Weekend Deals Weekly: Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream: AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Gaming Router
Third-party wireless routers are far from obsolete: many tech enthusiasts still consider them essential for their highly customizable settings and a wide range of feature-rich options. This brings me to my Weekend Deals Weekly: the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream AC2200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi router, a great value option for any user who wants to manage a busy network without paying a premium for newer Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 models.
Now, the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream wireless router is an older model. However, its features are still sufficient to handle specific networking pain points such as gaming, 4K streaming, and network congestion.
What makes this wireless router a good deal is that it can handle tri-band congestion; unlike standard dual-band routers, this model features three separate radio bands (2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz bands). Like most modern wireless routers, the Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream comes fully equipped with next-gen MU-MIMO ( Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technology, delivering data to multiple devices simultaneously. The advanced optimization tools include Airtime Fairness, which ensures devices aren't slowed down by older, slower legacy tech on the user's network.
The caveat with using this router is age and range. It utilizes the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard rather than the newer Wi-Fi 6 or 7 protocols. Still and all, published benchmarks show the router offers excellent high-speed throughput within a close range, making it ideal for small to medium-sized homes or apartments. However, the 5GHz signal speeds tend to drop off over long distances or through heavy walls.
Still and all, if you're looking for a reliable, brand-name router that can handle the rigors of high-density streaming and multi-device congestion while being on a set budget, the Linksys AC2200 router is definitely an excellent value. The router is currently fully stocked on Amazon, retailing for $159.00.
