TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys ac5400 – Which has the longest range
In a world where IoT and smartphones control almost every part of our lives, the need for routers in homes cannot be underestimated. TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys ac5400 are two of themost fastest home routers in the market and here we tell you which one is better.
When it comes to getting a router for your home, you first need to consider the range and house size. If you are going to be connecting to Wi-Fi on multiple devices then a tri-band router will make more sense. Such kind of routers will have three bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This enables your devices to operate at high speeds without interfering with the other.
A home router should also be armed with the best malware software and parental controls. This prevents unwarranted children access. High speed routers tend to be large but they are well capable of handling all your Wi-Fi needs and even transmit long ranges and beyond walls. This review examines two routers – TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys ac5400 – that are known to offer amazing Wi-Fi speeds.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys ac5400?
Model |
TP-link AC5400 |
Linksys AC5400 |
Dimensions |
230 X 230 X 43 mm |
264.5 X 318.1 X 66.6 mm |
RAM |
512MB |
256MB |
VPN Support |
PPTP, OpenVPN |
No |
Antennas |
8 X external |
8 X 2 dBi fixed |
Transmit power |
30 dBm |
29 dBm |
Speed range |
859.5 Mbps at 15 feet
733.9 Mbps at 5 feet |
Long range 685.2 Mbps
Close range 496.0 Mbps |
TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys AC5400 – How do they compare?
Design and connectivity
When it comes to size the Linksys ac5400 is very large. Measuring 2.6 X 10.4 X 12.5 inches it is one of the largest routers in the market. The router comes with large non-removable, adjustable antennas. To check the status of your network connection, you get eight LED lights that flash whenever the router is booting. The Linksys AC5400 has eight Gigabit LAN ports, 3.0 USB port, 2.0 USB port, WAN port and I/O ports. It also has Wi-Fi (enable/disable) button and WPS button. The router will take up most of your home space so be accommodating with it.
The TP-link AC5400 is quite colorful and its eight antennas are adorned with black and red colors. It measures 9.5 X 9.5 X 2.2 inches and is smaller than the Linksys AC5400. The TP-link AC5400 is a gaming router and you at the back you get two 3.0 USB ports, Wi-Fi on/off, WPS, LED on/off buttons, WAN port and LAN ports. When the router is functioning you will have a white status LED light but when there issues it turns red.
Performance and range
The Linksys AC5400 is a beast of a machine when it comes to performance. It features the MU-MIMO technology and this backed up by a 1.4GHz dual core processor that will run the 802. 11ac circuitry. The Linksys AC5400 supports two 5GHz and one 2.4Ghz bands. With these bands users can reach speeds of up to 1,000Mbps for the 2.4GHz and 2,166Mbps for the 5GHz. This imaginable speeds are in fact beyond the reach of most smartphones which is pretty cool. You also get the MU-MIMO streaming which allows simultaneous connections instead of the slower sequential connections. If you pair your Linksys AC5400 with the Linksys Max-Stream range extender you should get seamless roaming technology. The reason we say that this is a beast of machine when it comes to gaming is that a Broadcom BCM 4366 Wi-Fi chip powers the Linksys router. The Linksys AC5400 is capable of achieving 859.5Mbps at 15 feet. If you are transmitting Wi-Fi signals over walls it is capable of doing this up to 786.2Mbps.
The TP-link AC5400has a 1.8GHz quad core processor with an additional three co-processors. You also get 1GB of RAM and three radio bands. Being a tri-band you are capable of getting 2,167Mbps on the each of the 5GHz bands and 1000Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. You get the latest MU-MIMO technology for enhanced direct to client signal transmissions. The device also uses a smart Wi-Fi interface that is used for managing some web based connections.
Setup and security
When it comes to installation of the Linksys AC5400 you do it through the Linksys smart Wi-Fi system. You can connect the router to your smart TV and change the router settings from there. You can also manage the router through a smart Wi-Fi app. The router has settings for parental control, external storage, wireless guest storage and a network map that shows you all connected devices. At the guest page you are able to allow guest networking while the parental control tab helps you control the kind of content your kids are accessing. For security the Linksys AC5400 has IPv4 and IPv6 firewall protection. You also get VPN pass-through capabilities and internet filtering.
The TP-link AC5400 is a power horse when it comes to gaming. You can manage the router in two main ways; firstly through a web based console and two through the TP-Link Tether app for Android and iOS. You can measure the upload and download speeds through the speed test button. The router settings allow you to define how you want your router to connect to the internet – static IP, dynamic, PPTP, PPPoE. It also has advanced settings for static routing, DHCP server, and Link Aggregation settings. Since this is going to be a router for home use, you can change some of the parental control settings to disallow your kids from accessing adult oriented content. You can also give network priority to specific clients through the Quality of Service (QoS) settings. The router also features some security settings that include intrusion prevention, Trend Micro’s malicious content filter, and the infected device quarantine anti-malware utilities. Since the TP-link is available on cloud, you can manage it from anywhere you are. While the TP-link AC5400 has many gaming options it still falls behind gaming routers like the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300. But, it is an excellent router for home use.
TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys AC5400 – A Comparison Overview
TP-link AC5400 – Overview
- BATTLE TESTED Enjoy 4K video and play online games simultaneously with ultra fast 802.11ac Wave 2 MU MIMO...
- LIGHTNING FAST WIFI AC5400 Tri Band with 4 Stream and NitroQAM technology delivers up to 5400Mbps Wi Fi...
This router is specifically made for gaming enthusiasts. The router is big, expensive, and intimidating. You also get some amazing range with great speeds. The TP-link AC5400 is all black measures 9.5 X 9.5 2.2 inches. It has a large base so you do not have to worry about it toppling over. For connectivity you get tri-band 802.11AC Wi-Fi transmission. A 1.8GHz quad core processor powers the router. The Broadcom BCM 4366 Wi-Fi chip is capable of transmitting 859.5Mbps at 15 feet. While the router itself is aggressive looking, the large antennas aren’t that great to look at. At the center of the console is the TP-link logo that illuminates to show that things are working correctly.
The router capitalizes on 1024 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation technology that enables the router to reach speeds of up to 1000Mbps on 2.4Ghz band and on the 5Ghz 2,167Mbps. Using the innovative MU-MIMO technology it will enable you get direct-to-client signal transmissions. You can control most of your router settings through the Android and iOS app.
To help gamers reach peak performance the router will prioritize the computer’s bandwidth access and also aggregate to Ethernet connections for ensuring you get a peak throughput. We also discovered that the amplified signals will go through walls and reach almost areas in large homes. You also get a built-in VPN server that enables you to serve anonymously.
To keep your kids protected from unwarranted surfing, you have malicious content filters and the intrusion prevention system to prevent hackers from attacking your network. To prevent contamination of your computer the router comes with an infected device quarantine. The TP-link AC5400 has two 3.0 USB ports, and other push buttons for pausing the internet, turning lights off and cutting Wi-Fi transmissions. While the TP-link AC5400 delivers amazing speeds, it consumes a lot of power. It will take up 13.4 watts of power and this should add up to your electricity bill.
What we liked:
- Tri-bands
- Malware software and parental control
- Great performance
- Offers a true gaming experience
What we did not like:
- Very bulky and you cannot aim the antennas
Linksys ac5400 – Overview
- Connector Type : USB
- Provides up to 3,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 25plus wireless devices
If you have some extra cash and are looking for a compact and powerful router for home use then the Linksys AC5400 is your top choice. The Linksys AC5400 comes with tri-band MU-MIMO that ensures you have the best connectivity in the market. Imagine getting a Wi-Fi bandwidth of 5,333 megabits per second and using two bands that deliver 2,1667Mbps on 5Ghz and 1,000Mbps on 2.4GHz. Nothing in your collection will actually use up some of these speeds as your fastest laptop or smartphone can only manage 1,300Mbps.
To help you handle efficiently different client speeds you have the innovative MU-MIMO technology. In this regards, each device can connect at its highest speeds without affecting the others. When the router is put to the test it was capable of sustaining speeds of up to 700Mbps at ranges of 15 feet. The maximum range for the router is 150 feet in a house with walls – which is quite adequate for most homes. Should you feel that this is limiting you can always get yourself a Max-Stream extender.
When you look at most routers you will often discover you have four Gigabit LAN ports but the Linksys AC5400 comes with a massive eight ports. This will allow you to plug in more devices. You can also move from one access point to another without suffering any disconnections as the router comes a seamless roaming feature.
When it comes to the basic design of the router, it is one of the biggest in the market at 2.6 X 10.4 X 12.5 inches. On tip of the black router are eight non-removable and adjustable routers. Eight LED bars offer you the status of your router and constantly flash as the router is booting. The Linksys AC5400 features a 2.0 USB, 3.0 USB, eight Gigabit LAN ports, I/O ports and reset buttons. The tri-band is divided into two 5GHz and one 2.4GHz. The MU-MIMO is capable of connecting simultaneously and not sequentially. Once you pair the router with Linksys Max-Stream range extender, you are capable of seamless roaming technology. You also get a smart Wi-Fi mobile app that enables you to handle most of the router connectivity on the go.
What we liked:
- Parental control settings
- Tri-band router
- Smart Wi-Fi app
- MU-MIMO technology
What we did not like:
- The antennas can be obstructive
Conclusion: So, Which is better: TP-link AC5400 vs. Linksys ac5400?
When it comes to finding the best home router, the Linksys AC5400stands out. This router is large and is capable of delivering imaginable ranges all through your house. It features the latest MU-MIMO technologies and as a tri-band you can operate in either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz frequency. The range is also huge and you can enjoy flawless live streams in the comfort of your home. When it comes to gaming, the 1.4Ghz dual core processor is fast enough to meet all your needs.
FAQ
What router security features to look out for?
If you are getting yourself a home router, first ensure you have one with WPA2 encryption. This ensures that hackers are looked out from accessing your wireless network. A guest network access allows you to give Wi-Fi access to your guests on a temporary basis. It can also be used to ensure the kids do not access the internet pass their bedtime. This can be used with a parental control feature that filters adult content. If you are going to buy a home router also ensure it has a built in firewall. This prevents attacks from reaching your computer.
What are the different types of routers?
The first type of router is a wired router. These are a bit old school and feature wires connected to the router from computers. The wireless router is the most common type of router and operates over a wireless network. Instead of wiring cables you have the router sending data packets. The virtual router is more abstract and allows an intangible object to act as the default router for multiple computers.
