Linksys - Atlas Pro AX5300 Wi-Fi 6 System (3-pack)

Pros: Low cost (comparatively) entry into multi band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh networking; very respectable range and transmission speeds; multiple hard-line ports for easy plug-in connections; expandable with additional nodes; app or browser management console with helpful customizable network settings Cons: Linkays app for 'easy' management suffers from a variety of technical quirks at unpredictable times -- including the initial setup process or adding new nodes; frustratingly long reboot times required with most setting changes; hardware is solid but the software management piece isn't always as smooth or offer quite as many options as some competitors; older devices such as printers and gaming consoles can struggle to reliably connect with this system

I've had the Linksys Velop in my home since the original model was released in 2017, which I upgraded to the WiFi6 AX4200 system in 2021. Reliability has been good, as has been the coverage and speed. I got good reception throughout my 3800 sq. ft. (plus attached garage) house, though the signal in the garage and outside nearby was poor. Though I my existing three nodes probably could have taken care of this by being positioned more optimally, I liked their current locations and didn't want to move them, so I bought this AX5300 3-pack with the intention of using one of the nodes to fix the garage coverage, and another node to improve coverage on one side of the house where it was just a little weak, and it has fit the bill perfectly. However, there's an important caveat to this system vs. the AX4200. The AX5300 only has two bands (one 2.4ghz and one 5ghz), while the AX4200 has three (two 5ghz bands). What this means is that while a wirelessly-connected AX4200 remote node can use one of its 5ghz bands as the backhaul to the main node, while with the AX5300, the single 5ghz band must be shared between devices and backhaul duty, effectively halving the available bandwidth. This is illustrated by a test I did, comparing an AX4200 node and an AX5300 node temporarily in the same spot, connected wirelessly (with a good signal) to an upstream AX5300 node (which itself has a hardwired backhaul to the main node). The AX4200 measured about 570mbps, while the AX5300 measured about 335mbps. In my particular setup, I was able to use a hardwired backhaul for both of the AX5300's I deployed, which eliminates this speed penalty (since the 5ghz band is not needed for backhaul, all of its bandwidth is available to clients). The AX5300's marketing claims to address the limitation of one 5ghz band by way of 160mhz channel width (in other words, it only has one 5ghz radio, but it can, at least in theory, simultaneously transmit twice as much data than the AX4200). However, this feature requires the enabling and use of DFS channels, which are extra channels that are shared with airport and weather radar... if you live at least somewhat near an airport or weather radar (as most of us do), the router will automatically stop using these DFS channels when it detects a radar signal. So, in other words, don't count on 160mhz channel width to be a usable feature. Still, even with the limitation of the 5ghz band being shared between clients and backhaul, speed is decent (good enough for the typical 200-400mbps cable ISP), and the AX5300 represents a good value. The only reasons you'd need a faster system is if you had a 500gbps+ fiber connection, or if you wanted the added speed for local network purposes. Lastly, one pleasant surprise about the AX5300 nodes is that they are significantly smaller than the almost comically large AX4200 nodes (the AX5300 nodes are very similar in size to the original Velop Tri-Band), making them less conspicuous.

Forget the silly reviews that people left! Took a chance on this as was on special and love it. Went from 300MB/s to 900 with this and threw my apple router in the trash. The setup is slow but that’s because you have to setup each mesh, however super clear to follow on app. Even though this covers some serious square feet i have only 2700 to worry about in a 4 story configuration with metal eye beams. On each floor its handling as much as i throw at it and stream for work all day long and tvs to boot. Just buy it!

This was easier to set up than I ever thought it would be,it was on sale when I bought it.i added the app to my tablet and it was an easy hookup to my home internet I put 2 in the house and 1 out in the detached garage via Ethernet cable

This Linksys Mesh 6 router is connected to my 6E Gaming Router and doesn't miss a beat while I'm live streaming my favorite VR MR gaming (headset connected to 6E router to sync with pc, pc connected to LAN, 3 cameras, MR processing, all broadcasted to multiple platforms a individual streams. All while 2 4K TV's play and stream live video games (PC Steam/PS5/PS4 VR or XBox) to multiple platforms. Each connected via LAN to Mesh. No stuttering. No lag. Prioritize the devices that need the load. 20 security cameras, 80+ smart lights, 4 smart ceiling fans, 2 vac/mop robots, 10 Google displays, and several other items. Supports my ISP's upload and download giga speed. Control and make adjustments via mobile or onsite. Add external storage for easy access. (Make your own cloud and/or server.) Each nodecan act as a router or a satellite. So they can work individually, connected together,or connected to a supported router (like my setup).

Great mesh system. Works flawlessly and supper fast.

As you smarten up your home your Wi-Fi can become stressed out. None of our doorbell cameras were working and we had spotty Wi-Fi. Our home is only 2000 sq ft so thought the google would do it. After awhile we noticed worsening conditions so we had someone come out to look at our mesh placement, which turned out to be fine. She suggested the Linksys system so we went ahead with the installation. All nodes were placed exactly where the old ones were and we changed out the combo modem router to a dedicated modem at the same time. Speeds are now better and the camera’s all work again. Thanks Mallisa from Best Buy in Home!

I upgraded to the Linksys Atlas Pro 6 AX5300 from my old Linksys AC2200 router, which we had for over two and a half years. It was starting to show its age and wasn't able to keep up with all of our devices anymore. It was getting to the point where TV streaming was starting to buffer and gaming was becoming laggy and disconnecting. Speed tests showed that our internet speeds were more than capable of handling everything, the router just couldn't anymore. First, setup is about as easy as it gets with the Atlas Pro 6. You download the Linksys app, connect the first (parent) node to the modem and set it up in the app. It just takes a couple of minutes for the app to find it and add it. You then add your second (child) node the same way and then the third. Doing this just requires plugging them into an outlet and clicking "Add new device" on the app. Overall, the setup for me was about 20 minutes. Almost all of that time was spent waiting on the app to locate and configure the nodes. I will say that the plug (that you plug into the wall outlet) is huge for these nodes. Take that into account if you're going to be plugging these into a power strip. They will need to be plugged into the end otherwise you will cover 2-3 other positions. We have a 1,400 square foot single-story house, but it is not an open concept, so there are a lot of walls that can block wi-fi signals. Having the second and third nodes eliminate any dead spots. I have the parent node in the master bedroom with the router. I have a second in the living room for the TV and to run an ethernet cable to my PS5. I recently installed a TV in my garage for watching sports while outside grilling, so I put the third node in the garage. I have noticed a considerable increase in speed as well as coverage using the Atlas Pro 6. When streaming Hulu it doesn't buffer anymore and whereas I was getting disconnected from online servers nearly every time I played on my PS5 with my old router, I haven't been disconnected at all with the Atlas Pro 6. When checking the wifi connection on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra), it is consistently showing between 1.0-1.2 Gbps network speed. This is the perfect setup for larger homes, homes with many walls, people who work from home, and people that have a lot of devices connected to their network. They say that you can get around 100 devices connected to the Atlas Pro 6. I have about 30 at any given time and they all do fine. Most people have a lot more connected to their network than they realize. We have 4 cell phones, 3 Alexa Shows, 3 TVs, 3 Firesticks, 3 laptops, 2 smartwatches, 7 smart bulbs, 1 Arlo camera, 1 Eufy doorbell, 1 Masterbuilt smoker, 1 PS4, 1 PS5 (ethernet), and a printer. Nothing slows it down. I was to the point with the previous router that I was going to have to add a second network and split what was connected just to be able to keep up with everything. Now, I don't have to. Even if you don't have this many devices connected to your network, the chances are that you will one day. This router will help future-proof your home. Everything is connected to the internet these days, from refrigerators and coffee pots to toothbrushes. One thing that I wish companies would do is add an option to be able to turn off the status light. Having a node in our bedroom casts a bright blue light on the walls and ceiling. It seems like it would be a simple option to add to the app. I know when the wifi is connected and working, I don't need a light to tell me. If I ever need to see the status I can always check the app. For now, I just put a small piece of electrical tape over the light. Overall, I would highly recommend this mesh router. It has exceeded my expectations.