Linksys Wrt Ac1900 Dual-band+ Wi-fi Wireless Router Review

Verdict

Pros

• Excellent AC1900 Wi-Fi performance
• Robust and functional chassis pattern
• Goog USB transfer functioning
• Powerful UI
• OpenWRT support

Cons

• Hefty, blue design may put off some users
• Doesn't back up MU-MIMO
• Pushes you towards Smart Wi-Fi login
• No basic view for UI

Key Specifications

• Review Toll: £180.00
• AC1900 Wi-Fi
• iv 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• ane x USB 3.0 and 1 10 eSATA/USB 2.0
• OpenWRT support
• Four external aerials
• 1.6GHz dual-core processor
• 512MB RAM, 128MB SSD storage

What is the Linksys WRT1900ACS?

The WRT1900ACS is the updated version of Linksys' flagship router of 2015, the WRT1900AC. It packs in a faster processor and double the RAM of its predecessor, which should result in faster overall operation – specially in more demanding multi-user scenarios.

Otherwise, it's a similar beast to before, capable of up to 1900AC Wi-Fi speeds with its dual-ring, iv-aerial setup. It also has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB iii.0 port and a combi eSATA/USB 2.0 port for sharing files or printers.

In add-on, it continues to supports the open-source router firmware OpenWRT, making it potentially ideal for those users who want to fine-tune their network.

Related: Best Router Roundup

Linksys WRT1900ACS – Design and Features

The WRT1900ACS uses an identical external design to its predecessor, with information technology sporting a practical mesomorphic look whose only embellishment is the bluish plastic of its front 3rd. It's a sizeable unit of measurement, measuring 295 x 205 10 123mm and weighing 886g, so combined with its hitting livery it may not exist to everyone'due south taste.

Nonetheless, in contrast to the shiny, angular and upright ASRock G10, this router sits flat and house on its four rubber-bottomed anxiety. It instantly gives the impression of kit that's been designed to stand the test of time.

As well as sitting flat it tin can be wall-mounted: the 4 removable external aerials can be moved to best optimise positioning and signal strength.

The unit can also be stacked, with a matching eight-port switch sporting the same design fix to sit beneath the WRT1900ACS.

Gone is the fan of the original, however. Some users welcomed the feature equally a handy redundancy if cooling became an issue; others saw it as only another betoken of potential failure though. It's probable that the new chip used hither brings with it some ability saving features, then Linksys has felt it safe to remove the fan.

The ability supply has changed, likewise, switching from an inline model to one integrated into the plug. I tend to adopt the latter but because it makes cablevision direction easier, although I tin see that some users will prefer the inline style since it doesn't have up as much room at the socket.

All the connectivity is situated round the back of the device, where you have the 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports every bit well as a 5th for connecting upward to your modem. These are joined by the USB 3.0 and eSATA/USB ii.0 ports, WPS button, ability socket and switch and the Reset button.

That'due south a decent selection, although whether a second USB 3.0 port would be more useful than the eSATA/USB ii.0 combo is upward for contend.

Similarly, for some users a side- or front-mounted USB port would have been more than convenient since it makes it easier to plug in and remove devices. Likewise, the WPS button – for adding new devices to your network with one touch – would exist far better located on the front on the router.

On the plus side, the display on the front of the WRT1900ACS is excellent, with each light accompanied by a symbol representing the feature it corresponds to – unlike the Netgear R7500. Also the lights line up with their corresponding connections and buttons round the rear of the device, and then you know exactly where yous need to plug something new in or hit that WPS push.

Internally, there's a i.6GHz dual-cadre ARM-based processor, which is a speed bump from the i.2GHz chip in the 1900AC. You lot also get 512MB of DDR3 RAM and 128MB of flash retentiveness.

The latter is of import considering this router is for use with the popular open-source router network firmware OpenWRT, custom versions of which may be relatively big.

On the Wi-Fi front, the router displays the aforementioned AC1900 capabilities as before. It'due south possible to simultaneously attain up to 600Mbps using the 2.4GHz band or up to 1,300Mbps over 5GHz. Y'all do miss out on the latest must-have feature, though, which is Multi-user-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO). This is a standard characteristic of the latest Air-conditioning Wi-Fi standard, but it's currently simply implemented in a express number of routers.

The main benefit of MU-MIMO is that the router is even improve able to cope with multiple devices connecting to it at the same time, although maximum throughput to any one device is no better.

For configuring the WRT1900ACS you tin can download Linksys' Smart Wi-Fi app, which allows yous to monitor network activity and speed, turn off/on Wi-Fi access, create a guest network and prioritise network traffic.

Using Linksys' Smart Wi-Fi service you tin can even access your router from anywhere circular the world, which is convenient if you're sharing files using those USB ports.

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Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/linksys-wrt1900acs-router

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