Linksys EA8500 AC2600

Overview

The first of an expected onslaught of MU-MIMO routers, the Linksys EA8500 has the hardware and software to fill a house with Wi-Fi and Web access, but the device doesn't live up to its performance potential.

-- As reviewed by Tom's Guide

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 13 expert reviews

Excellent:

3
Good:

7
Average:

2
Bad:

1

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Last revision on November 25, 2020

Reviewers Liked

Delivers excellent 5GHz Wi-Fi performance
Uses new MU-MIMO technology

Reviewers Didn't Like

Expensive
The storage feature doesn't support Time Machine backup
Clients must support MU-MIMO to take advantage of enhanced performance

Direct Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick these products using a variety of criteria: they can be direct competitors targeting the same market segment or can be similar devices in terms of size, performance, or features.

Expert reviews and ratings

By CriticalHit on May 23, 2016 80

The router performed admirably and I have no real issues with anything that the router was required to do but at the same time for a router priced at a premium there wasn't anything that really impressed me about the Linksys AC2600. It's a solid...

By CGM on December 12, 2015 85

Linksys EA8500 is great for gamers, businesses, larger families, and generally anyone running multiple devices at once while doing lots of work that requires a solid...

By PC Mag on September 25, 2015 70

The Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Smart Wi-Fi Router uses the latest wireless technology to deliver speedy 5GHz throughput to multiple devices at the same...

By AsiaOne on August 20, 2015 80

The Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router (EA8500) belongs to a new breed of Wi-Fi routers dubbed Wave 2 routers. These devices support multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), a technology that lets the router send wireless data...

By hardwarezone.com.sg on August 20, 2015 80

Our routine test setup includes a desktop PC, the reviewed router, and a laptop to simulate a wireless home network. The desktop system takes on the role of a host machine, while the router acts as a gateway. And lastly, an external Wireless 802.11ac...

By hardwarezone.com.my on August 08, 2015 80

The Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router, then, is a tool of the future. It's performance with clients equipped to deal with the first wave of the 802.11ac standard was good, but not really spectacular enough to be boasted about, and that's before...

By Gizmodo on June 29, 2015 85

If you have a bunch of high-speed 802.11ac Wi-Fi devices on your network, and you do a lot of file transfers and high bit-rate Netflix and networked video streaming, then a MU-MIMO router like the Linksys EA8500 makes sense and makes for a genuine...

By techguide.com.au on June 20, 2015 90

The Linksys Max Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Smart Wi-Fi Router (EA8500) is a wi-fi router that can handle the connectivity needs of a home or office with built-in technology to make it even faster and more...

By Tom's Guide on June 15, 2015 50

By CNET UK on May 15, 2015 80

Homes with lots of devices will benefit from the Linksys EA8500's speedy Wi-Fi and storage performance, but those with modest needs should look for something...

By CNET Australia on May 15, 2015 80

Homes with lots of devices will benefit from the Linksys EA8500's speedy Wi-Fi and storage performance, but those with modest needs should look for something...

By cnet on May 14, 2015 80

Homes with lots of devices will benefit from the Linksys EA8500's speedy Wi-Fi and storage performance, but those with modest needs should look for something...

By NikkTech on May 24, 2016

Since the EA8500 AC2600 router uses the QCA9980 4-Stream VIVE™ 802.11ac chipset I was curious to see just how well it would perform and although it did ok in both ATTO and QCheck it surpassed every other modem/router listed in our Passmark Network...

By netguide.co.nz on November 13, 2015

The AC2600 is a winner for homes with a large collection of Wi-Fi connected widgets. This isn't just because it's able to deliver a faster connection to each device, but because it'll take a huge load of traffic yet deliver rock solid performance. Add...

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Linksys EA8500 AC2600

Overview

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Price: $249

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Expert reviews and ratings