Wireless communication is now the norm. With more and more devices losing the ethernet port, gaming routers with gigabit internet speeds are becoming the next all-important household necessity. Is the Linksys MR8300 Gaming Max-Stream the right gaming router though?
Design: 5/5
The Linksys Gaming Max-Stream’s design differs significantly from the brand’s Velop router design. The Gaming Max Stream harkens back to the good old days of routers with multi-directional antennas.
The Gaming Max-Stream does however take some styling cues from the minimalist design of the Velop, with a no-frills approach to its form.
Hardware: 4/5
The Gaming Max-Stream has four multi-directional antennas which you can adjust to fit your coverage needs at home. On the top is an LED indicator, while at the back are the I/O ports. These ports include an Internet port, power input, USB 3.0 (for memory expansion), and LAN, along with the power switch and reset button.
One thing to take note of is that the router only has four LAN ports. For the majority of users this won’t be an issue, but it is worth mentioning if you plan to connect five or more devices via LAN cables.
The Gaming Max-Stream can also function as the lead in a mesh system. By adding additional Velop nodes, you can create a home mesh Wi-Fi system.
User Experience: 4/5
Setup for first-time users is really easy, thanks to the Linksys App. However, since we already had a dedicated router at home, I found it hard to bring online without disrupting the current setup we already had.
I took a couple of steps here and there, but thankfully the router has an easy reset function which made the process more forgiving. Once you have fully set the router up, everything is smooth sailing.
The Linksys app also offers easy customization options such as a dedicated bandwidth for gaming, and parental controls. Since the Gaming Max-Stream is a tri-band MU-MIMO router, users can also dedicate which bands will be utilized for which functions. The 2.4 GHz band is perfect for some light browsing. One of the the two 5.0 GHz bands was used as my dedicated gaming connection, while the other was dedicated only for streaming devices (some Roku and Fire Sticks at home) and sometimes my phone.
Living in a semi-large house, I found the Gaming Max-stream a little lacking in coverage. It was positioned nicely in our living room, but failed to reach the bathroom on the same floor, some distance away.
Despite the limited distance, the Gaming Max-Stream did offer stable Internet connectivity during my time with it. Paired with the fiber connection at home, it delivered great speeds and reliable internet access.
Value: 4/5
The Linksys MR8300 retails at PHP 10,995 and for that price point, you’re getting a pretty decent gaming Wi-Fi router. If you are living in a big house or at least a home with multiple floors, I suggest adding some Velop nodes to increase the range.
Specifications:
- Tri-Band (5 GHz + 5GHz + 2.4 GHz), 2×2 AC
- Simultaneous Tri-Band Wi-Fi Mesh System
- Seamless Wi-Fi
- MU-MIMO
- Auto Firmware Update
- USB 3.0 Port
- 4 Adjustable Antennas+ 6 High Power Amplifiers
- Easy App Controls
- Advanced Beamforming+ Technology
- Bluetooth 4.1/LE for secure and easy App based set-up
- Smart Connect Band Steering
- WPA2/WPA Personal
- 128 bit AES link encryption
What’s Hot:
- Great price for a tri-band MU-MIMO router
- Nostalgic design
- Easy and forgiving Set-up
What’s Not:
- Lacking in range
- Few LAN ports
Bottomline:
The MR8300 is a good Wi-Fi router. It does have its flaws, but for the price you could easily overlook them.
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE October 2019 Issue
Reviewed by Gabriel Pe