Linksys E2500: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

Linksys E2500 router
Image: OpenWrt Table of Hardware, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Linksys E2500 runs OpenWrt 25.12.2 on the ramips/mt76x8 target, and has been supported since 23.05.0. Its WiFi 5 (AC) wireless on the mt76 driver rates fair for open-source driver support (0.65/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and it is no longer sold new.

Drivers: Fair (0.65) WiFi 5 (AC) Install: moderate

Hardware data and retail listings last checked .

Discontinued. This model is no longer sold new, so this page is kept as a reference for people who already own one. See current alternatives.

Where to buy

We have no current retail listing for the Linksys E2500, which is no longer sold new. See current alternatives for devices you can still buy today.

Specifications

SoC MediaTek MT7628DAN
CPU 1 core @ 580 MHz
RAM 64 MB
Flash 16 MB
Ethernet ports 5
WiFi generation WiFi 5 (AC)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n · 5GHz: a/n/ac
WLAN hardware MediaTek MT7628DAN, MediaTek MT7612E
WLAN driver mt76
OpenWrt target ramips / mt76x8
Package architecture mipsel_24kc
Current release 25.12.2
Supported since 23.05.0
Install method U-Boot TFTP + serial recovery
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 12 VDC, 0.5A
Device type Home router
Estimated throughput 72 Mbps
Availability discontinued

Installing OpenWrt on the E2500

Installation on this device is rated moderate. Expect to use a recovery mode, TFTP or a vendor tool rather than a plain web upload. Documented methods: U-Boot TFTP + serial recovery.

Official OpenWrt device page for the E2500

Flashing third-party firmware can brick a router and usually voids the warranty. Always check that the firmware image matches your exact hardware version.

Hardware versions

The E2500 ships in several hardware revisions with different chipsets. Match the version printed on your device label before flashing.

Version Target Current release WLAN hardware
V4 shown above ramips/mt76x8 25.12.2 MediaTek MT7628DAN, MediaTek MT7612E
V2/1 bcm47xx/mips74k 25.12.2 Broadcom BCM5358UB0, Broadcom BCM43236
V2 bcm47xx/mips74k 25.12.2 Broadcom BCM5358UB0, Broadcom BCM43236
V3 bcm47xx/mips74k 25.12.2 Broadcom BCM5358UB0, Broadcom BCM43236
V1 bcm47xx/mips74k 25.12.2 Broadcom BCM43236

Still sold and well supported

Ruckus R500

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $173

MikroTik RB962UiGS-5HacT2HnT (hAP ac)

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $115

Ubiquiti UniFi UK-Ultra

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $100

Not sure which fits? Take the 60-second quiz.