Linksys is known for its quality networking devices and this router is no different. I am currently living in an apartment and was using the provided router/modem my ISP initially installed. The router/modem is a 2 in 1 and is older. After installing this Linksys router, I noticed the router outperforms my old router in every aspect. Speed, range, configurable settings, and more. If you need a better router, read on to see if this one may be for you!
*TLDR at Bottom
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IN THE BOX/SET-UP:
The router is your typical-sized router and should fit in most areas. Along with the router, you’ll find the power adapter, ethernet cable, quick start guide, and warranty information.
Note that this is just a router, you will need access to a modem or router/modem (what I had) for connectivity.
Setup time may vary depending on your skills. I have set up routers before, and the Linksys router was up and running in about 10-15 minutes. But I wouldn’t worry too much, Linksys makes setup quick and easy with the provided quick start guide. If you want further documentation such as advanced configuration and troubleshooting for this router, it can be accessed using the link below.
https://downloads.linksys.com/support/assets/userguide/E9450_USERGUIDE_EN%20LNKPG-00832%20Rev%20A00.pdf
To access the router’s user interface, you will need a device with a web browser and typing 192.168.1.1 in the URL should get you into settings. During setup, you do get the option to re-name both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands as well as set up passwords for both.
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FEATURES:
This router has plenty of features that enhance performance and security in your network. First, this router does have the newest Wi-Fi 6 Technology(802.11ax). Wi-Fi 6 essentially improves efficiency in your network. The first thing I noticed while using this router was how much faster my upload and download speeds were. My old router I was getting about 130 down(wireless) on a typical day. With this router, I was getting about 180 down! The 50Mbps difference feels vastly different when you are browsing the web, watching videos, gaming, etc. Note that Wi-Fi 6 only works on certain devices.
Along with the newest Wi-Fi technology, you will also get advanced security with WPA3. WPA3 is the newest encryption standard that can bring better security to your devices. WPA3 essentially does a better job at protecting against brute-force attacks and allows for a more secure password-based authentication.
There is a USB port on the router that can be used to plug in an external storage device for file sharing within your network. There is also a WPS(Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button available that allows for a quicker/easier connection between your network and device. Under the USB port, there are 4 available Ethernet interfaces that can be used with your devices.
In the router’s user interface, there are many ways to configure this router. You can mess with WAN setup, IPV6, Firewalls, and much more. There are also parental controls available if you ever need to set up any. Within parental controls, you can restrict access to sites, restrict internet access on certain devices, and specify times to block internet access to these devices. You can also update firmware and view router information using the router’s user interface.
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PERFORMANCE:
Performance is certainly remarkable. My upload and download speeds are quicker on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. I previously mentioned that download speeds were about 50Mbps faster on the Linksys router compared to my old router. Having multiple devices connected to the router doesn’t slow down speeds as much as my old router did.
The range is wonderful as well. Linksys mentions up to 2800 square feet. My apartment isn’t that large, but I did notice that I was getting better signal in semi-dead areas like in my closet compared to before. Before, I was obtaining very little signal in this area due to the multiple walls that surround the closet. I was even able to stream 4K video in this area unlike before! Wi-Fi 6 certainly does allow for better performance and range!
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CONCLUSION/TLDR:
Overall, this is a solid upgrade to your old router if you are looking for an upgrade. The many features such as Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3 allow for better performance and security on your devices. I am completely satisfied with how this Linksys router has performed these past few days. If you are an advanced user, there are advanced configuration settings available as well. I don’t have anything else to say besides that if you require a new router, I wholeheartedly do recommend this one.