Buying a state of art AC wireless router or AP will speed up your N-only WLAN (even in 2.4GHz band)

[jacobian]

Does a dual-band AC router improve N device performance? Apparently yes according to this article:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-features/32512-does-an-ac-router-improve-n-device-performance

Moreover, if you look at this article below, in one of their tests, their recommended cheap N-Only TP-Link WDR36000 router gets slaughtered by their recommended TP-Link Archer C7 AC router in most tests involving 802.11n client, even in 2.4GHz band.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

Ponder this.

 

[bobsilver]

The newer AC class of routers, in particular the top rated Netgear Nighthawk R7000 (as rated by Small Net Builder SNB) has improved radios , processing power and antennas then their N counterparts. That is why you will see an improvement in the performance of N based devices with these routers.

Now that said not all AC routers are the same. You will see them selling from $100-$300. The lower priced units use lessor radio amplifiers and antennas. Plus their cpu's are of lower speed and cores. The combination of these elements make what we have today as the best crop of consumer routers we have ever had.

Now to put things in perspective. If you have a good N based router will buying one of these new AC bsed routers like the Netgear R7000 double your range and speed? No it won't. But you should see an improvement of 30% or so in range and speed wise see faster connects and responses from your devices (the cpu) as well as maxing out your clients performance ability.

Using a 150mbs client won't make it a 300mbs client with a new router. It will just perform as best as it can.

So the real question is this. If you are looking for a new router should you spend the money of a higher end AC router like a Netgear R7000 if you don't have AC devices? My answer would be yes. If you can afford it the benefits plus the long term viability of these routers are money well spent. And you most likely will see an immediate improvement in your wireless performance today.

Bob Silver
Netgear Networking Advisor