The 7 Best Linksys Routers of 2019

Connecting to the Internet is easy with this dependable brand

by David Beren
Updated March 05, 2019

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Surf the Web quickly and easily with these best Linksys routers for gaming, streaming, and more.

The Rundown

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Linksys Max Stream EA7500

Linksys Dual Band Wireless Router, Works with Amazon Alexa
Courtesy of Amazon
4.6

The Linksys Max Stream EA7500 features integration with Amazon Alexa and has dual-band Wi-Fi technology that allows the 2.4 and 5Ghz bands to add up to 1,900 Mbps (600 on 2.4, 1300 on 5Ghz) of total performance. Supporting a total of up to 12 devices at a single time, the use of beamforming technology helps focus the Wi-Fi signal to each device, increasing signal strength and stability overall.

Linksys' Max Stream 3x3 wireless-AC technology adds to the overall strong performance by supporting three simultaneous data streams for faster speeds on each connected device. And that's great news when it comes to 4K streaming and lag-free gaming. As an added bonus, the Linksys supports monitoring Wi-Fi performance remotely, as well as establishing guest passwords for short-term users.

Best Splurge: Linksys AC5400 (EA9500)

4.6

The granddaddy of all Linksys routers on the market today, performance doesn't get any better than the Linksys AC5400. Integrated out of the box to work with Amazon's Alexa voice commands, the AC5400 features including eight-gigabit ports for 10x faster speed. The tri-band Wi-Fi performance works to eliminate any potential lag, thanks to a 1.4GHz dual-core processor that keeps the router working efficiently for as many as a dozen simultaneous devices connected at a single time.

Performance on the 2.4Ghz band can reach up to 1,000 Mbps for increased speed on older wireless N and G devices and the dual-band 5GHz 802.11ac connections can go as high as 4,332 Mbps. Additional hardware strengths include MU-MIMO technology for maintaining the strongest possible connection. The router also seamlessly works with separately purchased Max-Stream Wi-Fi extenders to create a pseudo-Mesh Wi-Fi system for increased signal strength across an entire home.

Best Budget: Linksys EA6350 Dual-Band+ Router

If you're on a budget, spring for the Linksys EA6350. Working off 802.11n, the EA6350 meets a max speed of 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, but that goes up to 867 Mbps on the 5Gbps band on 802.11ac connections. Streaming videos, online gaming and Web surfing are handled with aplomb by the EA6350. Adjustable antennas mean you can direct signal strength to any area of a home and beamforming technology identifies online devices and sends extra signal strength for faster overall network performance and increased range.

Best Speed: Linksys WRT AC3200

The WRT3200ACM has the inclusion of Tri-Band technology, which helps the AC3200 deliver double the bandwidth and dual-band performance that rivals any competitive router. MU-MIMO technology helps to increase signal strength across a home. The dual-band 5GHz performance works to achieve a max signal strength of 2.6 Mbps, while the 2.4GHz band reaches a max of 600 Mbps. This router also has open source technology, so users can establish their own VPN connection, turn the router into a secure Web server or create and manage their own hotspots, as well as capture and analyze network traffic.

Best for Gaming: Linksys Max-Stream AC 4000 (EA9300)

For a lag-free gaming experience, look no further than the Linksys Max Stream AC4000 tri-band router. Boosted by a bevy of high-performing hardware, the AC4000 adds six antennas that deliver a powerful signal across a large-sized home. Beamforming technology adds nine high power amplifiers for maximizing and extending signal strength across the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. The internal 1.8Ghz quad-core CPU and three offload processors help dial up the router's total performance to cap out at a maximum speed of 4 Gbps.

The addition of automatic firmware updates helps to keep the router updated with the latest features, while Amazon Alexa integration makes the AC4000 ideal for managing smart home hardware through a variety of voice commands. Beamforming technology helps keep each device attached to a strong signal and managing the Wi-Fi connection from the Linksys app has never been easier.

Best for Streaming: Linksys -Max-Stream AC2200 (EA8300)

Whether it's 4K video streaming or watching the latest YouTube videos, the Linksys Max-Stream AC2200 is a router built to handle demanding video watchers. The quad-core CPU hardware and three offload processors work together to provide three high-speed Wi-Fi bands that reach a maximum speed of 2.2 Gbps. Increasing the streaming capabilities is Linksys' MU-MIMO+ Airtime technology that provides each device in a house the same simultaneous signal strength for keeping a strong connection no matter what you're doing online.

The four external antennas easily drive signal strength across a medium-sized home, while four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear of the router help drive 10x faster speeds than standard Ethernet ports. Automatic firmware updates helps maintain router security and Amazon Alexa's integration makes managing the Wi-Fi connection as easy as saying "Alexa, turn off my router."

Best Range: Linksys WHW0302 Mesh Wi-Fi System

For the ultimate in signal strength range, look to the Linksys WHW0302 Velop Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi system that can cover 4,000 square feet of space. The rise in popularity of Mesh routers has increased the expectation that Wi-Fi can easily reach around corners or through walls and the Velop does exactly that with speed to spare. The tri-band Wi-Fi system works with both the 2.4 and 5Ghz bands to make 4K video streaming, online gaming or video chatting stress-free.

It's compatible with Amazon's Alexa suite of products, so you can use voice commands to turn on guest Wi-Fi or turn off the router entirely. The downloadable Linksys smartphone app adds all new controls, including monitoring signal strength, establishing parental controls and setting up a guest network.

Tested by

How We Tested

We bought two top-rated Linksys routers that our reviewers tested by using daily for weeks on end. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these routers, from their range to their speed. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Linksys Router

Compatibility - As wireless standards change fairly frequently, a router more than a few years old is likely out of date. Even if your devices aren’t yet using 802.11ac standards, we recommend a router that supports it as a means of future-proofing.

Single-, dual-, or tri-band - In a large home, a single-band router probably won’t cut it. A dual-band device, with a 2.6GHz and 5GHz band, provides a faster signal and prevents overcrowding. If you want to take it up a notch, look for a tri-band router, which adds a 5GHz band for even faster speeds and less congestion.

Range - The ability of your router to deliver a strong signal to all corners of your home is important, but its positioning will likely make just as much of an impact. Higher-end routers will offer up better range, but a Wi-Fi extender can also work wonders if dead spots are an issue.

Test Results: Linksys Max Stream EA7500 (Best Overall)

4.6

What We Like

  • Easy setup

  • Good speed

  • Customizable features

What We Don't Like

  • Not visually appealing

Linksys Max Stream EA7500
Linksys Max Stream
Linksys EA7500
Linksys

Our testers recommended this router because it consistently delivers fast internet. “It has accommodated two to four devices at once, so far, with no problems,” reported one of our reviewers. One of our testers was impressed with its speed, as well as the fact that she never had to reset it, like she did in the past with other routers. Our reviewers also found the guest access options convenient. In fact, the only negative one of our testers came up with was the physical design — saying it could be “smaller and sleeker” — but noted the size was comparable to other routers.

Test Results: Linksys AC5400 (EA9500) (Best Splurge)

4.6

What We Like

  • Optimal speed

  • Advanced features

  • Convenient app

What We Don't Like

  • No holes for wall mounting

Linksys AC5400 (EA9500)
Linksys AC5400
Linksys (EA9500)
Linksys

“This device has very advanced features and is extremely customizable,” raved one of our reviewers. Other highlights, according to our testers, include the simple configuration, vLAN capability, port forwarding, and remote access through a convenient app. One of our reviewers specifically praised its connection speeds at far distances: “Videos and everything load without even having to buffer, which is probably a result of those eight antennas,” he declared. One of our testers did wish there were holes so it could be mounted on a wall, but said double-sided tape or velcro sufficed. And while this router is expensive, our reviewers thought for those in need of advanced features and tri-band technology, it’s a great purchase.

Want a little more info?

Before you make a decision, take a peek at our ultimate router buying guide.