Linksys XAC1900 review

Linksys adds an ADSL2+ modem to its high-end 802.11ac router

Linksys XAC1900

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We liked

The Linksys XAC1900 boasts an impressive feature set, and comes with a DSL modem included over and above the EA6900. This means the XAC1900 can handle both your home wireless network and manage your internet connection, potentially replacing two devices with one. It also has a useful mobile app, and the software lets you manage the router remotely.

We disliked

Unfortunately, times have moved on since the EA6900 hit the shelves, and 802.11ac is now more mature, with many affordable alternative routers on the market which the new XAC1900 now struggles against in terms of performance. Linksys really needed to have pitched this device at a more competitive price point given its performance figures. It's also worth noting that performance is also sluggish at times in the router's user interface.

Final verdict

The XAC1900 is a smart enough router with a solid design and feature set, but there's a definite issue with the price tag. If Linksys was selling the XAC1900 for less, it would appear more impressive and I could forgive the middling performance, but at its full retail price, the simple truth is that competitors offer better performing models.