Linksys · Also sold as Belkin RT3200 · Released 2020
Linksys E8450
Photo: OpenWrt wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized
- OpenWrt compatibility
- Fully supportedup to 25.12.6
- Our recommendation
- Recommended
- Hardware revision warning
A community favourite with years of solid upstream support; dated now, but still a dependable OpenWrt router.
- CPU
- 2-core · 1.35 GHz · ARM 64-bit
- RAM / Flash
- 512 MB / 128 MB
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Fastest port
- 1 GbE
Tested by us: No. Specifications and compatibility independently researched from manufacturer and OpenWrt documentation.· Last reviewed Oct 10, 2026
Quick answers
- Does it support OpenWrt?
- Yes, with official images since OpenWrt 22.03.0; latest release with images: 25.12.6.
- Is installation easy?
- Moderate. Flash the UBI installer image from the stock Linksys web interface, then follow the device page to finish the installation.
- Is it powerful enough for WireGuard?
- WireGuard suitability: Good. Benchmark not yet tested.
- Does it have enough RAM and flash?
- 512 MB RAM, 128 MB flash. Plenty of room for VPN, SQM, ad blocking and extra packages.
- Does it have 2.5 GbE?
- No. Fastest wired port: 1 GbE.
- Would we buy it today?
- Yes if you find it at a good price; otherwise newer Filogic routers are better value.Opinion
- What should I buy instead?
- Consider GL.iNet Flint 2. See Alternatives below.Opinion
Overview
Editorial opinionThe Linksys E8450 (and its twin, the Belkin RT3200) became one of the best-known OpenWrt routers thanks to its MediaTek MT7622 platform and fully open-source Wi-Fi drivers.
Its 2.4 GHz radio is Wi-Fi 4 only and all ports are gigabit, so it is showing its age. Availability now varies by region, often refurbished.
OpenWrt compatibility
Factual data- OpenWrt support
- Fully supported
- Support status
- Current stable release
- First release with images
- 22.03.0
- Latest release with images
- 25.12.6
- Snapshot only
- No
- Target
mediatek/mt7622- Build profile
- linksys_e8450-ubi, linksys_e8450
- Hardware revision warning. Use the UBI installer described on the OpenWrt device page. The Belkin RT3200 is the same hardware and is supported in the same way.
Source: official OpenWrt build data and Table of Hardware, data as of Oct 20, 2026, 11:45 AM UTC.
Hardware specifications
Factual data- SoC
- MediaTek MT7622BV
- CPU architecture
- ARM 64-bit (aarch64)
- CPU cores
- 2
- CPU clock
- 1.35 GHz
- RAM
- 512 MB
- Flash storage
- 128 MB NAND
- Expandable storage
- None
- USB
- 1× USB 2.0
- Power
- 12 V / 2 A DC
Source: openwrt.org
Network and Wi-Fi
Factual data- Ethernet ports
- 5
- Layout
- 1× 1 GbE WAN + 4× 1 GbE LAN
- WAN speed
- 1 GbE
- LAN speed
- 1 GbE
- Multi-gig ports
- None
- VLAN support
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6 · AX3200 · 2.4 / 5 GHz
- Standards
- 2.4 GHz: 802.11b/g/n · 5 GHz: 802.11a/n/ac/ax
- 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz
- Yes / Yes / No
- Max wireless speed
- 3.2 Gbps (theoretical)
- Radios
- 2
- Wi-Fi chipset
- MediaTek MT7622 (2.4 GHz) + MT7915 (5 GHz)
- Antennas
- Internal
Installation difficulty
Editorial opinion- Installation difficulty
- Moderate
- Usual method
- Flash the UBI installer image from the stock Linksys web interface, then follow the device page to finish the installation.
- Recovery difficulty
- Moderate
- Recovery method
- Recovery through the bootloader (TFTP) or serial console; see the device page.
Our rating of how hard a first installation and an unbrick are for someone comfortable with a web interface. Always follow the official device page for exact steps.
Performance
Factual data- NAT routing throughput
- Benchmark not yet tested
- SQM (cake) shaping limit
- Benchmark not yet tested
VPN performance
Factual data- WireGuard throughput
- Benchmark not yet tested
- OpenVPN throughput
- Benchmark not yet tested
Suitability ratings are our estimate from the CPU and architecture, not measurements. See the methodology.
Pros and cons
Editorial opinionPros
- Long, well-tested upstream support
- Open-source Wi-Fi drivers
- 512 MB RAM and 128 MB flash
Cons
- 2.4 GHz band is Wi-Fi 4 only
- Gigabit ports only
- Installation needs the UBI installer
- Availability varies
Editorial scores
Editorial opinion- Overall
- 7.6 / 10
- OpenWrt friendliness
- 9.0 / 10
- Ease of installation(higher is easier)
- 6.5 / 10
- Performance
- 6.5 / 10
- VPN performance
- 6.5 / 10
- Value
- 7.5 / 10
Where to buy
- Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)AmazonCheck availability
- Check price at Newegg (opens in a new tab)NeweggCheck availability
Other regions (3)
- Check price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)Amazon UKUnited Kingdom · Check availability
- Check price at Amazon España (opens in a new tab)Amazon EspañaSpain · Check availability
- Check price at Amazon Deutschland (opens in a new tab)Amazon DeutschlandGermany · Check availability
Typical street price around $100 (editorial reference, not a live price). Prices are shown only if updated in the last 24 hours and may change; the retailer’s price at checkout applies. We may earn a commission from these links at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure
Alternatives
Editorial opinion
Related guides
Start with how to install OpenWrt or browse all OpenWrt guides.