Linksys EA9500 vs Netgear X8 Nighthawk recommendation

[dpullen74]

I live in a large 2 story home with ~ 4500 sq ft. My Comcast WiFi is connected on the 2nd floor of one end of the house and the signal strength isn't sufficient to reach each end of the house on the 2nd floor, let alnoe the first. I currently have 2 other WiFI routers hard wired from this to broadcast signals strong enough to reach the entire house. I do have 4 phones in the house in addition to 3 tiv's that will occasionally use streaming, a PS4, 2 tablets, and a laptop (max scenario) that can be on the network at any point in time.

I'm considering each of these units as major upgrades for speed and from what I've read, the Linksys has strong enough range that I should be able to have a strong signal throughout the house. Black Friday has them at $280 each. What would you buy? I would rather cut down to a single device and increase my speed/range and if either of them seems to give me that option, I'm willing to spend the money to upgrade.

Thanks!

 

[icehawk940]

Both of these routers are very good. I have tested the nighthawk and I personally own the linksys ea9500. The EA9500 has the best wifi speed and range I have ever seen. My home is quite large and I have coverage everywhere without a single drop out. The speed is just phenomenal with that router. Don't get me wrong the nighthawk is no slouch either but the 9500 in my opinion way out performs it. Also have you considered maybe a whole home wifi system like the netgear orbi or the eero system. Those come in a 2 or 3 pack and will give you whole home coverage. Its called mesh wifi i have seen the eero system working and its actually very very good. I believe even google has a whole home wifi system as well. I would either use a ea9500 or I would go with a whole home wifi solution.

 

[dpullen74]

I had not heard of the mesh wifi. Seems like a great concept, but would cost more than the EA9500. I read a review that claimed the EA9500 provided a signal strong enough for an entire apartment building. I've not been able to find as much on the Netgear X8 having that strong of a signal.