The short:
Pros:
- MEGA fast (connecting, streaming, transferring)
- USB ports (with 1 supporting faster USB 3.0)
- Powerful signal (no longer in competition with apartment complex neighbors--consistently strongest signal)
- Sleek interface (easy setup, easy maintenance and setting changes)
- Very convenient (Phone app allows remote support, meaning you can manage your router from anywhere)
- Lots of functionality (client management, parental controls, media prioritization, NAS management)
- Competitively priced
- Aesthetically pleasing, much softer lighting than typical routers (esp. Linksys)
Cons:
- Mounting holes are in an odd spot (hangs router such that cables protrude to the left)
- Power cable is a little short
For reference I am on Charter (cable broadband like Comcast or Time Warner) with advertised 60 Mb/s. I live in a 2-level apartment with lots of 2.4 GHz noise from surrounding networks. We have the following wireless devices: 2 laptops, 2 desktops, 2 smartphones, Chromecast, and a game console. I used to also use a wireless range extender (TP-Link N300), however now I don't need it!
The long:
What a great router! I upgraded from an old Cisco N300 router that had done the job fine, but was beginning to need periodic resets in order to be functional. This combined with a shotty modem provided by my cable internet company and a range extender on another floor made for a frustrating dissatisfactory internet experience about 50% of the time. I upgraded to a new modem (Archer SURFBoard), and noticed the connection on wired devices was faster and more consistent, however my wireless signal was still spotty and intermittent especially with the noisy surrounding networks. I decided it was time to upgrade.
I am definitely a techie so I did a lot of research before on different routers, and heard rave reviews from a relative and a coworker on the management app, signal strength, and overall router performance. The setup was super simple, just plug and play if you just want a router that works! The quick-start guide lists the pre-set strong password and unique SSID. I, however, had to make sure I knew every setting and feature well, and was very impressed with the settings for Media Prioritization (very useful for streaming) and External Storage (NAS, FTP server and user permissions!). I also set the wireless channel to 9 after bringing up a WiFi analyzing app on my phone and seeing that 1-6 or so were jam packed.
The difference was, well, underwhelming! Before I was consistently annoyed, and now I hardly even notice it's there! The external storage is super useful if you haven't used that before. Me and my wife can transfer files between computers much faster now--our own personal cloud! I no longer use a range extender and I never lose connection.
Overall, very pleased. Job well done, Linksys.
P.S. My SSIDs: TellMyWiFiLoveHer and BillWiTheScienceFi
This router is working great in my two-story 1600 sq ft home. This was a major upgrade for me, and I am really enjoying having all those 5 Ghz channels now. My immediate neighborhood is packed with endpoints in the 2.4 Ghz range and I was having a horrible time keeping a locked signal on my Chromecast and on my wifi-using cell phone.
I had a bit of trouble getting the router set up, but I think I was just not waiting long enough for it to settle in once I plugged it in. I have to say that Linksys's customer support is the best support I have ever received from any company ever. First, it's 24x7. Second, the rep was incredibly patient and knowledgeable. My problem sort of resolved itself while we were on the phone and the rep could not have been kinder about me wasting her time. Lastly, they actually CALLED ME BACK the next day to make sure everything was still working. I was blown away.
I think the router is "fine" but you've got to use an app on your phone if that's how you're setting it up initially, or their software on a Windows computer if you're doing that. If you use the default ip address (192.168.1.1) to login like most routers, it will tell you it is not setup properly, and to reset the device (and that becomes a loop because it will tell you that every time, even after reseting it).
Even after I contacted customer service at Linksys (they're wonderful by the way), and had set it up as I wanted, I still couldn't simply login using the IP address from my GNU/Linux computer and continue setting it up. I had to use their app on my phone.
The router its self seems stable, strong (had to put it the basement of my 110 year old home, and it works well), and quick.
I will be putting DD WRT, OpenWRT, or Tomato on it though, I really don't like having to use the Linksys app to setup my port forwards, QoS, and security settings. I miss the good old days of the WRT 54GL router that came with the Linux kernel installed by default (it was affordable, flexible, and stable).
Overall, I really like the smaller antanne, strength of the signal, and overall slim design. Once it has a better or should I say more flexible operating system flashed onto it, I'm sure it will serve my household for years to come.
Edit 9/28/17: Both radios died at the same time. After resetting it, the router drops both 5ghz and 2.4ghz radios so no devices connect. Wired connections are fine. Called Linksys and they want $30 to troubleshoot out of warranty. I'm buying a different brand today after 4 Linksys devices.
EDIT 12/27/16: And the 2.4 radio is giving me fits on this unit. Very poor throughput even though signal strength is good.
Replaced a Linksys E4200 that had the 2.4 channel die. It was easy to install and set up. Working well so far a month later. I am not a fan of the online set up but once done, I don't mess with it any more.
The range is better than the E4200 and I am getting 5GHz a good 100ft away. On Comcast blast, I get 80M down within 15ft and at 100ft that drops to 15-20M which is expected but definitively better than the older unit allowing me to stream music at the far end of the yard.
The signal is strong enough to maintain good throughput throughout my 2 story 2200sqft house including the basement.
pay attention to the linksys model numbers.
even some of the reviews i got with google were for 2 different routers. but the reviewers didn't know they were not the same model.
the linksys ac1900 and the linksys 1900ac are not the same router.
the linksys 1900ac has a 1.2ghz dual core processor this is the one i wanted.
but i recieved the linksys ac1900 is a older model with a dual core 800mhz processor.
anyway it is still fast enough to stop all the buffering i was getting with the amazon echo i bought last month.
the echo voice was cutting off and streaming music and radio stations from i heart radio and tune in were buffering so bad i couldn't listen to them with the amazon echo.
now there is no buffering or echo voice cut offs.
the linksys ac1900 is still a keeper.
my old linksys wrt160n just was not fast enough to handle the stream from the net.
note to blind users.:
for the most part the firmware is still screen reader accessible with window eyes.
a few places when you check the on or off checkboxes you are doing the reverse.
on is off and off is on. you have to route the mouse pointer to administration to activate the options for this. but this is the only place i found that requires the mouse.
Feature Product
- Up to N600 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + AC1300 Mbps (5.0 GHz) speeds with Simultaneous Dual Band
- Platform Compatibility : Windows XP, Windows Vista 32/64, Windows 7 32/64, Windows 8 32/64, Mac 10.5.8 Leopard, Mac 10.6.1 Snow Leopard, Mac 10.7 Lion or later
- Includes Linksys Smart Wi-Fi providing easy CD free set-up, remote network management, parental control and app enabled networking
- 1 USB 3.0 and 1 USB 2.0 port to print, share and store content. 3 adjustable external antennas provide maximum range
- Beam forming technology follows your Tablet, Smartphone or Notebook to ensure a great connection as you move around your home. Please refer the User Manual before use.
- Dual Core 800Mhz CPU for lightning fast processing
- 4 gigabit ports to connect wired devices
- DLNA certified for home media management
Description
Perfect for HD video streaming, this Dual-Band router delivers speeds of up to N600 + AC1300 Mbps. Four Gigabit Ethernet ports make it easy to share data quickly across your network and to external devices. You can use the high-performance USB 3.0 port to attach a storage device and quickly transfer large files or Share devices across your Wi-Fi network. Plus, the USB 2.0 port is perfect for smaller file transfers or a dedicated printer. Beamforming focuses the Wi-Fi signal directly to your smartphones, tablets and laptops instead of sending out a general transmission for a more efficient network with a wider range. Smart Wi-Fi lets you access your network anytime, anywhere. Using your browser or the smart Wi-Fi mobile app, You can prioritize devices or websites, control content, monitor network activity and more. Advanced WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall help keep your network and personal information safe and secure.
If you are replacing an existing router you will of course need your internet providers ID/password which is easy to obtain, just call them. After that it's pretty much plug and play. The Gigabit ports are a real plus if you have a wired home network because they are FAST and with 4 ports you probably don't need a switch. (2) USB 3.0 ports are nice if you want to turn the router into a file server, just plug a portable USB hard drive into any of these (2) ports. Some tips when you set it up: (1) Turn off the "Guest" access. Just an open door you probably won't need. (2) You will have 2 wireless access points available for your phones etc. To get the most physical range, don't use the 5GHz. access point, use the other one, it has better coverage. Once you are done setting it up and it's working, turn off the remote access feature so no one can get back into your network.
In all, so far a great router!
The installation and setup went smoothly, and once turned on, ran PERFECTLY for 74 days [today() - ship date - 1]. We loved this thing. My wife's laptop & our tablets could now use 5Ghz band, (my laptop 2.4). The reliability was fabulous compared to my previous, 10+ yr old WRT54G which started dropping ready and would sometimes require restarting cable modem.
What a delight to finally have a reliable connection. Until. Last night I was trying to download a book on Overdrive (See your free library!) and the router was absent from the list of access points in my neighborhood. It took 3 tries to get it to stay xmiting. I'd turn it off for ever-increasing times 1-8 minutes, then on until it would remain xmiting.
I just replaced this EA6900 with my old WRT54G, so I can complete this comment and continue my work today.
Now, I must include the fact that I bought this on Amazon as a Certified Refurbished unit, and, as I said I loved it. But I think that refurbished products should last more than 14.0 days beyond the last day they can be returned.
I'd welcome the opportunity to exchange it with one that works. But learning that it's no good AFTER the last Return Date, I don't hold much hope.
My old router started dying and would drop the signal randomly. I would have to reset the router and sometimes the network adapter on my notebook. After some troubleshooting decided my router was 8 years old running 24/7 and probably was wearing out. I picked this one up installed it and I've been up and running for at least a month without a single drop. The user interface is simple and intuitive. My old router was an "n" router and this one is significantly faster. Only one hiccup - I don't like the guest Wi-Fi network ID that installs by default. I had to disable that and it was a little stubborn. I turned it off but it was still there. Turn it back on turn it back off still there. Figured out it wanted to be powered off and back on then no more guest Network ID.
Very easy setup. This is my 3rd linksys router and I am loyal to their brand because of the ease of setup and quality. I also appreciate the smartphone app and the ability to see my devices there as well as prioritize which is getting the signal. I have approximately 8 devices connected and speed in all of them is great. I pay for 50mbps of speed from my provider. Speed test shows 55mbps in main living area (router is not located there) and 50 in room farthest from router. Very very pleased.
I could not have been more pleased with my decision. The setup instructions are literally 4 steps, two of which are simply plug it in the wall, and connect your modem. After that it's just connecting to a actual domain name (no need for using the IP address unless that's your thing), and following the steps to configure the SSID and password.
The UI is incredibly simple compared to my old linksys router, and I even suggested my wife install the app on her iPhone so she could check it out. Of course I got the "Why?" response... and I suppose she has no need, but if she did need to, it would be just as simple as reading the 4 step instructions.
With gigabit (which I was told is restricted to around 850mb due to the current DOCSIS 3.0 modem) I was able to achieve 840mb while connected directly to the router. My iPhone 6 is hovering about 40mb on wifi, and my computer connecting over wireless is sitting at 105mb on the opposite end of the house. Distance has improved over my previous router as we can now connect to wifi on the backporch whereas it was spotty at best with our previous router. I'm sure wireless speeds could be improved, but I only use it for my phone, and the wife is happy with what she's getting now.
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