OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Routers Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Linksys E1500 Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price:~£60Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

Linksys E1500 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.1

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

90%

5.9

Technical score

10%

7.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 87% of routers
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

26%

4.4

Wireless

20%

5.1

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

8.0

Security

12%

5.1

Hardware

10%

5.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 90% of routers
7.7

User score

User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.3

Number of reviews

Based on 214 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 76% of routers
  • linksys-e1500
  • linksys-e1500
linksys-e1500
linksys-e1500

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of router Linksys E1500

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components:

26%

4.4

Wireless

20%

5.1

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

8.0

Security

12%

5.1

Hardware

10%

5.5

Management

5.9
User score
User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.3

Number of reviews

Based on 214 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.7
Popularity
Popularity
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models
Popularity:
Linksys E1500 has a popularity score of 6.3 points, which is lower than that of 52.5% of products in this category.
6.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 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 87% of models
Score components:

60%

6.1

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.3
Brand name
Linksys
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
This router supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 75.4% of routers and equal to 22.4% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 73.7% of routers and equal to 16.8% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.3% of routers and the same as 35.1% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
This router supports WPA2 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 93.4% of routers and equal to 4.2% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
DoS protection
yes
â–² Better than 13% of models
This router includes DoS protection. 12.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
URL filter
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router supports URL filtering. 3.4% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
IPv6 support
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This router supports IPv6. 11.5% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
Dynamic routing
yes
â–² Better than 48% of models
This router supports dynamic routing. 47.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
Inter-VLAN routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
no
VLAN tagging
no
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 62% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
N. of LAN ports
4
â–² Better than 24% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.7% of routers and the same as 69.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
This router offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 73.2% of routers and on par with 26.4% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
0
N. of USB ports
0
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 0 USB ports, which is fewer than 60.8% of routers and the same as 39.2% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Category Benchmark
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, Utility
Management interface
Web UI, Utility
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
This router uses Web UI, Utility for management, which is less advanced than 66.8% of routers and equal to 2.2% of routers.
Cisco Connect
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
This router supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
no
Traffic monitoring
no
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
This router does not include traffic monitoring. 82.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
Captive portal
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not offer captive portal features. 23.5% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
0.3 GHz
CPU clock speed
0.3 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
This router runs at 0.3 GHz, which is slower than 94.2% of routers and on par with 4% of routers.
RAM capacity
32 MB
RAM capacity
32 MB
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 32 MB of RAM, which is less than 83.5% of routers and the same as 12% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 72.7% of routers and the same as 20.6% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
Hardware acceleration
yes
â–² Better than 31% of models
This router offers hardware acceleration. 31.4% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
0
N. of external antennas
0
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
Show more

Linksys E1500 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 3 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    3
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (3 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    3 vs 0
  • 54.1% lighter weight
    Weight
    202 g
    ★ Better than 93% of models
    Market range: <200 g – >1.2k g
    This router is lighter than the average router (202 g vs 440 g). The average router weighs 440 g.
    202 g vs 440 g
  • 3 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    3
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (3 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    3 vs 0
  • 54.1% lighter weight
    Weight
    202 g
    ★ Better than 93% of models
    Market range: <200 g – >1.2k g
    This router is lighter than the average router (202 g vs 440 g). The average router weighs 440 g.
    202 g vs 440 g
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    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
    LAN port speeds
    100 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    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
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    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 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Wi-Fi bands
    2.4 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    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 VPN server support
    VPN server support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 66.3% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    0.3 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.3 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    0.3 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 7.4% worse value for money
    Linksys E1500 has worse value for money than the average router (7.28 vs 7.8).
    7.28 vs 7.82
  • 3.2% lower user score
    User score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Linksys E1500
    the average router
    Linksys E1500 has a lower user score than the average router (7.75 vs 8.000).
    7.75 vs 8
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    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 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    Wi-Fi bands
    2.4 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    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
  • 79.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    300 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Narrower channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    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
    Wireless coverage
    139 m²
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <100 m² – >400 m²
    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
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    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
    Band steering
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 51.8% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Beamforming
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 56.7% of routers support beamforming.
  • No VPN server support
    VPN server support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This router cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 66.3% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Weaker Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • No PPTP server
    PPTP server
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 62.4% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Slower LAN ports
    LAN port speeds
    100 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    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
    N. of USB ports
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0 – >5
    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
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    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
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    none
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This router includes none NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    none vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • No traffic monitoring
    Traffic monitoring
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    This router does not offer traffic monitoring, while the average router does. 81.9% of routers offer traffic monitoring.
  • Weaker management tools
    Management interface
    Web UI, Utility
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    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
    DLNA support
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    This router does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54% of routers support DLNA.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    0.3 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.3 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    0.3 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 87.5% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    32 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    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
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.007812 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    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.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 4 older release date
    Release date
    2011
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router is an older model than the average router (2011 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    April 2011
    2011 vs 2015

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
cnet.com
04/04/2011
Summary of the review
Linksys E1500 SpeedBoost N300 WiFi Router review - CNET
S
smallnetbuilder.com
11/04/2011
Summary of the review
New To The Charts: Cisco Linksys E1500 Wireless-N Router with SpeedBoost - SmallNetBuilder

Third-party reviews

Based on 214 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: October 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Linksys E1500

  • Easy setup process using the intuitive Cisco Connect software
  • Affordable and budget-friendly price point for home users
  • Compact and sleek low-profile design
  • Reliable signal strength and stable performance for basic internet tasks
  • Includes basic security features like SPI firewall and WPA/WPA2 encryption
  • Good wireless range for a single-band router, aided by 'SpeedBoost' technology

What we don't like about Linksys E1500

  • Lacks dual-band support (operates only on the 2.4GHz frequency)
  • No Gigabit Ethernet ports; limited to 10/100 Mbps wired speeds
  • No USB ports for network storage or printer sharing
  • Guest networking is limited to a maximum of 10 simultaneous clients
  • Cisco Connect software may stop working if settings are changed via the web interface
  • Unimpressive performance in environments with high interference or many connected devices

Verdict

The Linksys E1500 is a single-band Wireless-N (802.11n) router designed for moderate-sized homes, featuring a 2.4 GHz frequency and a 2x3 MIMO internal antenna array to reach maximum wireless speeds of up to 300 Mbps. It includes four 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN ports, one WAN port, and integrated SpeedBoost power amplifiers to enhance signal strength across larger distances. Its main pros include an easy setup via Cisco Connect software, a compact and aesthetically pleasing design with no external antennas, and essential security features like WPA/WPA2 encryption and an SPI firewall. However, notable cons include the lack of modern Gigabit Ethernet ports, the absence of a 5 GHz band (not dual-band), no USB ports for shared storage, and unimpressive wireless performance compared to newer standards.

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