Is Velop true mesh? The router has user-friendly features like an intuitive phone app and Cognitive Mesh, which directs your device to the best available node. With the ability to add Wi-Fi 7 nodes in the future, it’s even somewhat future-proof. This device distributes Wi-Fi throughout residences up to 9,000 square feet using the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz radio bands. It is a reliable performer that is simple to set up and maintain. Get details in Linksys Velop Pro WiFi 6E mesh system MX6203 review.
Linksys Velop Pro WiFi 6E mesh system MX6203 YouTube review
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Decent performance at 5GHz and 6GHz
- Aesthetically pleasing node architecture
- Suitable with the most modern Wi-Fi 7 nodes
- Simple to set up
- Simple to assemble
- Easy to use
Cons
- Needs a phone app; no web-based setup
- Lack of support for multi-gig Ethernet
- Absence of anti-malware defense
- Absence of USB ports
Linksys Velop Pro WiFi 6E mesh system MX6203 Specs
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 98 x 95 x 196 mm
- Non-operating Temperature: -20 ̊̊ C to 60 ̊̊ C
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% relative humidity and Non-Condensing
- Operating Temperature: 0-40 ̊̊ C
- Ports:
- One (1) Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps) WAN port
- One (1) Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps) LAN port
- Reset Button: Ability to reset to factory default
- Security Features:
- Supports various wireless security/encryption types including WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Personal, WPA2 Personal, WPA3 Personal
- Parental Controls featuring time-based, domain-based and MAC address-based (device-based) blocking of Internet access
- Single-port and port-range forwarding, port triggering
- Network Address Translation (NAT)
- Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall
- Wi-Fi Technology:
- 802.11ax-Enhanced or AXE
- MU-MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output)
- DL-OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access)
- TWT (Target WakeTime)
- STBC (Space Time Block Code)
- Easy Setup:
- Set up and access your network on the Linksys Mobile App, and easily prioritize connected devices as you need to.
- Storage Temperature: -20 ̊̊ C to 60 ̊̊ C
- Storage Humidity: 10% to 90% Non-Condensing
- Cognitive Mesh for better coverage and an optimized experience
- Wi-Fi 6E means higher speeds available for working and streaming
- Access to higher MHz channels means more power and a stronger connection
- Qualcomm Immersive Home 316 Platform chipset inside for nextgen wire-like stability and performance
- Easy setup in minutes & control through the Linksys App
- The new droplet design fits into your home décor while delivering improved thermal management and performance in a compact footprint.
Price
The Linksys Velop Pro 6E is priced at $399.99 for a 3-pack, $299.99 for a 2-pack, and $169.99 for a single device.
Linksys Velop Pro WiFi 6E mesh system MX6203 review
Design
There are two available configurations for the Linksys Velop Pro 6E: a 3-pack and a single device.Each node is the same size, measuring 98 x 95 x 196 mm. These nodes are packed with four internal antennas each. With the exception of one, the sides are essentially plain, while the top features the Linksys logo and some venting.The identical teardrop-shaped nodes come in three hues (Carbon Black, Pebble Gray, and Pure White) and measure 7.5 by 3.7 by 3.7 inches (HWD).
Connectors
One WAN port, one LAN port, and your 12V power port are on this side. Our nodes are all white and composed of high-quality plastic.
You will be without USB connectivity and without the multi-gig WAN/LAN ports that come with the Wyze Pro 6E and Eero Pro 6E kits, even though each node has two 1GbE LAN ports (one of the router nodes functions as a WAN port). However, if you’d rather, you can use the 1GbE LAN ports for wired backhaul. The node’s top has a small status LED that flashes blue when it boots up and then lights solid blue when it’s ready for setup, red when it loses its internet connection, and white when everything is connected and operating as it should.
LED indicators
When is router is starting, you will see flashing blue light. There will be solid blue light when it is ready to setup. If you see the light as red color, which means no internet connection is available. When internet connection is established, the color will be white.
Coverage
For individuals looking to equip a sizable home with superior 6GHz Wi-Fi, the Linksys Velop Pro 6E three-pack is a reliable option. The system offered quick performance and robust 5GHz signal coverage, and the three attractive nodes span an area of up to 9,000 square feet and are very easy to install and maintain.
Speed
The Velop Pro 6E router achieved 345Mbps over a distance of 30 feet, which was higher than the TP-Link (322Mbps) and Eero Pro (330Mbps), but lower than the ZenWiFi XT8 (350Mbps) and the victorious Wyze Mesh Pro 6E (470Mbps).
In our 5GHz close-proximity test, the router node yielded a speed of 910Mbps, which was higher than the Asus ZenWiFi XTT8 (869Mbps) and TP-Link Deco XE75 (853Mbps) mesh systems’ router nodes. However, it lagged behind the Eero Pro 6E (925Mbps) and the Wyze Mesh Pro 6E (937Mbps).
Chip
Based on Qualcomm’s Immersive Home 316 platform, the Velop Pro 6E offers tri-band networking and Wi-Fi 6E features such as direct-to-client beamforming, MU-MIMO data streaming, 160MHz channel bandwidth, WPA3 encryption, 6GHz data transmissions, and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) data transmissions.
Memory
It is equipped with a 512MB DRAM, 256MB flash memory, and a 1GHz dual-core CPU. It should be noted that the Linksys Cognitive Mesh and Linksys Intelligent Mesh devices included in the Hydra Pro and Atlas router and mesh system series are incompatible.
Linksys Velop Pro WiFi 6E Setup
After downloading the app, you must select the Velop Pro 6E from the app, connect your internet cable to one of the nodes, turn the node on, and establish an account. After the program locates the node, you may name the network, set a password, and decide whether to connect further nodes. The remaining two nodes are then plugged in and powered on. You can then select to add nodes in the app, and it will rescan for those nodes and establish a connection with them.
Apps
To set up the network, you must first install the Linksys app on your iOS or Android device. Once you have that, a 17-step process that involves some legwork is instructed for you to follow.Either a web interface or the Linksys app can be used to adjust settings. Although it seems a little outdated, the online interface works well, and the application was responsive and easy to use.
There are tabs for each node and every device you have linked to the app on the home screen. Each Velop node has its own tab on the screen that appears when you hit the Node tab. You can rename a node, turn off its status LED, and see its IP address, serial number, and firmware version by tapping any node. The Devices tab displays a screen where you may enable QoS settings and parental controls (if applicable) for each device, as well as view the IP and MAC addresses of each device and the nodes to which they are connected.
Privacy
The Velop Pro 6E lacks the age-based web filters and anti-malware technologies seen in other kits, such the TP-Link Deco X4300 Pro, but it does provide basic parental controls, such as the ability to block certain websites and set internet pauses. Similar to the Hydra Pro 6 Dual-Band Mesh Router we reviewed last year, it makes use of the same web interface and mobile app. To perform tasks like configuring the firewall and dividing the radio bands, you’ll need to access the web console. Nevertheless, the mobile app is user-friendly and provides a ton of settings.
Linksys Velop Pro WiFi 6E mesh system MX6203 consumer review
Excellent WIFI 6E Mesh System
This Linksys Velop Wifi 3 pack is the 2nd mesh system I own. My “old” mesh was also Linksys (Atlas Pro 6) and already having experience with them, I thought setup would go smoothly just like the first time. More on that later. The Tri Band 2.4, 5 and 6GHz bands with the ability to connect 200 device PER node is more than enough firepower for your home. Every device can be connected with no loss of speed and with a massive range. In the box are the 3 satellites with accompanying power bricks, 1 ethernet cable and a little cardboard with 2 QR codes to get you started. You can also download the Linksys app via the Google Play or Apple store respectively. As all 3 satellites are completely identical, you can start off with any of them when you begin the setup. Setup for me was not so smooth (hence part of the 4 star review). Now don’t get me wrong, your mileage may vary and you may not have the troubles I did. Having already the Atlas Pro system and the App installed, it was supposed to be an easy “setup new network” from scratch. Once I disconnected my current system and started the setup for this mesh I would get hang ups and infinite reboot/setup cycles. I tried first on my phone and after I get the node (I went through all 3) connected to the internet with the white night, the app would crash and lock up at the Linksys Pledge screen. Then I tried on a fresh tablet and app with no login info to start anew. I could get further in the setup, but then after naming my network and password, i would get an error to reset the node and then setup started all over again. Now enter Linksys Customer Support. If I could rate them, they get a 12 out of 10. They helped me from start to finish to manually set up the new network, customize it the way I wanted and made sure the speeds and range were 100% perfect. Since upgrading, all my wireless devices seem to get a minor bump in speeds depending on what they were. On average ~30mbps increase. I use google fiber so my hardwired PC was getting the advertised speeds of 1Gbps up and down. If your home network relies on or you prefer wireless, this mesh system is beyond awesome. For me, it’s a little iffy. The reason is that I need multiple hardwired devices for WFH purposes. My old Atlas Pro system was perfect as the satellites give you up to 3 hardwired devices. This Velop Pro gives you just 1. Range is amazing. It boasts up to 9000 sq ft of coverage for 4+ bedroom homes and I believe it. No matter where I am at in my house and outside as well, I have full coverage and not even 1 bar of signal loss. If you need a mesh system for complete home coverage, Linksys is the best in the game. Don’t overlook this.
By Woo151 at Best Buy
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