Linksys Velop dual-band mesh router review: More Wi-Fi for less money

Mesh Wi-Fi systems are condign more popular each day, cheers to their offering of seamless high-speed wireless internet spread out over a large expanse. There are a few pop choices, one of which is the Linksys Velop. Information technology's been bachelor for awhile now in a tri-band configuration, but Linksys has recently released a dual-band version that'southward much amend suited for households with less people and less area to cover. It'southward also significantly cheaper, opening up mesh Wi-Fi to more than people.

Living in a ii-sleeping accommodation condo (about one,100 square feet) with ane other person, the dual-band Velop seems perfectly suited for me. I tested it out to make up one's mind whether or not it'southward a smart purchase on its own and compared to its tri-band sibling.

About this review

Linksys provided Windows Primal with a review unit of measurement of the dual-band AC3900 Velop mesh Wi-Fi system. It starts at almost $130 for a single node, and about $300 for a three-node bundle, suitable for about 4,500 square anxiety of coverage. Nosotros also previously reviewed the tri-band Linksys Velop, which is improve suited for homes up to about 6,000 square feet.

Encounter at Amazon

Linksys Velop dual-band mesh Wi-Fi hardware and specs

Category	XX
Wi-Fi technology	AC3200 (combined) MU-MIMO
Network standards	802.11b/g/n/ac
Wi-Fi speed	AC1300 2 x 2 (867Mbps + 400Mbps) per node
Wi-Fi bands	2.4GHz and 5GHz (simultaneous dual-band)
Antennas	3 (per node)
Bluetooth	four.1
Security	WPA2 Personal
Processor	716MHz quad-core
Ports	Two Gigabit Ethernet per node
Dimensions	3.ane in x 3.1 in x 5.55 in per node (78.74 mm x 78.74 mm ten 140.97 mm)

Linksys Velop dual-band mesh Wi-Fi blueprint

Much like the tri-ring Velop, the parcel comes with three small white nodes. In that location is still some of the dot venting on the top, only otherwise the case is solid. They're a bit shorter and a bit more squat than the tri-band options ― about the same size as a worthwhile cup of coffee ― and luckily the power adapter is much smaller here. As long equally you tin discover an outlet, you should be able to fit a node somewhere nearby.

An LED on the top of each node is really the only indicator of whether or not it'due south working ― there are a agglomeration of different color-states to keep you in the loop ― and on the back next to the ability jack are ii Ethernet ports. These can either be used for wired backhaul, or they can be used for wired connections to nearby devices.

Finally, on the bottom of the node is an On and Off switch and a hard Reset button that will have everything dorsum to the start in the case of a Wi-Fi emergency. In my case, it would exist overnice to accept a dark color choice to match the residuum of my decor, simply the nodes are minor enough that they can become unnoticed, especially if you lot eschew the Linksys height recommendation and proceed the nodes on the floor.

Linksys Velop dual-band mesh Wi-Fi setup

Linksys knows that for mesh Wi-Fi systems to take off they need to be as easy (or easier) to prepare upwardly than a standard single router, which in most cases is set upward anyhow by a technician from your Internet access provider (Internet service provider). In the example of the Velop, you plug in a node to power and to your modem, and from there setup is handled through an Android or iOS app.

Though you tin can later manage your network from a spider web browser, information technology'south explicitly stated in the documentation that one of these apps is required for the initial setup. I did a bit of digging and came across a Linksys forum mail from 2022 that explains how one user got his tri-band Velop prepare without the app, though the process seems much more difficult than asking to borrow a friend's telephone for 10 minutes.

In my case, I used an Android telephone to run the app. My phone and the first Velop node used Bluetooth to communicate, allowing me to cull a network name and password. From there, it was just a matter of plugging in the other nodes to power and telling the app that I was ready to add another to the network. The worst function almost the setup is the mandatory Linksys account cosmos, which involves verifying electronic mail addresses by visiting links, etc. It's not a huge deal, but information technology took about equally much time as getting the residual of the network online.

For my i,100 square pes condo, information technology'due south easy to gear up the secondary and third nodes within a suitable distance to each other, though I'g certain others will take to do some testing if they're in a dwelling that's closer to the maximum recommended iv,500 square anxiety. It's all nearly keeping a stiff connexion between nodes, and so spacing is of import.

Linksys Velop dual-ring mesh Wi-Fi performance

I'm used to the coverage of my ISP-provided dual-band Hitron AC1750 router and modem combo, which does blanket my place in the 2.4GHz band but has a difficult fourth dimension reaching a perfect 5GHz point all the mode into my office where it's needed most. For that reason I take Ethernet cables snaking most; not the best solution. I ready the beginning Velop node next to the sometime router and the next node in my office, nigh eight anxiety from my desk and about 25 feet from the first node, with a thick wall between.

With the 2nd node in the office turned off, I ran some tests to see how well the kickoff node works on its own. Ping was consistently 12ms or 13ms across all tests I ran using my LG gram 15Z980, and upload speeds were always correct around the 16Mbps mark, which is where my ISP plan has its cap. Download speeds on the 5GHz band were the same or superior to the Hitron router at about ten feet (virtually 161Mbps). Testing again (nearly 35 feet abroad and with a thick wall between) while sitting in my function, 5GHz speeds dropped significantly, down to nearly 32Mbps.

As for the 2.4GHz band, the Hitron router managed about 82Mbps at x feet and about 46Mbps at 35 feet with a thick wall between. The Velop managed about 55.69Mbps at 10 feet and about 14.22Mbps at 35 feet with a wall between. Conspicuously, the antennas aren't as strong as my old router, only that'due south why there are multiple Velop nodes.

With the second Velop node in my office powered on, I ran the aforementioned tests again with and without an Ethernet cablevision connected between the two nodes for wired backhaul. With the cable connected, I saw a downward speed of about 163Mbps on the 5GHz band and 53Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. No loss of bandwidth here, which seems to be a articulate sign that wired backhaul works.

I unplugged the Ethernet cable, disabling wired backhaul, and saw different results, as expected. The 5GHz band managed only about 80Mbps, one-half the speed as when using wired backhaul. At least one Ethernet cable volition keep its spot on the outer edges of my condo, linking the two nodes together; performance just isn't the same without it.

Though I likely won't go along it in place (it'due south a bit of overkill for my pocket-sized infinite), I fix a third node in my kitchen, which is about every bit far away equally yous can get from the kickoff two nodes. I wanted to test how much of a degradation there is on a node that'southward hopping through another before returning to the start node attached to the router. Without wired backhaul, I got the same 80Mbps down speed on the 5GHz ring, which shows that it really shouldn't matter which node yous're connected to as you move effectually your home.

Linksys Velop dual-ring mesh Wi-Fi app and direction

Once I'd set up the Velop using the Android app I switched over to the web browser. You sign in with the business relationship yous created during setup ― afterwards having to click through an annoying page that tells you that you really should be using the app ― and from there you lot have gratuitous reign over settings, with a handy hub on the front page that you can customize with widgets.

Most of the settings establish in web UI are also found in the app, though I did discover that you tin carve up the bands to carve up SSIDs only in a browser. In either instance, you can quickly enable a guest network, you can set to three devices to have priority over all others, y'all can change password, set port forwarding, alter DNS settings, and handle virtually other basic tweaks that you lot'd expect from a router. I'm a network noob, so these options should be plenty. If you're a network whiz, even so, you lot might be frustrated with what it has to offer.

I'd heard rumors nigh parental controls not really working, but I tested them out myself and there didn't seem to be whatever issues. Websites I added to the restricted list weren't accessible, and cyberspace was cut off exterior of scheduled times. Overall I found the app and browser UI to be straightforward and easy to use, fifty-fifty if this is your first time setting up a home network.

Linksys Velop dual-band mesh Wi-Fi review: Determination

While the three nodes are probable overkill for my approximately i,100 foursquare pes condo, I don't think 1 Velop would cut it despite the merits that each node is good for upward to almost 1,500 foursquare feet. The point degrades speedily ― quicker than my ISP-supplied router ― but using two or more Velop nodes solves that trouble. Two bands should also suffice; there'southward just two of us living hither and I haven't noticed whatsoever bug despite having a ton of devices connected that download and stream video at the same time. Again, Linksys recommends the dual-band organization for ISP plans upward to 100Mbps, but it maxes out my 150Mbps plan.

Considering you can salvage most $200 by going with a triple-node dual-band setup over the tri-ring alternative, most people who don't live in an enormous mansion with each room filled should be able to get by with the cheaper choice. That extra 5GHz band would no doubt prove worthwhile if Ethernet backhaul isn't an option, but for me, information technology'south not really necessary.

Other than that, the dual-band Velop does pretty much everything the tri-band model does. Setup is simple as long as you take an Android or iOS device at hand, direction is as well relatively painless, and the seamless single network across your home goes unnoticed every bit it switches your devices between nodes and bands as required. Because dual-band and tri-band Velop nodes are interchangeable on the same network, you lot can always commencement with this cheaper version and work your way up as the demand arises.

Linksys Velop dual-band vs. tri-band: Which should you buy?

Run into at Amazon

Pros:

• Supports Ethernet backhaul.
• Can use with tri-band Velop units.
• Easy to set up and manage.
• Hundreds cheaper than tri-band version.
• Great performance at the right range.

Cons:

• Linksys account and Android/iOS app are required.
• Speeds suffer without Ethernet backhaul or defended backhaul band.
• A single node probably isn't worth it.

Nosotros may earn a committee for purchases using our links. Acquire more.

Oh Honey

New report reveals Microsoft'due south future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Business Insider has today published a follow-upward report with more details near Microsoft's canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a gear up of screens inside, powered by a Samsung telephone in your pocket.

Keeping information technology affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for Chiliad-8 Windows PCs

Starting at just $250, Microsoft'due south first foray into affordable laptops for the education marketplace is a winner. With a gorgeous blueprint, fantabulous thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do correct to sell this straight to consumers likewise. Permit's but promise Intel can make a ameliorate CPU.

Buyer'south guide

These are the all-time Netgear routers available now

Beloved Netgear and want to improve your home cyberspace? We've rounded upwards the best routers available at present, whether you're looking to game, set upward a mesh network, or just enjoy lag-free internet in your home.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/linksys-velop-dual-band-mesh-router-review

Posted by: hambybuir1998.blogspot.com

Share this post