Our Top Picks
● Peplink Balance 600Mbps - Best for Overall
● NETGEAR AC1600 WiFi - Best for Design
● Linksys WRT3200ACM - Best for Gamer
● Linksys wifi 5 Router - Best for Large Area
● Actiontec 802.11ac Extender - Best for Budget
Types Of Product
We will have many ways to divide many 11AC router products into different groups. In today's article, I will divide the products currently on the market into two groups: affordable and high-end products.
Basic version
Products in the low-end segment usually do not integrate too many modern functions, but you can still access powerful features with a design that balances cost and performance.
One feature of products in this segment is the compact design and usually not too aggressive with dense antennas like high-end products.
Advance version
The primary users of this product line are large houses with an area of up to hundreds of meters or significant events, but they can also meet the vital internet needs of users.
The most recognizable feature of these devices is their impressive design with solid lines, dense antenna clusters, and many physical connections. The best example of this type is the ASUS AC2900.
Buying Guides
Before choosing any product, I will have to check out the characteristics and factors that the device possesses suitable for our needs. With choosing an 11AC router, it is best to consider the factors that I will introduce.
Because of the many different parameters, only the factors below have a much more significant impact. You will need to consult more carefully if you want to make the correct choice.
Number of bands
In the past, you could not choose whether you would use a single or dual-band because the technology at that time was mostly single-band, and only a few high-end products integrated dual-band. However, today you can freely choose depending on your needs and ability to pay.
Single-band routers only operate on a single frequency of 2.4GHz, a band that has been so popular since then. The most noticeable feature of 2.4GHz is that it can provide a maximum speed of about 300Mbps for devices near the source.
For that reason, it will be difficult for remote devices to have a stable connection, and the more connected devices, the ability to maintain the same speed for all is impossible.
In return, single-band routers are pretty cheap and not as large as dual-band routers. So in case you use a limited number of devices or don't live in a vast environment, using products with only the 2.4 GHz band is not a bad idea.
If you do not fall into one of the two conditions mentioned above, it is essential to choose dual-band 11AC router products like TP-Link AC1750.
Basically, dual-band is an upgraded version of single-band devices that provides users with the ability to use both 5GHz and the traditional 2.4GHz.
To put it more simply, you can use both types of wifi simultaneously without worrying about issues like width and stability. Therefore, a dual-band router has never been the wrong choice for large buildings with many visitors.
In addition, there are also tri-band devices specialized for significant events with thousands of attendees and requiring a large speed connection to keep the connection stable.
Intuitive control features
Unlike many other devices, the router has only a few physical buttons with essential functions such as turning on or off or resetting the device.
For the rest, you will have to set up all the operations of the product through tools on your computer or smartphone.
In fact, this design helps us to install the router quickly, but in another aspect, relying heavily on tools leads to a problem that the software must be simple enough for users to use.
The software or tools they provide with router models like ASUS AC1900 are relatively easy to use with some well-known manufacturers. But these apps also offer full features for you to manage all router activities.
Meanwhile, manufacturers from Asia, who are famous for cheap quality router products, tend only to use some local languages to display words, making it difficult for users. Therefore, it is best to choose products with appropriate control features to be able to manipulate the device most simply.
Number of physical connection ports
A wifi router is not only a wireless broadcasting device but also a device that helps to evenly divide the wired connections you are using in your home.
Often these ports are called Ethernet, and every router will probably have at least one empty port for you to plug in and use.
However, the functionality of these physical ports doesn't stop there, and they can be available to establish a Network Attached Memory (NAS) connection or set up a repeater.
So, I recommend that you should pay attention to whether the product you choose has enough physical ports is extremely important.
But you also need to note that the higher the number of physical connections like TP-Link AC400, the higher the product cost, and the more robust management software you need to exploit the device's power entirely.
QoS function
Although it has not been around for too long, QoS has gradually become an indispensable standard for choosing an 11AC router.
This feature allows users to prioritize bandwidth for specific activities or devices instead of dividing it equally among all devices in the network.
It can be that this function is essential for setting up online meetings or keeping the connection stable while I am playing games. Therefore, do not ignore QoS when choosing a router if you want to keep one or several devices stable.
Security functions
Don't forget that you will be in trouble if someone successfully hacks into the wireless internet system in your apartment. In the lucky case, you will also face risks such as loss of stability as well as competition from many different devices.
On the other hand, if bad guys intentionally infiltrate to exploit sensitive information, it will be a massive hassle if you are not under the protection of the security functions.
In fact, router models more or less have security functions, but not all products can guarantee that you will encounter minor security-related problems. So don't forget to consider the security features before buying something.
Compatible with wifi 6
Many scientists have provided evidence that wifi 6 will soon become a common connection standard and have proven that their judgment is gradually becoming correct.
Therefore, it is essential to have an 11AC Router with components that make the device compatible with modern Wi-Fi technology.
Although not many products currently fully support wifi 6, in the future, when this technology has become the norm, we will have more options.
FAQs
I have gathered and answered a few of the most frequently asked questions to make it easier for you to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that determine if a product is good or not.
How do I know if my router is 802.11 ac?
There are many ways to determine if the router you are using is 11AC or not, from looking up the name to viewing through the software or based on the information that the system reports.
However, the easiest way to do this is to look at the model name to find out everything you need to know about the product, not just whether the product has 11AC or not.
Most 802.11ac routers will have "AC" somewhere in the name like ASUS AC3200.
Is my PC 802.11 AC compatible?
If your PC's network adapter supports 802.11ac network mode, the system will receive both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band radios. Not only 11AC but 11N will also work with your device if the device can use the two bands mentioned above.
How many types of wifi are there?
There are five wifi technologies, namely A, B, G, N, and AC. Your choices for your home or business will come in three varieties: Wireless G, N, or AC.
Conclusion
I have reviewed the necessary information to choose the best 11AC router for our needs. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you a lot in choosing and using 11ac routers in particular and many other types of routers in general.
If you have any other related questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment right in the section below to get feedback from our team.
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Thank you for reading!
