If you are in the market for a new wireless router, the Linksys WRT3200ACM may be what you are looking for. This top-of-the-line router comes with impressive features that will make your internet experience much better.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the hardware and specs of the Linksys WRT3200ACM and its main features. So if this router is one of your choices, read on!
PROS
CONS
Before we get into listing all the main features and benefits of the Linksys WRT32000ACM, let's first look at its overview and hardware specifications. So what is Linksys WRT3200ACM?
The Linksys WRT32000ACM is a powerful AC5300 MU-MIMO gigabit router that offers top speeds and performance. It comes equipped with a tri-stream 160 technology which allows you to enjoy blazing-fast wireless connections with speeds of up to 2500 Mbps.HARDWARE & SPECS
Main Features and Benefits
Design
Have you had a Linksys WRT1900CS? Or perhaps seen one in a store? The new WRT320ACM looks very similar to its predecessor. The router comes in a black color with blue accents and four large external antennas. It's a bit larger than some other routers on the market, but it's still small enough to fit comfortably in most homes.
The dimension of the Linksys WRT320ACM remains the same as the WRT1900CS with a size of 9.68” L x 7.63” W x 2.04” H (246mm L x 193.75mm W x 51.85mm H) and weighs a bit lighter at 28.16 ounces. This router can easily be placed on any flat surface or be mounted on a wall.
When you turn to the router’s back, you'll find lots of ports and buttons, including an antenna connector, a WPS button, four Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet LAN ports, an Internet port, a USB 3.0 port, a combo USB 2.0 and eSATA port and the reset button.
Performance
The Linksys WRT320ACM is a significant improvement over its predecessor. It's powered by a 1.8 dual-core processor providing simultaneous high-speed data processing. The router is also equipped with 256MB Flash and 512MB of RAM, which is beneficial for both speed and stability.
In terms of wireless performance, the Linksys WRT320ACM is top-notch. It's dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11ac), offering speeds up to 2.6 Gbps making the streaming and gaming experience more enjoyable!
Beamforming Technology
The Linksys WRT3200ACM supports Beamforming technology. This feature increases network performance by scanning a region, discovering connected devices (wireless), and focusing the signal directly at them rather than sending it out uniformly.
MU-MIMO
One of the best features of the Linksys WRT320ACM is its Multi-User, Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MU-MIMO) technology. This allows the router to connect to multiple devices simultaneously and gives each device a dedicated Wi-Fi connection. This means each user will be able to get the best possible speeds without affecting other users on the network.
Tri-Stream 160 Technology
What's impressive about the Linksys WRT320ACM is that it's one of the first routers to feature Tri-Stream 160 Technology. This technology allows the router to deliver speeds up to an incredible 2.6 Gbps Wi-Fi speeds. It is designed to double the bandwidth from 80 MHz to 160 MHz on all spatial streams.
Customizability
For those looking for a router that gives you complete control, the Linksys WRT320ACM is perfect for you. It comes with Open Source Firmware which means that you can customize the router to suit your specific needs.
You will be able to set up a secure VPN, create and manage hotspots, and detects network intrusion. In addition, you may also turn the router into a web server.
Advanced Security
The Linksys WRT320ACM also has advanced security features to keep your network safe. It has a built-in firewall that protects your network from attacks. In addition, it also has WPA/WPA-PSK and WEP encryption to keep your data safe and secure.
And most importantly, it supports VPN passthrough. So, if you need a router that can offer you the best security features, then this is the perfect one for you.
QoS (Quality of Service)
The Quality of Service (QoS) feature on the Linksys WRT320ACM will automatically prioritize your devices for you to have the best possible gaming experience or streaming experience without any buffering or lag.
Link Aggregation
The Linksys WRT320ACM also supports Link Aggregation, which allows you to combine two Ethernet ports to get double the speeds. This is perfect if you have a wired connection and want to get the best possible speeds for gaming or streaming.
Network Map
The Linksys WRT320ACM has a network map feature that will show you all the devices connected to your network and their connection speeds. This is perfect for troubleshooting any issues you may have with your network.
For instance, if you see that one of your devices is only getting a slow connection, you can try moving it closer to the router or changing the channel that it's using. As a result, you can better understand your home network and how to optimize it.
Guest Network Access
Another great feature of the WRT320ACM is guest access. This allows you to give your guests internet access without giving them access to your entire network. This works by setting up a separate network for your guests isolated from your main network.
This means you can have peace of mind while still providing your guests with the internet access they need.
Device Prioritization
The Linksys WRT320ACM’s device prioritization feature allows you to choose which devices on your network get priority access to the internet. This is great if you have devices that need more bandwidth than others. For example, if you have a gaming console that requires a lot of bandwidth, you can prioritize it to get the internet access it needs.
Parental Controls
This Linksys router, like many others in the market today, also has parental controls. Perfect if you have kids, this feature ensures your kids are not spending too much time using the internet. It also allows you to block inappropriate content that your child shouldn’t be seeing.
Many people overlooked this feature because we think it would be difficult to set up, but it's pretty straightforward. To set up the parental controls, you'll need to create a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi account.
Once you've done that, you can log into the web-based interface and select "Parental Controls" from the main menu. From there, you can add devices to your network and specify which websites or times of day they're allowed to access the internet. And that's it!
Smart Wi-Fi App
The Linksys WRT3200ACM features a Smart Wi-Fi app that allows you to take full control of your router. You can change any settings, see connected devices, run speed tests, and set up parental controls. Imagine the convenience and peace of mind you'll have knowing that you can control your home network efficiently.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports
If you have many wired devices, you'll need a router with gigabit Ethernet ports. The Linksys WRT320ACM has four, which is more than enough for most homes. These Ethernet ports are not just for connecting wired devices but also beneficial for transferring data. It provides 10x faster than Fast Ethernet, ensuring high-speed connectivity for wired devices.
DFS Certified
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have required manufacturers to have their wireless routers be certified. The Linksys WRT320ACM is certified and is also Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) compliant. As a result, you will have the clearest and most reliable Wi-Fi signal in your home.
Cons
Unavailable 160MHz Clients
The Linksys WRT320ACM is a great router, but it's not perfect. One of its flaws is that it doesn't support 160MHz clients. This means that you won't be able to take advantage of the full speed of 802.11ac Wi-Fi if you have any 160MHz clients in your home.
DD-WRT Set-Up Requires Technical Skill
Another downside of the Linksys WRT3200ACM is that it can be challenging to set up DD-WRT (DresDren-Wireless RouTer.) This open-source firmware offers many benefits, but it's not for everyone. If you're a tech-savvy person and dislike technical troubleshooting, you might want to steer clear of this router.
What is the Linksys WRT3200ACM Best For?
The Linksys WRT3200ACM is best for advanced users who want a fast and powerful router. With its advanced features like MU-MIMO and Tri-stream 160 Technology, it is best suited for large homes and offices with many devices.
What Buyers Have To Say
With my old Cisco routers (I've had two), one of which intermittently quit working (the other one, all the ports went out), I was getting download speeds of about 90 Mbps. With this router (nothing else changed), I'm getting over 233 Mbps!
The Wi-Fi signal throughout our 5 bedroom house is amazing! It works for 3 separate PlayStations and has the ability to point the arms in different ways to ensure your whole house is covered! No more lagging games, freezing screens, or getting kicked from games!
Super easy to set up, even has an app for the phone, simple to use, the range is incredible, and the speed it pushes is amazing, handles a lot of Wi-Fi traffic well, never gets hot.
Conclusion
Overall, the Linksys WRT320ACM is an excellent choice for a wireless router. It's fast, reliable, and easy to use. So, if you are in the market for a new wireless router and want one that comes with all the bells and whistles, be sure to check out the Linksys WRT3200ACM.
This router has everything you could want and more. And, as always, thanks for reading!
