Linksys - MX10 Velop AX5300 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (2-Pack) - White

Here's the home situation: Two pre-teens, two adults working and playing from home. I have loads of IOT devices (cameras, garage door openers, Google Home things) plus a couple game systems, kids' iPads and iPhones, and of course video streaming devices. My old router was a decent Nighthawk but it couldn't handle this much traffic at my newer cable speeds. After trying a four-node Nest WiFi and two of the latest Netgear Nighthawk routers (RAX200 and RAX120) and an AX8 extender with no success in my home of about 2,700 square feet and only two levels, I wanted to give the new Velop system a shot. COVID-19 home office demand apparently wiped out supplies of ASUS WiFi 6 routers, which seemed to be the most highly recommended. The Velops were available and had brand-new tech, so I thought I'd try. In short, the Velop nodes live up to their promise. I see about 430 Mbps from the cable modem to the router. I'm consistently getting 400+ throughout most of the house now and probably 200 outside. The Nest WiFi units were slick and not bad on the same floor level, but no WiFi 6, so my speeds away from the router and downstairs were not what they could be with the new iPhones. With those high-end Nighthawks, I got 430 in the same room as the router, but it significantly dropped downstairs (less than 150) and was virtually nonexistent in one corner of my house. Not the performance I expected for that price. And the software for the phone was mediocre -- painfully slow to find the router every time I opened the app and with the RAX200, the WPS light stayed on, leaving the network open to attack, and there still was no firmware to fix it by the time I returned them. Linksys was my first router way back in 2001. It feels a little nostalgic having them again. This one does not disappoint, plus I think it's much more attractive than the cheesy batwing and spider designs. I did not get an opportunity to try out the Asus with AI mesh, but I cannot imagine any better than what I have now. These were expensive - yes - but my home office and my wife's business must be functional while the kids are still doing online lessons and their online social lives. Right now, I'm very pleased with these. Great software, super easy to set up and a very polished appearance and very solid build quality - it's of a quality of Apple or Google products. I think the new Velop is a winner. Note: I have not tried with just a single node, but I imagine for most folks' use, it would be a solid router, too. But I LOVE my mesh setup.

Currently working from home with the family. This was the best fix, perhaps even overkill, for my overloaded, overworked, weak ISP-provided modem/router. My house is an old build, so my ISP-provided router couldn't cover the house - lots of dead spots. Likes: extremely easy to install. The app instructions made it fast and user-friendly. The unit is super fast and has a good signal range. Small enough to hide high. No more dead spots, faster speed per device, and better distribution of broadband per device feeding off the network. So far, I have no dislikes for this node system.

Worked with my previous velop triband 6600 Works with altice one Great speeds and range. Wifi 6 works on my s10 plus I have 400 mbps on my service and shows 590 mbps connected on wifi 6

Mesh radio networks were originally developed for, and deployed to military and subsequently public safety applications. The development of a seamless, ad-hoc, dynamic broadband network technology which forms and reforms dynamically as nodes increase or decrease in numbers and as they change proximity to the others employing short RF hops and a self-healing architecture was a very significant technological evolution. In Mesh network deployments every mobile radio is an active, intelligent node, maintaining network persistence even as those nodes are mobile, and even at high speeds. Although research and development actually began in the 1970’s, field deployments of Mesh networks began in earnest in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. My familiarity and experience with Mesh networks is based in that time frame. Having developed a favorable impression of Mesh technology over twenty years ago, now that there is consumer grade Mesh Wi-Fi technology with a few years of product maturity and evolution for those systems, I decided that a Mesh network in my residence would be a great improvement in my home-network infrastructure. Linksys has been a leader in Wi-Fi networking equipment for a long time, and it appeared to me that this latest product delivery was an impressive example of a matured technology coupled with the latest technical standards. The Linksys Velop MX10600 / AX5300 Mesh Home Wi-Fi 6 system is a top-of-the-line product from a well-trusted manufacturer, and bears outstanding feature specifications including Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with full backwards compatibility, tri-band (which includes two, 5.0 GHz networks which also provide the backhaul), seven internal antennae, 4X4 MU-MIMO, 2.2 GHz Quad-Core CPU, 4 – Gigabit Ethernet Ports and 1 – USB 3.0 Port, coupled with exceptional performance specifications. Network security options include WPA3, WPA3/WPA2 Mixed mode, WPA2 and two Open options. The WPA3 standard is a requirement of Wi-Fi 6. At present, there are relatively few WPA3 compatible client devices, which most likely serves as the basis for the Velop defaulting to WPA2, unless and until changed by the network administrator. Recent information has been published regarding WPA2 / WPA3 Mixed Mode being vulnerable to Mixed Mode Downgrade to WPA2 and Dictionary Attack Transition Mode Vulnerabilities, and problems with SAE/Dragonfly (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) handshake. These recently exposed vulnerabilities are inherent in the standard and are not deficiencies, defects or malfunctions with the devices or manufacturers. At this point in time, for most networks it is not practical to run in WPA3 only due to incompatibility with most client devices. Thus, most Wi-Fi networks, including the Velop Mesh network, should probably use WPA2 security for now. Prior to setting up the new Velop system, I benchmarked my existing Wi-Fi which was comprised of a Cisco access point which performed competently with generally good signal propagation across the house. Nevertheless, the 200+Mbps (typically ranging from 220 – mid-230 Mbps) service from the ISP was diminished through signal loss to an average of 50 – 75 Mbps mid-house, and only around 30 Mbps at the distant side of the house. These benchmarks were obtained with a mid-230’s Mbps average speed received at the cable modem / router. After placing the access point in bridge mode, the Velop setup was undertaken. Velop setup and administration is very easily accomplished with the Linksys phone app. (Post initial setup, the users Linksys web portal can be used for some management tasks, but the app must be used for setup). Initial communication with the Velop nodes is via Bluetooth connectivity, until the first node, the Parent Node is configured and the phone joins the new network. Mesh networks should employ a single SSID for the mixed band network, allowing the intelligent nodes to arbitrate which device should run on which band, and on which physical node, at a given time, based on RSSI (Received Signal Strength) levels. With only the Parent Node active, I benchmarked the network speed again. The mid-house speed was averaging 225 – 232 Mbps, and the distant location from the node averaged 130 – 145 Mbps. This single node performance was extremely impressive, particularly realizing approximately twice the network speed at range than with the Cisco routing. Once the Parent Node is configured, the Child Node configuration is undertaken with the same flawless operation and ease as the Parent Node. Child Node configuration also verifies that the range between nodes is acceptable to maintain reliable, broadband inter-node communication, which is essential to Mesh network operation and performance. With both nodes configured through the phone app, assign the client devices to the Velop SSID (user defined) and all setup and configuration are complete. Very little time or effort is required for the entire process. Post setup, I performed another round of benchmarking for speed and RSSI. Wi-Fi speed throughout the house was now averaging the same approximate 230 Mbps ISP rate throughout the entire structure. That is the maximum level of performance which any local network can deliver. Client devices automatically initially camp on the node presenting the strongest RSSI when the client joins the network. Fixed location clients will generally remain on that same node indefinitely. However, mobile clients will move between the nodes depending on RSSI and hand-off criteria logic in the Velop firmware. Resultantly, a mobile client will be expected to camp on the most proximate node, which is presumably going to be the strongest signal source. However, a hand-off between nodes will not occur until the client’s RSSI drops below the -70 dBm handoff threshold. Therefore, if you are monitoring the RSSI on the client device, and/or utilizing the Linksys app to determine which node each client is currently camped on, you may observe that a client which is only inches from one node, is actually working off the more distant node. If you absolutely, positively can’t stand to wait for the Velop to manage the inter-node handoff, you can force the client onto the closer node by simply switching the client Wi-Fi off for a moment and then back on, whereupon it will re-join the network on the node with the best signal strength (the closest node). Similarly, if one node if powered off, all clients will camp on the sole working node (even if it is distant), and distant clients will likely be degraded to the 2.4 GHz network in order to maintain connectivity and throughput. In that event of losing an active node for any interval, it may be necessary to re-join each client to the Mesh network by either switching the client’s Wi-Fi off and back on, or even power-cycling the device, in order to have all clients associated with their optimal node. This phenomenon is not a system or equipment malfunction; it is a function of the design criteria. Once the RSSI to the mobile client device falls to -70 dBm, it will be handed off by the Velop to the other Mesh node, which is more proximate to the client device (and of course is presenting a much stronger RSSI). In fact, I am seeing signal levels of around -36 to -40 dBm at mid-house, with link speeds (TX and RX) of around 780 – 866 Mbps and full ISP bandwidth delivering 230+ Mbps speed, which represents absolutely incredible signal levels and incredible performance. The Velop AX5300 is an outstanding performer. Anecdotally, all client devices exhibit great network performance. More significantly, the empirical data is most impressive and persuasive. The Velop essentially delivers the same data rate which is received at the modem, throughout the Wi-Fi network coverage area. I strongly endorse and recommend the Velop AX5300 / MX10600. I am very favorably impressed with the system performance, ease of setup and decent administration capabilities. Linksys remains a trusted and reliable developer and manufacturer, and to the best of my knowledge and in my experience, provides good product support.

I upgraded from an Apple WiFi system including 2 Time capsules, AirPort Extreme and Airport Express. I really like the MX10 and added a MX5 so that I would have complete coverage upstairs and down. Only issue was 2 of my alarm.com cameras were blind to the WiFi. I added an AC1300 in my garage where the cameras are. This fixed the problem and I have full WiFi strength from my front door to the end of my driveway and all throughout the house. Speeds are twice as fast and triple on the extended mesh networks. Definitely worth the $. My only complaint is the interface is not as easy to use as Apple. WiFi 6 is well worth the cost difference from the AC2200. I was not impressed with the WiFi 5 as it was slower than the Apple network.

Just WOW!!! I was using a router + extender combo for years! It has been great with some issues that I grew to lived with. This method requires different ID. And moving room to room, signal has to drop then back up as it connects to access points. The Linksys velops fixes all the issues mentioned above and does things is such an efficient way it’s mind blowing! Pros: 1) signals is amazing in my single floor 1500 sqft home 2) no signal drop when moving inside and outside the house 3) Linksys app is really good. Setup your mesh in minutes! 4) just enough ports for regular usage (if you need more, it works with an Ethernet switch box) 5) it look modern and takes up less space. Cons None!

Great mesh system one more covers up to 3000sq easy setup but to have a professional Instal it is a plus

Coming from a 2013 Apple Time Capsule I thought I would notice a bit more of an improvement over the original phase 1 Wired’s AC standard. Truth is this mesh set up is minimally better, but has it’s draw backs that don’t really warrant an upgrade just yet. To get 500Mbps or more you have have to be in just the right spot. My iPhone 11 max pro with the wireless ax chip would occasionally have a speed test of 740Mbps. My 2013 MacBook Air would only connect at around 466Mbps, on my time capsule it would connect at 866 and stay there. The linksys options ready limit what it could be capable, you can’t even manually change the WiFi channels. It gives you the option to scan and will automatically pick what’s best. This is useless considering most people leave this on auto. So neighboring WiFi is constantly changing. The wireless ac antennas don’t seem to penetrate walls at all, I’m connecting at lower speeds compared to my 6 year old time capsule. I really hoped for 599$ that this router would set me up for future proofing. If you are upgrading from a wireless N router or something old it will def be an improvement. I have Comcast gigbit internet and while hardwired I reach speeds of 1000Mbps and active internet downloads capable of 110MB/s. The worst part about the linksys app is that you can not see any actual connection speeds, or signal strength. So you don’t know how fast each device is connected... you just get a picture of 3 bars of an antenna icon that signifies low medium or high signal... Linksys really needs to step up the options for a premium device.. Build quality is great, it’s a large, 1.5 times the size of the apple time capsule/airport... I uploaded images that show my iPhone 11 max speed tests before and after..