Linksys Velop AC2200 Triband Router Review

1. Introduction2. Linksys Velop3. Linksys Velop Setup and Software4. Linksys Velop Analysis5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

The Linksys Velop isn't all bad. The styling is nicer than the Orbi's, and the smartphone-driven setup makes it accessible to a less tech-savvy audience. But otherwise NETGEAR has the jump on Linksys. The Orbi's performance is in a different league to the Velop's, and that's with just two satellites, thanks to having double the backhaul speed.

The extra Ethernet ports on the Orbi also make it more of a replacement for an existing router. The Velop, on the other hand, will need a separate switch or wired router to sit alongside a wired office network to provide enough ports for non-wireless systems.

With no USB either, there's an opportunity missed as well to use the extra node for convenient positioning of a USB-attached printer or storage device. There's no price advantage either, considering that the two-unit Velop costs around the same as the Orbi's two-unit pack. So, overall, if you're looking for greater WLAN coverage via mesh networking, NETGEAR's Orbi keeps its crown as the most effective option.

EDIT: 10th May 2017 – see our two unit follow up retest article over HERE.

Pros:

• Extended WiFi range compared to a single router.
• Easy step-by-step setup via smartphone.
• Smartphone access to advanced settings.
• Attractive, unobtrusive styling.

Cons:

• Performance eclipsed by NETGEAR Orbi.
• Relatively expensive.
• Only two Gigabit Ethernet ports on each unit.
• No USB ports.

Kitguru Says: The Linksys Velop uses mesh technology to provide larger WiFi coverage than a standalone router, but it's nowhere near as fast as NETGEAR's Orbi.

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