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.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*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
| Brand | Linksys |
|---|---|
| Color | black |
| Coverage | Supreme Wi-Fi signal strength in multi-level homes and small offices |
| Frequency | 5 GHz |
| Processor | 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM - based |
| Model Name | Linksys WRT1900AC |
| Antenna Type | Retractable |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB, WiFi, 2.4GHz |
| Model Number | WRT1900AC |
| Built-In Media | Linksys WRT1900AC Router, 4 external, dual-band detachable antennas, Quick Start Guide, CD-ROM with Documentation, Ethernet Cable, Power Adapter and Power Cord |
| Control Method | App |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Mfr Part Number | WRT1900AC |
| Number of Ports | 3 |
| Special Feature | WPS |
| Antenna Location | Gaming |
| Wi-Fi Generation | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Open Source Ready | Users gain unprecedented access to customize the router |
| Security Protocol | 802.11 |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Full listing title | 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 |
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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Networking
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Intel Arc AI Software: oneAPI, OpenVINO & LLM Guide
- Prime Big Deal Days 2026: Best Mini PC Deals for Local AI and Home Labs
- Build a Motion-Triggered Trail Camera With the Raspberry Pi HQ Camera (2026)
- Sound Blaster in 2026: Using the Creative Sound BlasterX G6 on a Retro and Modern PC
- Best GPU for Local LLMs Under $400 in 2026
- Amstrad CPC Emulator Now Runs on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2
- Best Capture Setup for Console Streaming in 2026: Elgato Cam Link 4K + PS4 Pro
- Best CPU Cooler for Gaming PCs in 2026: Air & AIO Picks
- GPT-5.6 Sol Now Requires US Government Approval Per Customer
- KOORUI 27-inch 4K QD-Mini LED: A Budget HDR Gaming Monitor?
- Best Controller for Retro Emulation on PC: 8BitDo Pro 2 vs GameSir G7 SE
- Why Cheap Monitors Use HDMI Instead of DisplayPort
- RetroPie Handheld 3D Print Guide: Cases, Settings & Parts
- Windows XP Gaming ISO: A Modern Hardware Setup Guide
- How Many CPU Cores Does a Local-LLM Rig Actually Need?
- Raspberry Pi AI Projects: A 2025 Builder's Guide
- Best Mini PC for Local LLM Inference in 2026: Ryzen vs Apple vs Intel
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs 7800X3D: The Real-Game FPS Gap at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K
- Linux Gaming Keeps Closing the Gap: Kernel and Windows-API Work Behind the Gains
- Asus ROG Xreal R1 AR glasses pre-orders start today at $849 — 240 Hz virtual gaming at 171 inches on PC…
- Best Logitech Gaming Gear in 2026: Mice, Keyboards, and Wheels
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- Best GPU for 1080p Esports in 2026: Why the RTX 3060 12GB Still Wins
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090