Linksys EA8300 vs. Asus RT AC86U – Which is the best for a medium sized home

Finding the ideal router for your home can be complicated when you do not know what to seek for. Routers come with different speeds and ranges. If you have a large home you want something that allows multiple bands at varying speeds.

It is almost impossible to run the various internet-connected devices in homes without the help of Wi-Fi connection. If you purchase the wrong router, you suffer the risks of dead spots. This is a case where the signal is too weak for any solid connection. In other cases, you have powerful devices cannibalizing the connection.

The best routers are those that are tri-band. This allows them to signal various frequencies that are capable of accommodating various devices speeds. If you have the right router in your house, you can get connections for devices that are many feet away. You are also able to stream live your movies and play various games on the network. Linksys and Asus are router powerhouses and in this review of Linksys EA8300 vs. Asus RT AC86U, we check out two mid-range routers suitable for home use.

What are the key differences between Linksys EA8300 vs. Asus RT AC86U?

Linksys EA8300 vs. Asus RT AC86U – How do they compare?

Router Performance

The Asus RT AC86U is a medium range router that performs well on the beamforming and MU-MIMO technology. This enables the Asus to deliver a good throughput. A 1.8 GHZ dual-core processor runs the Asus RT AC86U. This enables the device to achieve a high speed of 667.8Mbps at 15 feet. The throughput range is 603.5Mbps at 50 feet and 589.6Mbps 100 feet. The only downside to the range is that it does not perform as well when passing signals through walls. However, it will support a medium sized family internet needs when it comes to streaming live videos.

The Linksys EA8300 is a tri-band MU-MIMO and this enables it offer 400+867+867 Mbps speeds. You have one of the bands running on 2.4Ghz and this can give you speeds of up to 400Mbps while of the two 5GHz bands you can get 867Mbps. All the bands run independently meaning none of your devices will cannibalize on the speeds of the other. The processor speed is through a 716 Quad-core processor. For home use you get 802.11ac network. Due to the use of MI-MIMO technology each device on the network can use its own dedicated router and this enables you to stream movies, hold live conferences while each device connecting at their highest speeds.

Design and ports

The ASUS RT AC86U is small and compact. This makes it suitable for fitting in cramped spaces. From the design you will find some similarities with other ASUS gaming devices. The device measures 8.7 X 6.1 X 3.5 inches. What differentiates the ASUS from the Linksys EA8300 is that you can either lay it sitting flat or upright. The router is capable of setting up four independent data traffic lanes. ASUS takes a lot of pride in its gaming laptops and this router comes with the WTFast game accelerator. The system works great for multiplayer games as the router finds the most secure internet route while minimizing lag and maximizing bandwidth. Most of the connections for the ASUS are at the back. Here you will have eight LEDs lights while at the front you get a power light. This lights show the progress of the four Ethernet connections and two Wi-Fi bands. The device also comes with 3.0 USB and 2.0 USB ports.

The Linksys EA8300 isn’t that different from the ASUS RT AC86U when it comes to basic design. It measures 12.5 X 10.5 X 2.6 inches which makes a it a bit bigger than the ASUS. The Linksys has four external antennas and two internal ones. At the back you get your connections. There is a single WAN connection, 3.0 USB, four downstream LAN, and the power connection.        You can also easily connect your desktops, printers and notebooks through Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button. The router is small and this makes it ideal for medium sized homes.

Setup and configuration

The Linksys comes with its own app that can be run through iOS and Android. You can then configure settings for your router through the app. The first thing to do during setup is create a Linksys account. Plug in the router to a power source then type the Linksys website for setup process. You will get some default usernames and password which you can later change. Once the installation process is complete the router will restart itself. The only disappointment is that this router does not use DD-WT open source firmware. You have the option to configure your router through a the app or web browser.

The ASUS RT AC86U also has a dedicated router app but the browser works better. Like the Linksys you will need to first power up the router, then in the address bar type “router.asus.com”. From there all your need is to follow the prompts given. Once done your devices should be able to connect to the router.

Linksys EA8300 vs. Asus RT AC86U – A Comparison Overview

Linksys EA8300 – Overview

Linksys EA8300 Max-Stream: AC2200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router for Wireless Home Network, Uninterrupted Gaming and Streaming, MU-MIMO (Black)

• Provides up to 1,500 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 15plus wireless devices
• Works with existing modem, simple setup through Linksys App

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The Linksys EA8300 is small hence making it ideal for many homes. It comes 6 non-removable antennas. This is an ideal router for a small home as the range covered is short at 75 feet. The router measures 12.5 X 10.5 X 2.6 inches. You can place it almost anywhere in the house and with the rubber feet inserts you can even try out wall mounting. You get four visible antennas with two inside. Most of the connections are located at the back of the router. Here you will find a 3.0 USB port , four downstream LAN ports and a single WAN connection.

When it comes to performance, the Linksys EA8300 is powered by a Qualcomm’s IPQ4019 tri-band chipset. You also get MU-MIMO and beamforming technologies for maximum Wi-Fi efficiency. The processor speed is through a 717Mhz 256MB RAM. This is a bit of slowdown compared to what is in the market but it is adequate for a small home. To enable you handle all your connected devices with maximum efficiency, the Linksys EA83000 comes a Wi-Fi traffic optimizer. This allows the device to balance out data among the three bands on offer. The chipset is capable of creating a 802.11ac tri-band network.

The Linksys is ideal for mid-range coverage; you get 592 Mbps at 15 feet, 597.6 at 50 feet and 459.5 at 100. While this is not the best range it is more than adequate for most homes. The EA8300 however, performs well when it comes to going through walls achieving 428.5 and 619.3 Mbps. Configuration of the Linksys EA8300 can be setup through a web browser or any connected device.

What we liked:

• Performs extremely well in the mid-range section
• MU-MIMO capabilities
• Small and compact
• Easy to install with amazing software

What we did not like:

• Short range

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Asus RT AC86U – Overview

ASUS AC2900 WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC86U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, WTFast Game Accelerator, Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Included Lifetime Internet Security, Adaptive QoS

• Connector Type : USB
• Dual-band (2.4 plus 5 GHz) AC2900 wireless router with the latest 802. 11AC MU-MIMO technology for data...

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The first thing that impressed with this router is how stable it is when it stands. You can place it on table and it won’t tip over. The device itself is small and compact and lacks those many flashing lights that you commonly see in most routers. You have the Asus black and shades of red adorning the router. You can place the router flatly on a surface or let it stand. The router measures a modest 8.7 X 6.1 X 3.5 inches and compared to the Linksys EA8300 it is slightly larger.

The design of the router includes front eight LEDs for internet status, power, and four wired Ethernet connections. You have various vents for heat dissipation – something that comes in handy under intense gaming use. You also get 2.0 USB and 3.0 USB connections as well as a Gps Ethernet ports. Other standard buttons include power and reset button. Setup is pretty fast and you get the Asus router app that is able to monitor your connections.

A Broadcom BCM 4366E Wi-Fi chip powers the Asus RT AC86U. With this speed you have the capacity to setup four independent data traffic lanes. Processing speed is courtesy of a 1.8GHz dual core processor with additional 512 of flash memory and 256MB of RAM. You also get the very best MU-MIMO and beamforming technologies. With this you get long connectivity ranges.

You get two main channels with the router; the 2.4GHz with deliver up to 750Mbps while the 5GHz offers you 2.167Gbps. Asus has gained a solid reputation of producing some awesome gaming laptops and accessories, and this router is designed with gaming optimizations. Firstly, you get ASUS WTFast game accelerator. With this feature you can host your pals for some multiplayer games on the routers Gamers Private Network.

While the ASUS RT AC86U is not the fastest router around, its use of MU-MIMO and beamforming technology means you can achieve speeds of up to 667.8 Mbps at a distance of 15 feet. You also get a throughput of 603.5Mbps at 50 feet and 589.6Mbps at 100 feet. The downside it doesn’t perform that well when it comes to delivering signals through walls.

What we liked:

• Built-in stand enables you to place it almost anywhere
• It offers excellent customization options
• Good for long distance coverage
• Compact design

What we did not like:

• Throughput close is simply not up to bar with competitors

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Conclusion: So, which is better: Linksys EA8300 vs. Asus RT AC86U?

In this review we found the Linksys EA8300 as the better router for several reasons. For one, it offers great tri-band speeds at affordable price. The router is compact meaning it will fit in cramped places in your house. However, the range of 75 feet is quite a setback. The router has four external antennas that are not intrusive meaning you can place the router almost anywhere in the house. It also has rubber feet that enable it to be properly positioned on a flat surface. While the 1.4GHz dual core processor isn’t the fastest, you are still able to get amazing speeds through the two 5Ghz and 2.4GHz channels. For the price you are getting these speeds for the Linksys EA8300 is a total bargain.

FAQ

How to I know that I need a new router?

One first signs that you need a new router is if you are enjoying slowed down internet speeds, you experience poor signals, longer download times, and you experience frequent disconnections. Also, if your router is constantly overheating then it is time your upgraded to a new one. While shifting the router to a well ventilated area my work it could also be that your router is old.

Are there ways to boost router Wi-Fi speed?

Firstly, realize that if you are living near an area with lots of metallic obstructions or items that emit electromagnetic waves then you are going to experience decreased speeds. Malware attacks also reduce router speed and you will need to keep your software updated to keep at bay threats. Lastly, you can change your router antennae and this will improve connectivity.

Does having two rooters boost Wi-Fi speed?

It is very possible to add more than two routers to your home network. It comes with the benefit of adding more devices to your network while opening your Ethernet ports to more connectivity of laptops. You can connect some of your devices on the first router while the second one can be used for the Ethernet. Another key benefit of adding a second router is you extend your network range. This allows those devices that are further away from the router gain access. However, new technologies have brought about powerful rooters with amazing range and high speeds.