Linksys EA8100 AC2600 Review: A High-Performance WiFi Router

We will review the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router in-depth. The Linksys EA8100 is a powerful wireless router that promises high-speed internet connectivity with advanced features such as MU-MIMO technology, beamforming, and a dual-core processor. As an Amazon affiliate, we have tested and evaluated the Linksys EA8100 to help you decide when purchasing a router. In this review will look at the Linksys EA8100’s performance, design, features, and value for money to determine the right router for your needs.

Linksys EA8100 AC2600 Specs

Specification	Details
Wi-Fi Technology	AC2600 Dual-Band Gigabit, 802.11ac
Wi-Fi Speed	Up to 800 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 1733 Mbps (5 GHz)
Wi-Fi Range	Medium to large homes
Number of Ethernet Ports	4x Gigabit Ethernet ports
USB Ports	1x USB 3.0 port
Antennas	4x external adjustable antennas
Processor	Dual-Core 1.4 GHz CPU
Key Features	MU-MIMO technology, beamforming, parental controls, guest access
Setup and Management	Linksys App, web interface
Security Features	WPA2/WPA3 encryption, SPI firewall
Warranty	1-year hardware warranty
Dimensions	10.12 x 7.24 x 2.2 inches
Weight	1.53 lbs

Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) Review

The Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) is a powerful wireless router that promises high-speed internet connectivity and advanced features for medium to large homes. In this review, we’ll look closer at the Linksys EA8100’s performance, design, features, and value for money to help you decide if it’s the right router for your needs.

Starting with its performance:

The Linksys EA8100 router delivers fast and stable Wi-Fi speeds thanks to its AC2600 Dual-Band Gigabit, 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology. The router provides up to 800 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 1733 Mbps (5 GHz) Wi-Fi speeds, more than enough for streaming HD videos, online gaming, and browsing the web simultaneously.

The Linksys EA8100 also comes with MU-MIMO technology and beamforming, which help to improve the router’s performance and coverage. MU-MIMO technology allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, while beamforming focuses the Wi-Fi signal towards connected devices, resulting in better coverage and signal strength.

In terms of design, the Linksys EA8100 router features a sleek and modern look, with four external adjustable antennas that can be positioned to optimize Wi-Fi coverage. The router’s small footprint and wall-mountable design make it easy to place in any homeroom.

Moving on to the router’s features, the Linksys EA8100 has advanced features, such as parental controls, guest access, and a USB 3.0 port for sharing files and printers. The Linksys app also allows for easy setup and management of the router’s settings, making it simple for users to customize their network and optimize performance.

Regarding value for money, the Linksys EA8100 router is priced competitively and provides excellent features and performance for its price point. With its stable and fast Wi-Fi speeds, advanced features, and modern design, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) is an excellent option for medium to large homes that require high-speed internet connectivity.

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router is an excellent choice for those who want a reliable, fast, and feature-packed router for their home network. Its advanced features, performance, and design make it a great value for its price point.

Wireless Speeds & Suitability

The Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router is suitable for medium to large homes requiring high-speed internet connectivity. The router provides up to 800 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 1733 Mbps (5 GHz) Wi-Fi speeds, more than enough for streaming HD videos, online gaming, and browsing the web simultaneously.

The Linksys EA8100 router also features advanced technologies like MU-MIMO and beamforming, which help to improve its performance and coverage. MU-MIMO allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, while beamforming focuses the Wi-Fi signal towards connected devices, resulting in better coverage and signal strength.

Regarding suitability, the Linksys EA8100 router is ideal for households with multiple users and devices that require a fast and reliable internet connection. The router is also suitable for online gaming and streaming HD videos on multiple devices simultaneously, thanks to its high Wi-Fi speeds and stable performance.

However, if you have a very large home or require even faster internet speeds, consider a mesh Wi-Fi system or a router with higher Wi-Fi speeds. It’s important to assess your needs and requirements before purchasing to ensure you choose the right router for your home network.

Wi-Fi Coverage & Devices Capacity

The Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router provides medium to broad Wi-Fi coverage, making it suitable for most households. The router features four external adjustable antennas that can be positioned to optimize Wi-Fi coverage and signal strength. It has been designed to provide coverage for homes with multiple floors and rooms.

The router’s coverage can be further improved by using range extenders or additional access points, which can be added to the network to extend Wi-Fi coverage to areas out of range.

Regarding device capacity, the Linksys EA8100 router can connect to multiple devices simultaneously thanks to its MU-MIMO technology. MU-MIMO allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, improving its capacity and ensuring that all connected devices receive a fast and stable internet connection.

The Linksys EA8100 router is suitable for households with multiple users and devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home devices. It’s important to note that the number of connected devices can impact the router’s performance, so it’s recommended to prioritize devices that require a high-speed internet connection to ensure optimal performance.

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router provides medium to broad Wi-Fi coverage and is suitable for households with multiple users and devices. Its MU-MIMO technology ensures that all connected devices receive a fast and stable internet connection, making it an excellent option for most households.

Design & Wired Connectivity

The Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router features a sleek and modern design, with a small footprint and four external adjustable antennas that can be positioned to optimize Wi-Fi coverage. The router’s wall-mountable design makes it easy to place in any room of your home, and it has a clean and unobtrusive appearance that will blend in well with any home decor.

In terms of wired connectivity, the Linksys EA8100 router comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports that allow for fast and stable wired connections to devices such as desktop computers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. The router also features a USB 3.0 port for sharing files and printers, making sharing media and resources across your network easy.

The Linksys EA8100 router also comes with advanced features such as parental controls and guest access, allowing users to manage their network and control access to their Wi-Fi network. The Linksys app also makes it easy to set up and manage the router’s settings, making it simple for users to customize their network and optimize performance.

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router’s sleek and modern design and its fast Wi-Fi speeds and advanced features make it an excellent option for medium to large homes requiring high-speed internet connectivity and wired connectivity to devices. Its range of wired connectivity options and advanced features make it a versatile router that can meet the needs of most households.

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Security Features

The Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router provides a range of security features to protect your network and connected devices from potential threats. The router features WPA/WPA2 encryption to secure your Wi-Fi network, preventing unauthorized access and keeping your personal information safe.

The router also features an SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) firewall that helps to prevent unwanted access to your network and protect against potential security threats. Additionally, the router features a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) function that allows you to isolate devices that may be more susceptible to attacks, such as gaming consoles or smart home devices.

The Linksys EA8100 router also includes parental controls that allow you to manage and control your network, restricting access to inappropriate content and limiting usage during specific times of the day. The router also features guest access, which allows you to create a separate Wi-Fi network for visitors to your home, ensuring that your main network remains secure and protected.

Furthermore, the Linksys EA8100 router receives automatic firmware updates to ensure it remains up-to-date with the latest security features and protocols, providing additional protection against potential threats.

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router provides a range of security features that protect your network and connected devices from potential threats, giving you peace of mind that your personal information and online activities are kept secure.

Hardware & Other Features

In addition to its wireless and wired connectivity, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router also includes a range of hardware and other features that enhance its performance and functionality.

The router is powered by a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor that ensures fast and responsive performance, even when multiple devices are connected to the network. The router also includes 512 MB of RAM and 256 MB of flash memory, providing ample storage for the router’s firmware and settings.

One of the standout features of the Linksys EA8100 router is its compatibility with Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control your network and connected devices with voice commands. This feature is especially convenient for those with full hands or who want to control their network and devices from a distance.

The router also supports advanced technologies such as MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), which enables multiple devices to receive data simultaneously, improving network efficiency and reducing lag. The Linksys EA8100 router also supports Beamforming technology, which allows the router to focus the Wi-Fi signal directly on your devices, improving Wi-Fi coverage and reducing interference.

Finally, the Linksys EA8100 router includes a range of other features that enhance its functionality, such as the ability to prioritize devices and applications on the network and set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for secure remote access to your home network.

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router’s powerful hardware and advanced features make it an excellent option for those who demand fast and reliable internet connectivity, along with advanced functionality and convenient features such as voice control.

Pros and Cons of Linksys EA8100

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router has several advantages, including fast wireless speeds, excellent Wi-Fi coverage, strong security features, and advanced technologies such as MU-MIMO and Beamforming. However, the router also has a few drawbacks, including limited customization options in the web interface, no USB port for sharing printers or storage, and a relatively high price compared to other routers in its class. Additionally, the router’s large size and bulky design may only be ideal for some users.

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Verdict

The Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router is a powerful and feature-rich option for those who demand fast and reliable internet connectivity. With its fast wireless speeds, excellent Wi-Fi coverage, and advanced technologies such as MU-MIMO and Beamforming, the router is well-suited for households with multiple devices and high-bandwidth applications.

The router’s strong security features, including WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall, provide additional peace of mind that your network and connected devices are protected from potential threats. The router’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and its convenient features, such as guest access and parental controls, make it a great choice for families and those who want to manage their network and devices easily.

However, the Linksys EA8100 router’s limited customization options in the web interface and lack of a USB port for sharing printers or storage may be a drawback for some users. Additionally, the router’s relatively high price compared to other routers in its class and its large size and bulky design may only be ideal for some users.

Overall, the Linksys EA8100 (AC2600) router is an excellent option for those prioritizing fast and reliable internet connectivity, advanced functionality, and strong security features.