Linksys - Velop AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 5 System (3 Pack) - Black

I wanted to cover a 2400 sq.ft. house and a 900 sq.ft. detached garage apartment with a WiFi signal. The house was easy enough, my 5 y.o. router handles it no problem, but I really thought I was going to have run CAT cable from the modem-connected router that's located centrally in the main house to a slave router in the apartment which is approximately 35 ft away. I discussed my situation with a Best Buy employee and he suggested trying the Linksys Velop mesh router before I run cable. I had my doubts but I'm happy to say that climbing around the attic and digging a trench to hide a CAT wire between the 2 buildings won't be necessary, the Velop system works beautifully and set-up couldn't have been easier; the app walks you step-by-step through the process. I have a strong WiFi signal in both buildings and everywhere in-between. The signal even covers my entire back yard which is a pleasant surprise and is good enough everywhere to stream movies and play on-line games. My expectations are seldom surpassed but this Linksys Velop mesh WiFi system did just that. Great product!

For the past few years I've solely used Apple's AirPort Extreme Base Stations in all my homes and have numerous current generation models bridged and running well. As Apple has officially announced leaving the networking market, I began researching mesh networks. I decided on the Linksys Velop system as it's the only alternative Apple currently sells and endorses, thus it should be a perfect fit for my homes as my computers are Mac's (with a few Windows systems) and my mobile devices are iOS based (iPad Pro 10.5's and iPhone X's). I also have numerous HomeKit smart home devices from smart locks, lighting systems, garage and gate openers, thermostats, etc. and servers in my Berlin and New York homes. If Apple supports it, then it should be a perfect fit, especially as I use some of my servers for Time Machine. I haven't dealt with non-Apple routers in my home in years, so I was a bit trepidatious as my previous experiences with Linksys were far from great. The nodes are small and contrary to what some others have stated they aren't eyesores. In fact, I found the black nodes to be the perfect size, shape, and they blend in with their surroundings. I tested this unit in my 5,000 sq ft home which has two current generation Airport Extreme Base Stations (one in bridge mode). Either node can be the main node connected to your modem. The mobile app walks your through the setup process which was very easy and quick. After the first node is setup, simply follow the instructions to place the second node (and third if you have more). After the nodes were placed, the system ran tests to ensure each node was in the best location, then scanned your network for devices and analyzed your setup proper optimization. The two nodes cover 5,000 sq ft well, which saved me from having to purchase the three node system (and you can always add more nodes). My only issue with the nodes are the limited ethernet ports (two for each). As this is a mesh system, wireless connectivity is its main priority although you can connect the nodes with ethernet cables should you have them already placed. Simply setup the nodes wirelessly first, then connect each node to your wired setup. Unlike traditional routers which broadcast 2.4GHz and 5GHz as separate networks, these systems broadcast both under one wireless network name and use the 5GHz band by default, automatically switching to the lower ranger 2.4GHz depending on device and/or range. Each node's processors constantly evaluate the signal strength of each device in order to ensure the everything on the network has the best connection. Essentially, it's akin to an easy to setup bridged network system with intuitive and seamless device prioritization. The "Channel Finder" feature in the app evaluates connected devices and node placement should you wish to check that the system is properly functioning, however this is done automatically in the background. The speeds were slightly than my current AirPort Extreme Base Stations even though each utilize the same protocols. Trio-Band mesh networks are superior in this area as they are constantly adjusting to your needs. I tested this on my 300 Mbps down and 30 Mbps up system and found wireless speeds to be faster and more consistent, especially in area's that seemed to struggle maintaining a connection. The downside is the mobile application necessary for setting up and monitoring the system (although the desktop browser portal is a much better method as it allows for more fine tuning such as port forwarding, device prioritization, security options, etc). The iOS app UI seemed extremely basic and disappointing. In fact, it turned me off so much that I'm on the fence whether or not I should keep this system or sell it online. It's very limiting especially with naming and categorizing devices (the icons are not only hideous and generic at best, they are limiting as only a handful of devices are listed). Port forwarding allocation is archaic and my Synology servers did not recognize the systems UPnP or NAT and many manufacturers have been slow in developing proper mesh system support. Port Forwarding and DHCP Reservations are the only way to ensure LAN and external connectivity, which I normally do for all my systems. Unfortunately I experienced a handful connection issues over the 2-3 weeks in which I used the system. Sometimes a node would drop its connection, requiring the system to search for the node and ensure it was properly functioning. I had to restart it a few times as well, which I rarely had to do with my Apple wireless routers. At the end, a windstorm came in and the power flickered yet was never lost and my equipment is attached to server grade UPS's, etc. Yet the entire system lost all the settings. As there is no way to save your configuration to your computer as you can with other systems such as Apple's Airport Utility, this meant I had to setup the entire network from scratch. At this point, I packed up the system and reconnected my AirPort Extreme Base Stations and in a few minutes was back online. Pros: Speeds, coverage, seamless adaption Cons: Terrible mobile app necessary for setup and usage, lack of ethernet ports (although a simply switch remedies this issue), no dedicated desktop apps, no way to backup your system configuration should it fail

Going on 1 month of having this setup in my home and haven't had any issues. I purchased this setup because my lady and I recently moved into our house we renovated which included updating our house to be a smart home. We have 2 wifi thermostats, wifi garage door, hue lighting, video doorbell, cameras and will be adding other products as we go. One of the future upgrades will include setting up our irrigation through a wifi control and updating our light switches to zwave. All of this and we do a lot of streaming video services and always have our phones and laptops continuously running on our network. I was wanting something that would not only give me coverage through out my home and yard but also something that could keep up with the bandwidth needed for all this. I couldn't be happier with the Linksys Velop. I have had no lag or buffering when streaming with such strong signal that I am only using 2 of the 3 nodes and I have signal throughout my home and yard which in all is about .75 of an acre lot. It is also worth mentioning that I have the fastest internet possible through our cable provider (300mb/s) and am consistently have speed test results from 175 to 300 mb/s no matter where I am on my lot. Great product and definitely worth the investment!!!

Provides clean WiFi connections in our two story 1300sgft home! Very satisfied with this system, it’s coverage and the speed! Easy to setup using the Linksys app on my phone. This is my second Linksys Velop Mesh system, the first I installed at my elderly parents house and it worked there perfectly prompting my second (this) purchase! This purchase was a sale price of $250 (1/2 off) and was a great deal!

Over time, the number of Wifi enabled devices one owns grows too large for the standard-issue, crappy Internet Services Provider (ISP) Modem/Router. At least mine did, even with a Wifi repeater, reception in my two story home was barely acceptable. And we pay for 100 mbps internet service. After the router went down recently for the 3rd time, we had to yet again get the ISP to replace it, getting even worse Wifi reception. It was clear it simply wouldn’t ever come close to meeting our needs. Enter Linksys Velop total house Tri-Band Mesh Network. I did my homework. The top names in whole-house Mesh networks are Eero, Google Wifi, Netgear Orbi and Linksys. When PC Magazine and several other reviewers found them all good, but heaped praise upon praise on the Linksys Velop, I was pretty much pre-sold. After a visit to my Best Buy store however, it became clear. Two knowledgeable salespeople both gave the Linksys their top recommendation. Many reviews suggest it’s easy to set one up yourself. I’m moderately tech-savvy, but I just didn’t want any frustration, so I chose to let Best Buy install the system. Included in the installation was hooking all 22 Wifi enabled devices, such 3 Alexa, multiple laptops, iPhones/iPads, Arlo Wifi Security Camera, Printers, Ring Doorbell, multiple 4K TV’s, etc. The installer did an outstanding job and it took him a couple hours to get everything installed and connected. The last step was the most difficult as it required asking our ISP to bridge the new Router, turning off internet from their Modem/Router. They messed up the process, making nothing work. Thankfully, our Geek Squad installer was able to tell Spectrum what they needed to do and got us back up running. I’m telling you, unless you’re great with electronics, pay a pro to get you going properly. Then sit back and enjoy the blazing fast internet speeds you’ve been paying for, but probably weren’t getting with the crappy Modem/Router from your ISP. A few things to know about the Linksys Velop. It is what they call self-healing. This means the Velop optimizes the internet to all the stations (we got the three-station system) to ensure fast Wifi anywhere in our home. Our three-station system is supposed to be able to cover a 6,000 square foot home. Our home is only 2200 square feet. But I am glad we got the three-station system. Internet from any spot in our modern concrete Florida home is fantastic. The Linksys Velop is a dynamic tri-band system. It features MU-MIMO technology (multiuser multiple input, multiple output technology). The other higher end brands don’t offer this, like Google Wifi for example. MU-MIMO gives each device its own dedicated full-speed Wifi connection. Multiple devices can connect at the same time without slowing down the network. Testing this in every room in my house, it does its job admirably. Setting up the Linksys via the free app on my iPhone couldn’t have been simpler. Once the base router communicates with the App, you name the router and create a password you want to use as your Wifi password. So nice to not have to refer to a written note with the odd letter/number, upper/lower case password the ISP Router comes with. And the app shows every connected device, which of the three stations it’s connected to and for the most part posted the right name for each device. Our laptops were named by their internal names, but it’s very simple to just tap on any device and rename it for easier recognition. Note: The App itself doesn’t offer the option to run a speed test. But you can go out to Linksys.com and sign into your account online and run a speed test there. And was I ever pleased with the result. I pay for 100 mbps service and I’m actually getting closer to 120mbs service. Nothing has ever downloaded or opened as fast as it does now. The Linksys Velop is attractive. Our electronics are black, so we chose the Velop in black. Turns out if you want the Velop in white it costs $20 more. Just for white. I happily saved $20 and the black base stations better match the electronics in our home. I am simply stunned with how terrific this system is. It’s attractive, and should provide years of stable internet service to the many devices we have connected to it.

Where I was having all sorts of connection and bottleneck and restart woes with my previous router and extenders, EVEN though that router promised to cover the entire house in it's advertising, as soon as I set up this system, all the problems have vanished. We get super strong coverage throughout the entire house and even venturing outside to about 75' from the house in any direction on the property. No buffer issues anymore on the roku box, no sudden disconnections, no having to go to the den to reboot the router. AND, aesthetically these are rather attractive and fit into our decor perfectly. Setup was a breeze...the things practically set themselves up. We are extremely happy with this investment and would definitely suggest this product to anyone looking for something trustworthy.

Moving on – the technology WiFi march We’ve been impressed with Linksys/CISCO’s latest foray into all-home WiFi with their latest leading edge Linksys Velop WiFi tri-band System ( http://www.linksys.com/us/p/P-WHW0303/ ) to provide all-home WiFi at 2,000 sq ft per Velop node e.g. 1-node – 2,000 sq ft.; 2-nodes – 4,000 sq ft; 3-nodes – 6,000 sq ft.. An attractive feature of the Velop System is that it provides seamless WiFi throughout any home but more importantly it’s a 300Mb WiFi ‘bandwidth pipe’, end to end; there is no diminishing bandwidth as you move farther from the router or node as in previous router/extender systems. An Android or Apple IOS Tablet or Smartphone are required for setup that’s accomplished with aplomb for multi-story or ranch style homes. The new Linksys Velop 3-node system replaces a Linksys EA9200/AC3200 Tri-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router and Linksys RE6700 Range Extender combo system. With our previous Linksys EA9200/AC3200 Tri-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router and Linksys RE6700 Range Extender combo, we began having to deal with frequent dropped WiFi signal(s) with our computing appliances read: 2x Galaxy Tab S2’s, 1x Galaxy S7 Smart phone, 1x Galaxy S8 smart phone, 2x desktops (wired), Vizio 70” smart UHD TV. 2x Android Security System w/ 17 wireless security nodes throughout the home including a workshop, 1x Onkyo AV (wired) surround sound amplifier, and an 8 sound zone Amplifier system, a Lorex 8-camera security monitoring system as well as a Vonage VOIP telephone system and direct smartphone WiFi calling. Additionally we recently added the Amazon Firestick for ‘cut-the-wire’ television viewing, all riding our WiFi backbone . From the above the reader should understand that reliable all-home Gigabit WAN/LAN & WiFi is important to us as well as securing our home network security. Linksys and Netgear are two leading purveyors of home networking systems that excel at support and leading edge technology. We find our use case to be multiple systems, mobile & desktops accessing our WAN/LAN & WiFi systems simultaneously, and frequently we find ourselves wondering throughout the home while talking on wireless telephone systems and Skyping with our kids and grandkids. Pervasive networking under all situations is a must. We loved the simplistic, non-rocket science approach by Linksys to the Velop system installation and setup and how easily the 3-node system we installed integrated into our home with signal strength indications with the installation of each node, driven by a Linksys provided App available from the play store, and running on our smartphone or tablet where the network management takes place. After a few days of accessing and stressing the new home network system, we are excited at the possibilities and reliability of the system. At $488.00 including tax for the 3-pak, we find the new system is perfect for a complicated home network of systems. Yes, we’d recommend the Linksys Velop system in either the 2-pak or 3-pak flavor depending on the home in which the system is being installed; and Yes, we’d buy this system again.

I was having signal issues in my house so I did some reading and decided to give these a try. I am glad I did they work amazing! I have a 3200 sq’ 2 story house and I don’t have signal issue anywhere. I even have a strong signal out at my pool that is 75’ from my house. I would definitely recommend these to anyone that needs signal strength everywhere.