Nowadays, wireless routers are so advanced and widespread that even the router that comes with your internet plan has dual-band technology. You can enjoy faster internet speed even with inexpensive Wi-Fi solutions from reputable brands. However, one thing all these lower-end routers lack is MU-MIMO. Simply put, an MU-MIMO makes your internet more reliable.
In this article, we are going to compare two wireless router solutions from Linksys – the EA7300 and EA7500. Both of these Wi-Fi routers are priced competitively while being functional and feature-packed. You can take a quick look at their similarities and differences between Linksys EA7300 and Linksys EA7500 in the comparison chart. Then, we are going to discuss these similarities and differences in detail, weigh their pros and cons, and finally decide which of these two is the better Wi-Fi router.
| Linksys EA7300 | Linksys EA7500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Alexa Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Dual-core CPU | Dual-core CPU |
| Wireless Technology | 802.11ac, AC1750 (up to 1750 Mbps) | 802.11ac, AC1900 (up to 1900 Mbps) |
| Dual-band Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Range | Medium Household | Medium Household |
| Antennas | 3x external, non-detachable antennas, one internal antenna | 3x external, non-detachable antennas |
| Ethernet Ports | 1x Gigabit WAN port, 4x Gigabit LAN ports | 1x Gigabit WAN port, 4x Gigabit LAN ports |
| Other Ports | One (1) USB 3.0 port, Power | One (1) USB 3.0 port, One (1) USB 2.0 port, Power |
| Storage File System Support | FAT, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+ | FAT, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+ |
| Wireless Security Protocols | 64/128-bit WEP, WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise | 64/128-bit WEP, WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise |
| Other Features | Easy Setup, Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, Beamforming, Guest Wi-Fi | Easy Setup, Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, Beamforming |
| Operation Modes | Wireless Router, Access Point | Wireless Router, Access Point, Wired Bridge, Wireless Bridge |
| Item Dimensions (L x W x D) | 10.12 x 2.2 x 7.24 in w/o antennas | 10.12 x 2.2 x 7.24 in w/o antennas |
| Item Weight | 22.43 oz | 20.74 oz |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Linksys EA7300 vs Linksys EA7500 – Similarities
Easy Setup
Linksys boasts about how easy it is for you to set up one of these routers. You can either use Linksys’ browser-based setup or take advantage of the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi setup. Installation of the EA7300 and EA7500 is fast, easy, and does not require installation via CD. Both Linksys wireless routers are ideal for medium-sized household or up to 1500 square feet. If you are living in a larger house, you can always get their Wi-Fi range extender.
MU-MIMO
As mentioned in the introduction, the EA7300 and EA7500 have MU-MIMO which makes your connection to the internet more reliable. “How?”, you might ask. The traditional SU-MIMO or single-user MIMO serves the Wi-Fi users on a first-come, first-serve basis. This means that whoever requested data will be catered to first. Although this timing is so small, you may still experience slowdowns when there are multiple users in the network. MU-MIMO solves that problem by accommodating 2, 3, or even 4 users at a time, depending on its configuration. Both the EA7300 and EA7500 also carry simultaneous dual-band technology so you can enjoy 2.4GHz and 5GHz at the same instance.
Linksys Smart Wi-Fi and Beamforming
Wi-Fi management is simple and straightforward using the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App. You can do almost everything through this app such as opening up guest Wi-Fi, controlling your kids’ internet usage via the Parental Controls, or set device prioritization. You can download the app through Google Play Store or Apple AppStore. Both wireless routers are also Alexa-compatible so you can use any of your Echo devices to manage the network. Although there is a device prioritization available, both wireless routers can direct their signals to your Wi-Fi devices which can help improve your overall Wi-Fi experience.
Differences between Linksys EA7300 and Linksys EA7500
Ports
Ports are located on the rear side of a wireless router. Although it is guaranteed to have at least one Ethernet LAN port, it differs depending on the router model.
Linksys EA7300
You can connect up to 4 different devices directly to the back of the EA7300 because it has 4 Ethernet LAN ports. Additionally, it has a single USB 3.0 port to connect your hard drives or flash drives. This port supports FAT, FAT32, NTFS, and HFS+ files systems.
Linksys EA7500
4 devices can take advantage of the reliability of a wired connection since the EA7500 also has 4 Ethernet LAN ports. Aside from the single USB 3.0 port the EA7500 has, you can attach another hard drive or flash drive for more network storage. It also supports the file systems that the EA7300 supports.
The Winner Is- Linksys EA7500
Ethernet and Wireless Bandwidth
Consumers look at the Wi-Fi bandwidth alone because the speed the router can handle is all that matters to them. Who wants a slow internet speed, anyway?
Linksys EA7300
Since the Linksys EA7300 is an AC1750 wireless router, it has combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1.7 Gbps! You can enjoy high-bandwidth activities such as 4k YouTube streaming because of this. Lastly, you can easily connect up to 10+ devices at the same time.
Linksys EA7500
On the other hand, Linksys has upgraded the EA7500 to AC1900 which can attain a bandwidth of up to 1.9 Gbps. It can also handle 4k video streaming easily like the EA7300. However, it has a wider device capacity of up to 15+ devices.
The Winner Is- Linksys EA7500
Value for the Money
Budget-conscious people, such as myself, always take value for the money as a factor before buying a gadget. I often weigh their strengths and weaknesses and assess if the advantages of the other device are worth it.
Linksys EA7300
The EA7300 has a pretty enticing price because it all has the necessary features one may need in a wireless router. However, it lacks an extra USB port and has a lower bandwidth. If you are not planning to set up a network-attached storage (or NAS for short), the EA7300 is all you need.
Linksys EA7500
Otherwise, if you consider yourself a power user, the Linksys EA7500 seems ideal for you. Its extra USB port lets you build a NAS down the line. You can also take advantage of the higher bandwidth. If you share Wi-Fi with your family, you can choose the EA7500 because it can connect more devices at once.
The Winner Is- Linksys EA7300
Pros and Cons
Linksys EA7300
Pros:
- Since the Linksys EA7300 has MU-MIMO and dual-band technology, you can expect a fast and reliable internet connection.
- Although it has a lower wireless bandwidth, 1750 Mbps is still respectable.
- It has a better value proposition than the EA7500 since its disadvantages are minimal.
Cons:
- It has one less USB port and narrower bandwidth.
Linksys EA7500
Pros:
- You can connect more devices while experiencing wider wireless bandwidth with the Linksys EA7500.
- Its extra USB port lets you connect 2 hard drives.
- Multiple 4k video streaming is a breeze with the EA7500.
Cons:
- It has a more expensive price tag making it harder to recommend.
Video Comparison
Linksys EA7300
Linksys EA7500
Which Linksys Wi-Fi Router is Better?
More does not always mean better. The Linksys EA7500 owned the EA7300 with its wider bandwidth, more devices it can connect to, and an extra USB port. However, it also costs more than EA7300. When you are considering their prices as factors, the EA7300 seems like a great deal. Aside from its shortcomings, it is an all-around Wi-Fi router. And the cherry on top is their Alexa-compatibility. If you are looking for an inexpensive all-around wireless router, take a look at the Linksys EA7300.