The Linksys Max-Stream EA8300 is Linksys’ attempt at home internet overkill. Featuring intelligent tri-band technology, you’ll experience a significant boost when you upgrade to the EA8300 – the goal of tri-band is to improve efficiency in managing traffic in device-heavy homes of today. With MU-MIMO technology, the EA8300 sends Wi-Fi to multiple devices at the same time and same speed. It’s like having a dedicated Wi-Fi router for each of your supported devices. Once found only on routers catered to the enthusiast, the EA8300 is designed for the typical home user.
For such a sophisticated piece of hardware, the set-up is a breeze. You just need to plug in the device and connect to the desired bandwidth. For users who like a bit more customisation, you can create a Linksys account via the Smart Wi-Fi interface on a browser, and update to the latest firmware. This will give you full control over your home’s network, with options such as prioritising devices or setting parental controls.
As an entry-level tri-band router, the EA8300’s bandwidth is slower than that of the competition: the two 5GHz bands have a theoretical speed cap of 867Mbps each, and the 2.4GHz band is capped at 400Mbps. That said, when used under everyday circumstances of web browsing and video streaming, we found that it is unlikely to encounter any significant bottleneck issues. With the exception of the hardcore users, the EA8300 will serve your home’s networking needs beautifully.
Also, if for some reason you need an extender to extend your Wi-Fi reach, the EA8300 has what it calls Seamless Roaming. By installing a compatible extender, your devices will automatically connect to the strongest Wi-Fi signal using a single network name – typically, you have to switch networks manually once you move out of range of your current router.
Verdict
Rating 4.0
Price S$268
Website www.linksys.com
Linksys’ new tri-band router is a powerful and intelligent networking accessory for your home, especially if you use multiple devices. It’s easy to set-up and offers a lot of customisation options for those who like more control over their home network.
What’s in the Box?
Curious about what’s in the box of the Linksys Max-Stream EA8300? Join Ash as she unboxes it!
