OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

EnGenius ESR300H review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£25Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

EnGenius ESR300H Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 5 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

EnGenius ESR300H
6.7/10

Overall score

Score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

40%

6.3

Technical score

25%

6.3

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 89% of routers
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

70%

6.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 88%
6.3

Technical score

Technical score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

26%

4.2

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.9

Networking

14%

9.2

Security

12%

4.2

Hardware

10%

7.0

Management

â–¼Worse than 78%
6.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models

6.3

Mark 7.0 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

6.7

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
4 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 88%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • engenius-esr300h
engenius-esr300h
Where to buy
    N/A~ £25
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the EnGenius ESR300H

Based on 4 · 1

Most reviewers find the Wi-Fi speed disappointing, though not everyone agrees.
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of router EnGenius ESR300H

Technical score
Technical score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components:

26%

4.2

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.9

Networking

14%

9.2

Security

12%

4.2

Hardware

10%

7.0

Management

6.3
Reviews score
6.3
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components:

70%

6.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.7
Brand name
Engenius
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This router uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 32.7% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 76% of routers and equal to 21.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 75.8% of routers and equal to 16.7% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 63.7% of routers and the same as 31.2% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 3.9% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 24.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
yes
This router supports VLAN tagging. 33.6% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 34.2% of routers and the same as 59.3% of routers.
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
This router offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 74.5% of routers and on par with 25.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
?
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI
This router uses Web UI for management, which is less advanced than 78.5% of routers and equal to 21.2% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 30.2% of routers and equal to 31.9% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
0.4 GHz
This router runs at 0.4 GHz, which is slower than 86.7% of routers and on par with 3% of routers.
RAM capacity
32 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 32 MB of RAM, which is less than 84% of routers and the same as 11.6% of routers.
Internal storage
0.003906 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.003906 GB of internal storage, which is less than 87.3% of routers and the same as 12.7% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 75.3% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
2
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 41.2% of routers and the same as 16.5% of routers.
Show more

EnGenius ESR300H vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server, web access vs SMB, media server
  • 3.8x cheaper
    EnGenius ESR300H is cheaper than the average router (£25 vs £95).
    £25 vs £95
  • 36 mm thinner design
    This router is thinner than the average router (18 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    18 mm vs 54 mm
  • 33.4 mm lower height
    This router is shorter than the average router (18 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    18 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • 3.8x cheaper
    EnGenius ESR300H is cheaper than the average router (£25 vs £95).
    £25 vs £95
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP, 802.1X vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server, web access vs SMB, media server
  • Removable antennas
    This router has removable antennas, while the average router does not. 27.8% of routers have removable antennas.
  • 36 mm thinner design
    This router is thinner than the average router (18 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    18 mm vs 54 mm
  • 33.4 mm lower height
    This router is shorter than the average router (18 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    18 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.4 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.4 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 50% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (93 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    93 m² vs 186 m²
  • 18.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models

    6.3

    Mark 7.0 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    6.7

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    4 reviews: 1 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.3 vs 7.7
  • 5.1% worse value for money
    EnGenius ESR300H has worse value for money than the average router (7.68 vs 8.1).
    7.68 vs 8.08
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 50% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (93 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    93 m² vs 186 m²
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Narrower channel widths
    This router has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No band steering
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 57.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 62.1% of routers support beamforming.
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • Weaker management tools
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.4 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.4 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 96.9% less internal storage
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.003906 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 87.5% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (32 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    32 MB vs 256 MB
  • 7 years older release date
    This router is an older model than the average router (2012 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    January 2012
    2012 vs 2019

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

3.0
CNET
≈ estimated
24/01/2012
First look · short Wi-Fi speed and range test
Verdict
Engenius ESR300H is not recommended; its Wi-Fi speed was among the slowest seen, though the price is low.
Shop video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

5.1
cnet.com
✓ explicit
19/01/2012
Hands-on test · Single-band N router
Verdict
The EnGenius ESR300H's built-in VPN server is its main draw, but its slow, unstable Wi-Fi makes it hard to recommend.
3.0
uk.pcmag.com
≈ estimated
09/01/2012
Lab test · Single-band budget router
Verdict
The EnGenius ESR300H is a tiny, cheap single-band router, but its Mixed Mode speeds are poor and its software is glitchy.
4.0
uk.pcmag.com
≈ estimated
13/06/2018
Editor review · Wireless N router
Verdict
The EnGenius ESR300H is a 300Mbps Wireless N router the reviewer judges weaker than EnGenius' decent models.
9.0
keenansystems.com
≈ estimated
Undated (circa 2011/2012)
User test · Long-range 300Mbps router
Verdict
The Engenius ESR300H is a long-range router that reached the backyard with its 200mW signal, though its 10/100 ports cap wired speed near 80Mbps.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about EnGenius ESR300H

  • Affordable budget-friendly price point (approximately $45-$50)
  • Extremely compact and space-saving design
  • Built-in VPN server support (PPTP and L2TP)
  • Includes features like guest networking (Multiple SSID) and parental controls
  • Detachable external antennas for flexible positioning
  • Wall-mountable design with included hardware

What customers don't like about EnGenius ESR300H

  • Abysmal wireless throughput and slow data rates
  • Poor signal stability with frequent random disconnections
  • Range performance is not significantly better than standard routers despite 'High Power' branding
  • Lacks Gigabit Ethernet support (limited to 10/100 Fast Ethernet)
  • No dual-band support (restricted to the crowded 2.4GHz band only)
  • Software and firmware reported as buggy or 'wonky'
  • Fails under heavy load/stress testing relatively quickly

Verdict

The EnGenius ESR300H is a compact, high-power Wireless-N router featuring 300Mbps speeds on the 2.4GHz band and a robust 200mW transmit power designed for enhanced wall penetration. Key specifications include four 10/100 LAN ports, one 10/100 WAN port, dual detachable 2dBi SMA antennas, and 32MB of RAM. Its main pros are a very affordable price point, built-in VPN server support (PPTP/L2TP), and a user-friendly interface with advanced features like Guest Networks and Parental Controls. However, significant cons include poor wireless signal stability, lack of Gigabit Ethernet or 5GHz band support, and documented performance issues in mixed-mode environments.

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