Linksys EA6900
Score: 73/100
Google Nest WiFi Router
Score: 74/100Rankings
The Nest Wifi Router with Point provides easy-setup mesh coverage and a built-in Google Assistant speaker, making it user-friendly for Google-centric homes. Its Wi-Fi 5 limitation and lack of Ethernet ports on satellite points restrict high-performance scenarios. Best for families that value simple management and voice control over cutting-edge wireless speeds.
The Linksys EA6900 (AC1900) offers fast dual-band Wi-Fi 5 performance with a strong processor and three beamforming antennas. Its lack of mesh support, limited LAN ports and older Wi-Fi standard limit future-proofing. Suited for small-to-medium homes needing gigabit wired connectivity and solid Wi-Fi 5 speeds.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1,900 Mbps | 2,200 Mbpsbest | |
— | 3,800 sqftbest | |
3best | — | |
2best | — | |
— | 0.5 GBbest | |
4best | 1 | |
— | 4 GBbest | |
1best | 1best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 |
Frequency Bands | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4/5 GHz |
Performance(1) | ||
Maximum Wireless Speed (Mbps) | 1900 Mbps | 2200 Mbps |
Ports(1) | ||
LAN Ports | 4 | 1 |
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Power Consumption (W) | 42 W | 15 W |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Linksys AC1900 for its solid far-range throughput, easy app-based installation, and robust processor with beamforming that keeps connections stable. However, they criticize the lack of DD-WRT support on newer hardware revisions, the absence of mesh capability, and the modest four-port LAN count, suggesting that power users may need additional networking gear.
Everyday users generally find the router reliable for everyday broadband tasks, praising its ability to handle many devices, the convenience of USB storage sharing, and the effectiveness of guest networks. Recurring frustrations revolve around hardware-version confusion, limited LAN ports, and the fact that it uses older Wi-Fi 5 technology, which some feel falls short of newer standards.
Professional reviewers commend Nest Wifi for its intuitive app-driven installation, reliable whole-home coverage, and the unique advantage of a built-in Google Assistant speaker in the points, noting solid 4K streaming performance. However, editors criticize its reliance on the older Wi-Fi 5 standard, the lack of a dedicated 5 GHz backhaul, and limited Ethernet ports, which make it less suitable for high-performance or future-proof networking needs.
Everyday users consistently praise the system's strong coverage that eliminates dead zones, the simplicity of the Google Home app setup, and stable 4K streaming across multiple devices. Recurring complaints focus on the modest maximum speed that doesn't fully utilize gigabit internet, occasional buffering under heavy load, and the lack of Ethernet ports on the satellite points.
