Linksys AC1900 Router Review: Strong but Flawed Verdict
Starting with a customer verdict that’s hard to ignore: “This is absolutely a beast of a router… industrial-strength capability and reliability,” wrote a verified buyer on Trustpilot. The Linksys AC1900 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router (Renewed, Black) consistently earns praise for speed, coverage, and ease of setup, with an aggregated score of 8.7/10 across multiple platforms.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent range and coverage | Limited guest network security options |
| Easy, app-assisted setup | No full QoS support; prioritization features lacking depth |
| Strong throughput on both bands | 5 GHz range shorter than some competitors |
| Supports open-source firmware (WRT) | External storage integration more basic than expected |
| Handles many devices without lag | Occasional firmware/setup hiccups |
| Affordable on resale/renewed market | Lacks advanced network customization for some power users |
Claims vs Reality
One of Linksys's boldest claims is that its AC1900 technology delivers “exceptional Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1900 Mbps” with simultaneous dual-band performance. Digging deeper into user reports, the reality shows that while headline speeds are achievable on the 5 GHz band under ideal conditions, real-world performance is affected by range and layout. Reddit user feedback notes coverage improvements over older models, with one saying, “I get signal even driving away in the car,” but multiple buyers caution that 5 GHz drops off faster through walls.
Marketing also promotes Smart Wi-Fi app control for network customization “anytime, anywhere.” While many first-time buyers love this — “The app makes things very easy to set up and manage,” reports a Best Buy reviewer — tech-savvy users on Newegg and Reddit often switch to open-source firmware to unlock deeper control. The built-in prioritization tool is seen as too simplistic, sometimes causing unintended slowdown when allocating bandwidth to specific apps.
Finally, Linksys touts “guest network safety” and parental controls. While WPA2 encryption is available for the main network, multiple owners found the guest network lacking. As one Trustpilot user warns, “The guest network does not allow you to use [WPA2]… only a hotel-style password login — really disappointing to see this feature lacking.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Coverage and speed come up again and again. For large homes, buyers report remarkable improvements compared to ISP-provided gear. A Best Buy customer with a 3-floor home replaced their Fios router and found: “Full coverage and speed everywhere I go.” Warehouse users even note strong signals spanning 10,000 sq ft metal buildings. Gamers appreciate the low-lag performance — one Xbox One enthusiast claimed, “We don’t suffer from lag issues… we can all connect together and still run our tablets.”
Ease of installation is another shared highlight. Whether via the Smart Wi-Fi app or manual browser setup, many report being online within minutes. “Set up was a breeze… I was able to connect all my devices within 30 minutes,” said a Best Buy reviewer. Even renewed and refurbished units win trust here — one Trustpilot user with a WRT1900AC noted, “Worked perfectly out of the box… reliable… everything I need.”
The router’s open-source firmware support (OpenWRT/DD-WRT) draws praise from tech enthusiasts. Redditors call it “a fantastic choice” for those wanting “full root access to the web config and SSH console.” Newegg reviewers highlight VLAN support, routing tables, and scheduled wireless signal control as advanced, less-common features in consumer gear.
Common Complaints
Guest network security is the most repeated letdown. Owners on Trustpilot, Reddit, and Newegg bemoan its inability to limit speed or block specific sites, warning that it's “a poorly thought out, poorly executed feature.” Others flag that some external storage devices won't connect reliably, despite the touted USB 3.0/2.0 ports.
Prioritization (QoS) complaints surface frequently. While device/application priority tools exist, there is no generalized QoS engine. Newegg’s analysis notes, “No router made after 2010 should lack that feature!” Users requiring automated optimization for gaming and streaming find this omission glaring.
Firmware and setup hiccups affect a subset of buyers. Getting stuck in initial configuration is possible — one Best Buy customer had to factory reset after clicking the wrong menu item. Renewed units occasionally show hardware quirks, such as intermittent 5 GHz drops, forcing some to disable the band entirely.
Divisive Features
The Smart Wi-Fi app splits opinion. Non-technical users value the intuitive interface and accessibility from mobile devices, but advanced users consider it locked-down compared to open-source options. External storage and NAS features also divide — casual users enjoy DLNA and FTP access, while power users lament the absence of true OS-level network drive mapping.
Open-source firmware support is loved by enthusiasts but irrelevant to many mainstream buyers, who never stray from stock tools. Power users appreciate the “beast” hardware platform but expect more refined software.
Trust & Reliability
Data shows most renewed units operate flawlessly for months, with minimal dropouts. “Always-on and always working 24x7,” says one long-term Trustpilot reviewer. Those who encountered issues often traced them back to configuration errors or specific incompatible devices, rather than outright hardware failure.
Concerns about resale units mostly center on missing accessories or cosmetic wear; functionality tends to meet expectations. Some report buying a second unit after returning a faulty refurb, suggesting occasional quality variance in the renewed pool.
Alternatives
The Netgear Nighthawk AC series comes up in comparisons, with buyers weighing its more polished QoS against Linksys’s open firmware appeal. One reviewer consciously skipped the Nighthawk, calling the AC1900 “a no-brainer” for price-to-spec balance. ASUS RT-AC3200 is cited for strong performance but, according to a Trustpilot review, still fell short in signal strength compared to Linksys.
Price & Value
Renewed units frequently list between $25 and $75 on eBay, making them a budget-friendly way to upgrade from ISP-provided gear. Buyers highlight significant speed gains “in the 90’s” Mbps where ISP routers managed only single digits. Community tips advise purchasing from reputable refurbishers with return policies, given occasional dead-on-arrival reports.
Resale value is steady thanks to the router's open-source compatibility, which retains demand among niche buyers.
FAQ
Q: Does the Linksys AC1900 support QoS for gaming and streaming?
A: Not in the full sense — it offers device and application prioritization but lacks a generalized QoS engine, which some users find limiting for automatically optimizing all traffic.
Q: How secure is the guest network?
A: While the main network supports WPA2, the guest network uses a simple password entry and lacks advanced encryption or content filtering, leading some users to consider it unsafe for regular use.
Q: Can I use this router with OpenWRT or DD-WRT?
A: Yes, it’s compatible and widely recommended by advanced users for unlocking deeper configuration options than the stock firmware allows.
Q: How well does it handle multiple devices?
A: Reports show it maintains speed and reliability with 20–30 devices connected — even in busy households with simultaneous gaming, streaming, and browsing.
Q: What’s the 5 GHz range like compared to 2.4 GHz?
A: While faster, the 5 GHz band has shorter range; users typically see full coverage in medium-size homes but attenuation through walls is more pronounced than on 2.4 GHz.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a medium-to-large home user needing reliable coverage and willing to overlook some software limitations, or if you want an affordable open-source-compatible router platform. Avoid if guest network security is critical or you need robust, fully-automated QoS. Pro tip from the community: if you’re comfortable with firmware flashing, install OpenWRT to unleash the AC1900’s full potential, making it the powerhouse many reviews praise.
