- IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.3/3u/3ab
- Up to 300+450Mbps Wireless Data Rates
Best Interface Ever Used, Shoddy Performance
02/24/2014
This review is from: Linksys EA3500 App Enabled N750 Dual-Band Wireless Router with Gigabit and USB
Pros:
Easiest Interface setup I have ever seen and used. Linksys Smart WiFi makes even the novice user able to configure this router. Big, pretty widgets and easy configuring options means there isn't a person who should not be able to configure this router. Gigabit routing speeds from the router are extremely fast compared to my D-Link DIR 855L and Asus AC R6100. Speed tests measure throughput above average and speeds from my Charter 30 Meg Internet at ~ 36 Mbps. No annoying lights to drive you crazy. Lights able to be turned off on the back of the unit using the intuitive software. Sleek, minimalist look and space (negatives coming up). Cisco branded (although the LinkSys brand is now owned by Belkin).
Cons:
Where do I begin. First of all, I own two other routers: Netgear R6100 AC and a D-Link DIR 855L. Out of all three of these routers the R6100 had the best throughput and speeds/range for the AC Band, N Band, and G Band (2.4 and 5 GH/z). D-Link offers unbelievable throughput through all substances but has a tendency to drop connection to my Internet (Motorola Extreme SB 6141) several times a week for a few seconds (more an annoyance with no fix working yet from D-Link. They pretty much gave up). This Linksys though offers the worst range in my home compared to the other two and for the cost that isn't good news.
Okay so the minimalist look is sleek and sexy and yet under-powered. The physical connection has the best speeds physically out of all the routers in my testing but it just cant project even a 2.4GHz signal at the strength and speed of these other two routers. Nevermind the 5GHz reaching my Samsung Galaxy S4 AC/N 5GHz band because it is so intermittent in power it is unreal. I have had twp laptops, two SGS4s, a PS3 (on G Mind you) and a wireless printer right next to the Router (with 3 bars out of 5!!) drop the connection and reconnect several times. Speeds are slow even with just one connection (my phone) and lags when sending data. I don't live in a house that has much interference as far as building materials. Do yourself a favor and see if a firmware update will improve this on subsequent reviews. As of right now, there is no new firmware.
Overall Review:
While I rated the router a 3 egg it could go down to 2 eggs considering issues with maintaining any sort of connection. I have relegated to using my DIR 855 L in wireless AP Mode and that has been a boon to everything from just having either the Linksys or D-Link routers as the standalones.
Positives I didnt list above include the apps you can use with this for either Android *YA* or iOS (BOO) and the security features (you cannot move forward with setting this up without setting a security password). If They can improve the wireless radio signals (maybe go back to having 2-3 antennae on the outside of the device or using more powerful internal antennae arrays from Broadcom,or Qualcomm) then this would be a 4 egg easily. When they say Smart Routing family they aren't kidding, it just needs to be smart when making a connection wirelessly.
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