I no longer have to worry about my Wi-Fi speeds now that I have this blazing-fast $140 router
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- There are hundreds of high-quality routers on the market, and if you are using a model that was supplied by your internet service provider, you are missing out.
- When you get down to the nuts and bolts of the Linksys Max Stream EA7500, it is packed full of features that allow you to use several devices running high-bandwidth applications.
- I especially like that the Linksys app gives you control over which devices get priority, when devices can access the internet, which websites they can access, and managing passwords.
- Though it isn't the cheapest on the market, the Max Stream EA7500 has a mid-range price (currently $139.99 on Amazon) while providing high-end features.
If you are reading this, chances are you are having Wi-Fi troubles. If I am totally off-base in my assumption and everything is peachy keen with your Wi-Fi, then you don't need a new router. But, if the reliability, speed, and range of your current unit are questionable at best, then you will not regret investing in an upgrade.
A Wi-Fi router is one of those tech gadgets that exhibits vast improvements in features and speeds every few years. So, if your router is more than a couple years old or you are using the router provided by your internet service provider, you will experience an improvement in your quality of life when you buy a new model.
I picked up the Linksys AC1900 Max Stream EA7500 router when my three-year-old Linksys EA6350 bit the dust and none of the usual tricks could revive it. My home office is only about twenty feet from the router, but there are walls and other obstacles in the way. I needed something with power. Based on reviews from experts and buyers, including more than 8,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, I chose the Max Stream EA7500.
There are several features that even a novice user can appreciate.
The EA7500 utilizes MU-MIMO technology. This acronym stands for "multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output." It's basically just a confusing way to say that numerous users can engage in high-bandwidth activities, like downloading files, listening to music, online gaming, or streaming HD movies, at the same time without experiencing buffering or lag. We've put this to the test in our house with three devices streaming videos and one playing games and have not had any problems.
Another useful feature of this 802.11ac router is the dual Wi-Fi bands. The EA7500 operates on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The 2.4GHz channel is best for your slower or older devices, while the 5Ghz is best for newer wireless-AC devices. I've labeled the 5GHz network "Dad's Network" in my home and kind of kept it a secret from the rest of the family to ensure optimal speeds.
The EA7500 router features three external antennas and uses beamforming technology. With beamforming, rather than just casting a broad net of Wi-Fi around the unit, the router directs signals directly to the devices that are accessing it. This boosts your wireless network's range and improves wireless bandwidth utilization.
In practice, I've found beamforming improves the router's range. We have a "mother-in-law" room above our garage that is approximately 40 feet from the router with plenty of wood, metal, and other materials in between. Despite these barriers, the wireless signals are still strong enough to stream Netflix.
Setup was incredibly simple. Within 10 minutes of opening the box from Amazon, my work computer was back online. I used the same network names and passwords as my old router for simplicity sake. I chose to upload the Linksys app to my phone so I could easily monitor which devices are online, which devices get priority, and block internet access at certain hours for my two sons.
My favorite Linksys app feature is the God-like power it gives me to use the router to block the internet on any device. When you have a teenager who prioritizes League of Legends over sleep, this is a must. To be the "no fun parent," you simply open the app, select the device you want to control, and choose which hours you want to block internet access. You can also choose to block specific websites, like when you're on deadline for a router review and don't want to be distracted by social media.
The most difficult part of using the app is determining which device is which. For instance, we have three Android phones in our house, and it was not immediately evident within the app which phone belonged to which person. This took a little trial and error.
Device prioritization is another helpful feature. You can list up to three devices that will get priority for internet connection usage before any other computers. When connected, the priority gadgets get the best access, and everyone else just gets what is left over.
Another perk of the app is that you can set up guest access. This gives visitors access to your internet connection without allowing them to access connected devices, external storage, or other computers.
For those of you who have a need for numbers and specs, you should know that the Linksys Max Stream EA7500 has dual-band combined speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps. There are USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports as well as four gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting via a wire for high-speed data transmission.
Overall, if you're looking for an easy-to-use and install wireless router that will provide you with the internet speeds you need for glitch-free video streaming and gaming, you can't go wrong with Linksys. The Max Stream EA7500 will only cost you $140.