I've done it again, and recently I’ve been obsessed with researching routers, especially the Linksys brand. There’s something nostalgic about this brand since it’s associated with Cisco, which is now owned by Belkin. Despite the ownership changes, the overall quality remains strong. Now, the system settings even support a Chinese interface, making it much friendlier than before, and the price is pretty decent too—I snagged mine!
Leading LINKSYS EA9300-AH AC4000 Triband Gigabit Wireless Router with MU-MIMO support for multi-device connectivity is an ideal choice for home networks. It costs around 1999 Yuan on Jingdong. Here’s a quick look at its features:
The packaging is huge, and while the product image on the box shows the EA9300 model, it’s not immediately obvious. A clearer marking would be beneficial for those who want to confirm the model instantly. The three-year warranty is impressive, and the logo indicating support for 4K/HD video is quite noticeable. The AC4000 standard supports MU-MIMO technology.
The bottom of the product retains the primary color scheme. The backside of the product features detailed instructions mostly in English, but it would be great if manufacturers could include a Chinese translation post-purchase. On the side, there’s finally a Chinese introduction highlighting the tri-band Wi-Fi setup, allowing two 5G bands to reach up to 4.0Gbps transmission speeds. Smart Wi-Fi combines the two 5G signals by default, but they can be separated manually. MU-MIMO ensures multiple devices buffer without lag.
Out of the box, the EA9300 is quite impressive. It uses the same Broadcom BCM4908 quad-core processor as the ASUS GT-AC5300 I previously reviewed. The abundance of accessories is impressive—four types of power interface cables catering to different countries.
The rich accessories include a table, CDs, manuals, warranty cards, and power adapters. The four different country-specific power interfaces give a sense of the brand's attention to detail. The 100-240V power supply ensures compatibility worldwide.
Taking the EA9300 out of the box, it features a non-removable antenna design with six antennas, making the router quite substantial. The design is imposing, with cooling holes on the front and back. Four round rubber pads provide cushioning and prevent slipping. The right side of the body includes the WPS button, and the antennas can rotate from 0° to 90° with decent damping.
The front panel displays common status indicators. The Linksys logo flashes, and network issues are indicated. The inverted trapezoidal design gives the product a robust appearance. All interfaces are located on the back.
From left to right, there’s a reset key, dual USB3.0 ports, five Gigabit LAN/WAN ports, a power interface, and a switch button. Beneath the LAN/WAN ports, there are underlines suggesting potential future firmware upgrades for network aggregation.
After powering on, the network port lights illuminate if there’s no network connection.
My experience over the past two weeks has been positive. Accessing the router via the default IP (192.168.1.1) prompts you to agree to the license terms and report errors or diagnostics. The system automatically identifies your internet connection type, but you can skip this step and configure it later.
One major advantage of Linksys is its automatic firmware updates, ensuring both security and performance improvements. By default, the Wi-Fi password is generated randomly and can be customized. The 5G network defaults to Smart Connect, automatically switching between the two 5GHz bands.
Setting up the router administrator password and adding a password hint question enhances security. Configuring router information and creating a Linksys SmartWi-Fi account allow remote management of your home network and setting priority levels.
The web-based management interface is straightforward, displaying frequently used tools like internet connectivity, device maps, parental controls, external storage, guest networks, and media prioritization. The network map provides a visual representation of connected devices, complete with icons that add a touch of nostalgia.
You can manually add devices to the map, including computers, WPS, USB printers, and others. Guest network settings allow you to specify the number of visitors but lack speed limits. Parental controls enable setting online time and blocking specific websites, though speed limits aren’t available.
The speed test feature allows you to measure your home’s real-time speed. Media prioritization lets you assign priority to network equipment and online gaming, although current game support is limited to foreign titles.
External storage management involves setting up IP addresses, FTP services, and folder access permissions. The FTP server shares the same name as the Wi-Fi network. Media server settings enhance multimedia capabilities. Link settings include timezone selection for optimal signal performance.
Advanced routing settings, VLAN configurations, and link management allow remote access using a Linksys account. Troubleshooting tools like viewing status provide additional insights into the router’s performance.
Wireless settings include Smart Connect, combining two 5GHz signals, but you can separate them manually. MAC address filtering and Wi-Fi protection settings offer enhanced security. Advanced features such as airtime fairness and firewall settings ensure smooth operations.
The accompanying app isn’t as visually appealing as ASUS’s interface but excels in functionality. It mirrors the web version, offering simple and clear settings. Remote management via a Linksys account is possible, and basic configurations can be managed seamlessly.
Signal testing compared the GT-AC5300 and Lyra Lyra routers. In a 124-square-meter house, the EA9300 performed well, slightly outperforming the AC5300 in certain areas despite having the same processor. The number of antennas doesn’t seem to significantly impact signal quality.
NAS testing revealed impressive speeds. The rear USB3.0 interface achieved 50MB/sec with a wireless connection, and a wired Gigabit test reached 81.3MB/sec. The desktop-to-NAS speed via wireless 5G was 56.4MB/sec, showing the router’s versatility.
In conclusion, the Linksys EA9300 offers solid performance at a reasonable price. Its stable signal, user-friendly interface, and rich features make it a great choice for home networks. However, it’s bulky and lacks some advanced features like converged network support and double WAN settings.
Advantages:
1. Stable signal;
2. User-friendly interface;
3. Rich and practical interfaces;
4. Three-year warranty with new product replacement.
Disadvantages:
1. Large size requiring more space;
2. Potential interference between 5G and USB3.0;
3. Lack of speed limits for guest networks and parental controls.
Future updates could introduce converged network and double WAN support, along with more USB 3.0 device expansion options.
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