Linksys AC1900 Renewed Router Review – Reliable Value Pick
The Linksys AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router (Renewed, Black) sits at a rare intersection between durability and affordability, scoring 8.3/10 based on thousands of community reviews. Despite being a renewed model, many users call it a “solid workhorse” capable of blanketing mid-sized homes in reliable Wi-Fi coverage—though not without some quirks in firmware and guest-network security.
Quick Verdict
| Verdict | Conditional Buy – Excellent performance for home users, but lacks advanced network customization |
|---|---|
| Pros | Easy to set up, strong signal coverage, handles many devices, affordable refurbished price |
| Cons | Limited guest network security, occasional reboots, mixed 2.4 GHz performance reports |
| Best for | Families, streamers, and multi-device households |
| Avoid if | You need enterprise-level customization or advanced firmware controls |
| Score | ⭐ 8.3 / 10 |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing for the Linksys AC1900 promises “speeds up to 4.3x faster than wireless-N,” dual-band stability, and cutting-edge Smart Wi-Fi management. However, whether users actually see those speeds depends heavily on setup and environment.
A verified buyer on Amazon noted that while advertised speeds reached up to 1900 Mbps, “the 2.4GHz range dropped off fast once you went 30 feet from the router.” Conversely, they added that “5GHz performance was superb… I was getting 160 Mbps even downstairs, diagonally from the router.” Several users across platforms echoed this divide: the faster band offers high throughput but limited reach, while the 2.4GHz band struggles past thick walls.
Set-up promises were generally upheld. Reddit users consistently described it as “super easy to set up.” One from Best Buy’s review section wrote: “It took me longer to mount it to the wall than to set it up.” The integration with the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app—allowing remote network control—fared well for casual home users. As one user summed up, “The app makes it stupid-proof.”
However, advanced users of the WRT1900AC variant (sharing the same AC1900 class) found Smart Wi-Fi “too dependent on cloud logins.” A reviewer on Newegg complained, “This is an attempt to create brand dependence. Unless it’s open-source and platform-independent, I don’t care.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit, Best Buy, and Amazon, the router’s range and reliability garnered the most praise. One Reddit user reported: “We have about a 3000 sq ft lot with two stories… With this thing, I get signal even driving away in the car.” Another buyer described it as “fast enough that I took the wire out and just run Wi-Fi on everything now.” For larger households with multiple devices, this bandwidth stability was a highlight.
The ease of use and mobile app integration were another strong point. First-time router buyers expressed relief that setup was painless. One Amazon customer shared, “I was expecting a complex setup… instead it was plug, power, and go.” For many, the Smart Wi-Fi app’s ability to label and prioritize devices simplified network management.
Performance under multiple device loads impressed many users. A Best Buy reviewer wrote: “We’re running up to 30 devices, and it holds up like a boss.” Whether streaming 4K video or gaming wirelessly, most home users experienced “no lag or buffering,” even with simultaneous usage.
Common Complaints
However, power users and enthusiasts voiced frustrations that the guest network lacks WPA2 encryption. As one critical buyer on Best Buy’s platform put it, “The only thing you can do is ask for a password… This is very unsafe for guests. Competitors have WPA2 protection at this price.” Several also wished for more advanced QoS (Quality of Service) control, with one Newegg reviewer calling out that “no router made after 2010 should lack automatic QoS!”
Instability complaints, though rare, did arise among renewed units. A 1-star reviewer on Amazon wrote, “Wi-Fi keeps turning off which requires a reboot. It can occur daily or weekly.” Another user noted they had to “reboot after the NAS feature hiccuped the Wi-Fi.” Despite these issues, the majority attributed them to incorrect setup or firmware versions rather than hardware failure.
The 2.4GHz performance remained divisive. Some said it “works fine even through multiple walls,” while others saw “performance drop to 1 Mbps” beyond 70 feet. In contrast, 5GHz usage was described as “blazing fast but short-ranged”—confirming typical dual-band tradeoffs.
Divisive Features
Some overlap exists between enthusiasts praising the hardware and criticizing the firmware limitations. Newegg’s technical reviewers applauded its open-source potential—“supports OpenVPN, routing tables, and VLANs”—but lamented missing automation. Meanwhile, casual buyers viewed those same omissions as a non-issue. “Unless you know you need a better router,” one Best Buy user explained, “this is as good as most ever need go.”
Guest access, app dependence, and network prioritization were frequent sore spots for higher-level users. A Newegg reviewer dissected, “It doesn’t have general QoS anywhere… all you can do is prioritize per device.” For average households, though, the limited prioritization features were “simple enough to stop teenage gamers from hogging the bandwidth.”
Trust & Reliability
Renewed models always raise eyebrows, but patterns from verified Amazon Renewed buyers suggested solid reliability. A verified buyer summarized, “Bought refurbished, looked brand new, everything worked perfectly.” Another praised Amazon’s inspection policy: “Pre-owned, yes. But works flawlessly—no scratches or missing parts.”
Yet, sporadic cases of misrepresented refurbishments were present. One frustrated buyer countered, “Certified refurbished my eye! Came with third-party VPN firmware and took all evening to reset.” Still, the fact that defective units were replaced promptly bolstered trust. “Linksys support was wonderful,” one user emphasized after getting a new replacement unit.
Long-term ownership impressions were overwhelmingly positive. “Still running as strong as ever after four years,” reported one Amazon user who had moved houses with their WRT1900AC. Many users mentioned “always-on, 24x7 uptime” as a key reason for loyalty to Linksys.
Alternatives
Among competing routers, three names appeared frequently in comparisons: Netgear Nighthawk X8, Asus RT-AC3200, and TP-Link Archer series.
One buyer who replaced their AC1900 wrote, “Switched to the Nighthawk X8. Coverage and performance is night-and-day better—but also twice the cost.” Another noted that TP-Link’s Arcers “offer WPA2 on guests and more QoS levels.”
The AC1900’s value stood strongest for balanced households, where users prioritize stability over experimentation. Reddit posts comparing it to Asus models often concluded, “Linksys firmware feels cleaner and faster for everyday users, even if Asus gives more knobs to tweak.”
Price & Value
Pricing for the renewed Linksys AC1900 hovers around $59.99 on Amazon Renewed, down from a new retail tag of $99.97 or higher. On eBay, used units ranged between $25–$65, depending on condition. Refurbished versions include the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, a major reassurance for cautious buyers.
Given that some users report “coverage through two floors and into the yard,” the performance-per-dollar ratio remains one of the router’s biggest assets. “For $60, you’re getting overkill power for normal home use,” one user wrote.
The resale trend proves enduring demand: second-hand markets on eBay list the EA7500 variant as “fully operational and functions as intended,” emphasizing its longevity even in used form.
FAQ
Q: Can the Linksys AC1900 handle multiple devices without lag?
A: Yes. Users frequently mention running 20–30 connected gadgets simultaneously. One homeowner said it “holds up like a boss” even with heavy streaming and gaming across devices.
Q: How is the 5GHz vs 2.4GHz performance?
A: The 5GHz band offers faster speeds and smoother streaming but with limited range. The 2.4GHz band reaches farther but loses consistency past 30–40 feet, as noted by several Amazon buyers.
Q: Is the renewed version reliable?
A: Generally yes. Most buyers reported “like-new performance” under Amazon’s Renewed program. Still, a small minority received misconfigured units requiring firmware resets.
Q: Does the guest network have proper security?
A: Not fully. Many users flagged that it lacks WPA2 encryption, offering only a password-on-login portal—fine for casual home guests but risky for sensitive environments.
Q: Can I install custom firmware like OpenWRT or DD-WRT?
A: Advanced users can. Newegg reviewers confirmed successful OpenWRT setups, calling it “a beast for open-source firmware,” though typical home users rarely need it.
Final Verdict
Buy the Linksys AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router (Renewed, Black) if you’re a home user seeking easy setup, strong dual-band coverage, and multi-device reliability at a bargain price. Avoid it if you rely on advanced network security or heavy QoS customization.
As one Amazon reviewer summed up, “This router is absolutely a beast—industrial-strength reliability in disguise.” For everyday streaming and smart-home setups, it continues to punch well above its price bracket, especially in its renewed form.
