Linksys E2500 review: Compact router for small places

The Linksys E2500 is the third true dual-band router in the new Cisco E series, after the top-notch 450Mbps E4200 and the Gigabit E3200. Compared with the specs of these two, the E2500 is inferior because it lacks Gigabit Ethernet, 450Mbps Wi-Fi standard, and a USB port to host an external hard drive. It is, however, much more affordable at just around $70.

In our testing, the Linksys E2500 was indeed much behind the other two in terms of throughput performance and range. Like the other routers, it is very easy to use, thanks to the Cisco Connect support that's available in every unit of the Cisco E series. It's also more compact than the other two.

This lack of range and relatively low performance, especially on the 2.4GHz band, make it a device suitable only for small places, such as a dorm room or an apartment. The fact that the router doesn't support Gigabit Ethernet means that it won't be an ideal choice for those who want a fast wired network, either. Instead, it's more suitable for Internet-sharing purposes.

For more information on how the router performs and its other features, check out CNET's full review of the Cisco Linksys E2500 wireless router.