Lynksys EA8300 Router

Type

Wireless router

Brand

Lynksys

The Linksys EA8300 MAX-STREAM AC2200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router is a mid-range router that was released a few years ago but still offers solid performance for many home users. Its key selling point is its "tri-band" design, which helps with network congestion. Here's a breakdown of its features, specifications, and what to expect: Key Features and Specifications: * AC2200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi: This is the headline feature. Instead of the typical two bands (one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz), the EA8300 has three: * One 2.4 GHz band (up to 400 Mbps) * Two 5 GHz bands (each up to 867 Mbps) * The "AC2200" refers to the combined theoretical maximum speed of all three bands (400 + 867 + 867 = 2134 Mbps, rounded to 2200). * Benefit of Tri-Band: Having two 5 GHz bands allows the router to dedicate one 5 GHz band to more demanding devices (like 4K streaming or gaming consoles) while other devices can use the second 5 GHz band, reducing congestion and improving overall performance, especially in homes with many Wi-Fi devices. * MU-MIMO Technology: (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) This technology allows the router to communicate with multiple compatible devices simultaneously, rather than sequentially. This significantly improves efficiency and speed for households with several MU-MIMO-compatible devices. * Quad-Core Processor: Equipped with a 717 MHz quad-core CPU (Qualcomm IPQ4019), which helps handle multiple tasks and maintain strong performance, especially with many devices connected. * Gigabit Ethernet Ports: * 1x Gigabit WAN port: For connecting to your modem. * 4x Gigabit LAN ports: For wired connections to devices like PCs, gaming consoles, smart TVs, or network-attached storage (NAS). * USB 3.0 Port: Allows you to connect external storage (like a USB hard drive) to the router, making its content accessible to all devices on your network (for file sharing or media server functionality). Some users note it doesn't support printer sharing. * Beamforming Technology: Focuses the Wi-Fi signal directly towards connected devices, improving range and performance. * Smart Connect / Band Steering: This feature attempts to intelligently assign devices to the best available Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz or one of the 5 GHz bands) to optimize performance. You can also disable this and manually set up three separate SSIDs if you prefer. * Linksys App / Smart Wi-Fi Interface: Linksys provides an intuitive mobile app and a web-based interface for easy setup, management, and control of your network, including guest access, parental controls, and device prioritization (Quality of Service - QoS). * Automatic Firmware Updates: The router is designed to receive automatic firmware updates to ensure it has the latest features and security patches. * Security: Supports WPA/WPA2 encryption, SPI firewall, and DoS protection. * Antennas: Features four external adjustable antennas and six high-power amplifiers for improved coverage. What it's good for: * Medium to large households with multiple devices: The tri-band and MU-MIMO features are beneficial for homes with many smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming devices. * 4K video streaming and online gaming: The dedicated 5 GHz bands and MU-MIMO help ensure smooth, lag-free performance for these demanding activities. * Reducing network congestion: By spreading devices across three bands, it can alleviate slowdowns caused by a high number of connected clients. * Users who prefer a user-friendly interface: The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app and web interface are generally well-regarded for ease of use. Potential Considerations and Common Feedback: * Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): While it's a capable Wi-Fi 5 router, it does not support the newer Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard. If you have many Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices or a very high-speed internet plan (Gigabit+), a Wi-Fi 6 router might offer better future-proofing and performance. * Range: While it has external antennas, some reviews suggest its long-range performance, especially through multiple walls, might not be as strong as some higher-end or mesh systems. * Parental Controls & Advanced Features: Some users note that while it has basic parental controls and other security features, they might not be as robust or feature-rich as those found on more expensive or dedicated routers/security devices. * "Smart Connect" performance: While designed to optimize, some users sometimes report that the band steering doesn't always place devices on the optimal band, or that they prefer to manually manage the bands by disabling Smart Connect. * Firmware: As with any router, ensuring the latest firmware is installed is crucial for stability and performance. In summary, the Linksys EA8300 is a solid choice for a mid-sized home with a moderate to high number of Wi-Fi devices, offering good performance for streaming and gaming, particularly due to its tri-band design and MU-MIMO. If you're not looking for the absolute bleedin