10 Best Linksys Routers of 2020.
Posted June 18, 2020, 2:11 a.m. by Emil S.Our editors independently test, research, and recommend the best products a full experience. Our testers have set up these Linksys routers in their home offices. They analyzed its performance by connecting it to different devices.
1. Linksys EA9300 Max - Stream AC4000
Linksys EA9300 is the best choice for you if you’re money wise and want to get the best value for your hard-earned dollars. The AC4000 is supported by a bunch of high-performance hardware. Also, you can count on it to deliver dynamic signals even if you have a moderately-sized home because Linksys added six tri-band antennas.
Powered by the Beamforming technology, the Linksys EA9300 has nine amplifiers so you can maximize and extend the strength of the signal over the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The internal CPU, which is 1.8 GHz quad-core, furthers the total performance of the router. The Linksys EA9300 sustains an overall maximum speed of 4 Gbps. That’s the speed you will get, even if a lot of devices are connected to your network.
Linksys EA9300 is configured with Amazon Alexa. This makes it the top choice for overseeing smart home hardware using many different voice commands. It also gets updated by automatic firmware updates so that you can run the latest features.
Beamforming technology maintains every device to remain attached to a strong signal. It also manages the Wi-Fi connection with the use of the Linksys app so much easier.
2. Linksys EA8300 Max - Stream AC2200 Tri-Band Router
If you’re a fan of everything streaming, this router is the choice for you. The Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream is set to handle the needs of video enthusiasts, especially.
Whether you love watching the newest YouTube videos, Netflix, or 4K video streaming, the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream has got you covered. Its quad-core Central Processing Unit, or CPU, supports three top-speed radio bands for Wi-Fi. These bands have optimal band steering and, in totality, reaches 2.2 Gbps at maximum speed.
Linksys’s Airtime technology called MU-MIMO+ enables every device you have in your home to have simultaneous and steady signal strength. You can bet that whatever you’re using the internet for, you retain a secure connection.
Linksys EA8300 includes four antennas externally, which helps in quickly pushing the signal strength through a moderately sized home. It also included four ports that are Gigabit Ethernet on the router’s back part, which makes it prompt wired connections that are ultimately faster than Ethernet ports that are standard.
The Linksys EA8300 also operates firmware updates that are automatically applied, so you don’t have to maintain your router’s security manually. It is also integrated with Amazon Alexa, which makes it oh-so-easy for you to take care of router management.
3. Linksys WRT3200ACM Tri-Band Router
The Linksys WRT3200ACM Tri-Band Router employs a tri-band technology, which makes it launch doubled performance and bandwidth strength to rival the routers on the market.
Integrated with the MU-MIMO technology, the WRT3200ACM boosts the signal strength through a home. Also, it includes dual-band 5 GHz radios that give out speed of 2.6 Mbps at maximum. The 2.4 GHz band can provide a maximum of 600 Mbps speed.
The Linksys WRT3200ACM Tri-Band Router uses open source technology, which the Linksys WRT routers pioneered.
Power users can add the DD-WRT or OpenWrt firmware. This will enable them to put up unique VPN connections. This also transforms the router to a secure web server, and analyze and capture network traffic. Also, power users can manage and set up their hotspots as well.
On top of all those great features, although it’s a modern router, the Linksys WRT3200ACM offers a nostalgic look, which is a duly welcomed feature for WRT fans.
4. Linksys EA6350 AC1200 Dual-Band Router
If you're a considerably conventional user, you don’t have to whip out loads of cash to get this router. With the Linksys EA6350 AC1200 Dual-Band Router, you can get 300 Mbps of maximum speed on the 2.4 GHz band. The speed can even reach 867 Mbps when you utilize an 802.11ac connection on the 5 GHz band.
It also has four pieces of ports called Gigabit Ethernet that enable you to hardwire in and covers you whenever you desire maximum speeds.
Moreover, EA6350 can take care of your needs effortlessly when it comes to web surfing, online gaming, as well as video streaming. It also has antennas that you can adjust. Although you can’t remove these antennas, it will enable you to divert the strength of the signal to any part of your home.
Also, the EA6350 employs Beamforming technology, which determines online devices, as well as gives out signals that are extra-strength so you can have an increased range and a faster and more optimal overall network performance.
5. Linksys E2500 N600 Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
If your needs are considerably simple and you’re on the market for a router that caters to your needs and won’t hurt your pocket, the ultimate best option for you is the Linksys E2500.
The Linksys E2500 is a dual-band router that caters to both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies. However, it only caters to the older standard, which is 802.11n. Don’t let that discourage you though because the 5 GHz frequency still keep suit computers and smartphone off the 2.4 GHz frequency that is more congested. This router can always deliver 600 Mbps maximum output with 300 Mbps on every band.
The Linksys E2500 includes a software CD (Cisco Connect), which enables you to set up your router quickly. To give you a head start, you can just go for the traditional web interface. This makes the setup work more efficiently, especially if you want to tweak or modify the advanced setting of your router.
Linksys E2500 has a minimalist design, so it packs the antennas inside the router. This causes you not to get the range you need if you have a large home. However, if you live in a relatively small house, condos, or apartment, this router is an ideal option for you. If you have a cottage, you can even set it up there.
This router ultimately delivers excellent value for your money as it is a cheap way for you to set up additional Wi-Fi access in a different area of your house by using a Powerline adapter or Ethernet cable.
6. Linksys WHW0302 Velop AC4400 Intelligent
Mesh Wi-Fi System
If you have a large home and you’re ultimately want to get the best range when it comes to signal strength, look no further than the Linksys WHW0302 Velop Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi System.
This router can cater to an extensive area of 4,000 square feet. Mesh routers are rising in popularity, and this elevated the demand for Wi-Fi signals to effortlessly pass into walls and get through the corners of your home—the Linksys WHW0302 answers to that demand.
The Linksys WHW0302’s tri-band system for Wi-Fi caters to the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands. This gives you a hassle-free overall experience when it comes to video chatting, online gaming, as well as 4K video streaming.
The router is configured with Amazon Alexa. This makes it easy for you to just wield voice instructions for turning off the router and turning the guest Wi-Fi on. Soon, users also expect it to support the HomeKit ecosystem by Apple.
You will be able to control, monitor, and manage the signal strength, set up a guest network, and even put up parental controls through the new features added on the Linksys mobile app.
7. Linksys EA9500 Max - Stream AC5400 Tri-Band Router
Considered as the grandfather of the Linksys routers we have in today’s market, the Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 Tri-Band Router delivers optimal performance.
This router is configured with Amazon’s Alexa so you can manage your router using voice commands. You can also get faster and more efficient wired connections due to its eight Ethernet ports. It also employs a dual-core processor that is 1.4 GHz, keeping the router working efficiently adequate—even if a lot of devices are simultaneously connected to the network at one time. It also features Wi-Fi radios that are tri-band to get rid of potential lags.
On the previous 802.11g and 802.11n wireless devices, the Linksys EA9500 delivers a maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency. Moreover, it delivers up to 4,332 Mbps speed for 5 GHz 802.11ac dual-band connections.
The Linksys EA9500 also includes extra features such as the MU-MIMO technology that helps maintain the most robust connection possible. It also works seamlessly if you purchase Wi-Fi extenders from Max-Stream to further increase the strength of the signal all across your home.
8. Linksys WRT32X AC3200 Dual-Band Gaming Router
Considered to be the best for gamers, the Linksys WRT32X AC3200 Dual-Band Gaming Router befalls as an innovation of Linksys’ WRT3200ACM. It is configured and designed with gamers on top of mind. Their hardware seems identical virtually. However, the WRT32X AC3200 looks sleeker, has glossy black visual, and has a lot of firmware features centered on gamers.
What establishes the WRT32X differently from the rest of the other routers is its integration with the KPE or Killer Prioritization Engine. This engine instantly prioritizes gaming traffic—that is, if you use a gaming computer from brands such as MSI, Alienware, or Razer, which has a Killer card for your network. This engine steps up your traffic for gaming. It ensures that the summit of your ping remains at a maximum of 77%, and you can also manage on your gaming computer through the interface of the Killer Control Center.
With that out of the way, keep in mind that you must have the Killer hardware installed on your computer for you to take advantage of these optimization features.
All by it’s lonesome, the WRT32X is a remarkable router because of its AC3200 tri-band, beamforming technology antennas, speeds for Wi-Fi, 1.8 GHz CPU, as well as MU-MIMO, to simultaneously take hold of multiple devices.
The WRT32X also caters to DFS or Tri-Stream 160 Dynamic Frequency Selection, which allows it to locate least congested channels by searching over further Wi-Fi channels.
To conclude, the WRT32X and the WRT3200ACM more or less have similar hardware specifications and have different software. Both of these routers offer optimal performance. However, if you have a computer that has a Killer card on it, it’s best to avail of the WRT3200ACM’s gaming features.
9. Linksys MX10 Velop Whole Home Wi-Fi 6 System
If you want to acquire a router that you can use long into the future, and you have a lot of dollars to spare, the Linksys MX10 Velop Whole Home Wi-Fi 6 System is for you.
This router is the utmost cutting-edge and state-of-the-art that Linksys offers right now. It puts together the latest standards in Wi-Fi and mesh networking technology.
The Linksys MX10 Velop is a more advanced version among the Lynksys Velop mwah Wi-Fi line. It caters to the protocol of Wi-Fi, which is 892.11ax. This router doesn’t just deliver seeped up to a maximum of 5.3 Gbps, nevertheless, it also provides optimal performance when it comes to congested networks. It also offers a sustained battery endurance on new mobile smartphones.
The Linksys MX10 Velop further delivers the best, first-rate coverage you can look for when it comes to larger homes because it is a mesh router. It can cover a whopping 6,000 square feet, depending on where you place these units.
The router employs an interchangeable system, but you can effortlessly add extra Velop units so. This further expands the area it covers further by 3,000 square feet included in every unit. There is also enough bandwidth to support more than 100 pieces of Wi-Fi devices. This means that the Linksys MX10 Velop router can take care of all your smartphone devices. It also employs an extremely speedy USB 3.0 port you can use for your devices of shared storage, as well as four pieces of Gigabit Ethernet ports.
While Wi-Fi 6 can be considered relatively new, there’s a high chance that the number of devices you have that is backed by this version is not much.
Note that both Samsung and Apple already support Wi-Fi 6. However, if you’re willing and able to spend quite a bit of dollars in purchasing a router, it counts to remain advanced on the trend and look forward to investing in future technology.
10. Linksys EA7500 Max-Stream AC1900
Dual-Band Router
This router is integrated with the Amazon Alexa technology. It also utilized a dual-band Wi-Fi technology, which enables the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies to an extra 1,900 Mbps speed.
The Linksys EA7500 Max-Stream AC1900 Dual-Band Router can handle a maximum of 12 devices at one tone. It also employs beamforming technology, which enables the router to divert the signal of the Wi-Fi to every device and helps in optimizing stability and signal strength.
The Linksys Max-Stream utilizes 3x3 802.11.ac technology, which makes the router’s overall performance stronger as it caters to three streams of data simultaneously and ultimately delivers higher speeds on every deceive connected to it. This is a duly welcomed feature for users who are into 4K video streaming and gamers as well.
Also, the Linksys app also caters to the remote monitoring of the Wi-Fi’s performance and even in setting up a guest password for short term use.
Factors To Consider
Our writers dedicated 24 hours to test and review these Linksys routers. So, what do you have to consider when shopping for a Linksys router? We have listed below some key selection factors you need to consider when shopping for a Linksys router for your home.
Range
It’s imperative to take into account the capacity of a particular router to provide reliable signals. Keep in mind though that the way you position the router in your home makes a massive impact on its performance. While the high-end and more expensive routers offer better range, you can always make use of a Wi-Fi extender if you’re having issues with dead spots.
Band
If you have a bigger house, the use of a router that is single-band just won’t work for you. Dual-band devices that have 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands can prevent overloading and delivers more optimized signals.
However, if you desire to get ahead of your game and scale it up, purchase a tri-band router. This gives you an extra GHz band so you’ll have lower congestion rates and optimal speeds.
Compatibility
If you’re using a router, you bought a router a few years back; chances are it’s already outdated. This is because wireless standards change rapidly and frequently.
In the case that your devices don’t employ the 802.11ac standards yet, you should get a router that caters to this standard for future-proofing. Additionally, if if you wish to go the advanced route, consider getting a router that is 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6.
You can use all the selection factors and guidelines we’ve laid out above to find out which Linksys router will work based on your needs. Keep in mind that studying before purchasing is an excellent way for you to get the most value, especially when it comes to technology devices.