Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band
Expert rating6 / 10
- WiFi Standard:
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speed Class:
- AC2200
- Band Configuration:
- Tri-Band
Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Linksys Last updated: 2026-09-12
Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO) Review
Linksys EA8300 tri-band WiFi 5 router with AC2200 speed and MU-MIMO, an older but still-supported budget option with OpenWrt community firmware support.
The EA8300 predates WiFi 6 but still earns a following among budget shoppers and tinkerers thanks to solid tri-band throughput for its era and decent OpenWrt firmware support. It's not a router to buy new expecting cutting-edge speed, but as an affordable, well-understood tri-band router it still does its job.
Overview
A tri-band AC2200 router with MU-MIMO across all three radios, four Gigabit LAN ports, and a following among open-source firmware enthusiasts for its OpenWrt compatibility.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the TP-Link Archer C7, a similarly aged and enthusiast-favored router, the EA8300 has a third radio band that the C7 lacks, giving it more aggregate throughput. Compared to any current WiFi 6 router like the TP-Link Archer AX21, the EA8300 is slower and lacks OFDMA efficiency gains, but can be found for less. Buyers wanting a modern open-firmware router should instead look at the Belkin RT3200.
Specifications
Wireless
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) |
|---|---|
| Router Type | Standalone Router |
| Band Configuration | Tri-Band (2.4GHz + two 5GHz bands) |
| Coverage Area | 2000 |
Connectivity
| Wired Ports | 4x Gigabit LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN, 1x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Special Features | Open-source firmware friendly (OpenWrt community support) |
Wireless standard
| Speed Class | AC2200 (up to 2.2Gbps combined) |
|---|
| MU-MIMO/OFDMA | MU-MIMO only (pre-WiFi 6) |
|---|---|
| Mesh Support | Not mesh-capable |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6 / 10
A dated but honest tri-band WiFi 5 router that still appeals to budget buyers and open-firmware tinkerers.
Best for
- Budget buyers not needing WiFi 6
- OpenWrt and open-source firmware enthusiasts
- Small to mid-size homes with modest device counts
Not for
- Anyone wanting WiFi 6 efficiency and speed
- Households with 20+ connected smart devices
- Buyers wanting mesh expansion
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)?
The Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO) is a router from Linksys. Key specs: WiFi Standard WiFi 5 (802.11ac), Router Type Standalone Router, Band Configuration Tri-Band (2.4GHz + two 5GHz bands), Speed Class AC2200 (up to 2.2Gbps combined), Coverage Area 2000.
Will the Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO) work with my current setup?
The Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO) lists WiFi Standard is WiFi 5 (802.11ac). Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO) best suited to?
It suits budget buyers not needing wifi 6, openwrt and open-source firmware enthusiasts, small to mid-size homes with modest device counts.
What are the drawbacks of the Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)?
It is a poor fit for anyone wanting wifi 6 efficiency and speed, households with 20+ connected smart devices, buyers wanting mesh expansion.
Compare and read more
- Amazon eero 6 (WiFi 6/Mesh System/Dual-Band/Built-In Zigbee Hub) vs Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)
- ASUS RT-AC68U (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC1900/Long-Running Classic) vs Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)
- ASUS RT-AX3000 (WiFi 6/Standalone Router/Dual-Band/Retail Value Model) vs Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)
- ASUS RT-AX55 (WiFi 6/Standalone Router/Budget Dual-Band/AX1800/AiMesh Compatible) vs Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)
- ASUS RT-AC86U (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/Dual-Band AC2900/Gaming Enthusiast Classic) vs Linksys EA8300 Tri-Band (WiFi 5/Standalone Router/AC2200/Budget MU-MIMO)