Nighthawk AC1900 vs.Nighthawk AC2600 – which Nighthawk router should you go for?
Are you thinking about buying a router, but have no idea where to begin? Might you assume that all Wi-Fi routers like the Nighthawk AC1900 and Nighthawk AC2600 are the same? Do all the router brands available in the market confuse you?
If this is the case, you are not alone – we have been there as well, and we understand the plight you have. You might think all routers are the same, but our experience shows that this is not necessarily the case, as different models will have different attributes – even routers that originate from the same manufacturer.
One example of this is when you are choosing between the Nighthawk AC1900 and AC2600 – they are from the same manufacturer (Netgear), and they are both supporters of the 802.11ac standard (which is why they are denoted as AC routers). The performance speeds to expect are different though, since the AC1900 has a total theoretical speed of 1900 Mbps and the AC2600 has a total theoretical speed of 2600 Mbps. That does not mean the actual speeds will be 1900 or 2600 Mbps though, as there are other factors that lead to deviations from the theoretical speed.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Nighthawk AC1900 and AC2600?
Nighthawk AC1900 (Winner) |
Nighthawk AC2600 |
|
Average throughput speeds |
174 Mbps |
210 Mbps |
Port setup |
Dual band |
2.4GHz, 5GHz |
Wi-Fi technology in use |
Beam forming |
MU-MIMO |
Download speeds |
89 Mbps |
100 Mbps |
Upload speed |
20 Mbps |
20 Mbps |
Nighthawk AC1900 vs. AC2600 – How they compare
Design and specs
The Nighthawk AC1900 is also quite large in its dimensions. It weighs slightly more than 1.5 pounds, and measures 1.97 by 11.22 by 7.26 inches. One major point to note is the improvements that Netgear applied in the design, as the AC1900 takes on an upright design that you can place in a vertical mounting position and use it in its attached base, rather than only placing it horizontally.
The AC2600 has similarities in its design, such as its size compared to the AC1900, measuring 1.92 x 11.22 x 7.26 inches. It also contains four external antennas, all removable. The difference is its inclusion of MU-MIMO technology and 4×4 data streaming – this means it maximizes throughput by delivering four data streams.
Performance and throughput
Within the Nighthawk AC1900, you have a 1GHz processor that is of dual-core design, making it powerful enough to handle the demands of a consumer router.
In fact, its 5GHz bandsupportsa maximum of 1300 Mbps (with an average speed of 174 Mbps), and the 2.4GHz band supports a maximum of 600 Mbps (the average speed here is 69 Mbps though). Other than that, there are 3 external antennas that attach to the back panel, and it is powered by a RAM of 256 MB and a flash memory of 128 MB.
Overall, the 5GHz band performance is among the best we have seen in our testing, and the AC1900 does very well at maintaining throughput at longer distances as well. This is mainly due to beam forming, which is a technology that directs wireless signals to wireless clients directly, therefore improving signal and throughput quality. This is particularly evident when you pair it with the Netgear mini 11ac USB adapter, as well as its improved QoS (Quality of Service), which will reduce the time it takes when buffering and streaming videos, for instance. If you are in need of a Wi-Fi router that can handle heavy-duty usage, then this is the best router option to use.
The AC2600 is quite similar in its throughput, though it has a slightly higher result. It can deliver theoretical throughput speeds of up to 2.53 Gbps (2.4GHz band gives 800 Mbps, 5GHz band gives 1733 Mbps).
Its front also has extra indicators, as well as a WPS button and WAN internet port. Unlike the AC1900 though, it has two USB 3.0 ports instead of one, and uses a connectivity technology of the LAN and WLAN standards rather than the Wi-Fi one in the AC1900. The tests for its throughput speeds reveal an average throughput of 210 Mbps, making it higher than the AC1900, and among the best when it comes to MU-MIMO routers.
Setup process
Both the AC1900 and AC2600 are very easy to setup and use, as they follow the trend of most new routers in the market. In the package of the AC1900, for instance, you will get a complete installation package, as well as some steps that you will need to setup the router. All these instructions are quite easy to follow.
The difference here though is the use of the Netgear Genie management console in the AC2600, which will guide you through the process and help you choose between manual/automatic DNS addressing, and Static IP/DHCP addressing – with the process being more complex than in the straightforward approach of the AC1900.
Nighthawk AC1900 vs. AC2600 – A comparison review
Nighthawk AC1900 – 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...
This router offers you excellent levels of range and throughput on its 5GHz band, plenty of features that include a full VPN, and a really interesting name. All of these features will make the Nighthawk AC1900 among the best picks from Netgear (its parent company), even though it might have some minor annoyances.The Nighthawk AC1900 is among the latest Netgear offerings using the latest 802.11ac technology, and it appears as cool as it sounds.
It also includes 2 USB ports – one USB 2.0 on its rear and one USB 3.0 port on its front. The reason for the USB 3.0 being at the front was to prevent any interference with the 2.4GHz signal. Both of the ports will support printers and USB storage. It is also quite strong and stable because of its rubber feet and wide base, even if you connect cables in all its ports.
Pros
- It has very good range
- The design is attractive and sharp
- Very good throughput at its 5GHz band
- Very good QoS
- Comes with full capability for VPN
Cons
- Has a very annoying configuration for its bridge mode
- The 2.4GHz band has less than ideal throughput
- The application of changes in the settings is very slow
Nighthawk AC2600 – Overview
- AC2600 WiFi—Up to 2.6Gbps (800Mbps 2.4GHz + 1733Mbps 5GHz)
- MU-MIMO for simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices
If you happen to live in a connected home that has a variety of wireless clients using the same network, then the AC2600 is a valid choice to consider, as it supports a MU-MIMO setup (Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output). This means that it can receive and send data simultaneously to multiple clients without the risk of sacrificing its bandwidth. Our tests revealed that its USB file transfer was below par, but it is among the fastest routers that use the MU-MIMO technology.
In order to complete configuration, you will launch a web browser, which will show you the connection status, direct you to the Netgear page that can show you the management apps to download, and so on. The case is the same for the AC1900, as the web management console will guide you to the web interface setup.
Pros
- Plenty of management settings
- Good selection of ports
- Solid MU-MIMO and 5GHz band performance throughout
Cons
- Middling speeds of file transfer
- Expensive
Verdict: So what is better? The AC1900 or AC2600?
The ease of setup as well as the vast array of features makes the AC1900 a clear winner in our books because of the good port selection (therefore allowing for great bandwidth efficiency), and the solid MU-MIMO performance that lacks in the AC2600. It is also among the best Netgear routers we have seen, even though it has some annoying aspects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose for the USB on the Nighthawk router?
This USB port is very useful for connecting USB storage devices, which include hard drives and USB drives. However, you should not use this slot to connect printers, computers, DVD drives, or CD drives, as they will usually have their own slots specifically for their use.
How can I setup the Nighthawk router without a modem?
In order to do this, you will need a Cat5 Ethernet cable to connect to the Ethernet port of the router. Use an additional Ethernet cable to connect your OS to the LAN ports of the router. Note that this applies to all Netgear devices.
