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As our homes gradually become smarter and smarter, more devices are taking their toll on the wireless network. What was mainly used for laptops and mobiles has become essential from everything from home entertainment systems to our electrical appliances like robot vacuums and ovens.
The solution to increasing the bandwidth on your devices is a dual-band router. We are going to look at the Linksys EA8500 (also known as the Linksys AC2600) and the Linksys WRT1900AC. We will compare their technology, speeds, and appearance to decide which is the better option. You will be able to find a comparison chart and some pros and cons of each too.
Let’s start by considering what the Linksys EA8500 vs WRT1900AC have in common.
Linksys EA8500 vs WRT1900AC – Similarities
Quick Glance
Let’s review the specifications in the following comparison chart.
Antennas
The four external antennas on the Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC enhance the dual-band communication, which increases both coverage and strength while reducing dead zones in your home. The two frequency bands are 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App
You can download the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app which will allow you to completely customize your home Wi-Fi and get real-time information. You can set up parental controls, device prioritization, and gest access with the Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC.
BeamForming
With BeamForming, the Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC strengthens the signal to specific devices rather than generally. This can improve network speeds and reduces interference from other devices.
LED Indicators
You will know that the Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC are functioning correctly with the set of LED indicators. There is a light for the power, the internet, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi protected.
What’s Included
The Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC come with 4 dual-band detachable antenna, an Ethernet cable, and a power adapter. You will also get a quick start guide and a CD with all of the documentation.
Now let’s look at how the Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC are different.
Differences Between Linksys EA8500 and WRT1900AC
Appearance
The two wireless routers are actually identical in size but look very different.
Linksys EA8500
The router is 9.76 x 7.68 x 2.01 inches and weighs 2.11 pounds. It comes in black.
Linksys WRT1900AC
While the size and weight are the same, it has a more sci-fi design and comes in black with blue features.
The Winner Is- The Linksys EA8500
Read next – Linksys WRT1200AC vs WRT1900ACS: Which Wireless Router is Better?
Processor and Transfer Rates
This information is an essential part of how fast the router will work.
Linksys EA8500
This has a 1.4GHz dual-core processor. The data transfer rate is 2.53Gbps.
Linksys WRT1900AC
This comes with a professional-grade 1.2GHz dual-core processor. The total data transfer rate is 1.9Gbps.
The Winner Is- The Linksys EA8500.
Ports
Again, there are similarities but with one key difference.
Linksys EA8500
You will find a power and internet port along with 4 Ethernet ports. There is also a USB 3.0 port and a USB eSATA combo port.
Linksys WRT1900AC
The difference is in the Ethernet ports. They are gigabit Ethernet ports, which replaced the older fast Ethernet ports.
The Winner Is- The Linksys WRT1900AC
MU-MIMO Technology
This technology helps multiple devices coordinate with the router. The channels are used more efficiently because data can be transmitted to multiple devices at the same time.
Linksys EA8500
MU-MIMO technology is one of the features of this router.
Linksys WRT1900AC
This doesn’t come with MU-MIMO technology.
The Winner Is- The Linksys EA8500
Warranty
For peace of mind, it’s always good to know that your router will have some kind of warranty.
Linksys EA8500
There is a limited lifetime warranty with this Linksys wireless router.
Linksys WRT1900AC
The warranty lasts for one year.
The Winner Is- The Linksys EA8500
Read next – Linksys EA8300 vs EA8500: Which Wi-Fi Router is Better?
Pros and Cons
Before our final verdict, here are some pros and cons of the two wireless routers.
Linksys EA8500
Pros:
- It works well with Alexa
- Good to excellent improvements in signal strength
- Setup is simple and it’s generally user-friendly
Cons:
- The app could be improved
Linksys WRT1900AC
Pros:
- The router has a good range
- The hardware is good
- The ultra-modern design makes it look quite unique
Cons:
- We were expecting a lot more difference in the speed for its price
The Final Verdict
Let’s talk about the design first. Although we preferred the more subtle design of the Linksys EA8500, that’s not to say that others wouldn’t love to have the Linksys WRT1900AC as part of their setup. For this reason, we decided not to include the overall appearance in our final decision.
The app was quite important because it offered us more control over the Linksys EA8500 and the Linksys WRT1900AC and it was handy to set up some of the customizable features. We found the app to be good for both routers, though Linksys could improve the parental controls.
The problem for us was the price of the Linksys WRT1900AC. You could justify an extra cost with the gigabit Ethernet ports but certainly not almost 2 times more expensive. For this reason, we felt that with the more improved speeds for a fraction of the price, the Linksys EA8500 was definitely the right choice.