Netgear x8 vs. Linksys EA9500 – the battle between the new and the experienced
The truth is that testing different Wi-Fi routers is a unique challenge today. Their performance depends on a variety of factors, which include the surrounding buildings, location of the router, any interference from other devices, and the time you use them.
Due to our experience in doing testing for Wi-Fi routers, we have discovered that not all routers will fit your needs – even if they may seem so. For instance, you might purchase one, only to discover it cannot handle high wireless network speeds. That is why we are writing this article, in order to give you, the buyer, a better idea of what to expect from these two well-known brands. When comparing them, they do seem very similar in their attributes, but they have plenty of differences as well, which will greatly impact your own experience when using them.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Netgear x8 and Linksys EA9500?
Router |
Netgear x8 |
Linksys EA9500 (Winner) |
Size of the router (inches) |
12.4 x 10.4 x 2.4 |
14.29 x 5.39 x 11.73 |
Wi-Fi technology |
AC5300 Tri-band |
AC5400 Tri-band |
Wi-Fithroughput speed |
1000 Mbps |
1200 Mbps |
Netgear x8 vs. Linksys EA9500 – How do they compare
Both of these share similar features when it comes to their Wi-Fi technology, which includes the Beam forming technology. This provides users with reliable and solid wireless signals while you use them to roam inside your home. It also assures all users will get boosted Wi-Fi signal, unlike the traditional MU-MIMO routers to deliver signals to devices one-by-one.
Here are the differences between them though:
Number of antennas
The Netgear X8 uses a design that arranges the antennas in two rows of 4 each, making them 8 antennas. In a typical router, you will see the antenna amplifier on the motherboard of the router. Because Netgear employs this arrangement, the Wi-Fi performance improves significantly compared with the amplifier on the usual router.
On the other hand, the Linksys EA9500 will still maintain a high performance rating, but does this through its support of MU-MIMO data streaming and beam-forming, instead of broadcasting over a wide spectrum like the Netgear X8.
Performance and speeds
For the Netgear X8, it can reach a maximum throughput of 5.3 Gbps, thanks to its ability to connect to many devices through its pair of (2.166 Gbps) 5-GHz channels and single 1 Gbps (2.4-GHz) channel. The result is that it fits quite well when you are a data-hungry user, and it will also help you due to its use of beam-forming technology.
If you live in a suburban home that has plenty of thick walls, the Netgear X8 will achieve a 150-foot range, which is much better than the 130-foot range you will find in most routers, though slightly lower than some router models. Its main advantage is its ability to stay useful with high speeds regardless of the device you use –whether that is a MacBook, Android device, iOS device, or a laptop.
On both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz spectrums, it still gives good reliability and speed, with a range of between 91.32 Mbps and 105 Mbps when you use your device within 5 feet of the router. When the range increases to 30 feet, the speed drops by 25% to between 71.61 Mbps and 82.20 Mbps.
For the Linksys EA9500, its connection uses 3 independent Wi-Fi bands (two 5GHz bands and one 2.4-GHz band). The 2.4 GHz band can achieve a theoretical maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps, while each 5 GHz band can achieve 2,166 Mbps. Its throughput is also impressive – when you use your device in the same room, it scores 98.9 Mbps, while the Netgear X8 has a slightly lower score of 91.32 Mbps.
Design
In the Netgear X8, you will notice the addition of 4 stub-like antennas that you can aim and rotate to get stronger signals; they have integrated amplifiers that will extend the range of the system for both your 5- and 2.4-GHz connections.
Instead of putting on a colorful show of LED lights though, the white LEDs here have a subdued appearance, and the switch (located at the back) turns them off – except for the power light, which you will need to switch off separately. Alongside these, you also get a recessed reset button and a WPS (Wi-Fi protected system) that helps to connect new devices quickly.
On the other hand, the Linksys EA9500 uses a larger design when compared to the Netgear X8. Its design makes it suitable for a large household – the physical dimensions are actually quite big, and the price is not small either. It also comes with a dual-core CPU and has 8 external antennas to handle heavy use from multiple devices.
Its black enclosure contains 8 non-detachable antennas that are fully-adjustable, with an arrangement of two at the back and three on every side.
Netgear x8 vs. Linksys EA9500 – A comparison review
Netgear x8 – Overview and key features
- Get fastest speeds available up to 5.3Gbps. Up to 1,000 Mbps @ 2.4GHz 1024 QAM. Up to 2,166 Mbps @ 5 GHz...
- Tri-band WiFi/Quad Stream/MU-MIMO delivers more WiFi to your devices. Smart Connect intelligently selects...
As it has a tri-band connection design, it is quite the beast when it comes to Wi-Fi connection and surfing speed, and the price tag definitely matches its performance. Its design comes with everything from the latest MU-MIMO technology, along with in-built amplified antennas, but the drawback is the high price tag that comes along with it.
The main drawback, aside from the price, has to be its size – it is too big to place in an inconspicuous area of your home. Its design employs a curved upper surface with plenty of vents that help it to stay cool, but you cannot stack it with other Netgear tools. It also lacks the thoughtful template of the Linksys EA9500 router on where to drill the holes, making it challenging to place in a mounted position.
Similar to the Linksys EA9500 router, the Netgear X8 gives you plenty of customization options. For instance, you can use a connected device’s web browser to make small adjustments in the router, or use the Netgear Genie apps (for Android and iOS). The wireless page will show you all the things you need to start, which include changing the encryption types and passwords, network names, and switching the radios on or off and use a wired router instead. It runs on Internet protocol 6 or 4, so it is not likely to become outdated quickly.
At the end of the day, this is the best option to buy if you have plenty of wired connections in your home, because it comes with 6 Ethernet ports rather than the usual 4 you will find in most routers. Every port here can handle gigabit-size traffic, and you can aggregate 2 of them to handle high-speed data transfer requirements; such as top-speed gaming, network storage, or streaming 4K videos.
Pros
- Comes with many LAN ports, along with data aggregation
- It has many customization options
- Tri-band operations give it very good connection speed
- A variety of amplified, active antennas
Cons
- The interface is sometimes sluggish
- Bigger size compared to many routers
- Quite expensive
Linksys EA9500 – Overview and key features
- Connector Type : USB
- Provides up to 3,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 25plus wireless devices
This is a fully-loaded router that definitely lives up to its billing. It comes with many I/O ports, as well as impressively high speeds, and management features, making it a top choice for you if you are looking for a cutting-edge router.
It also includes a status panel that has 8 LED bars that will indicate the status of the Wi-Fi connection and router itself. As we mentioned earlier, it also accommodates the intensive demands of MU-MIMO data streaming and beam-forming, instead of broadcasting over a wide spectrum.
You can also manage your connection here through using the Smart Wi-Fi mobile app, which can also allow you to manage the Parental control, Media prioritization, External storage, and Guest access settings.
While this router is expensive and the price tag may scare you off, it does provide plenty of features and performance that makes it a worthwhile choice. Its Gigabit LAN ports will support multiple devices, printers, or any additional wired device, while the user-friendly interface will support your network optimization.
Pros
- It comes with many LAN ports
- Includes MU-MIMO setup
- It has an extensive range of management settings
- It has excellent levels of throughput performance
Cons
- Large footprint
- Quite expensive
Conclusion
Both the Netgear X8 and the Linksys EA9500 are very similar in their attributes, speeds and performance, so both of them will prove a good fit for your home especially when you have plenty of connections in the house.
Verdict: So which is better? The Netgear x8 or the Linksys EA9500?
As we mentioned earlier, both these routers are very similar – but we do have to pick one as the winner, and in this case it is the Linksys EA9500. This is because it offers greater value for your money, as the router comes with more features and higher speeds overall. As long as you can get past its price point, the Linksys can prove to become a worthwhile, long-term purchase.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Smart Connect feature on the Linksys EA9500 about?
The Smart Connect feature, which is present on both the Linksys EA9500 v1 and v2, will allow the router to increase its intelligence, capacity and flexibility. This is mainly for the purpose of assigning a 5GHz client to one of the 2 wireless radios and get higher performance.
When you activate it, the router will then ‘direct’ your devices to the optimum band, and this eventually communicates to the wireless clients to disconnect and reconnect to the other radio in this band.
The Netgear X8 is a 4×4 router, so is it possible to get higher throughputs when using it?
Even though this is a 4×4 type of Wi-Fi router, there is currently no other 4×4 clients. The good news though is that it is possible to improve its throughput by using a newer chipset and the specific Netgear active antennas.
