In this digital age, fast Internet is more of an essential thing rather than a luxury as it fuels life into our devices. But enrolling with a superfast Internet service provider (ISP) is only a job half done. To enjoy high-speed internet you need to choose a good router from a wide range of devices priced as low as few hundred bucks to many thousands.
As easy as it may sound, buying a router is a tough job especially if you are not familiar with tech jargon. For instance, a change of suffix at the end of 801.11 from N to AC could make a world of differences in your internet usage experience. Therefore, before listing 5 Best Dual Band WIFI ROUTERS under Rs. 5,000 in India, let’s talk about why 802.11ac support is important.
802.11n v/s 802.11ac
If you need fast WI-FI performance then 802.11ac is the way to go.
The 802.11n is a comparatively dated standard that uses 2.4Ghz frequency range to transmit data. This is the same frequency used by other household devices and that makes it more prone to interference. The 2.4GHz channel bandwidth is restricted to 40MHz and it can operate up to 4×4 Spatial streams (MIMO). Whereas, the latest standard –802.11ac – works purely on a relatively congestion free 5Ghz band at 80MHz or 160MHz frequency and can function in up to 8 spatial streams to deliver more data in less time.
To further clarify stuff, MIMO stands for Multiple Input, Multiple Output. It’s a wireless technology that employs multiple transmitters and receivers to send and receive more data in less time. And if you are wondering what’s Spatial stream? Well, it’s a transmission technique in MIMO wireless communication where multiple paths are used to beam encoded data signals from multiple antennas to ensure better speeds.
So the bottom-line is 802.11ac routers are about 8 times faster and are also better suited for streaming content over WiFi as can be done using Chromecast or apps like Airdroid.
TP-Link Archer C60 AC1350 Wireless Dual Band Router
Last November, TP-Link introduced its Archer C60 router in India. The router comes with elegant design and boasts 5 antennas out of which 2 are 5GHz and remaining 3 works on 2.4Ghz. It features RJ45 port and four Ethernet LAN ports, WPS key, reset options. It is easy to set up and offers very good coverage. Theoretically, it can achieve 867Mbps and 450Mbps in 5GHz and 2.4GHz respectively. You can use TP-Link mobile app to manage your networks.
TP-Link Archer C60 Specifications
- Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Signal Rate: 450 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 867 Mbps at 5 GHz
- Features: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA-PSK2 encryptions, enable/disable wireless radio, WDS bridge, WMM.
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Netgear R6220 AC-1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas
Netgear’s R6220 is an excellent dual-band router that offers good 802.11ac performance and comes with a budget price tag. The compact router covers all necessary connectivity options. It comes with a USB 2.0 port which can be used to connect a printer or hard drive. It can handle up to a dozen devices without breaking a sweat. It also offers useful parental controls and excellent software. It can be managed using Netgear app as well.
Netgear R6220 Specifications
- Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Signal Rate: 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 867 Mbps at 5 GHz
- Features: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA-PSK2 encryptions, enable/disable wireless radio, WDS bridge, WMM.
Netgear R6220 best Amazon Price
TP-Link Archer C50 AC1200 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router
TP-Link Archer C50 dual band Wi-FI router is a good option if you are looking or router under Rs. 3000 in India. It got a glossy finish look with looks good. On paper, it can deliver up to 300Mbps speed in 2.4GHz and up to 867Mbps in 5GHz radio. In comparison to other single band routers, it offers better coverage even in congested areas.
TP-Link Archer 50 Specifications
- Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Signal Rate: 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 867 Mbps at 5 GHz
- Features: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA-PSK2 encryptions, enable/disable wireless radio, WDS bridge, WMM.
TP-Link Archer 50 Lowest Price
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D-Link DIR-850L AC1200 Wireless Dual-Band Gigabit Router
It is undoubtedly most appealing router in the list. It’s cylindrical in shape with glossy finish exterior. It can deliver faster speeds (up to 300 + 867Mbps) using dual bands. It comes with a Gigabit WAN and 4 Gigabit LAN ports and secures your network with WPA/WPA2 security. It is compatible with D-Link’s SharePort Mobile app for iOS and Android which can be used to stream videos and music from a USB-connected hard drive to other portable devices.
D-Link DRL-850L Specifications
- Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Signal Rate: 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 867 Mbps at 5 GHz
- Features: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA-PSK2 encryption, enable/disable wireless radio, WDS bridge, WMM.
DLink DRL-850L AC 1200 best price
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TP-Link Archer C20 AC750 Wireless Dual Band Router
If you are searching a dual band router under 2,000 INR, in that case, TP Link Archer C20 A750 is what you should get. It features two antennas, USB port, power jack, 4 LAN ports and a WAN port at the back.This 802.11ac router is backward compatible and can achieve a peak speed of 433Mbps on 5GHz band and 300Mbps on 2.4GHz band. It offers guest mode, parental control, and IP-based Bandwidth control option.
TP-Link Archer C20 Specifications
- Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Signal Rate: 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 433 Mbps at 5 GHz
- Features: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA-PSK2 encryption, enable/disable wireless radio, WDS bridge, WMM.
TP-Link Archer C20 Lowest price In India
hey. Thank for sharing this wonderful information. You showed your experience and knowledge by this article.
if you really think that tp link archer c 50 is one of the best dual band routers then I suppose this is a bullshit list. Honestly i am fed up with that damn router. It’s range is pathetic and drops the signals like a boss. Enough said. Oh, BTW i use a version 3 which is the latest and the most shittiest router i’ve ever come across.
Please suggest me a dual band router with good range under Rs 3000.
Tp link c60
Tenda ac10
Tp link c1200