wrt1900acs |
Netgear r7000 (Winner) |
Dimensions (inches) |
9.7 x 7.6 x 2.0 |
11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 |
Processor speed |
Dual core 1.6GHz |
Dual core 1GHz |
Weight (pounds) |
1.8 |
2.1 |
RAM |
512MB |
256MB DDR |
VPN |
OpenVPN |
Built-VPN |
Speed |
500.3Mbps for two bands at 5 feet, 403.8Mbps(5GHz) & 94.7Mbs (2.4GHz) at 15 feet |
At 15 feet clocks an average speed of 174Mbps. |
Availability |
Linksys wrt1900acs vs. Netgear r7000 – How do they differ?
Design
The Linksys wrt1900acs comes with the same black and blue color tones and design as its predecessor. You have four external antennas, five Gigabit Ethernet ports with one for a Broadcom modem, and 3.0 USB port. Unlike many routers that come with very bright LED lights, the Linksys lights are a bit subdued. When it comes to size, the wrt1900acs is one of the largest routers in the market. It is way larger than the Netgear r7000. Due to its size you can either place it horizontally – where it is stable on its rubber feet or mount it on a wall. The Netgear r7000 comes in trapezoid design and is made from plastic. It spots three external antennas and can be wall mounted. At the back you have four Ethernet LAN ports one WAN port, and USB connection.
Speed and technologies
The Netgear comes with one of the most powerful processors installed in a router. It runs on a dual core 1GHz processor that is supported by 256MB of RAM and 128MB of flash memory. This chip enables router to hit a speed of 600Mbps for the 2.4GHz frequency and 1,300GHz for the 5GHz band. The Linksys wrt1900acs runs on a 1.2GHz processor that is supported by 256MBDDR3 memory. In addition, you get 512MB of DDR3 RAM. This helps boost the overall router performance. While the wrt1900acs comes with beamforming technology for more directed signals it lacks MU-MIMO for simultaneous streaming. When the wrt1900acs is put through various speeds tests it clocks 500.3Mbps at 5 feet for its two bands and 403.8Mbps for the 5GHz band.
Installation and setup
The wrt1900acs is easy to setup; all you need to do is screw up the router and connect it to your Broadcom modem. It will then automatically detect your connections. The router comes with an installation CD and manual. You can customize the router through its web browser. The Nighthawk comes with an installation kit with each purchase. The instructions are clear and precise. You can also download its genie app for more management options. This is available as both a desktop and mobile app version. The Nighthawk comes with an advanced QoS for optimized video streaming.
Linksys wrt1900acs vs. Netgear r7000 – A Comparison Overview
Linksys wrt1900acs – 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...
TheLinksys wrt1900acs comes in black and blue colors measures 9.7 x 7.6 x 2.0 inches. It is the predecessor to the wrt1900ac and comes with improved hardware and less noisier due to the absence of an internal fan. The Linksys wrt1900acs is armed with a powerful dual core 1.6GHz processor that is supported by 512MB of DDR3 RAM.
You can mount the router horizontally or mount it on a wall. The router comes with four screw on antennas that do a good job of transmitting your internet signals. Unlike other routers that tend to have very bright LED lights the ones for the Linksys wrt1900acs are more subdued. At the back you get five Gigabit Ethernet ports – four are for your wired devices like gaming consoles, printers and computers while one port is for the Broadcom modem. The Linksys wrt1900acs also comes with a 3.0 USB port as well as a combo port for 2.0 USB or eSATA connections.
The Linksys wrt1900acs is capable of reaching speeds of up to 600MHz on the 2.4GHz frequency and 1,300GHz on the 5GHz band. To help better direct your signals you have beamforming technology, but the router lacks MU-MIMO. When the router is put to the test it is capable of achieving speeds of 500.3Mbps for its two bands at 5 feet and 403.8Mbps (5GHz) and 94.7Mbps (2.4GHz) band at 15 feet.
Pros
- 0 USB and eSATA ports
- Great performance on the 5GHz band
- Quiet due to the absence of fan
- Great monitoring apps
- Many ports for your connections
Cons
- The design is a bit dull
Netgear r7000 – Overview
- Fast wifi performance: Get up to 1800 square feet wireless coverage with AC1900 speed (Dual band up to...
- Recommended for up to 30 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect...
The new Nighthawk router from Netgear comes with great 5GHz throughput rates and comes with full VPN feature. The router comes in a trapezoid design with three external antennas. It is dual band but one of the fastest 802.11ac routers in the market. The Netgear r7000 features a built-in OpenVPN server and supports third-party firmware like DD-WRT.
The Netgear r7000 is a bulky router measuring 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 inches and weighing 1.6 pounds, so you need to be careful in locating storage space for it. The housing is plastic with multiple air vents on its underside. It also comes with a wide base and rubber feet meaning you do not have to worry about it toppling over. At the back the router has four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port, a 3.0 USB port that has been placed at the front and one 2.0 USB port at the back.
When it comes to Wi-Fi speed you get 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency and 1.3Gbps on the 5GHz band. The router is one of the first to use the powerful Broadcom BCM4709 Wi-Fi chip. The chip also comes with TurboQAM technology that enables the router to deliver speeds of up to 200Mbps on each of the 2.4GHz spatial streams instead of 150Mbps.
Setup of the Netgear has been simplified through its Genie app that is available for both Android and iOS. The nighthawk comes with advanced QoS feature that is optimized for video streaming. With the WMM setting you can watch your Netflix shows uninterrupted.
Pros
- Advanced QoS for optimized video streaming
- Great 5GHz through speeds
- Full VPN capability
- Excellent range
Cons
- The 2.4GHz band not that great
Conclusion: So, which is better – Linksys wrt1900acs or Netgear r7000?
In this review, the Netgear r7000is our winner. Firstly, the router comes equipped with beamforming technology for improving signal strength and also has an advanced QoS for priority video streaming. The throughput speed for the 5GHz is great and the router also includes full VPN services. The design is great and suitable for most homes.
FAQ
Can one prioritize traffic in the Netgear r7000?
There are two ways to do this; one is when the traffic been sent by the use is prioritized through a set of tools. You can specify the amount of incoming bandwidth that is going to be consumed by devise for videos and gaming.
Is the Linksys wrt1900acs a home based router only?
No, you can use the router to setup your own office based network and connect up to 50 people. If you notice that some clients are eating up your traffic you can prioritize devices.
