Giant leap from a D-Link DIR-655
Overall, it was absolutely money well spent to move up to this device. Will try to remember to follow up after I've used it for a couple months.
Offers excellent performance
Running Cisco Connect Cloud firmware, the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router EA4500 makes an excellent router for those who want a fast and advanced home network that's easily manageable from anywhere.
Features the EA series' excellent Cisco Connect setup software
The EA4500 is the update to the Linksys E4200 v2, designed to work with new upcoming router software from Cisco. Performance-wise it's on par as the E4200 v2, but for a chunk more change.
Offers an easy graphical interface for setting this up
The Cisco EA4500 remains as well styled and constructed as the Cisco E4200. In general wireless performance, our tests suggested that this router falls a little behind the performance of the E4200. The Cisco Connect Cloud service is a neat idea, poorly rolled-out by a company that seemed to expect undiscriminating users to click through worrying terms and conditions without reading them.
New Cisco Connect Cloud interface looks nice and controls well
We can see where Cisco was going with Connect Cloud, but it's definitely a first-revision product. The forced removal of settings to the cloud, the privacy debacle with its launch, the potential to have a slow and unresponsive server, a downed internet connection, the potential security risks during initial set-up - it's poor execution. As such, we've scored for the classic interface, which we suggest you install at great speed. Either that, or just buy another brand.
Intuitive user-friendly setup
The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router EA4500 router offers good performance and useful apps for making the most of your home network.
Apps give your greater control
The Linksys EA4500 isn't like a normal router. It's more like a glimpse at the future of networking. The specification list includes dual-band Wireless-N, DLNA certification and support for gigabit Ethernet - although the imminent ratification of 802.11ac does cast a shadow over the EA4500.
Excellent 802.11n performance & range
Cisco's Linksys EA4500 is a router which masters its art. It looks great, performance is top notch and the new Cisco Connect Cloud user interface is a revolution which the rest of the industry will soon follow. The trouble is the EA4500's art is 802.11n and it comes in at a premium price when 802.11ac routers are starting to hit the market. As such we love the Linksys EA4500, but know our romantic intentions won't last long.
Very good speed and range in 5GHz
The Linksys EA4500 offers good speed in the 5GHz band and is a good choice if you are in the market for a router that can supply up to 450Mbps in this band. Its CD installation process did not go smoothly for us though and we had to revert to good old manual methods. If it did work though, we reckon it would be the simplest router to set up in the Aussie market.
Very easy to use
The EA4500 is a mixed bag, then. It's easy to set up and use and quick over wireless, but slow USB read speeds and a questionable reliance on apps undermine all that good work. It's encouraging to see routers getting simpler, but the Linksys EA4500 isn't quite there.
Great router update
Just installed this new router yesterday and could not be happier. We live in a relatively large home with multiple wireless and wired electronics and was having difficulty with having all electronics running at the same time and signal not getting to all areas of the home, even though previous router was also N band. Now signal is much stronger and can have multiple wireless computers and a Roku going on at the same time with no delay.
Performance is a bit lower in some cases
Performance wise, Cisco hasn't made any great strides forward with the EA3500. If anything, when compared with Cisco's original "N750" router, the E4200, performance is a bit lower in some cases. But as it seems with many routers today, performance is close enough that it will probably be hard to see a clear improvement in speed or range under real-world conditions. But the EA3500 and the other members of its family aren't really a performance play.
Very good throughput at 5 GHz
If you are looking for a Wi-Fi router that is friendly to setup and manage and still want powerful hardware, consider the EA3500.
Great performance, easy setup, outstanding value
It's performance has surprised me and exceeded my expectations. Unless you need the features that a more advanced router will provide such as gigabit ethernet, USB port for networked printer or hard drive, dual-bands, guest access, parental controls, etc, there is no need to spend more on a wireless router. This one will get the job done and won't break the bank in the process.
Good performance
Relatively fast and very easy to use, the Linksys E1500 Wireless-N router with SpeedBoost is a good fit for home users, especially those with little networking know-how.
Relatively inexpensive
Single band N router with 10/100 ports based on a Broadcom N Router SoC.
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