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

Linksys E1200 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£35Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

Linksys E1200 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 10 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

Linksys E1200
7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 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 74% of models
Score components

40%

5.9

Technical score

25%

8.2

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 74% of routers
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 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 73% of models
Score components

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 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 93% of models
Score components

26%

4.3

Wireless

20%

5.1

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

8.5

Security

12%

4.1

Hardware

10%

5.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 93%
8.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.2/ 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–² Better than 52% of models

80%

8.1

Average grade

20%

8.6

Popularity

Grades by review (10)
5 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 5 video reviews, each 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–²Better than 52%
?

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
  • linksys-e1200
linksys-e1200
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 Linksys E1200

Based on 4 · 6

Reviewers praise the easy setup and dependable performance, but limited Wi-Fi band support is the clear letdown.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Linksys E1200

Based on 21 owners sharing their experience in online comments

43%positive19%mixed38%negative

Owners praise faster wireless and fixes that work, but slow speeds and connection failures remain common frustrations.

What owners dislike

  • Wi-Fi speeds stayed below what owners expected; one reported about 25 Mbps on a 60 Mbps plan with WMM disabled, far below a wired connection.5
  • Some owners reported the internet dropping repeatedly or the connection stopping, even after a reset, with the laptop showing no internet access.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of router Linksys E1200

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 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 93% of models
Score components:

26%

4.3

Wireless

20%

5.1

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

8.5

Security

12%

4.1

Hardware

10%

5.5

Management

5.9
Reviews score
8.2
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 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 73% of models
Score components:

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.9
Brand name
Linksys
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
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 37.9% of routers and equal to 14.8% 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
no
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 66.6% 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
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.1% of routers and the same as 39.9% of routers.
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, Utility
This router uses Web UI, Utility for management, which is less advanced than 70.5% of routers and equal to 1.7% of routers.
Cisco Connect
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
This router supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 75.5% of routers and equal to 23.9% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
no
This router does not include traffic monitoring. 86.3% 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.
Supports up to 50 guests.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
0.3 GHz
This router runs at 0.3 GHz, which is slower than 95% of routers and on par with 3.5% 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
0
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 62.7% of routers and the same as 37.3% of routers.
Show more

Linksys E1200 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.
  • 5 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (3.1 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    3.1 W vs 8.1 W
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 2 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 vs 0
  • 6.5% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 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–² Better than 52% of models

    80%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    8.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (10)
    5 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 5 video reviews, each 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.
    8.2 vs 7.7
  • 2.71x cheaper
    Linksys E1200 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £95).
    £35 vs £95
  • 6.5% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 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–² Better than 52% of models

    80%

    8.1

    Average grade

    20%

    8.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (10)
    5 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 5 video reviews, each 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.
    8.2 vs 7.7
  • 2.71x cheaper
    Linksys E1200 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £95).
    £35 vs £95
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP 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.
  • 5 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (3.1 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    3.1 W vs 8.1 W
  • 2 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 vs 0
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 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
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.3 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.3 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 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)
  • No VLAN tagging
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 66.5% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • 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.
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • 2.5% worse value for money
    Linksys E1200 has worse value for money than the average router (7.88 vs 8.1).
    7.88 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
  • 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
  • 25.3% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (139 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    139 m² vs 186 m²
  • 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.
  • 54 fewer connected devices
    This router supports fewer connected devices than the average router (10 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    10 vs 64
  • No VPN server support
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 68.8% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • No VLAN tagging
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 66.5% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • 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
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This router has fewer USB ports than the average router (0 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No traffic monitoring
    This router does not offer traffic monitoring, while the average router does. 86.1% of routers offer traffic monitoring.
  • Weaker management tools
    This router uses the management interface Web UI, Utility, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    Cisco Connect
    Web UI, Utility vs Web UI, App
  • No DLNA support
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 50.4% of routers support DLNA.
  • Less capable NAS services
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    none vs SMB, media server
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.3 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.3 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • 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
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 8 years older release date
    This router is an older model than the average router (2011 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    April 2011
    2011 vs 2019

Video reviews

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

8.0
netman88
≈ estimated
11/08/2013
Hands-on review · ports, setup and light home use
Verdict
Linksys E1200 is a simple, stable basic router that suits light home use with only a few devices.
7.0
GamedOut Gamer
≈ estimated
16/12/2014
First look · unboxing and intended use
Verdict
Linksys E1200 is very basic but should suit simple home needs, and its stability is still to be proven.
9.0
Vishal Gaikar
✓ explicit
05/03/2013
Unboxing · first look at design and included items
Verdict
Linksys E1200 is a good router with a smooth, great-looking design, sold cheaply in the Indian market.
9.0
Vishal Gaikar
✓ explicit
14/02/2013
Unboxing · first look at design and included items
Verdict
Linksys E1200 is a good router with a smooth, great-looking design, sold cheaply in the Indian market.
9.0
Jason Bulsa
≈ estimated
30/09/2012
Short review · speed and reliability impressions
Verdict
Linksys E1200 is highly recommended, as it is faster and more reliable than the older wireless routers the reviewer used before.
8.5
Luis R. Suarez
✓ explicit
22/03/2012
Unboxing · first look and early impressions
Verdict
Linksys E1200 is stylish and takes up little space, but it is hard to hang on a wall and there is not enough desk space to place it.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.0
uk.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
07/04/2011
Lab test · Single-band router
Verdict
The Linksys E1200 is a fast, easy-to-set-up single-band router for light home needs, not heavy streaming, gaming or large transfers.
6.0
cnet.com
✓ explicit
29/08/2011
Lab test · Entry-level router
Verdict
The Linksys E1200 is a simple, quick-to-set-up router for sharing internet in a small apartment, but its slow speed and short range rule out heavier use.
6.0
smallnetbuilder.com
≈ estimated
26/04/2011
Lab test · Wireless performance
Verdict
The Linksys E1200 is a basic 2.4GHz router that performs much like Cisco's other entry models, suiting simple home internet sharing.
9.0
uk.pcmag.com
≈ estimated
17/05/2014
Hands-on test · Single-band router
Verdict
The Linksys E1200 is an easy-to-set-up single-band router with strong throughput for light home use, though it blocks only eight URLs.
9.0
blinksandbuttons.net
≈ estimated
01/09/2024
Speed test · Wired and wireless
Verdict
The Linksys E1200 is reported to hold steady speeds under heavy traffic and give strong Wi-Fi across floors, though this speed-focused review gives few numbers.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Linksys E1200

  • Very easy initial setup, often completed in just a few minutes.
  • Compact and tidy design without visible external antennas.
  • Good price-to-value ratio for basic home networking.
  • Stable enough for web browsing and standard streaming in smaller homes.
  • Simple management interface that beginners can handle easily.

What customers don't like about Linksys E1200

  • Wi-Fi range is limited, especially through thicker walls or across larger homes.
  • Only Fast Ethernet ports are included, with no Gigabit support.
  • It is a single-band 2.4 GHz router, so interference is more likely.
  • Advanced features like USB sharing or newer Wi-Fi standards are absent.
  • Wireless throughput drops off noticeably as you move farther away from the router.

Verdict

The Linksys E1200 is an entry-level, single-band Wireless-N router designed for basic home networking, offering transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency. It features two internal MIMO antennas for reliable coverage, four 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN ports for wired connections, and one WAN port, while supporting WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall security. Main pros include its affordability, sleek compact design, and user-friendly setup via Cisco Connect software which includes parental controls and guest access. However, it lacks modern features like dual-band support, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB ports, and is noted for having relatively slow throughput and limited range compared to more advanced models.

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