Linksys EA9500 WiFi Router (Max-Stream AC5400) Review

Introduction

Tired of buffering, lag, and dropped connections? Say hello to the Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream™ AC5400 Gigabit WiFi Router, your gateway to a seamless and blazing-fast wireless experience. This high-performance router is designed to handle the demanding needs of modern households, whether you’re a gamer streaming the latest titles, a busy family juggling multiple devices, or a work-from-home warrior on video calls all day.

Designed to Impress

The Linksys EA9500 boasts a sleek, award-winning design that packs a serious punch. Equipped with cutting-edge Tri-Band technology, it utilizes three dedicated WiFi bands to eliminate interference and optimize performance for multiple devices streaming, gaming, and browsing simultaneously. Whether you’re a gamer craving lag-free online battles, a streamer demanding uninterrupted live sessions, or a family with numerous connected devices, the linksys AC5400 seamlessly handles it all.

On the back panel, you’ll find an arsenal of connection options: eight 1Gbps LAN ports for wired devices, a 1Gbps WAN port for your internet connection, and two USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0) for external storage, printers or media servers to your network for share access and expanded functionality.

Under the hood, the EA9500 boasts a powerful 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and 256MB of RAM, ensuring smooth operation and lag-free performance, even when handling multiple demanding tasks simultaneously. Whether you’re streaming 4K videos, gaming online, or downloading large files, the EA9500 delivers the speed and stability you need.

This linksys wifi router features eight high-performance, adjustable antennas, allowing you to fine-tune the signal strength and direction to optimize coverage in every corner of your home with up to 5400Mbps combined speed. It also supports beamforming technology, which has a great impact on the quality and stability of client’s communications, even in noisy environments. Read more : What is Beamforming?

It is easy to set up and manage using the Linksys Smart app or the web browser-based interface. The application provides intuitive controls that allow users to manage Wi-Fi passwords, guest access and parental controls. With Amazon Alexa, you can manage your WiFi using voice control.

Linksys Smart Connect: Your Wi-Fi Concierge

Imagine your router being like a traffic cop, directing each of your devices (gaming consoles, phones, laptops, smart gadgets) to the best Wi-Fi lane for speed and performance. That’s what Linksys Smart Connect aims to do. Sounds cool, right? But let’s break it down and see if it’s all sunshine and rainbows.

• Smart Connect acts like a Wi-Fi butler, automatically switching your devices between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands depending on their needs. The 5GHz band offers blazing-fast speeds, while the 2.4GHz band reaches farther distances. So, your phone surfing the web gets the speedy lane, while your smart fridge in the corner stays connected even though it’s farther away.
• As devices move around your house, Smart Connect seamlessly hands them off between bands, preventing those annoying connection drops or buffering.
• It prioritizes the faster 5 GHz band for devices that can handle it, like laptops and phones, leaving the 2.4 GHz band for older devices or those that don’t need the extra speed.
• By spreading devices across bands, Smart Connect can help reduce traffic jams on your Wi-Fi, especially in crowded homes.

The Not-So-Good:

• Mystery connection: You don’t always know which band your device is connected to, making troubleshooting trickier.
• Potential interference: 5 GHz signals have shorter range, so Smart Connect might switch you to a weaker signal if you’re far from the router.
• Not all routers have it: Smart Connect is only available on select Linksys routers, mostly high-end models.
• Not for Everyone: Some older devices might not be compatible with Smart Connect, causing unexpected disconnections.
• While Smart Connect usually does a good job, it’s not perfect. Sometimes it might choose the wrong band, leading to slower speeds.

Linksys Smart Connect is a handy feature that can simplify your Wi-Fi experience and boost performance for most users. However, it’s not magic. If you’re a techie who likes granular control or have older devices, you might want to keep it disabled. Ultimately, it’s about finding what works best for you and your devices!

Linksys EA9500 Security: Fort Knox or Open Door?

The Linksys EA9500 boasts impressive Wi-Fi speeds and coverage, but how well does it defend your digital kingdom? Let’s delve into its security features and see if it stands guard like a valiant knight or snoozes like a sleepy dragon.

• WPA3 Encryption: The latest industry standard, WPA3, encrypts your Wi-Fi traffic with tougher algorithms, making it harder for hackers to crack.
• Guest Network: Create a separate Wi-Fi network for guests, keeping your main network private. Like having a guest room with a different key, so they can’t access your personal stuff.
• Firewall: A built-in firewall acts as a digital bouncer, filtering out suspicious traffic and protecting your devices from unwanted intrusions.key, so they can’t access your personal stuff.
• Automatic Updates: Regular firmware updates help patch vulnerabilities and keep your router’s defenses up-to-date.

The Linksys AC5400 offers solid security features for most home users. However, if you’re a security expert or have super sensitive data, you might want to consider a router with more advanced options and frequent updates. But for everyday use, the EA9500 provides a good balance of security and ease of use.

Remember, security is an ongoing process. Stay vigilant, keep your software updated, and use strong passwords to keep your digital castle safe! Read More : How to Secure Your WiFi Network?  and How to Create Strong WiFi Password?

Putting the Linksys EA9500 Router to the Test

The Linksys EA9500 (AC5400) WiFi Router boasts high-performance capabilities and seamless connectivity. To put these claims to the test, I performed a series of experiments using an iPhone 12, capable of 110 Mbps (theoretical 155 Mbps) on the 2.4 GHz band and 710 Mbps (theoretical 899 Mbps) on the 5 GHz band. I conducted tests in various locations throughout my home, including right next to the router, the kitchen, bedroom, backyard, and upstairs. Speedtest.net measured download speeds, and the WiFi Analyzer app recorded RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) values.

Test Methodology:

The router resided in the central living room. Tests were conducted in these spots:

• Near the Router: Just a few feet away, with a clear line of sight.
• Kitchen: Roughly 30 feet away, separated by a wall and a door.
• Bedroom: About 50 feet away, with two walls and a door in between.
• Backyard: Roughly 100 feet away, outdoors and unobstructed.
• Upstairs: Approximately 75 feet away, situated on a different floor.

Near the Router:

The first test, conducted around 15 feet from the router, delivered impressive results. The average download speed reached 111Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and a whopping 440Mbps on the 5 GHz band. RSSI values for both bands hovered around -38, signifying a very strong signal. This performance easily handled 4K video streaming, large file downloads, and lag-free online gaming.

Kitchen:

Moving to the kitchen, the speeds held up well, averaging 85Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 335Mbps on the 5GHz band. RSSI values dropped slightly to -49 for 2.4GHz and -52 for 5GHz, still indicating a strong signal. Streaming 4K content and downloading large files remained comfortable, with minimal slowdowns.

Bedroom:

In the bedroom, about 50 feet from the linksys AC5400, I observed a slight drop in speeds. The average download speed on the 2.4 GHz band landed at 50Mbps, while on the 5 GHz band, it clocked in at 225Mbps. RSSI values were around -55 for 2.4 GHz and -59 for 5 GHz, indicating a good signal. Streaming HD video and browsing the web were still possible without major issues.

Upstairs:

Upstairs, the speeds continued to decline but stayed usable. The average download speed was 30Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 140Mbps on the 5GHz band. RSSI values were around -57 for 2.4GHz and -61 for 5GHz, indicating a moderate signal. Streaming SD video and browsing the web were possible, with some potential buffering or lag.

Backyard:

Finally, the outdoor test in the yard, 100 feet away, showed a significant drop in speed. The average download speed was 15Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 42Mbps on the 5GHz band. RSSI values were around -61 for 2.4GHz and -64 for 5GHz, indicating a weak signal. While browsing and streaming SD video were possible, expect some buffering and potential disconnects.

Head-to-Head: Deciding Between Linksys EA9500 and EA7500

Choosing the right router is about finding the perfect balance between power, coverage, and budget. Today, we pit two Linksys powerhouses against each other: the high-end EA9500 and the mid-range EA7500.

The EA9500 boasts cutting-edge AC5400 technology, promising blazing-fast speeds and extensive coverage for even the largest homes. Packing tri-band capabilities and a powerful processor, it’s built for demanding users who crave uninterrupted 4K streaming, lag-free online gaming, and seamless connectivity for multiple devices.

On the other hand, the EA7500 delivers solid AC1900 performance at a more budget-friendly price. While not quite as powerful as its bigger brother, it still offers dual-band AC Wi-Fi and boasts impressive coverage for medium-sized homes. It’s a great choice for users who prioritize value and still want to enjoy smooth streaming, fast downloads, and reliable connections.

So, which Linksys champion will reign supreme in your home? Let’s delve deeper into their download speeds, signal strength, and feature sets to find out. Buckle up, as we prepare to unleash a comprehensive side-by-side comparison that will help you crown the perfect router for your needs.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. If you prioritize raw power and extensive coverage, the linksys EA9500 earns a score of 8 out of 10, making it a force to be reckoned with. But if value and a more budget-friendly option are key, the EA7500 could be a worthy alternative, depending on the results of our upcoming detailed comparison. Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis to help you pick the perfect Linksys champion for your home network!