Linksys EA9500 vs Nighthawk X10 – Best Wi-Fi router for your home or office space
When buying for your online needs at home or in the office, choosing the right Wi-Fi router is really important. Linksys EA9500 and Nighthawk X10 are two quality options that will not disappoint you- with Nighthawk X10 shining out for its ultra-fast speeds in throughput tests as well as theoretical.
Whether you are a tech-nerd or a novice when it comes to routers, choosing just one Wi-Fi router for your office space or home is quite hectic. This is because there are many quality options in the market as well as many features to look out for. For instance, you need to understand the chipset of each router as well as the speeds and range you can expect at all times without any signal degradation.
Given how difficult it can be to look through all these aspects, this article has been designed to help you make the right informed choice. It has narrowed down to Linksys EA9500 and Nighthawk X10 that easily stand out. The Nighthawk X10 for instance is renowned for its fast data transfer speeds while Linksys EA9500 is highly lauded for its seamless roaming abilities.
While they are both exquisite options, you may need to choose between the two. This guide has therefore also gone ahead to give a comparison overview of these models to help you settle on one.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Linksys EA9500 and Nighthawk X10?
Model |
Linksys EA95000 |
Nighthawk X10 (Winner) |
MU-MIMO &Beamforming |
Yes (supports all 802.11ac latest technology) |
Yes |
Chipset |
Broadcom BCM4709C0, 1.4GHz processor, 256MB RAM and 128MB flash memory |
Qualcomm’s Sparrow, 1.7GHz processor, 512MB Nano memory and 1GB SDRAM |
Speed |
90.5 Mbps – Download speed
81.8 Mbps – Upload speed |
807.6 Mbps – Download speed
523.37 Mbps – Upload speed |
Antenna |
8 external |
3 (fixed) |
Linksys EA9500 vs Nighthawk X10 – How do they compare?
Technology
Linksys EA9500 is designed with the latest Wi-Fi technology like its compatibility to 802.11ac devices. To add, Linksys EA9500 is designed with MU-MIMO (multiple-user, multiple-input, multiple-output). This translates to fast speeds even when there are multiple connected devices. Many users can play online games while others do HD streaming with minimal interruption. Linksys EA9500 works with the latest browser versions and Adobe Flash Player. They both also require iOs 8.0 or higher and Android 4.0.3 or higher. For printer use, you need Windows 7/8 or higher.
Nighthawk X10 is designed with the latest, advanced technology in the router industry as well. First, it is loaded with a 1.7GHz quad-core processor that is able to deliver on the fast and reliable connection. It is also designed with MU-MIMO and Beamforming+ technology which together mean you can connect many smart devices with minimal interruptions. To add, it has Amazon’s Alexa and Dynamic Quality of Service.
Additional Features
Linksys EA9500 also has additional features through the mobile app. For example, you can pause the internet through your app. You can also run speed tests so as to be updated on your network’s performance at all times. To add, the installation process is easy through the app. All these controls you can get through your smartphone or tablet.
Like the Linksys EA9500, Nighthawk X10 also comes with an app that offers you additional controls. The Nighthawk app lets you manage your network in many ways. For example, it comes with smart parental controls like filtering out inappropriate websites. Through the app, you can also decide which devices get to gain internet access to your network.
Structure and Design
Linksys EA9500 has the dimensions 14 x 5 x 7 inches and measures 1.5lbs with 5lbs as its shipping weight. This makes it one of the bulkiest routers in the market and it can be a downer for some. However, it is still sleek and modern looking. It also primarily comes in black making it a good fit for right about any room.
Nighthawk X10 on the flipside has a rather futuristic design and it primarily comes in black. Its antennas are rather noticeable so this router needs careful positioning around your home.
Performance in speed tests
Linksys EA9500 is one of the fastest routers in the market. It has combined speeds of more than 5GBps with 1000Mbps+2166Mbps+2166Mbps on each of the bands. When put to the test, Linksys AEA9500 still delivers fast and impressive speeds. In fact, when within 100 feet of the router, you can experience fast and reliable speeds of up to 500Mbps.
When put to the test, the Nighthawk X10 is still a fast router in practical situations. Within close proximity, it can deliver up to 558Mbps.
Linksys EA9500 vs. Nighthawk X10 – A Comparison Overview
Linksys EA9500 Overview
- Fast WIFI Performance: Get up to 2500 sq ft wireless coverage with AD7200 speed (Tri-band up to 800 +...
- Recommended Up to 45 Devised: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart...
Linksys EA9500 has many quality features. Primarily coming in black, it is still sleek and modern-looking. It can also be easily placed away out of sight if you wish so. This is because it is quite noticeable wherever you have it in your home or room.
Secondly, it is designed with tri-band technology. This means that you get an additional band that comes in handy to minimize buffering and lag. This router also has MU-MIMO (multiple-user, multiple-input, multiple-output) and Beamforming+ technology. Together, this enables this router to handle simultaneous tasks that may be resource intensive like online gaming and HD streaming. Even with multiple connected devices in one room, the EA9500 is able to keep up with the requests thrown at it.
Yet another pro tech-feature of Linksys EA9 is that it works with Amazon’s Alexa. You can easily remotely manage your router using voice controls. Thirdly, another notable feature is the fast speeds you get with this router. It also offers fast wired connections through the 8 Gigabit ports. In fact, it is up to 10 times faster compared to other standard ports.
Beyond the coverage you get with the EA9500, you can consider pairing the router with Max-Stream Range Extenders. They are guaranteed to improve your whole experience by enabling seamless roaming. This means that whenever you are connected to the network, you are bounced off on the fastest Wi-Fi signals even as you move around your home or office space.
It also has a display screen that is located on top of the device. It comes in handy to give visual feedback whenever you are using your router or if you are doing a firmware update. This router also has other interface buttons and many connectivity ports located all round.
To add, Linksys EA95000 comes with other additional features like media prioritization and guest network access. This router allows you to create a separate guest network for your visitors. This ensures that your network is protected at all times from unsafe connections. This router also comes with parental control options such that you can safeguard your children’s online activities at all times. Additionally, it comes with a Network Map that monitors all the connected devices on your network. You can also check on what the devices are up to.
To get seamless roaming with this router consider pairing it with the Max-Stream Range Extender. This works by automatically placing your connected device on the strongest data signal available. Even as you move around your home or office, this system ensures that you will enjoy fast speeds throughout.
One drawback with this router is that many users have often complained about the refurbished models. They need regular reboots because the internet connection may suddenly drop at odd times. Linksys EA9500 also has really large footprint and is bulky. It almost has laptop design compared to similar priced products that are as compact sized as can be. It does take a lot of space wherever you place it. Linksys EA9500 might also be overkill for small households as it is an ultra-performance router.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Good value for money
- Comes with technical support in case you bump into any issues
- MU-MIMO enabled and Works with Amazon Alexa
- Tri-Band Wi-Fi offers a third, dedicated high-speed band to eliminate buffering and lag
- Comes with a 3 year warranty
Cons
- Rather pricey
- Bulky and has a large footprint
The Nighthawk X10
- Fast WIFI Performance: Get up to 2500 sq ft wireless coverage with AD7200 speed (Tri-band up to 800 +...
- Recommended Up to 45 Devised: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart...
The Nighthawk X10 is a Smart Home Wi-Fi router that has many premium qualities. First, it offers fast wireless speeds up to 7200Mbps on all modern Wi-Fi connected devices. It is a tri band router with combined 800+1733+4600Mbps on each of the three bands. This fast speed works for 60GHz band devices.
Another feature of the Nighthawk X10 is its coverage of up to 2,500 square feet. While this might not be as wide compared to similar priced products, you can get additional extenders if you have a large house. Nonetheless, the Nighthawk X10 offers stable coverage in all kinds of house designs.
To add, Nighthawk X10 has an impressive capacity. It can reliably connect up to 45 smart home devices. With no compromise to speeds, you can stream HD videos, surf the internet and play online games simultaneously in your home
Nighthawk X10 also comes with 2 USB ports and 6 Ethernet ports (1 Gigabit). This ensures good wired connection as well. You can plug in game consoles, computers and other wired devices for fast speed internet. The USB ports also mean you can share a storage device with any of the devices connected to your network. It also works with Alexa so you can remotely manage your network using voice controls.
Finally, Nighthawk X10 is highly compatible with a wide range of systems from Google Chrome 11.0 to Windows 7. Yet another notable feature is the Nighthawk app that comes with many additional features. For instance, it comes with smart parental controls like filtering out inappropriate websites.
To add, Nighthawk’s fast theoretical speeds mean you can perform resource intense tasks with minimal lags. For example, multiple connected devices can do Virtual Reality gaming and HD/4K streaming simultaneously. This router is also compatible with 802.11ac and 802.11ad which both deliver fast Wi-Fi speeds because of their advanced technology.
It also has four external antennas that basically maximize the range and throughput speeds you get to experience with this router. These active antennas amplify the Wi-Fi signals that cover your home or office space.
Pros
- Blankets your entire home with stable Wi-Fi signal
- Comes with a warranty
- Fast theoretical and throughput speeds
Cons
- Customer support might be quite disappointing
Conclusion
While Linksys EA9500 has its fair share of drawbacks like its bulky size, it is still a worthy product. It is quite the beast with its high performance. It does take quite a bit of space wherever you place it but it is well worth the purchase. It is best suited for resource intensive areas like offices and large households. Linksys EA9500 is also quite expensive but it has impressive features to match. It only loses out in its rather large design that has large footprint to boot.
For the Nighthawk X10, it is reasonably priced yet it comes jammed with features that deliver good performance. You get to experience fast wireless and wired connections without breaking the bank.
Verdict: So, which is better between Linksys EA9500 and Nighthawk X10?
This article has analyzed Linksys EA9500 and Nighthawk X10 that are both quality products. Netgear X10 most noteworthy features include its fast theoretical speeds as well as throughput performance. When you have to choose one, Netgear X10 is the better router for its stable and reliable performance. If you do not mind parting with quite a bit of money, go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Smart Connect work with these routers?
Coupled with tri-band technology, Smart Connect comes in handy to boost the overall performance of your router. It refers to how your router intelligently connects you to the most efficient and optimum band. For example, a 5GHz user will be directed to the 5GHz band that is up for use.
Keep in mind that Smart Connect usually does not work in the guest network you may set up.
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What are the minimum system requirements you need to have?
For both Linksys EA9500 and Nighthawk X10, they have specific requirements for the browser, mobile and operating system you want to use.
