| D-Link AC1750 | TP-LINK Archer C8 | Belkin AC1750 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
 |
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| WiFi Performance | AC1750 WiFi (450 + 1300 Mbps) | AC1750 WiFi (450 + 1300 Mbps) | AC1750 WiFi (450 + 1300 Mbps) |
| WiFi Band | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 2.4GHz & 5GHz |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
| USB Ports | 1 USB 2.0 port | 1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port |
1 USB 3.0 port 1 USB 2.0 port |
| Security | WPA, WPA2, WPS | 64/128-bit WEP WPA / WPA2, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK |
128-bit WEP, 256-bit WPA, 256-bit WPA2 |
| Antennas | Internal | 3 dual band detachable antennas | Internal |
| Firewall Features | Network Address Translation (NAT) Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) |
DoS, SPI Firewall IP Address Filter/MAC Address Filter/Domain Filter IP and MAC Address Binding IP and MAC Address Binding |
IPSec L2TP Static IP Routing |
| MSRP | $149.99 | $139.99 | $149.99 |
Not everyone needs a router that can do everything, and most people wouldn’t want to try setting one up anyway. That’s where the Belkin AC1750 comes in. A basic dual-band router, the Belkin comes with enough extras, combined with ease of setup, to justify the price—but just barely.
The Belkin broadcasts on both 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz bands, and comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports in the back along with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. On the front, a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button and a status light complete the hardware; it has no external antennas. It does have parental controls that can be set up to filter Internet traffic in case your kids decide to explore just a bit too far, and guest and media networks can be dealt with during the initial setup.
Easy setup and use has both critics and users happy
Setting up the Belkin is easy. PC World Australia liked the way the Web interface was set up, with large buttons for the most used tasks and more advanced settings below the buttons. Depending on what you want, you may never need to use it since the Web wizard thoughtfully provided takes care of most problems on its own. If you’re looking to do things like change passwords or Wi-Fi channels, you’ll need to go into the advanced settings.
Users raved about the speeds in both bands, and parents loved the ability to keep offensive materials away from their children. The vast majority were also happy with the range of the Belkin, with one owner noting that he lived in a three-story house and had no problems on any floor.
The verdict: a simple router for simple tasks
If you’re looking to connect gaming consoles, tablets, media players and computers to your router all at the same time, this isn’t the router for you. If you need a router to handle general computer work and maybe a media player and tablet, the Belkin will fit the bill.
One caveat, though: some say the range on the Belkin has a definite drop-off after 50 feet, and this might be due to not having external antennas. For most people in apartments or small houses, this won’t be a problem; if you live in a large house or on a large property, you might need a higher-range router or range extenders. We recommend the router.
