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Linksys WRT1900AC Dual-Band+ Wi-Fi Wireless Router with Gigabit & USB 3.0 Ports and eSATA, Smart Wi-Fi Enabled to Control Your Network from Anywhere
Linksys

Linksys WRT1900AC Dual-Band+ Wi-Fi Wireless Router with Gigabit & USB 3.0 Ports and eSATA

Bottom line: The Linksys WRT1900AC Dual-Band+ Wi-Fi Wireless Router ($254.16 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): Dual bands at the same time: up to 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz plus 1300 Mbps on 5 GHz; main trade-off: wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) only, with no Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support for newer devices.

$254.16

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Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For home networking and Wi-Fi gear, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Dual bands at the same time: up to 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz plus 1300 Mbps on 5 GHz
  • ✓ 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM CPU handles gaming, streaming and file transfers at once
  • ✓ Four adjustable external antennas plus beamforming for multistory homes
  • ✓ Four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for wired PCs, game consoles and NAS drives
  • ✓ USB 3.0 and eSATA/USB 2.0 ports let you share external drives on your network

Cons

  • ✗ Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) only, with no Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support for newer devices
  • ✗ Four external antennas need open space and make the router hard to hide
  • ✗ Second storage port is an eSATA/USB 2.0 combo, so only one port runs at USB 3.0
  • ✗ Only four wired LAN ports, so larger wired setups will need a separate switch

Manufacturer description

The Linksys WRT1900AC is a dual-band Wireless-AC router for multistory homes and small offices where several people use the network at once. It broadcasts on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time, at up to 600 Mbps and 1300 Mbps. That lets older devices stay on 2.4 GHz while streaming boxes and gaming PCs use the faster 5 GHz band. A 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor handles the routing, so you can game online, stream movies and move files on several devices without one task slowing the others. Four adjustable external antennas work with beamforming to aim the signal at specific devices, which…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Linksys WRT1900AC Dual-Band+ Wi-Fi Wireless Router using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the networking category. Linksys's networking lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for networking of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is the Linksys WRT1900AC?

It is a Wireless-AC router that runs both bands at once, at up to 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and up to 1300 Mbps on 5 GHz. Wired devices get Gigabit speeds through its four Ethernet ports.

Is the WRT1900AC good for a multistory home?

It was built for that. Four adjustable external antennas and beamforming aim the signal at specific devices to reduce dead zones in multi-level homes and small offices. Actual range depends on your home's layout and building materials.

Can I connect an external hard drive to this router?

Yes. It has a USB 3.0 port and a combined eSATA/USB 2.0 port, so you can connect a USB or external SATA drive and share its files across your network.

Can I set parental controls and a guest network?

Yes. Linksys Smart Wi-Fi lets you prioritize devices or websites, set parental controls, monitor network activity, turn Wi-Fi on or off, and create password-protected guest networks, including from outside your home.

Key Features

  • 4 High-performance Antennas For Maximum Coverage & Reliability
  • 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Simultaneous Dual Wireless Bands For A Strong, Reliable Wi-Fi Signal That Eliminates Dead Zones Even In Multistory Homes
  • Beam forming Technology Allows The Router To Strengthen The Wireless Signal To Specific Devices
  • Professional-grade, 1.2 GHz Dual-core Arm CPU
  • 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports Are 10 Times Faster Than Fast Ethernet To Provide The Fastest Wired Speeds
  • Wireless-AC, up to 4.3x faster than N technology: Simultaneous dual-band speed up to 600 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 1300 Mbps (5 GHz) for media - intensive applications

Full Specifications

BrandLinksys
Colorblack
CoverageSupreme Wi-Fi signal strength in multi-level homes and small offices
Frequency5 GHz
Processor1.2 GHz dual-core ARM - based
Model NameLinksys WRT1900AC
Antenna TypeRetractable
ConnectivityWireless, USB, WiFi, 2.4GHz
Model NumberWRT1900AC
Built-In MediaLinksys WRT1900AC Router, 4 external, dual-band detachable antennas, Quick Start Guide, CD-ROM with Documentation, Ethernet Cable, Power Adapter and Power Cord
Control MethodApp
Connection TypeWired
Mfr Part NumberWRT1900AC
Number of Ports3
Special FeatureWPS
Antenna LocationGaming
Wi-Fi GenerationWi-Fi 5
Open Source ReadyUsers gain unprecedented access to customize the router
Security Protocol802.11
Compatible DevicesPersonal Computer
Full listing titleLinksys WRT1900AC Dual-Band+ Wi-Fi Wireless Router with Gigabit & USB 3.0 Ports and eSATA, Smart Wi-Fi Enabled to Control Your Network from Anywhere

Ready to buy?

Linksys WRT1900AC Dual-Band+ Wi-Fi Wireless Router with Gigabit & USB 3.0 Ports and eSATA, Smart Wi-Fi Enabled to Control Your Network from Anywhere is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $254.16

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

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