Netgear AC750 vs. Linksys AC1750 – does the higher AC rating indicate better performance?
Thanks to the increasing spread of the Internet, a router is no longer a fancy small box to help you connect to the World Wide Web. With that said, it is essential to know the differences between the AC1750 and AC750, and what they really mean for you and your internet connections.
You might be wondering what the AC denotation means, or what the number next to the AC means.We also understand that it is difficult choosing routers that seem similar to you, only to be frustrated with the experience of using them become more disappointing than you hoped. Theoretically, the AC750 has a lower total speed (750 Mbps) compared to the AC1750 (1750 Mbps), although this is not necessarily an indicator of their actual performance.
In the light of this information, we used both of these routersand compared our experiences– with the aim of helping you to not make the mistake of buying them and finding out they do not fulfill your needs.
When looking at the AC750 and AC1750, they share some things in common: both are dual-band, and both are very similar in size, with the AC1750 being slightly smaller.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the AC750 and AC1750?
Netgear AC750 |
Linksys AC1750 (Winner) |
|
Dimensions in inches |
12.8 x 10.1 x 2.3 (slightly bulkier option) |
12.8 x 9.8 x 2.8 (slightly smaller choice) |
Total Ethernet ports |
5 |
4 |
Wireless communication standard |
802.11ac/n/g/b/a |
2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies |
Upload speeds |
10 Mbps |
10 Mbps |
Download speeds |
60 Mbps |
50 Mbps |
Average throughput speeds (in close range) |
300 Mbps |
195 Mbps |
AC750 vs. AC1750 – How they compare
Design to expect
In our experiments, we preferred the great design of the TP-Link AC750 router, as it is a great budget option that makes it easy to achieve a good quality of connection. The design is also quite unique among routers; it comes in form of a rectangular router with a mosaic design and glossy top. Regardless of the area of your home you keep it in, its fancy appearance will easily stand out from all your other items.
The design of the AC1750, on the other hand, will share some aspects to the AC750, especially the dual-band setup, and include a Gigabit WAN port, a button to power the outer on or off, indicators for WPS activity, and USB activity LED lights. When setting it up though, you will notice that the web console it relies on is quite old, due to its text-based format. Therefore, it will not include the elements that will improve the graphics and make the user-experience friendlier. It also experiences some lags when you are saving your settings or making changes to them.
Performance and throughput
In the case of the AC1750 router, our testing was through using an Ethernet cable to connect a wireless adapter to a machine, and testing the resulting speeds from it. Our results showed that the AC1750 was quite good in its results, as it produced a throughput of about 192 to 195 Mbps when you are using the 5GHz band at a distance of five feet. When you move at further distances from the router, the speed will not remain constant though. For instance, among our observations, we also saw that the throughput at 30 feet reduces to 153 Mbps.
The interesting thing we noticed with one of the AC1750 routers, specifically the Linksys AC1750, was that we could test the router’s 5GHz band when it is in 11ac-only mode. When you are testing other AC1750 routers, you must combine the 11ac and 802.11n modes when you are using the 5GHz band. Another point to note is the slow performance of the 2.4GHz band in all the AC1750 routers we tested, and the maximum throughput is only 90 Mbps when using it at five feet, with an average throughput rating of 51 Mbps.
The opposite is the case for the AC750 though, as the performance on both bands is quite high. This is particularly evident in the TP Link AC750, where we conducted our testing using the same method we used in the AC1750. The resulting throughput was 433 Mbps when using the 2.4GHz band, and 300 Mbps when using the 5GHz band.
Setup process
The setup process of the AC750 is quite easy, as it has a comprehensive guide that you can rely on when you are setting it up, and the travel router version of the same brand is also meant to easily fit in the pocket of your bag or clothes. Its parental controls will also be easy to setup, and the entire process is done through its mobile app. You simply need to go to the Control Panel menu, access the Parental Controls, and then select the time that your children can access the internet.
The AC1750 is similarly convenient in its set up, though you do not do it through an app as you would when handling an AC750. Accessing the router’s webpage will bring up a series of options where you can customize the router’s settings and controls, including Parental Controls. In order to make the process easier, it also has a graphical tutorial, and the process takes a short time – maximum of 5 minutes.
AC750 vs. AC1750 – A comparison review
AC750 – Overview
- AC750 Wi-Fi
- Simultaneous Dual band reduces interference
There are plenty of AC750 brands of routers, though the most common ones are the Linksys, Netgear and TP-Link. Both of these are not that different from each other, such as a dual-band router design, and support for both 5 and 2.4GHz bands to help it be free from interference from other devices. In order to help it work better in a congested area, it includes three omnidirectional external antennas.
In the case of the AC750, you can use it in a variety of ways: either as an access point (as is the case with most routers), or as an extender to increase the coverage in your home. The size is small and easy to plug into a wall when you decide to use it, while it comes in a dual-band setup, as is the AC1750.
Pros
- Dual-band, which supports extensive numbers of devices
- Good Wi-Fi signals for some cases
- They support 802.11ac technology
- Easy setup
- Useful LEDs that help in optimization and troubleshooting
Cons
- Not many gigabit Ethernet ports
- Slow browsing when you use your device at longer distances
AC1750 – Overview
- Up to 4.3 times* faster than Wireless-N technology: Simultaneous dual-band speed up to N450 Mbps (2.4...
- Improved signal reception: Advanced Beamforming technology improves Wi-Fi reception by focusing the Wi-Fi...
The AC1750 router is quite special, because it is among the first to use 802.11ac technology, making it fast in connection speed as well as supporting the latest standards of wireless connectivity. In addition to this, it comes in form of a black casing and a metallic sheen, with a glow in a soft white color. The main LED light will help to indicate its status, like the logo blinking when you are making an internet connection.
The top throughput to expect from the AC1750 is 1300 Mbps when using the 5GHz band, and 450 Mbps when using the 2.4GHz band. In order to make the most from it though, you will need a wireless adapter – specifically a 3×3 one.
Pros
- Simple use and setup
- Good performance and connectivity
- Stylish design
Cons
- File transfer speeds can be middling
- Some models have a clunky user interface
Verdict: So what is better? The AC750 or the AC1750?
The truth is that these two options are great if you are not the owner of numerous bandwidth-heavy devices, as they do not provide extensive performance you might expect from the premium-end routers. However, at the end of the day, we must pick a winner; and for us, that winner is the AC1750 router – primarily because of the ease of setup, the extensive management settings options, and many I/O ports in some models. There is still room for improvement on the file transfer speeds, though.
Frequently asked questions
What does an AC1750 router mean?
An AC1750 router can operate at a combined throughput of 1750 Mbps, with the 2.4GHz band having 450 Mbps and the 5GHz band having 1300 Mbps.
Will I need a modem to operate an AC750 router?
Yes, as the modem acts as the internet connection point between the router and your device – the same is the case for all routers.
