Linksys Velop Review
Our Verdict
The Linksys Velop is pretty powerful, just information technology's besides pricey and delivered inconsistent test results.
For
- Dedicated connectedness between devices
- Potent throughput at medium range
- Uses latest Wi-Fi technologies
Against
- Inconsistent results during lab tests
- Expensive
- Lacks USB port
Tom's Guide Verdict
The Linksys Velop is pretty powerful, but it's also pricey and delivered inconsistent exam results.
Pros
- +
Defended connection between devices
- +
Strong throughput at medium range
- +
Uses latest Wi-Fi technologies
Cons
- -
Inconsistent results during lab tests
- -
Expensive
- -
Lacks USB port
The Linksys Velop mesh-router system can plow a large home into a Wi-Fi playground, with a far-reaching network that delivers loftier-speed information to every corner. At medium range, it had the most powerful throughput of any mesh-router system nosotros've tested, making it a favorite on our list of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.
But the Velop arrangement is more expensive than many of its peers, and the performance of its mesh network was less than dependable in our lab tests. At the Velop's cost range, we prefer the similar, but more consistent Netgear Orbi.
Editor'south Notation: We periodically update our reviews to make sure that pricing and information is upwards to date. The rating and recommendations in our Linksys Velop review is unchanged from when information technology originally published in June of 2017.
Linksys Velop review: Pricing
The whole-home kit I evaluated contained iii Velop units ($379), each of which could deed as either the host router or a satellite node; Linksys rates each node to cover 2,000 foursquare feet by itself. There is too a $274 Velop two pack and a $199 unmarried Velop unit. (In our tests, the router by itself had a long range.)
Linksys Velop review: Design
The Velop's squarish, white tower units are vii.5 inches tall and iii inches broad and deep, smaller than the Netgear Orbi units but much larger than the Luma or Google Wifi hockey pucks. The Velop towers can be hidden fairly easily, yet they're kind of interesting-looking and could be left out equally conversation starters.
Each Velop tower has a single LED on superlative that unobtrusively glows bluish when everything is working properly. The LED turns yellow when the unit has lost contact and red when there's no net connectedness.
Like the Orbi system, which it resembles in many means, the Velop system has a tri-band design, creating a single 2.4-GHz network and a pair of 5-GHz networks on different sections of the bandwidth range.
Whereas the Orbi's backhaul (communication between router nodes) is stock-still to one of the 5-GHz bands, the Velop dynamically switches the backhaul between the two 5-GHz bands to optimize connexion speeds. (You tin can employ Ethernet for the Velop backhaul instead, freeing up even more wireless bandwidth, if you take enough cable.)
On the bottom of each Velop unit of measurement, y'all'll discover a power connection, an on-off switch, a reset button and a pair of gigabit Ethernet ports. On the unit acting as the router, ane of the Ethernet ports connects with the broadband modem. All the other Ethernet ports on the devices can connect to a networked appliance (such equally a storage bulldoze) or to other Velop devices. However, there are no USB ports, so connecting a local printer is out.
In that location's likewise an oddity hiding inside the Velop devices: Each has a ZigBee radio for controlling dwelling-automation devices, simply it's inactive for now. A Linksys representative told us that the company is working on enabling the radio.
Linksys Velop review: Features
The Linksys Velop kit creates a ii x 2 802.11ac limited mesh network, theoretically capable of 2.two-Gbps performance. Unlike the Netgear Orbi, the Velop units create a true mesh arrangement amid themselves. This means the nodes can be "daisy-chained" to pass data from one to the adjacent without having to go dorsum through the central router.
Each Velop organisation is based on the Qualcomm IPQ4019 Wi-Fi control chip and radio and has a 710-MHz quad-cadre ARM-based processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of solid-land storage infinite. They are fed with data from the host router via a Qualcomm QCA 9886 chip.
Inside, each Velop unit has 6 antennas, ii for each network, as well every bit a Bluetooth radio used for configuring the system. (The three Wi-Fi networks all take the same SSID and will be viewed equally a single network by client devices.) You tin can link up to 10 Velop devices to cover an enormous home.
Each Velop unit uses MU-MIMO (multiuser, multiple input, multiple output) engineering to deliver concurrent streams of information to several clients at once. Not all mesh-router systems back up MU-MIMO, which tin can make a noticeable difference with new laptops and smartphones.
And thanks to new Linksys routers offering mesh compatibility, you can expand the mesh coverage past adding a standalone router like the Linksys Max-Stream MR8300 instead of a Velop satellite unit of measurement.
MORE: Best Wi-Fi Routers
Linksys Velop review: Performance
In Purch Labs' existent-globe testing with IxChariot software, a unmarried Velop unit of measurement, acting as a router, pushed an average throughput of 527.ane Mbps at 15 feet from our laptop. That's slightly off the Orbi's height average speed, which was 552.one Mbps at 5 anxiety.
| AmpliFi Hard disk | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| v feet | 368.17 | 573.65 | 464.36 | 412.34 | 552.11 | 549.93 |
| xv feet | 377.73 +2.6% | 450.96 -21% | 440.90 -5.1% | 527.ten +30% | 510.90 -vii.5% | 543.50 -ane.2% |
| l feet | 350.83 -four.vii% | 449.87 -22% | 389.74 -16% | 459.35 +11% | 447.13 -19% | 478.29 -13% |
| 100 feet | 293.82 -xx% | 250.27 -56% | 227.22 -51% | 330.06 -twenty% | 371.42 -33% | 315.45 -43% |
| 150 feet | 230.86 -37% | 229.85 -60% | 33.79 -93% | 288.42 -thirty% | 229.07 -58% | 187.54 -66% |
* Line-of-sight testing with a single router indicate. Percentages betoken change from 5-foot measurement on same device.
Unfortunately, as our exam laptop moved closer to the Velop, performance dropped off sharply to 412.three Mbps at 5 feet, one of the biggest proximity drop-offs nosotros've seen. At that altitude, y'all might want to plug into the free Ethernet port instead.
At greater line-of-sight distances, the Velop did improve. It pushed 459.4 Mbps at l feet, 330.1 Mbps at 100 feet and 288.4 Mbps at 150 feet. The latter score compares favorably to the Orbi'south 229.1 Mbps and Google WiFi's 33.8 Mbps at the aforementioned distance.
Still, be warned that Velop was one of the near inconsistent router kits we've reviewed. It was unreliable in sure complicated configurations, such every bit if the signal traveled through or around several obstacles. Readings taken in the aforementioned configurations on different days varied widely. We did not see like issues with the Google Wifi or Netgear Orbi.
In fifteen-foot cloth-penetration tests, the Velop's powerful Wi-Fi transmitter was able to dial through a wall lined with metal shelves, showing 560.0 Mbps of throughput emerging on the other side, versus Orbi'south 455.7 Mbps on the aforementioned exam. (The metal-shelved wall fifty-fifty improved on the Velop'southward 15-foot line-of-sight throughput.)
| AmpliFi Hd | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metallic | 343.45 -nine.i% | 448.58 -0.5% | 396.39 -10% | 559.95 +vi.ii% | 455.seventy -eleven% | 536.72 -1.2% |
| Soundboard | 369.51 -2.two% | 457.17 +one.iv% | 402.55 -8.seven% | 381.66 -28% | 549.99 +7.7% | 540.96 -0.5% |
| Ceiling | 390.21 +3.three% | 471.79 +4.6% | 425.2 -3.6% | 67.80 -87% | 424.12 -17% | 384.83 -29% |
*Throughput from a single router point passing through ceiling and walls of unlike compositions. Percentages indicate change from 15-foot line-of-sight measurement.
However, a woods-beamed ceiling cut the Velop's throughput by a whopping 87 percentage, to a measly 67.8 Mbps. We saw nothing like that from the AmpliFi Hard disk drive, Google Wifi or Orbi.
Calculation a Velop relay unit betwixt the router unit and our test laptop, our single-hop test, didn't meliorate throughput noticeably, whereas the Orbi'south was additional in this configuration. Adding ii Velop relays, the double-hop exam, actually decreased throughput.
| AmpliFi HD | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unmarried Hop (100 feet) | 219.93 -25% | 128.99 -48% | 175.57 -23% | 331.62 +0.5% | 475.87 +28% | 394.49 +25% |
| Double Hop (150 feet) | north/a | 103.52 -55% | 128.ninety +282% | 223.22 -23% | due north/a | n/a |
*Extensions placed every l anxiety betwixt router and endpoint. Percentages point change from line-of-sight tests at same distances without extensions.
By dissimilarity, a single relay decreased the Google Wifi'due south throughput, only two relays nigh tripled it. Dissimilar the Velop or the Orbi, the Google Wifi has to dissever its bandwidth between backhaul communications and communications to customer devices. But as a weaker device overall, the Google Wifi benefits from having more relays at medium distances, while the stronger Velop units may be interfering with each other.
In the well-nigh complicated Purch Lab tests, a ii-unit Velop system grabbed a signal sent xxx feet through ii walls, and then bounced it 15 feet up to the floor above, showing a throughput of 427.0 Mbps. That'south a heave of 250 per centum over the single-unit of measurement Velop score with the endpoints in the same locations, and roughly on a par with Orbi's 429.1Mbps, but much improve than Google Wifi's 189.9Mbps.
| AmpliFi Hd | Eero | Google Wifi | Linksys Velop | Netgear Orbi RBK50 | Netgear Orbi RBK40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 ft thru 2 walls (A to B) | 393.32 | 445.33 | 251.09 | 371.03 | 333.64 | 392.thirteen |
| 33 ft thru wall, ceiling (A to C) | 192.47 | 136.46 | 36.75 | 121.81 | 119.99 | 95.92 |
| 48 ft thru 2 walls, ceiling (A to D) | 99.72 | 10.62 | 4.42 | 40.29 | 47.35 | 19.63 |
| One hop, 45 ft thru ceiling, 2 walls (A to B to C) | 202.08 +five.0% | 117.63 -thirteen.8% | 189.92 +417% | 427.00 +250 | 429.xiii +258% | 413.30 +331% |
| I hop, 68 ft thru ceiling, 4 walls (A to B to D) | 158.01 +58% | 99.81 +839.8% | 73.23 +one,557% | 332.79 +726% | 245.66 +419% | 230.53 +1074.four% |
| Two hops, 80 ft thru ceiling, iv walls (A to B to C to D) | n/a | 30.71 +189.2% | 56.63 +1,181% | 145.41 +261% | n/a | n/a |
*Beginning three tests involve directly router-to-client communication, with client laptop moving to new rooms and floors. Second iii tests add extensions to same configurations. Percentages indicate change in data throughput between 2 sets.
When the customer laptop was moved even farther abroad, the Velop stayed strong, beating out the Orbi hands, simply adding a 2d Velop satellite node cutting the throughput in half.
In an onetime, three-story, suburban firm, a single Velop node stayed connected to an endpoint device for 90 feet. This makes it better for a big habitation than the Luma, with its 65-human foot range, just worse than the Netgear Orbi router and its 125-pes range.
An Orbi two-unit system would likely roughly equal out with the Velop's daisy-chaining three-pack. Using three nodes, the Velop system conquered the 3,500-foursquare-foot dwelling and doled out between 47 Mbps and 114 Mbps of a broadband connectedness rated at 100 Mbps.
The Velop system passed our informal saturation test, which simultaneously involves Apple tree iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablets playing videos, a Samsung Tab Pro Due south playing an internet radio station, and a MacBook Air moving data onto and off of a network-attached storage system. All the sound and video came through without whatever glitches.
Linksys Velop review: Setup, warranty and support
While it doesn't presume that you know anything nearly networking or Wi-Fi, the Velop setup procedure is tedious. The devices are not pre-paired with each other, and yous demand to install the iOS or Android Linksys app, which until recently was called the Smart Wi-Fi app. (Don't use the Linksys Connect app, which is for "dumber" Linksys routers.)
In June 2017, Linksys added a browser-based administration interface, joining the Netgear Orbi family unit as one of the few mesh-router systems to offer this. The desktop-browser interface means you'll be able to access your Velop system's settings fifty-fifty if your cyberspace connection goes downward; only connect a laptop to a Velop unit with an Ethernet cable. (You'll yet need to apply the Velop mobile app for setup, however.)
The Velop startup sequence is peppered with illustrations that show what needs to exist plugged into what, which color the device's LED should be and how to change your mobile device's Wi-Fi connection, which is something yous'll need to do twice. At the end of the procedure, yous can modify your network'due south name and countersign.
Once the router is running, you lot tin click to add a node, which starts the software'south search for the extension. If you're lucky, it'll observe the node. If the node is too far abroad, the app will tell you lot to move the node closer to the router.
Once the connection is made, the router sends its configuration information to the node and the node restarts. Setting up three devices took xx minutes.
In May 2017, Linksys pushed out a firmware update that let the Velop operate in bridge style. Dissimilar well-nigh mesh-router system, the Velop tin can now work with Isp-issued gateway devices, which combine a modem and a router, without having to disable the gateway's router functions.
Velop devices each come with a three-year warranty, which leaves the Google Wifi's, Ubiquiti Amplifi HD's and Luma's single years of coverage in the dust. Linksys offers 24/7 access to support technicians via email or phone. In that location's also an fantabulous transmission in the box that explains how Velop devices connect and how to make the most of them.
More: What Is a Mesh Router, and Do Yous Need One?
Linksys Velop review: Customization
Regardless of whether yous use the Android or the iOS app, the software runs in portrait way, as do the apps for the Netgear Orbi, Luma, Ubiquiti AmpliFi HD and Google Wifi.
The Dashboard shows a good overview of the network, displaying internet status, the number of devices connected, and whether parental controls are on or off. The Administration page shows the firmware version and a way to automatically update it. The firmware updates are encrypted during commitment, but the firmware doesn't cocky-authenticate during startup.
You can select upwardly to 3 client devices on your network that will go top data priority. If you retrieve your network connection is flagging, the app's Speed Test folio measures its latency, upload speed and download speed. The software also lets yous fix up port forwarding, IPv6 addressing and a guest network, and you tin can have the system email you when a node disconnects.
On the downside, you tin can't accommodate the transmission level or the aqueduct width. The Velop doesn't back up static IP addressing, merely you can utilise the arrangement's DHCP reservations to achieve the same upshot.
Linksys Velop review: Smart dwelling house integration
Like many of its mesh-system rivals, the Linksys Velop works with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant, although for the moment it tin only turn a guest network on or off and reveal the access passwords for the main and guest networks.
Every bit we noted earlier, each Velop has a built-in but currently dormant ZigBee radio, which promises much wider integration with smart-home devices in the time to come.
More than: Smart Abode: A Guide to Products, Services and Security
Linksys Velop review: Security and parental controls
Each Velop device comes with a preprinted label underneath with its semi-random network name, password and recovery code. Each of these should be safe to use while setting up the system, just should be inverse at the first opportunity.
The Velop uses WPA or WPA2 encryption for connecting with client devices. The older WEP encryption standard is non supported, and you may have to use Ethernet to connect some pre-2003 devices. The Velop does support Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), which creates a limited security gamble but as well makes it much easier for less-tech-savvy people to use the system.
The Linksys app'due south parental controls are a step upwards from Google Wifi'south. You can "pause" the internet feed and then the family unit can concentrate on, well, the family unit. With a firmware update issued in early on May 2017, you tin can schedule a child'south internet usage hour past hr or according to the day of the week. The app can block websites based on categories or individual sites, only it lacks the Luma app's easy-to-understand Grand, PG, PG-13 and R ratings.
Linksys Velop review: Verdict
The Linksys Velop can hands fill a large home with Wi-Fi signals, just information technology isn't the cheapest, the fastest or the most consistent router system. At $500 for three units, information technology'south among the almost expensive mesh kits bachelor. Overall, we prefer the similar, and equally expensive, Netgear Orbi system, which was more consistent and easier to set.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/linksys-velop,review-4290.html
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