The WRT1900ACS by Linksys may not be the latest technology solution in the market, but it is still considered by many as one of the best routers available. It stands out thanks to the comprehensive list of features that it supports. From the start, the WRT1900ACS gets attention thanks to its distinctive design. The fact that it is a device by Linksys, one of the most reliable brands in the industry, add to the appeal of this router. The WRT1900ACS is an upgraded version of the WRT1900AC, which was launched in 2015 and became an iconic model. With the WRT1900ACS, Linksys aims to take things to the next level. This updated version includes a faster processor and twice the RAM as the WRT1900AC. These improvements mean that the Linksys WRT1900ACS/AC v2 AC1900 can offer faster performance. We’ll find out more about it in this review.
FlashRouters: $249.99 |
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Design
For the WRT1900ACS, Linksys has opted for getting inspiration from a classic router: the WRT54G, the original device that made Linksys one of the leading names in the market. The looks are vintage, but with a modern twist. If you are a router fan, it is likely that you saw or even owned a WRT54G so if you are feeling nostalgic, the WRT1900ACS could be the router for you. The design is sleek, almost aerodynamic and at the same time, it has a solid build. The blue plastic on the front, set the WRT1900ACS apart from other routers that sport the common all-black design.
The router also has four rubber-bottomed feet and it is designed for durability. The WRT1900ACS can sit flat and it can be wall-mounted. You can move the four removable external aerials to place the router in the best position and improve the signal strength. The WRT1900ACS is remarkable and each light comes with a symbol that represents the feature that it represents. In addition, the lights line up with the matching connections and the buttons round the back of the device.
Set up
Setting up the Linksys WRT1900ACS is easy, thanks to the Smart WiFI Setup wizard. One of the best things about it is that it connects automatically to the company’s servers to look for any firmware updates to confirm that there are no security weaknesses that could put you at risk. Apart from ensuring that your router is protected with the latest firmware, the Smart WiFi offers a great deal of customization options. It is possible to make any changes that you want in the main panel. You can adjust the bandwidth streaming, select the computers that can be accessed and more. The user interface is well designed and responsive, so you can modify the settings without hassle. The menus can be accessed without major problems and you can save settings without having to reboot the device constantly. The Smart WiFi features a great selection of add-ons such as speed testers and advanced media server configuration tools. Thanks to the Smart WiFi app, you can monitor network activity, speed, enable or disable WiFi network access, create a guest network and more. The app allows you to access the WRT1900ACS from any location, which allows you to share files using USB ports.
Features
The four Gigabit Ethernet ports, as well as the port for connecting your modem are located on the back of the router. The router also feature a USB 3.0 and eSATA/USB ports, WPS button, Reset button, power socket and switch. The router features a 1.6GHz dual-core AR-based processor with boosted speeds from 1.2GHz chip in the 1900AC. In addition, you get 512MB of DDR RAM and 128MB of flash memory. You can get up to 600Mbps using the 2.4GHz or up to 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band. The router supports OpenWRT, a popular open-source firmware that enables advanced tweaking. Unfortunately, there is no support for MU-MIMO, the Multi-user-Multiple Input Multiple Output. The advantage of MU-MIMO is that it can support multiple devices connected at the same time. However, that doesn’t mean that the maximum throughput to one device is improved. At the moment, only some routers offer MU-MIMO, but it is the latest in functionality for AC WiFi.
Performance
The WRT1900ACS is designed to provide remarkable speeds, as indicated by the AC in the router’s name. The Linksys WRT1900ACS is capable of maxing out your internet connection, so you can get incredibly fast performance on your laptop, mobile phone and other devices. You can get good results at large, mid and long distances, on both the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz bands. The difference in speed doesn’t go above an average of 5Mbps/1Mbps, regardless of the changes you make. This means that the WRT1900ACS provides consistent results and solid performance in different conditions. You can get stable performance, at close or long distance. This is impressive, particularly considering the price point of this router. The fast and consistent performance, as well as the advanced features supported, make the WRT1900ACS a great choice.
Conclusion
The 1900ACS is not only one of the best devices that Linksys has created, it is also one of best routers that you can get. The WRT1900ACS has a unique design, it is easy to use and considering all the features that it supports and the price, it is an amazing choice for home users who want powerful performance, stability, reliability and advanced customization options. The WRT1900ACS provides high performance storage sharing, it supports non WDS bridging and repeating, as well as fast wireless performance.
