CONCLUSION

   The FRITZ!Box 7490 AC1750 modem router may not have been the fastest AC model to ever make it through our lab but it’s overall performance coupled with its features and extensive web interface were more than enough for us to like it. Personally however I could certainly do without the DECT and fixed telephony features so I was hoping AVM would release a version without them which would also be quite cheaper. Well the FRITZ!Box 3490 is exactly that and thus it retains pretty much the same performance with the same features (minus the above) and the same extensive web interface which many people seem to consider as too advanced and hard to use (not us). I admit that AVM has gone into tremendous lengths to design and offer the most “thorough” web interface we’ve seen with a modem/router to date but I don’t think having more capabilities is ever a bad thing. Wi-Fi performance is also quite good and on par with most current models (from the ones we’ve reviewed anyways) so unless you use many portable devices and need the extra punch offered by larger AC number models I think you will have nothing to complain about.

   AVM is an EU based manufacturer which at least for now has decided to cater to the needs of its EU customers so unfortunately their products are not available in the USA. You can however currently find the international version of the FRITZ!Box 3490 AC1750 Gigabit Modem Router for 145.89Euros (Amazon.de) a price tag which is actually a lot better than we had initially expected (at launch that price was set at around 170Euros). Sure you’ll miss out on the DECT and fixed line features found in the more expensive 7490 model but that aside you’re basically getting the same high-performance and feature-rich modem/router which is why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Overall Build Quality
- Wireless Performance)
- AC1750 Technology (Concurrent 802.11n & 802.11ac)
- Compatible With All Line Types (Annex A/B)
- Available Features (Repeater/NAS Server/Media Server)
- Overwhelming Number Of Settings
- Android & iOS App
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
- 2 USB 3.0 Ports
- 5 Year Warranty
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- No Dedicated WAN Port (LAN 1 can be used for that)