Linksys WRT1200AC (AC1200) Router Review

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Linksys WRT1200AC (AC1200) offers excellent Wi-Fi performance. The router provides a reliable and fast wireless option. It has a strong network storage server, especially when it hosts an external HDD. Compared to other Wi-Fi routers, the Linksys Ac1200 is a bit lower. For instance, the Netgear R6100 performs slightly better than the Linksys WRT1200AC.

On the other hand, it is true that the Linksys WRT1200AC holds significant value and performs well than most of the routers available on the market. It has a classic design, which makes it a go-to product for many users. Not only does it have a retro design but it also provides an incredible Wi-Fi speed even at longer distances. One thing you need to know and might not like about this Wi-Fi router is its high price.

Specifications

Size: 9.76 x 7.68 x 2.01 inches

Antennas: 2 (detachable)

Wi-Fi Spec: 5 GHz 802.11ac dual band

Ports: 1 x 3.0 USB ports and 1 x 2.0 USB port

Peak Performance: 867Mbps

Range: 10,000 sqft.

Unbox Video

Networking

The Linksys Ac1200 is a dual-stream Wi-Fi router. It performs well on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The router sustains a speed of 520 Mbps at 15 feet, which is a close range. The speed at 100 feet reaches above 240 Mbps, which is quite impressive considering the huge difference between the close range at 15 feet and long-distance range at 100 feet.

For the 802.11ac router, the speed is just above the average. The router performs well on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band. The speed for 2.4 GHz frequency band is 57 Mbps at close range. For the long-range, the speed at this frequency band is 42 Mbps. We think these are not high speeds but still satisfactory for home users.

The Linksys WRT1200AC (Ac1200) has less range compared to other Wi-Fi routers. We have tested the router at long distances. At 160 feet, the signal was quite stable for the 2.4 GHz frequency band. At 140 feet for the GHz band, the signal was steady and detectable. The speeds at both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands are good, especially for a dual-stream router.

Design

The Linksys WRT1200AC has a classic retro design, which is similar to older models of the WRT series, for instance, the Linksys WRT54Gs. Both the WRT54Gs and WRT1200AC has the same shape, color, size, and the number of peripheral ports. The only difference between the two is the number of antennas. The WRT54Gs have 4 antennas whereas the WRT1200AC has 2 antennas.

The design of the WRT1200AC is quite impressive and converse space. Not only the design makes it solid but it is also a very practical design when it comes to Wi-Fi routers. The antennas of the WRT1200AC are detachable. Also, you can use the 3^rd-party antennas with the WRT1200AC to improve the range of Wi-Fi signals. Make sure the high-gain antennas are from the brand.

Hardware

The Linksys WRT1200AC is equipped with an ARM-based dual-core high-speed processor, which runs at 1.3 GHz. Its competitor the WRT1900AC router has a 1.2 GHz processor. The Linksys WRT1200AC has 256 MB of RAM (DDR3) and 128 MB flash memory. Besides, this Wi-Fi router has 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports as well as 1 Gigabit WAN port.

This router also has 1 USB 3.0 ports. There is another port, which either works as an E-SATA or a USB 2.0 port. All these peripheral and network ports are positioned on the backside of the Linksys WRT1200AC router.

When you look at the front side of the router, it has various attractive-looking white LED indicators, which show the ports’ status – i.e. both network and peripherals. More importantly, you can use the Linksys web user interface “UI” to turn off these LED indicator lights. This comes in handy for users who don’t want the LED lights to bother them at night.

The Linksys WRT1200AC has a cutting-edge processor. However, this Wi-Fi router uses a mid-tier wireless standard. The router supports the 2x2 dual streams rather than the 3x3 faster Wi-Fi setup. Thus, the top-speed offered by this Wi-Fi router is 867 Mbps. The 3x3 setup, on the other hand, provides 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz radio frequency band.

Moreover, the top speed of the router on the 2.4 GHz frequency band is 400 Mbps. We thought it would be 600 Mbps. However, after testing the router, our expectations were not fulfilled. Furthermore, the Linksys WRT1200AC Wi-Fi router has 1200 Mbps total bandwidth. This is why it has been designated as the Ac1200 Wi-Fi standard router.  

Installation

When it comes to the installation of the Linksys WRT1200AC Wi-Fi router, it is quite easy and simple. You can see the default settings on the underside of the router box. It is important to customize the names and other vital features of the Wi-Fi networks of the router. You can do this through the web user interface of the router.

It is quite easy to access the interface. You can use any web browser from your laptop or PC and type in 192.168.1.1. The default password required for login is “admin.” The interface of the router is the same as the previous Linksys Wi-Fi systems.

The UI offers a wide range of features. For instance, there is an interactive network map, which allows you to see all the connected devices. It also allows you to simply click on the device icon and interact with it. Another cool feature of the UI is that you can perform the internet speed test.

Media Prioritization is another important feature offered by the UI. This enables the user to set priorities for all connected clients in terms of normal and high-speed internet. The parental control feature of the UI is also good. So much so, you can use UI to simply set up and configure the router. We found it useful for so many things.

What We Liked

• Easy setup and Installation
• Many UI Cool Features
• Excellent 5GHz performance
• Speedy USB file transfers.

We Didn’t Like

• Average Performance on 2.4 GHz
• Large Footprint

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