CONCLUSION

   When Linksys launched the WRT1900AC and sent it over to us we really thought that it would be long until another router could match its performance and features something which stood true for quite a few months. Its successor the WRT1900ACS didn’t bring much more on the table but was a valid upgrade in terms of hardware even if that didn’t yield much more in terms of performance. At first glance the WRT3200ACM doesn’t seem to offer much in terms of performance compared to the WRT1900ACS and although right now that holds true that may change very soon due to its tri-band 160MHz technology. Of course we have no way of knowing when and even if the number of compatible devices will increase but after testing it with two WRT3200ACM routers we now for a fact that it can produce higher signal throughput especially over longer distances (not that there was a chance Marvell released it for no reason at all). Also after many of you requested that we also did tests to measure USB performance we decided to do so and to our surprise Linksys seems to clearly dominate that specific area (we didn’t expect that kind of difference to be honest).

   Right now Linksys has a rather good offer on the WRT3200ACM AC3200 Smart Wi-Fi router so you can find it for just USD199.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 212Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk). Its price tag may still not be able to match other equally good routers like for example the TEW-827DRU by TRENDnet but if you also take into account USB performance and available features (including open-source firmware compatibility and the tri-band 160MHz technology even though it’s not widely supported yet) the WRT3200ACM really has very little competition right now in the market and that’s why it gets our Platinum award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design
- Top Of The Charts Performance (Wireless, Wired & USB)
- AC3200 Technology (Concurrent 802.11n & 802.11ac)
- Features (Including Open Source Firmware Compatibility And Tri-Band Technology)
- 4 High Gain Detachable Antennas
- Smart Web Interface
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
- USB 3.0 Port & USB 2.0/eSATA Port

CONS

- Price (For Some)