Best Linksys router in 2024 – our top picks

If you have ever gone shopping for routers, then you might have heard of Linksys. The company has a variety of routers, which are mostly available at a reasonable price. Plus, the Linksys routers are usually user-friendly and come with intuitive apps, which makes them suitable for non-techies.

So, whether you’re looking for a pocket-friendly router or one that leaves no stone unturned to pack as much performance as possible, Linksys has something for everyone. Plus, from budget to high-end, all of their routers have excellent reliability and a variety of safety and security features. 

However, given the number of Linksys routers currently available, getting the right one for your needs can be a bit challenging. So, we have rounded up a list of the best Linksys routers based on various factors, including network performance, security features, coverage, and, of course, price.

How we selected the best Linksys routers

For this guide, our team has researched Linksys routers, compared them, and selected the ones that we thought were the best. The selection has been based on factors like speed, bands, coverage, security, and more. Plus, we are always looking out for new products to add to our lists, so check back for more updates.

Best Linksys routers

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Linksys Hydra Pro Mesh WiFi 6E Router (MR7500)

Specifications

• Standard: WiFi 6E
• Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
• Max speed: 6,600 Mbps
• LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps

Reasons to Buy

• Speeds of up to 6.6 Gbps
• Multi-gig WAN port
• Easy to install and set up

Reasons to Avoid

• Not many devices may be compatible

• Shop on Amazon

If you want the best Linksys router, then we think that the Linksys Hydra Pro Mesh WiFi 6E (MR7500) is a good choice, and we think it deserves to be one of the best WiFi 6E routers. 

To start with, it’s a WiFi 6E router, so it has three bands and gives you up to 6,600 Mbps speeds. The 6GHz and 5GHz bands have 4800 Mbps and 1200 Mbps speeds, respectively. Meanwhile, the 2.4GHz band gives up to 600 Mbps speed, which is good for older devices. 

Further, the router also has four antennas and can cover up to 2,700 sq ft, along with maintaining a stable connection with up to 55 devices. As for the ports, you get a 5 Gbps WAN with 4x Gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0, which is a fairly good configuration. As far as installation goes, it is quite simple with the Linksys app, so you can get it up and running in a few minutes. The app also offers security features, parental controls, guest access, and more, which should make network management easier. 

What users say

According to Amazon reviewers, the Linksys Hydra Pro Mesh WiFi 6E is praised for its user-friendly setup and wide coverage, reaching 2800 square feet with ease. Customers are also impressed with its smooth performance and reliability, experiencing no problems with speed or connection stability. For instance, one customer stated it “works exactly as described with an easy-to-use app. Coverage is good and have yet to have any drops.”

If budget is a constraint, then you should check out the Linksys EA7300 Max-Stream (AC1750) router, which we think is a great budget pick. 

To start with, it is a dual-band router with speeds of up to 1700 Mbps (450 Mbps from 2.4GHz and 1300 Mbps from 5GHz), which should be sufficient for streaming in 4K and online gaming without any buffers.

As far as coverage is concerned, you get coverage for around 1,500 sq ft., which is suitable for small to medium-sized houses and offices. The only potential downside is the router’s official support for just 10 devices; it is not the best option to go for if you have several IoT devices installed. However, it does have MU-MIMO, so all the connected devices should get the same high speed.

Coming to installation and set up, the Linksys app can be used to set up your network. With the app, you can also set up parental controls, QoS, and much more. Plus, for controls, you can use Alexa, which should make it convenient for you. 

What users say

Amazon reviewers highlight the router’s ease of setup, high-quality build, and user-friendly interface. They describe it as simple, reliable, and delivering a strong, consistent signal. The interface is praised for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Performance is also well-received, with users happy with the overall speed. For example, one customer noted that it was an “easy straight forward install. Great range (no longer need range extender) great price. High quality product.” It doesn’t get much better than that.

If you want a Linksys router for online gaming, then you should check out the Linksys Mesh WiFi 6 Router (MR9610). 

The dual-band WiFi 6 router can give you a speed of up to 6 Gbps, which makes it suitable for intense and long gaming sessions. Further, as far as wired connectivity goes, you get 4x LAN and 1x WAN gigabit ports, which is great if you want to have LAN parties. Plus, there are 2x USB 3.0 ports for storage. However, the router does not have a multi-gig port, which is slightly disappointing. 

As far as coverage is concerned, the router covers up to 3,000 sq ft, which is great for medium-sized houses. Plus, you get support for up to 40 devices, so you can expect the router to run your smart home devices without a hitch. And with MU-MIMO and OFMDA, you should be able to get steady internet over multiple devices at once. You can also choose to extend the Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home in the future with Linksys Mesh products. 

What users say

Users on Amazon were impressed with the MR9610’s sleek design, smooth performance, and hassle-free setup. Furthermore, they’re impressed by the router’s speed, value for money, extensive coverage, and overall build quality. One user even noted ” it stands alone as the No.1 router of any type today”.

Considerations for the best Linksys router

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best Linksys router –

WiFi technology

While getting a new Linksys router, consider getting WiFi 6, which is one of the latest WiFi standards as well as the widely used one. Most of your devices would be compatible with it, so you can make the best out of your internet connection. However, if you have newer devices, then you can also consider getting a WiFi 6E router. 

Coverage

The aim here is to make sure that the WiFi router covers your whole house or office and that you don’t have any dead zones. Thankfully, most WiFi router product descriptions mention how much area they cover in square feet, which gives you an idea of the coverage. 

Security

Most routers offer basic security features like regular scans, regular reports, guest networks, parental controls, and others. Some even offer VPNs, firewalls, and anti-virus. Depending on your requirements, you can get a router that offers the security features that you need, as you might have to spend a bit extra to get everything. 

What is the life expectancy of a Linksys router?

While replacing your router every 5 years is a good rule of thumb, you might want to upgrade sooner if you have a lot of demanding devices. Think of it as an investment in keeping your Wi-Fi smooth and fast, especially for those with smart homes.