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Linksys Velop
The Linksys Velop was originally sent to us in 3-Pack form, but the 2-Pack is the much better deal, and you can also buy a single device. So we will be testing all three configurations.
This is the box for the three-pack. It's a hefty piece of packaging.
Whichever version you buy, you will get just one Ethernet cable plus the necessary power plugs for the number of units purchased. They're nicely styled, intended to look a bit like speakers so they aren't too obtrusive round the house.
To this end, the branding and styling is minimal, with a small light on the top to indicate status.
Each Velop unit is identical, so it doesn't matter which one you use to connect to your broadband (unlike NETGEAR's Orbi). There are two Ethernet ports on each, so the main broadband-attached unit can support one wired client whilst the satellites can support two, or connect to a switch to act as a bridge. There's no USB connectivity.
Each unit is tri-band, with two 5GHz radios and one 2.4GHz one, providing a AC2200 rating. This is made up of two 867Mbits/sec 802.11ac signals and one 400Mbits/sec 802.11n signal. Allegedly, any of these can be used as the backhaul, depending on which is the fastest connection between units. But in practice it's probably going to be one of the 802.11ac signals.
Price: 3-Pack – £499.99; 2-Pack – £249.99; 1-Pack – £180
Specification:
Wireless protocols: MU-MIMO with 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz
Performance: AC2200 (867 + 867 + 400 Mbits/sec)
Antenna Configuration: 2×2 Internal Antennas
Ports: Per unit: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet
Modem Support: VDSL/ADSL 2+ or cable
There are also the Ubiquit AmpliFi HD, eero (1st and 2nd generations), Amped ALLY, tp-link Deco M5, Asus Lyra, EnGenius EnMesh,… – we tested them all!
I have a netgear extender its the wkrst piece of carbage Netgear is one piece of junk and overpriced!
Would NOT touch the Orbi. Wired backhaul is NOT supported which is ridiculous. We purchased the Google WiFi 3 pack and love them. The app is slick and by far the best. You get wired backhaul.
No wonder Google WiFi is not only most popular mesh on Amazon but it’s actually most popular router of any type of router and well deserved.
No Eero?
Up195s
I guess I’m spoiled by City-Wide WiFi, buy Cable Internet and for 50+ miles (that’s as far as I’ve been, no reason it doesn’t work much further) you get walk-around WiFi where you’re always connected (unless you’re in between buildings, or in the countryside farmlands).
This seems expensive and designed for houses a tiny bit bigger than most large homes, and no advantage over 5 Gbps AC Networks.
For many km range, like video conferencing to the back 40, there’s Ubiquiti Networks airMax which goes as big as medium sized cities.
I can get 100′ off my old D-Link, much further away and I’m bumping into city-wide.
So much cheaper to put a high quality Router in the attic, and with 3-Band you can even get 7 Gbps (out, it’s not like your Phone or Laptop is likely to input at that speed).
I guess free WiFi has spoiled me and I’ve not studied this enough. Why is this better than cheaper AC Repeaters or an ‘octopus antenna’ Router – all the satellites add up to several hundred for a large separated family?