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Linksys EA9500 Max Stream Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£390
  • Avg. price in US: ~$400
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 5400 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 1 Gbps
  • Wireless coverage: 279 m²

Linksys EA9500 Max Stream review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

7.3

Overall score

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 components:

90.0%

7.1

Technical Score

10.0%

9.0

User score

Very good
7.1

Technical Score

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 components:

26.0%

6.6

Wireless

20.0%

6.2

Ports

18.0%

8.1

Networking

14.0%

8.3

Security

12.0%

6.5

Hardware

10.0%

7.1

Management

Very good
9.0

User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(12442)
amazon
3.6
(283)
amazon
3.0
(79)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(2378)
Amazon_logo.png
3.6
(293)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 8.2
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    10

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    8.4

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    5.4

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    7.8

    Maximum connected devices

  • 4.3
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.0

    Weight

    30.0%

    10

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

  • linksys-ea9500-max-stream
linksys-ea9500-max-stream

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

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

Verdict

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream is a high-performance AC5400 tri-band Wi-Fi router featuring a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and eight adjustable external antennas. It delivers combined speeds of up to 5.3 Gbps across one 2.4 GHz band (1000 Mbps) and two 5 GHz bands (2166 Mbps each), supported by MU-MIMO technology for simultaneous data streaming to multiple devices. Its connectivity is a standout, providing eight Gigabit LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port, and two USB ports (3.0 and 2.0). Main pros include its exceptional range, seamless roaming capabilities, and a wealth of wired ports for office or entertainment setups. However, cons include its massive physical footprint, high power consumption/heat generation, and an expensive price point relative to similar high-end models.

Technical Specifications of router Linksys EA9500 Max Stream

Technical Score

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 components:

26.0%

6.6

Wireless

20.0%

6.2

Ports

18.0%

8.1

Networking

14.0%

8.3

Security

12.0%

6.5

Hardware

10.0%

7.1

Management

7.1
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a technical score of 7.07 points, which is higher than that of 64.7% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(12442)
amazon
3.6
(283)
amazon
3.0
(79)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(2378)
Amazon_logo.png
3.6
(293)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.0
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a user score of 8.99 points, which is higher than that of 83.6% of products in this category.
Popularity
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.
10
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 63.5% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

7.3

Overall score

40.0%

8.5

Price

7.6
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.6 points, which is higher than 46.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Linksys
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). 39.4% of routers use this Wi-Fi standard.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. 25% of routers use the same band setup.
tri-band with two 5 GHz radios
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

5,400 Mbps
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream delivers 5,400 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 83.8% of routers and equal to 4% of routers.
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 40.4% of routers and the same as 32.1% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

WPA2, WPA, WEP
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols. 41% of routers use this security setup.
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

no
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support DoS protection. 89.3% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports SPI intrusion protection. 3.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports mac address filtering. 1% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports URL filter. 1.9% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports IPv6. 10.9% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports dynamic routing. 46.8% of routers include dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support inter-vlan routing. 22.2% of routers include inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports QoS. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

8
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has 8 LAN ports, which is more than 97.5% of routers and the same as 2.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

1 Gbps
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.2% of routers and on par with 59.8% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

1
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

2
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has 2 USB ports, which is more than 79.3% of routers and the same as 20.4% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream is managed via Web UI, App. 33.4% of routers use this management method.
Firmware upgrade method
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, Automatic
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream uses Web UI, Automatic firmware updates. 35.4% of routers use this update method.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports traffic monitoring. 17.5% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports guest Wi-Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi-Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support captive portal. 23.9% of routers include captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

2 x 1.4 GHz
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream runs at 2x1.4 GHz, which is faster than 65.7% of routers and on par with 0.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

256 MB
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has 256 MB of RAM, which is more than 49.6% of routers and the same as 15.4% of routers.
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

128 GB
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has 128 GB of internal storage, which is more than 83% of routers and the same as 11% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports hardware acceleration. 18.6% of routers include hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

8
Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has 8 external antennas, which is more than 94.8% of routers and the same as 4.9% of routers.
Show more

Linksys EA9500 Max Stream vs the average router

  • 3.72x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (5,400 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
    When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2700 Mbps

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (5,400 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.5,400 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps
  • 10 more spatial streams
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more spatial streams than the average router (12 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
    What it is: Shows how many parallel Wi-Fi spatial streams the router can use for wireless data transmission.
    When it matters: When modern clients need higher throughput from wider multi-stream Wi-Fi connections.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 4 spatial streams

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more spatial streams than the average router (12 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.12 vs 2
  • 4 more LAN ports
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more LAN ports than the average router (8 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
    When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 4 ports

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more LAN ports than the average router (8 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.8 vs 4
  • 50% wider wireless coverage
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has wider wireless coverage than the average router (279 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    What it is: The estimated area the router is intended to cover with usable Wi-Fi signal.
    When it matters: When one router needs to serve a large apartment, multi-room house, or open office area.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >230 m²

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has wider wireless coverage than the average router (279 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².279 m² vs 186 m²
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
    What it is: Supports multi-user MIMO so the router can serve more than one client stream at the same time.
    When it matters: When many active devices share the network and you want wireless capacity used more efficiently.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 1 more USB ports
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
    When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: 1 USB port

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.2 vs 1
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA2, WPA, WEP.
    What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
    When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

    Importance: HIGH

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA2, WPA, WEP.WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 256x more internal storage
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more internal storage than the average router (128 GB vs 0.5 GB). The average router offers 0.5 GB of internal storage.
    What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
    When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=8 GB

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more internal storage than the average router (128 GB vs 0.5 GB). The average router offers 0.5 GB of internal storage.128 GB vs 0.5 GB
  • 3.72x faster Wi-Fi speed
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (5,400 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • 10 more spatial streams
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more spatial streams than the average router (12 vs 2). The average router has 2 spatial streams.
  • 50% wider wireless coverage
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has wider wireless coverage than the average router (279 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.8% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 91 more connected devices
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports more connected devices than the average router (155 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS. 0.00% of routers support WPA2, WPA, WEP.
  • 4 more LAN ports
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more LAN ports than the average router (8 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
  • 1 more USB ports
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
  • 256x more internal storage
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more internal storage than the average router (128 GB vs 0.5 GB). The average router offers 0.5 GB of internal storage.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (2x1.4 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
  • 6 more external antennas
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream has more external antennas than the average router (8 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.

Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
Ports
Hardware
  • No DoS protection
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support DoS protection, while the average router does. 89% of routers include DoS protection.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic. 0.00% of routers support the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic.
  • Fewer NAS services
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access. 0.00% of routers include SMB, FTP, media server NAS services.
  • 15.9 W higher power consumption
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream uses more power than the average router (24 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
  • No DoS protection
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support DoS protection, while the average router does. 89% of routers include DoS protection.
    What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
    When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

    Importance: HIGH

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream does not support DoS protection, while the average router does. 89% of routers include DoS protection.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic. 0.00% of routers support the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic.
    What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
    When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

    Importance: HIGH

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic. 0.00% of routers support the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic.Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 15.9 W higher power consumption
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream uses more power than the average router (24 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    What it is: The amount of electrical power the router draws during normal operation, usually measured in watts.
    When it matters: When the router stays on all day and you care about heat output and long-term electricity cost.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <6 W

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream uses more power than the average router (24 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.24 W vs 8.1 W
  • 4.33x more expensive
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream is more expensive than the average router (£390 vs £90).
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream is more expensive than the average router (£390 vs £90).£390 vs £90
  • Fewer NAS services
    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access. 0.00% of routers include SMB, FTP, media server NAS services.
    What it is: Lists the onboard file-sharing services the router can provide, such as SMB, FTP, or media sharing.
    When it matters: When the router is expected to handle light file serving without separate NAS hardware.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Linksys EA9500 Max Stream includes SMB, FTP, media server NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access. 0.00% of routers include SMB, FTP, media server NAS services.SMB, FTP, media server vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
Total
Overall
Security
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of Linksys EA9500 Max Stream and other routers

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
12442 Reviews
amazon
3.6
283 Reviews
amazon
3.0
79 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
2378 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
3.6
293 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Linksys EA9500 Max Stream?

  • Stellar Wi-Fi performance with high throughput speeds for 4K streaming and gaming
  • Equipped with eight Gigabit LAN ports, offering extensive wired connectivity without needing an extra switch
  • Excellent wireless range suitable for large homes up to 4,000 square feet
  • Supports MU-MIMO technology and seamless roaming when paired with compatible extenders
  • User-friendly management interface with advanced features like parental controls that can block HTTPS sites
  • Includes eight adjustable external antennas to optimize signal direction

What customers dislike about Linksys EA9500 Max Stream?

  • High retail price compared to other high-end routers with similar performance
  • Extremely large and bulky physical footprint that requires significant space
  • Heavier power consumption, estimated at around 16 watts during use
  • Cannot be easily wall-mounted; designed primarily for flat horizontal placement
  • Some advanced networking features like Smart Connect only work between 5 GHz radios
  • Management software can occasionally be 'iffy' or slow

Expert reviews

T
techadvisor.com
11/08/2016
Linksys EA9500 review - Tech Advisor PCMag

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 is a powerful tri-band router, featuring MU-MIMO technology and a dual-core 1.4GHz processor designed for heavy-duty, multi-device networking. Key advantages include eight Gigabit LAN ports for wired devices, stellar wireless throughput in real-world testing, and a user-friendly app with media prioritization features. However, the unit is...Read more

I
itpro.com
27/03/2019
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream review: A meaty slab of a router Hardware Canucks

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream is a "heavyweight" tri-band router designed for high-demand environments, featuring a 1.4GHz dual-core processor and eight Gigabit Ethernet ports. It provides exceptional 5GHz performance through MU-MIMO technology, effectively delivering wide coverage and high speeds, though it is notably bulky in design. While offering robust performance, the router...Read more

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impressionsflow.com
17/03/2018
Linksys EA9500 WiFi router speed test and comparison

The ImpressionsFlow review highlights the Linksys EA9500 as a high-performance router capable of maximizing high-speed broadband, achieving 206Mbps download and 213Mbps upload speeds with a low 3ms ping. Local network testing showed solid file transfer speeds of 40-50MB/s, demonstrating strong performance for demanding environments. Key advantages include exceptional 5GHz...Read more

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hipsterpixel.co
20/02/2017
Linksys EA9500 Tri-band Max-Stream Router Review

The Linksys EA9500 is a high-performance, tri-band "beast" router designed for heavy traffic, featuring eight adjustable antennas and a robust passive cooling system. It delivers superior speed with 5.3Gbps theoretical bandwidth, outperforming competitors and offering eight Gigabit Ethernet ports for extensive wired connectivity. While it supports MU-MIMO and boasts a user-friendly...Read more

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geekdad.com
06/01/2017
Linksys Max-Stream EA9500 Router: Turns Out That Power Is Everything

The Linksys Max-Stream EA9500 is a high-performance tri-band router designed for large households, featuring a 1.4GHz CPU and eight external antennas to eliminate buffering and lag. It boasts exceptional range, speed, and eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, supporting MU-MIMO for simultaneous device streaming and Seamless Roaming, with user-friendly software that includes robust parental...Read more

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hardwarecanucks.com
15/12/2016
Linksys MAX-STREAM EA9500 Router Review

The Linksys Max-Stream EA9500 is a high-performance, tri-band AC5400 router designed for large households, featuring exceptional build quality with passive cooling and eight Gigabit LAN ports. It offers superior, long-range throughput and working MU-MIMO capability, controlled via a user-friendly, app-compatible interface. However, its massive physical footprint, high cost, and lack...Read more

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forbes.com
29/11/2016
Linksys EA9500 Review: Mastering Your Home's Wi-Fi Through Brute Force

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 router is a high-performance "brute force" solution for crowded home networks, utilizing a 1.4GHz dual-core CPU and tri-band technology to manage extreme traffic. Key advantages include exceptional multi-device handling, eight Gigabit LAN ports, and expanded coverage via eight antennas, all managed through a user-friendly app. However, the device...Read more

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pcmag.com
14/09/2016
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router Review

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 is a "monstrous" tri-band router designed for heavy traffic, featuring MU-MIMO technology and eight adjustable antennas. It boasts eight Gigabit LAN ports, excellent wireless throughput, and a user-friendly management interface, though it lacks 802.11ad support found in competitors. While a top-tier performer, the EA9500 is very expensive,...Read more

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cnet.com
25/05/2016
Linksys EA9500 AC5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router with MU-MIMO router review

The Linksys EA9500 AC5400 is a "brute-force," enterprise-grade tri-band router designed for large homes, featuring eight antennas and a 1.4GHz processor. It offers exceptional performance for high-demand environments, boasting a rare 8-port Gigabit LAN switch and effective "Seamless Roaming" for compatible extenders. While providing stellar real-world speeds and advanced parental...Read more

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nikktech.com
26/06/2017
Linksys EA9500 MAX-STREAM AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router Review Would you like a summary of the performance benchmarks or pros and cons identified in t...

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 is a high-performance tri-band router featuring a Broadcom 1.4GHz CPU, eight external antennas, and a rare eight Gigabit LAN ports to support heavy, concurrent traffic. According to the NikkTech review, the device earns a "Platinum Award" for providing top-tier wireless speeds, solid range, and advanced MU-MIMO/Beamforming technology. While...Read more

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cgmagonline.com
03/08/2016
Linksys EA9500 MU-MIMO Router (Hardware) Review

The Linksys EA9500 AC5400 MU-MIMO router is positioned as a high-performance, tri-band solution for demanding households, featuring eight Gigabit LAN ports for extensive wired connectivity and robust MU-MIMO capabilities to handle multiple data-intensive devices simultaneously. Key advantages highlighted in the review include an exceptionally easy-to-use Linksys Smart Wi-Fi...Read more

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hardwarezone.com.sg
28/07/2016
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit router

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 is a high-performance tri-band router designed for heavy network traffic, offering exceptional file transfer speeds, MU-MIMO technology, and eight Gigabit Ethernet ports for extensive wired connectivity. While it boasts a user-friendly setup via the Smart Wi-Fi app, the unit is characterized by a very large physical footprint with non-removable...Read more

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smallnetbuilder.com
16/06/2016
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router Reviewed

The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 is a "brute force" tri-band router designed for high-density networks, featuring eight Gigabit LAN ports and functional MU-MIMO support via a Broadcom 1.4GHz dual-core CPU. Performance tests indicate strong throughput, high stability, and fast storage speeds (up to 88 MB/s), making it a competitive AC5300-class option with a user-friendly...Read more

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