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Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router review

800 + 1733 Mbps
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8064 @ 1.4 GHz
512 MB / 128 MB

Linksys introduced the EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router in 2015. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8064 @ 1.4 GHz chipset, 512 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.

Want to find out if the Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 is good? Read on!

Table of Contents

  • Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 specifications
    • Body, dimensions, weight
    • System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
    • Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
    • Wireless, antennas, speed, security
    • Connectivity
    • Administration, user interface, login information
    • Links
  • Verdict, Pros and Cons
  • Photos
  • Comparisons

Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600, please let us know.

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 / EA8500

The EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for faster wireless speeds. Linksys is a well-established brand, and it's got a significant market presence globally.

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 specifications

BrandLinksys
NameEA8500 Max-Stream AC2600
TypeEA8500
Rating
Rated 3/5 based on 1559 user votes.
Launch2015

Body

Dimensions256.3 x 56.2 x 183.5 mm
Weight715 g

If you live in a small apartment, the size of the router is crucial to deciding whether it will fit. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But it's usually not as crucial as other factors.

System

ChipsetQualcomm Atheros IPQ8064 @ 1.4 GHz
RAM512 MB
Flash128 MB
OSLinksys
Power supply12 V / 3.5 A

The Qualcomm Atheros IPQ8064 @ 1.4 GHz CPU affects the router's performance, working with RAM and firmware. The amount of RAM in a router affects its performance and ability to handle tasks and traffic.

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 (EA8500) / 1

Network

ProtocolsIPv4
IPv6
LAN ports4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps
WAN ports1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps
Mobile networkno
VPN supportno

The EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router is compatible with IPv6. IPv6 offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. The EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.

Wireless

Antennas4 x 1 dBi (external)
1 x 4 dBi (internal)
2.4 GHzyes
5 GHzyes
60 GHzno
StandardsIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
ClassAC2600
Speed800 + 1733 Mbps
Transmit power28 dBm
SecurityWEP
WPA
WPA2
WPS
Guest networkyes

The 2.4 GHz band is widely supported by many devices. This router operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 (EA8500) / 2

Connectivity

USB ports1 x USB 2.0
1 x USB 3.0
Print serveryes
File serveryes

The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. A USB print server lets you connect a printer to your network. Then, computers can print to it without a direct connection. The EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.

Administration

Default IP192.168.1.1
Default usernameadmin
Default passwordadmin

If you can't log in to your Linksys router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 router. Do this after the initial setup.

Official sitehttps://www.linksys.com/

Pros and Cons

Every router, including this Linksys one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.

Pros

  • generous memory
  • adequate flash
  • IPv6 capable
  • high-speed LAN port
  • high-speed WAN port
  • works on 5 GHz band
  • decent Wi-Fi performance
  • WPS friendly
  • USB 2 compatible
  • USB 3 compatible
  • printserver functionality
  • fileserver operation

Cons

  • missing Wi-Fi 6 support
  • incompatible with WPA3

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 photos

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 / EA8500 photo
Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 / EA8500 photo
Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 / EA8500 photo
Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 / EA8500

Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 comparisons

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Updated: May 28, 2024

Robert Miller
For over 15 years, I've immersed myself in the world of networking devices as a tech aficionado. I've dedicated myself to thoroughly testing and analyzing routers and other networking gear. I aim to provide thorough reviews. They will give you the knowledge needed to improve your network.