If you need a powerful router for your home network, the Linksys WRT1900ACS may be perfect for you. It offers excellent speeds and has an extended range because of its four external antennas.
In this article, we will look at what the WRT1900ACS has to offer and how it can benefit you. We will discuss some of its pros and cons and its features. Keep reading to learn more!
The Linksys WRT1900ACS is a powerful router offering simultaneous dual-band AC1900 speeds of up to 1900 Mbps. The WRT1900acs provides four external antennas for maximum range and coverage. It also includes Beamforming+ technology, which helps to improve range and performance.
PROS
CONS
Main Features and Benefits
Build and Design
The Linksys WRT1900ACS comes in a black and blue color scheme. It has four external antennas and is one of the few routers that offers eSATA support. The router also has a USB port for connecting an external storage device. Furthermore, this router has four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections.
Performance
The Linksys WRT1900ACS features a 1.6 GHz dual-core CPU and 512MB of RAM, outperforming the previous WRT1900AC by 10% in wired, wireless, and network storage performance. It also provides speeds up to 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1.3 Gbps on the 5 GHz band. A total of 1.9 Gbps is more than enough speed for most people's needs.
Dual-core Processor
The Linksys WRT1900ACS has a powerful dual-core processor that helps deliver high speeds and smooth performance. This is especially beneficial if you have a lot of devices connected to your home network or if you're looking to stream HD content.
Simultaneous Dual-Band
The Linksys WRT1900ACS uses a simultaneous dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It delivers the best possible speeds and stronger connections at a more comprehensive range than a single band. This is beneficial if you have a lot of devices that are connecting to your home network.
Four Powerful External Antennas
The WRT1900ACS has four external antennas. This helps ensure maximum range and performance, even in larger homes. With these antennas, you'll enjoy a stronger and more reliable signal throughout your house.
Advanced Security Features
WPA/WPA-PSK
The WRT1900ACS also comes with advanced security features to help keep your home network safe from hackers and other online threats. With WPA/WPA-PSK encryption, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure.
VPN Support
One of the main features of the Linksys WRT1900ACS is its Virtual Private Network (VPN) support. This means that you can connect to your home network from anywhere and access your files securely. It is also perfect for those who work remotely or travel often.
Guest Access
Another great feature of the Linksys WRT1900ACS is its guest access feature. It allows you to give visitors temporary access to your home without giving them your password. This is beneficial if you have guests who need to use your Wi-Fi, but you don't want them to have access to your files. It can also handle up to 50 guest devices at the same time.
Parental Controls
The Linksys WRT1900ACS also has parental controls, which is beneficial if you have children who use the internet. This feature allows you to block certain websites and content inappropriate for your children. With this feature, you can have peace of mind knowing that your children are safe while they are online.
Beamforming Technology
Another feature that the Linksys WRT1900ACS has is beamforming technology. This feature allows the router to focus its signal towards devices connected to it. This results in a reliable and stronger connection. If you are a gamer or a streamer, this feature will be beneficial for you as it will minimize lag and provide you with better gaming or streaming experience.
Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App
With the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App, you can easily manage and monitor your home network. You can use the app to check which devices are connected to the network, set up parental controls, and run speed tests. Not only that, but you can also set up the Guest Access feature with the app.
Device Prioritization
Aside from all those fantastic features, we also like the Device Prioritization feature of this router. This allows you to prioritize specific devices on your network to connect better. For example, you can prioritize your gaming console or your streaming device so that they will have a stronger and more stable connection.
Ease of Use
The Linksys WRT1900ACS is very easy to use. The setup is quick and easy, and the router's interface is very user-friendly. Even if you're not tech-savvy, you'll be able to navigate the interface and set up your home network without any problems.
Opensource Firmware
With Opensource Firmware, you'll be able to customize your router and add new features. You can also install a custom firmware if you're experienced with that. This is one feature that sets the Linksys WRT1900ACS apart from other routers.
Ports
The Linksys WRT1900ACS has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which is excellent if you have a lot of devices that need to be connected to the internet. In addition, this ensures a 10x faster data transfer than what you're used to with Fast Ethernet.
The USB port on the Linksys WRT1900ACS is very fast, at least three times faster than what you're used to with USB ports. This means connecting an external hard drive or a printer and having it work at optimal speeds.
A test revealed that when an external hard drive was connected to the router’s USB 3.0 port via a Gigabit connection, it registered a sustained write speed of 97MBps and a sustained read speed of 108MBps. These results were faster than some dedicated NAS servers and the fastest among routers with network storage capability.
Price
The price of the Linksys WRT1900ACS is quite reasonable considering all the features it offers. It is worth the investment if you look for a powerful and reliable router for your home network. However, this router offers lesser features for its price, so less demanding users may be better looking for a cheaper alternative.
Cons
No MU-MIMO
The Linksys WRT1900ACS is almost perfect; however, it does not support Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) technology, a feature becoming more and more common in newer routers. This means that it cannot take advantage of the latest 802.11ac standard, which allows multiple users to be served simultaneously.
Connection drops
Another issue we've found is that the connection seems to drop more often than with other routers. This can be frustrating, especially if you are in the middle of doing something important online. Many customers have proven that a firmware update can help alleviate this problem, so it's worth checking out.
What is the Linksys WRT1900ACS Best For?
The Linksys WRT1900ACS is an excellent router for those who need a powerful and fast home network. It's perfect for online gaming, streaming movies and TV shows, and more. However, if you are a MAC user who needs to back up their data, this might not be the best option.
What Buyers Have To Say About the Linksys WRT1900AC
I have own 2 of these and have bought several more for relatives. Never had any issues with any of them. I have 200 Mbps internet service from my ISP. With 2 of these routers (1 working as an access point), I have full 200 Mbps WiFi speeds in the entire 3500 sq ft house.
This router is ideal for every level of user. Offers easy management and superb functionality for the home user while also providing a more advanced feature set for advanced professional use.
Linksys products are leaders in quality and product support
Conclusion
The Linksys WRT1900ACS is a powerful router perfect for those looking to upgrade their home network. It has many features that are beneficial for both gamers and families. If you are in the market for a new router, the Linksys WRT1900ACS should be on your list.
