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The Linksys EA9200 is a legacy AC3200 tri-band router built to share wireless capacity across multiple clients—not to deliver its combined advertised rating to one device. Its second 5 GHz radio can help in a suitable mix of active devices, but historical testing found no range advantage, and Linksys lists U.S. support as ended on December 4, 2023. That lifecycle status is the key consideration if you are thinking about buying one now.
What is the Linksys EA9200?
Linksys described the EA9200 in its 2014 user guide as an “AC3200 Tri-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router.” Its radio layout is one 2.4 GHz band and two separate 5 GHz radios. The hardware also includes gigabit Ethernet switching, two USB ports, three adjustable external dual-band antennas, and three internal antennas for 5 GHz. Linksys lists USB storage support for FAT, NTFS, and HFS+ file systems. The router measures 9.76 × 8.15 × 3.15 inches (248 × 207 × 80 mm) and weighs 25 oz (710 g), both without antennas. Linksys EA9200 user guide
What does tri-band AC3200 mean?
“Tri-band” refers to the three radios: one 2.4 GHz radio and two 5 GHz radios. AC3200 is a Wi-Fi class label based on the bands’ combined theoretical rates. It is not the speed a single client should expect, nor a guarantee of internet throughput. A client’s capabilities, signal conditions, interference, network traffic, distance, and building materials all affect actual results. Linksys cautions that real-world capacity, throughput, range, and coverage can be lower than rated. Linksys user guide
Does the second 5 GHz radio make Wi-Fi faster?
It can increase aggregate capacity when multiple active devices can be distributed between the two 5 GHz radios. It does not make the router’s range longer by itself, and it does not mean that one device will receive the sum of both radios’ rates.
#1 Best Overall
- Advanced Tri-band Wi-Fi technology
- Up to 3.2 Gbps wireless speed
- 1 GHz dual-core CPU and 3 integrated co-processors deliver 2.96GHz of penta-core processing power
- Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software with Network Map
- Platform Compatibility: Windows XP,Vista 32/64, 7 32/64, 8 32/64,8.1 32/64, 10 32/64 Mac OS X 10.5.8 Leopard, 10.6.1 Snow Leopard, X 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion,10.9 Mavericks
In a Smart Connect experiment, SmallNetBuilder reviewer Tim Higgins measured a mixed client set’s downlink aggregate throughput at 86 Mbps when all clients initially used one 5 GHz radio. After a power cycle placed N clients on one 5 GHz radio and AC clients on the other, the reported aggregate rose to 237 Mbps. In the described runs, uplink aggregate throughput went from 107 Mbps to 169 Mbps. These are results from that specific client mix and test setup, not expected speeds for a home network. The reviewer quoted Linksys’s description of Smart Connect as dynamic steering that monitors devices and moves them between the 5 GHz bands to seek better performance for all devices. The steering described in the review works between the two 5 GHz radios, not between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. SmallNetBuilder EA9200 review
What did the historical performance tests find?
SmallNetBuilder tested the EA9200 using firmware 1.1.5.163672. The review found that the second 5 GHz radio could improve total throughput depending on the client mix. In the review’s comparison with the NETGEAR R8000, 2.4 GHz performance was broadly similar, while the R8000 delivered better 5 GHz downlink and uplink throughput across the tested signal range. This was a historical comparison under that review’s test process, not a current head-to-head assessment.
Rank #2
- Provides up to 1,500 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 15plus wireless devices
- Works with existing modem, simple setup through Linksys App
- Enjoy 4K HD streaming, gaming and more in high quality without buffering
- Tri band technology delivers the fastest combined Wi-Fi speeds to all your devices
- Tri band Wi-Fi speeds up to 2.2 Gbps (5 GHz / 400 Mbps) plus (5 GHz / 867 Mbps) plus (2.4 GHz / 867 Mbps)
| Test result | EA9200 result | Context |
|---|---|---|
| WAN-to-LAN routing throughput | 761.6 Mbps | SmallNetBuilder test using firmware 1.1.5.163672 |
| LAN-to-WAN routing throughput | 776.4 Mbps | SmallNetBuilder test using firmware 1.1.5.163672 |
| Total simultaneous routing throughput | 1,381.6 Mbps | SmallNetBuilder test using firmware 1.1.5.163672 |
| Maximum simultaneous connections | 15,851 | Maximum reported in SmallNetBuilder’s test |
Those routing and connection figures describe the review’s test conditions; they are not Wi-Fi speeds or predictions for every network. The same review found that USB 3.0 results were suspiciously similar to USB 2.0 and flagged them for retesting, so it does not establish a dependable USB storage speed for the EA9200. SmallNetBuilder EA9200 review
What features and limitations matter?
The EA9200’s defining feature is its second 5 GHz radio for distributing traffic among clients. The review also identified limitations that may matter more than the headline AC3200 class rating:
Rank #3
- LEAVE THE LAG BEHIND: Linksys Hydra 6 WiFi router uses Intelligent Mesh to deliver the speed of WiFi 6, at an affordable price. From next-level gaming to streaming your favorite content, get the fastest connection to everything you do.
- THE POWER AND RELIABILITY OF WIFI 6: Experience rock solid connectivity with this dual-band WiFi 6 wireless router. An advanced Qualcomm chipset delivers the ultimate mesh WiFi 6 experience for stable streaming, and wire-like low latency
- EASY SETUP & CONTROL: Wireless routers set up in minutes with the free Linksys App, allowing seamless management of your WiFi mesh network system. You can view or prioritize which connected devices are using the most WiFi from anywhere.
- POWERED BY INTELLIGENT MESH TECHNOLOGY: Eliminate dead zones and dynamically maximize speed with Linksys WiFi mesh networks. Expand the range of your WiFi network by adding nodes to keep your connection going strong
- WORLD-CLASS LINKSYS CUSTOMER SUPPORT - Any questions? Our expert wifi troubleshooters are ready to help by phone in the US at +1-800-326-7114
- The router has no VPN server, according to SmallNetBuilder’s review.
- The review lists no outbound port filtering.
- Smart Connect steering operates between the two 5 GHz radios, rather than steering clients between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
- The USB test results do not support a reliable claim about storage transfer speed.
Check the features you actually need against the exact firmware and setup available to you; the historical review is not a current assessment of every software behavior.
Is the Linksys EA9200 still supported?
Linksys lists the EA9200’s U.S. end-of-support date as December 4, 2023. Linksys says that after end of support it no longer provides software updates or fixes, security updates, technical support, hardware repairs, or returns, subject to applicable law. Linksys end-of-life and end-of-support product list
Rank #4
- WORK UNINTERRUPTED: Stay connected with a home WiFi that can handle the load. The router eliminates possible dead zones for stable signals up to 1.2 Gbps from room to room.
- LOADS BETTER: With ultra-low latency for lag-free gaming, streaming and binging TV shows. Connect game consoles, smartphones, computers & smart home devices with fast WiFi.
- KID-SAFE INTERNET: Enable Parental Control feature to set time limits, schedule time-specific WiFi access, and restrict websites on kids' devices so they can browse safely online.
- SIMPLE SETUP: The browser-based setup provides clear visual instructions of the entire process so you can get online in minutes. Set separate guest access to keep the network safe.
- SECURE PRIVACY: Blocks internet safety threats with WPA2 wireless encryption & SPI firewall systems. With 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for fast data transfer & high network throughput.
OpenWrt’s community hardware table lists the EA9200 as discontinued and shows device support beginning with OpenWrt 21.02.2; the page data consulted lists 24.10.4 as its current release. Community firmware is not a substitute for Linksys support, and support listings do not guarantee that installation will be straightforward or risk-free. Check the current device page for compatibility and instructions before attempting an installation. OpenWrt firmware download and device table
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It may interest a technically capable buyer who specifically needs its legacy feature set and accepts the risks of used hardware and discontinued vendor support. It is a poor choice for anyone who requires current security updates from Linksys. Do not use the AC3200 label alone to decide whether it suits a particular broadband plan: it neither establishes the speed a client will receive nor guarantees internet throughput.
Before buying, check:
- Whether all three external antennas and the original power supply are included.
- The physical condition of the router, ports, and antenna connections.
- Whether it can be reset and set up successfully.
- The seller’s return terms and how the router’s support status affects your security requirements.
For a replacement comparison, prioritize vendor security-support lifecycle, performance with your actual mix of clients, measured coverage across your home, required features such as VPN-server support and outbound service filtering, and the condition and return terms of any used device. No current marketplace availability or seller terms are established here.
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