Linksys WRT1900AC Wireless Router Review

An open minded router that can also function as a wireless extender, the Linksys WRT1900AC is a moderately priced choice. It is a couple of years old, therefore it is not Wi-Fi 6 or perhaps MU-MIMO capable, but it delivers a exceptional set of characteristics that make it a rival one of its newer competitors. I tested the Linksys WRT1900AC from the real world along with different Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi routers to see if its combination of design, functionality, and characteristics equivalent a worthwhile investment.

Style: Looks like a toy

WRT1900AC's old college design isn't for everyone. It is eye-catching and colorful, not for those who need a router that will blend in the background. The bright blue and black colour scheme provides the router a tiny juvenile, almost toy-like look. The Linksys name is printed on the top of the router, and it's also in little print on front and onto each of the four antennas.

Installation: Painless

The installation procedure is quick and effortless. One little detail I enjoyed about the WRT1900AC is that the company printed the temporary system ID and password in the user manual, so that I didn't need to strain my eyes trying to read the very small print on the router tag. It's possible to set your network up in the Linksys app, or you'll be able to use the web portal.

Connectivity: Remarkable speeds

That is an AC1900 dual-band 802.11ac router, so Wi-Fi speeds max out at 1300 Mbps over the 5GHz band. The WRT1900AC includes beam forming technology, allowing it to concentrate the signal to associated devices.

In my test house, I've got a max Wi-Fi rate of 500 Mbps in my ISP. I connected a couple of devices to the Linksys router and also analyzed speeds in various regions of my 1,600 square foot test home. In exactly the exact same room as the router, Ookla clocked the Wi-Fi rate at at 254 Mbps around the 5 GHz band. When I went to the other end of the house to a room that often experiences drop-offs, the connection remained stable and the speed measured at 188 Mbps.

When I moved to the 2.4 GHz channel and traveled to the end of their driveway, the speed dropped substantially to 30 Mbps. Overall, the WRT1900AC provided considerable coverage for the one-level residence, and had a long enough range to traveling outdoors and about the property. The signal degraded with distance though, and obstructions such as walls and appliances greatly impacted the signal strength.

Key attributes: Open origin, distinct manners

The WRT1900AC may operate in various modes along with a wireless router mode. It can function as an entry point, a wired bridge, a wireless bridge, or even a wireless repeater. This allows you to use a second Linksys to extend your Wi-Fi signal.

Since the WRT1900AC is open-source ready, it is possible to modify the router and then customize it for certain purposes or even turn it into a web server.

It can act as an entry point, a wired bridge, a wireless port, or a wireless repeater.

Software: Linksys program

The Linksys app is one of the more comprehensive router programs I've seen. You can set up a guest community, handle and prioritize devices, and set up parental controls (that are really useful). The parental controls let you pause the net on your youngster's devices, program a pause for a later time, and block particular websites. You could even perform a few complex functions in the program, such as port forwarding and enabling Wi-Fi MAC filters.

About the Linksys Smart WiFi site, you can control virtually every element of your system from protection for diagnostics.