Rooxis 1200M AC1200 Router Review: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse or Just Another Basic Box?

In the ever-expanding universe of home networking, finding a WiFi router that strikes the perfect balance between performance, features, and price can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. You’re bombarded with jargon like "AC1200," "Gigabit," and "Dual-Band," all while trying to ensure your entire family can stream, game, and browse without a dreaded buffering icon in sight.

Enter the Rooxis 1200M AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router. It’s a name you might see pop up on Amazon with a tempting price tag, but does it deliver where it counts? We’ve spent weeks putting this router through its paces to bring you a comprehensive, no-nonsense review.

First Impressions: Unboxing and Setup

Right out of the box, the Rooxis 1200M makes a decent first impression. It sports a sleek, modern design with four external antennas that are adjustable, not fixed. The black matte finish helps it blend into most entertainment centers without screaming "I'm a piece of tech hardware!" It’s compact enough to not dominate your shelf space.

Setup is, thankfully, a breeze—exactly what you want from a router in this category. The process is guided and intuitive. You simply connect the router to your modem, plug it in, and connect to the default WiFi network. From there, a web-based interface (which is clean and user-friendly, if a bit basic) walks you through setting your admin password and configuring your WiFi network names (SSIDs) and passwords for the two bands.

For the absolute beginners, the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button allows for a one-touch secure connection with compatible devices. Within 10 minutes, we were up and running, which is a huge plus for anyone who dreads network configuration.

Under the Hood: AC1200 Dual-Band and Gigabit Speeds Explained

Let's break down what those specs on the box actually mean for your home:

AC1200: This refers to the combined maximum theoretical speed the router can provide across its two bands: 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band. "AC" signifies the Wi-Fi 5 standard (802.11ac), which is a generation behind the latest Wi-Fi 6 but remains perfectly capable for the vast majority of users.
Dual-Band: This is a crucial feature. The 2.4GHz band offers wider coverage and better penetration through walls but is more susceptible to interference from other devices like microwaves and baby monitors. The 5GHz band is faster and has less interference but has a slightly shorter range. Having both allows you to connect older devices to 2.4GHz and speed-critical devices (like your 4K TV or gaming console) to the 5GHz band.
Gigabit Ports: The Rooxis boasts four Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port. This means you can wire up to four devices (like a gaming PC, NAS, or smart TV) for a super stable, max-speed connection. The Gigabit WAN port ensures you can fully utilize internet plans up to 1000 Mbps without it being a bottleneck.

Performance Testing: How Does It Really Hold Up?

We tested the Rooxis 1200M in a standard 1,800 sq. ft. home with a variety of devices: laptops, smartphones, a 4K Smart TV, and several smart home gadgets. Our internet plan is a 400 Mbps cable connection.

Close Range (Same Room): On the 5GHz band, we consistently achieved speeds between 380-395 Mbps on a wired connection and 320-350 Mbps over WiFi. This is excellent performance, effectively maxing out our internet plan.
Medium Range (One Wall Away): Speeds on the 5GHz band dipped to a still-impressive 250-290 Mbps. The 2.4GHz band provided a stable 80-100 Mbps, which is more than enough for HD streaming and browsing on multiple devices.
Long Range (Two Walls, Farthest Corner): This is where any router is tested. The 5GHz signal was still present but weaker, delivering around 90-110 Mbps. The 2.4GHz band held strong at 50-70 Mbps, ensuring a reliable connection for every room in our test environment.

For everyday use—streaming Netflix in 4K, working from home on Zoom calls, downloading large files, and casual online gaming—the Rooxis 1200M performed flawlessly without any dropped connections or significant latency spikes.

Key Features and Considerations

Solid Parental Controls: The web interface offers basic but effective parental controls, allowing you to pause internet access for specific devices and set simple access schedules—a handy tool for managing screen time for kids.
Guest Network: You can easily set up a separate guest network, keeping your main network and connected devices (like smart home hubs) secure from visitors.
Limited Advanced Features: It’s important to temper expectations. This is not a gaming router with dedicated QoS (Quality of Service) for prioritizing gaming traffic. While it has basic bandwidth control, power users who want to tweak every setting might find the firmware options a bit sparse.
Ideal Use Case: The Rooxis 1200M is perfectly suited for apartments and small to medium-sized homes (up to 1,800-2,000 sq. ft.) with internet plans up to 500 Mbps. It's an fantastic solution for cord-cutters, small families, and home offices.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Rooxis 1200M Router?

The Rooxis 1200M AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router is a compelling contender in the budget networking space. It delivers on its core promises: providing fast, reliable, and stable dual-band WiFi with the crucial addition of full Gigabit ports.

Pros:

Excellent value for money.
Simple, foolproof setup.
Strong and reliable performance for its class.
Full Gigabit ports prevent bandwidth bottlenecks.
Compact and unobtrusive design.

Cons:

Lacks some advanced features and customizations found on more expensive models.
Coverage may struggle in very large or multi-story homes with many obstructions.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re tired of renting a mediocre router from your ISP or are looking to upgrade from an ancient N300 model, the Rooxis 1200M is a brilliant and affordable upgrade. It handles the demands of modern internet use with ease. While it won’t compete with high-end mesh systems for massive homes, it punches well above its weight class for the price.

For those looking to make a smart, cost-effective upgrade to their home network, the Rooxis router is undoubtedly worth your consideration.

Ready to upgrade your home WiFi?
You can check the current price and find more reviews for the Rooxis 1200M AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Router on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3JQO0Rf