Linksys Velop Pro 6E WiFi Mesh System

Probably the most frustrating wifi system I’ve ever used. Range and speed are fine, basic setup is easy enough, but everything past that has been a series of issues ranging from moderately annoying to seriously concerning.

Biggest concern: we’ve had brief power outages twice since I bought this, and both times the router came back online using an entirely different IP address range and subnet mask for my network.

I don’t mean the public IP that’s expected to change sometimes, I mean the internal network that I (should) have control over was wildly different after rebooting compared to what I’d set. (I run a /16 in the 192.x.x.x space. Config was changed to be a /32 in the 10.x.x.x range. These don’t seem to be default values, and none of my other settings were changed).

Since there were absolutely no alerts or notifications about this, someone only using the mobile app for administration and not setting static IP addresses may not have even noticed this sort of change. It breaks my setup though, and more importantly I can no longer trust that this system won’t change something more important, say… security settings… in the future.

Beyond that, there’s plenty of frustrating issues as well. If there’s a problem with your connection to your provider, the app just hangs for several minutes before telling you “your network is down”. It’s impossible to get any additional information or take any actions to fix it other than hoping a physical reboot will fix it, making it impossible to actually troubleshoot.

Also, frequently the connection will just hang, appearing to be connected but with no data actually getting through. This happens on basically any device not hardwired to the network. To fix it, I’ll have to turn wi-fi off on my device and then back on, forcing a reconnect. When I do this, I’ll often get a slew of notifications at once letting me know my device has been in this “stuck” state for quite some time. I tend to just leave wifi off entirely more often than not.

I unfortunately didn’t notice most of these issues until I was past my return window, but they’re bad enough that I’m just going to have to eat the cost of these since there’s no way I can keep them. Strongly suggest you look for something else.

Vi algunas reseñas que decían que esta malla era mala, en casa siempre hemos tenido la marca sin mayor problema, pero con este producto, pésimamente mal, imposible de configurar bien, quiere que los pongas a 10 metros de distancia cada uno y aún así no se conectan, llevo ya cuatro meses con ellos y casi siempre se desconectan, quieren volver a confirgurar y es un dolor de cabeza, creo que es mejor comenzar a usar otro marca como Orbi o la que sea menos Linksys.
Su propuesta 6E no sirve más allá que un 6 normal, hay mejores propuestas a mejor precio.
Su atención a cliente mala.

I am a veteran networking professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry and I have also authored numerous books on Wi-Fi technology. I have spent most of my career focusing on enterprise-level Wi-Fi solutions. The Wi-Fi that I usually deal with is built for businesses, and it’s a whole different ballgame than the home Wi-Fi most people are familiar with. In the business world, the Wi-Fi has to not only be super-fast and extremely secure, but it also needs to integrate seamlessly into complex enterprise networks.

You might be wondering why a guy who works with super complicated Wi-Fi systems for big businesses is messing around with home Wi-Fi gear. Well, my wife had enough of our home looking like a sci-fi movie set with all the techy equipment I’d bring home. She wanted something that was not only reliable but also aesthetically pleasing—essentially, a Wi-Fi system that “just works” without becoming a room’s unwanted centerpiece. So, I thought I’d go back to basics and check out Linksys, which was my go-to for home Wi-Fi way back when everyone was just getting used to the idea of Wi-Fi in the first place.

I decided to go with the Linksys Velop Pro 6E, opting for the 3-pack mesh system to ensure solid coverage throughout my entire home. I was drawn to this choice for a few reasons: Linksys’ reputable brand name, the system’s sleek design, and the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E technology that operates on the new 6 GHz frequency band.

When I hit the ‘Buy Now’ button, I had three criteria in mind that, if met, would make this a 5-star product for me:

1. Hassle-free setup
2. Easy on the eyes
3. Strong and fast coverage throughout my 2,600 square-foot home

I am happy to report that the Linksys Velop Pro 6E met all three expectations with flying colors.

Setup:
The setup was a breeze. I unboxed the system, scanned the QR code to download the Linksys app, and the app guided me through the entire installation process. From unboxing to fully operational, it took me about 5 minutes—or let’s call it 10 minutes, accounting for the time I spent positioning the two additional mesh nodes around my house as the app advised. The best part? The mesh setup was incredibly smooth and automatic. Just plug in, follow the prompts, and you’re up and running.

Within another 15 minutes, I had connected all of my 12 devices—laptops, smartphones, tablets, TVs, a doorbell, thermostats, you name it—to the new Wi-Fi network with the latest WPA3 security. And while the Linksys mobile app is straightforward enough for most users, advanced settings can also be managed via their web application if you prefer.

Pretty factor:
Aesthetics matter more than most people think. I frequently come across the newest Wi-Fi routers boasting 6-8 antennas sticking out, making them look like some sort of robotic alien spider. What I needed was a Wi-Fi system that could discreetly blend into the room, becoming a part of the decor rather than a distraction. The Linksys Velop Pro 6E delivers on this front—its cylindrical design and internal antennas make it a sleek, unobtrusive addition to any room. Definitely easy on the eyes!

Connectivity:
I conducted tests throughout the house and consistently recorded a signal strength of well over -65 dBm (which is considered excellent). Using Ookla for speed tests on various devices, I nearly maxed out the bandwidth limit set by my ISP, which is 500 Mbps. Keep in mind, I specifically wanted a Wi-Fi 6E system to leverage the newly-released 6 GHz frequency band. I have a couple of smartphones and laptops equipped with 6 GHz radios, and I observed Wi-Fi speeds as high as 2401 Mbps.

After 48 hours of operation, the verdict from the home front is unanimous: everyone is happy, and the Wi-Fi just works. That merits 5-stars!