Linksys Velop 1 vs Linksys Velop 2- Which is a better Wi-Fi connection?

To help you find the best router option, this guide is on Velop 1 and V2. Choosing the right one entails looking at features like their speed, price and coverage.

After using numerous Wi-Fi connections from reputable brands over a long period of time, a few things tend to stand out when selecting the best Wi-Fi brand and device. This article has summarized and narrowed down the very best wireless connection to suit your needs. Broadly, V1 and V2 are used to refer to different versions of the same model. Also, they refer to the 1 pack and 2 pack Velop devices.

Read on for the differences and analysis of Linksys Velop 1 and Linksys Velop 2. They are both well-reviewed in their individual categories. To select the best pick, there is need to know the comparison between them.

What are the differences between Linksys Velop 1 and Linksys Velop 2? 

 Linksys Velop V1 vs Linksys Velop V2- How do they compare to one another?

For both V1 and V2, their main aim is to establish a reliable and stable wireless connection that is able to handle a good number of users connected at the same time. They do this by enabling a wide range of access across the home and office for all kind of users.

Number of nodes

Most devices are fitted with the first node that is able to gain a connection that then creates a wireless coverage. If there is need to expand the current connection, then another node can be added to create an expanded coverage. Although the additional nodes create wider network coverage; they can be a hindrance sometimes as it makes it hard to control the backhaul traffic.

Linksys however, has been able to come up with a partial solution to this by including an additional 5 GHz radio. This additional band controls the backhaul traffic by allowing a larger number of clients to connect without any lags. Velop 2 has an extra node that can be able to increase the Wi-Fi coverage in an area while the Velop 1 has only one node and cannot extend its Wi-Fi connection area.

Design

When comparing the physical appearance of both the devices side by side, they are identical as is expected as they are from the same company. There is little to no differences in their general designs. The Linksys Velops have a square shape and they are tower like they stand at about 9.5 inches and 4.5 inches wide and deep. The outer layers of the devices have a matte finish that is a plus because it does not leave behind traces of finger prints. The ports on the devices are also located at the bottom of the devices this gives it a clean look.

Each individual Velop tower has a one single LED on the top of the device that has different color of lights to indicate the status of the device and connection. The blue light color is when everything is working properly, the yellow LED is when the device has lost contact and when there is a red light is means there is no internet connection.At the bottom of both units, there is a power switch, reset button and Ethernet ports.

For Linksys Velop 1, it comes as one unit which is the main and only router. The Ethernet ports connect with the broadband modem. Linksys Velop 2, on the flipside, comes as two units have the extension and the additional unit comes with networked appliance such as storage.

Hardware

Linksys Velop devices come with a 2 x 2 802.11 ac limited mesh network with a capability of 1.5 Gigabits performance. They also create a true mesh arrangement with each other. To add, Velop systems are built on the Qualcomm IP4019 Wi-Fi control chip and radio which has 710 MHz quad core processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space. The units are also fed with data from the host router using a Qualcomm QCA 9886 chip. Another similarity is that Linksys Velop has a system that creates a 2.4 GHz network and a pair of 5 GHz networks which assist with backhaul traffic.

Features and Performance

The main purpose of both the Linksys Velop 1 and Linksys Velop 2 is to create a large enough network that can turn a large home or office into a playground for Wi-Fi connections. It does this through the mesh router system that delivers high speed data to every corner.

Velop 1 which is a single unit acting as the router, does an average speed of 527.1 Mbps and coverage of 1,500 square foot. For the Velop 2, it is able to deliver 3,000 square foot Wi-Fi coverage with ease. It also has a more efficient Wi-Fi as it is fitted with OFDMA that enables more data to and from your device in a streamlined way.

Set Up and Interface

Both Linksys V1 and V2 can be set up using a mobile app on either android or IOS. The installation process is simple with clear steps to follow. One difference between these two products is that the Linksys Velop 2 unit does not come pre-paired with each other. Pairing of the units can be tedious but can be done using the mobile app.

For V1, the startup sequence has clear illustrations that indicate how and what should be plugged in as well as the LED color that shows the device is working in prime condition.

At the end of the process you can change the Wi-Fi name and password to your preference as well as change the devices Wi-Fi connection. On the flipside, the set-up in V2 is a bit longer as you have to connect the second unit. This is done by clicking “add node” once the router is running and it will find the node

Velop 1 takes a shorter time to connect compared to the Linksys Velop 2 which takes about 15-20 minutes to set up. Both Linksys offer 24/7 access to the support team of technicians via phone call or email. The units also come with an excellent manual in the box that explains how to set up the Velop devices and maximize the capability of the units.

Performance in speed tests

When tested against software like Ixia’s Chariot software, the V1 and V2 can hit their theoretical speed of 867 on the 5GHz band. Every so often you can check your current upload and download speeds through your Linksys Cloud.

Linksys Velop V1 vs Linksys Velop V2-Overview and Key Features

Linksys Velop V1

Linksys MX5300 Velop AX Whole Home WiFi 6 System: Wireless Router and Extender, Gigabit Ethernet Ports, 5.3 Gbps, 3,000 sq ft, 50 devices (1-Pack)

• Mesh Wi-Fi router provides next-gen Wi-Fi 6 speeds and whole-home mesh coverage
• Bandwidth for 50 plus Wireless devices and coverage for homes up to 3000 square feet

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Linksys Velop V1 is a great device that has numerous features that are going on for it. First, the executive and minimalist design is a big plus. It can easily fit into your living room and can as well be easily hidden in case you want keep them out of reach, they are interesting to look at can be a good conversation starter when left out.

Beyond their impressive outer design, the internal features also have a lot to offer. V1 offers exceptional capacity, speed and coverage. With the option of router boosters, V1 can deliver speeds ofup to 1.5 Gbps to each and every corner of your home. The MU-MIMO technology is also used to deliver simultaneous streams of data to more than one user. For a single unit, V1 does an average speed of 527Mbps and offers signal coverage of 1,500 square feet. This wireless transmission is also strong enough to pass through thick walls.

Another plus is the advantage of linking up to 10 Velop devices to cover an enormous home or office. Therefore, even if you purchase the Linksys Velop 1 there is a capability expand your Wi-Fi coverage by purchasing additional Velop units.

Like all other products, V1 has its own drawbacks. For instance, V1 does not have USB ports so connecting to a printer is counted out. Another shortcoming is its overall shape that can topple over at the slightest movement.

Pros

• Has a minimalist design and can fit seamlessly in your home
• Outer layer has a matte finish that does not leave behind finger prints
• Can add additional nodes in future if there is need expand network coverage
• Connects to the existing modem, replacing the current router
• Comes with a three year warranty
• Fitted with air vents that prevent overheating

Cons

• Does not cover a large area if put in a large house it will not cover all points
• Abit costly for a one unit pack

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Linksys Velop Two Pack

Linksys MX10600 Velop AX Whole Home WiFi 6 System: Wireless Router and Extender, 5.3 Gbps, 6,000 sq ft Range, 100 devices (2-Pack)

• Mesh Wi-Fi router provides next-gen Wi-Fi 6 speeds and whole-home mesh coverage
• Bandwidth for 50plus wireless devices and coverage for homes up to 6000 square feet

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The Linksys velop two pack is a Wi-Fi system that gives you more speed, coverage and capacity. To add, it is quite superior as it is combined with the mesh technology with has a true gigabit speeds and ability to reach your whole home and outdoors. The additional node also provides a powerful Wi-Fi signal. Simply put, the V2 is able to self-organize and optimize to select the quickest path for the fastest, reliable connections. The units also use a system that allows you to have one Wi-Fi name and password across the board for a secure and seamless system.

It also has a nice exterior and finish that can fit into your home. Its minimalistic design has an outer layer with a matte finish that keeps the unit clean without worrying about dirt such as fingerprint marks. Like V1, one drawback on its design is that its tower-like shape. This means it can easily topple over if moved. Another con with V2 is the lack of a USB router that comes in handy if you wish to connect your printer.

Regarding its set-up and interface, Velop 2 has the added abilities of having two units that can be “chained” to pass data from one unit to the other without needing to go back to the main router. It also has six antennas, two for each individual network and also Bluetooth radio which is used for configuring the system. There is also the addition of the BSS technology which ensures congestion is minimized thus reducing interference from other nearby networks. This delivers a strong and clear Wi-Fi signal to your home so you won’t need to worry about your next door neighbors Wi-Fi interfering with yours.

Pros

• Can add additional nodes for a much larger coverage
• Minimalistic design
• Additional 5 GHz radio that deals with backhaul traffic
• Matte finish does not retain finger prints

Cons

• A bit difficult to set up and the nodes do not come paired to each other
• Costly compared to other two pack units

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Conclusion

This article has analyzed Linksys V1 and V2 to help you choose the right one for you. Ultimately, what matters is your specific needs and budget. If you also have a rather large house, consider buying multiple nodes. They are both impressive devices nonetheless.

Verdict: Which is better between V1 and V2?

Linksys Velop 1 and Linksys Velop 2 are both exceptional devices with numerous similar features. As they are from the same brand manufacturer, you can be guaranteed of a certain unique quality. They also both have the advantages of good performance and executive exterior.

Nonetheless, V2 has clear advantages over the Velop 1. For example, it can cover a larger radius and many connected users. If you have a large home and want full network coverage V2 is the most appropriate buy. Linksys Velop 1 is suitable for individuals with small homes and need reliably fast network coverage at a much cheaper price.

FAQ’s

1. What is MU-MIMO?

For seamless data streaming between users, MU-MIMO technology has been developed. It simply means multiple-user, multiple-input, multiple-output.

2. Do more units translate to better coverage?

Yes. For example, Linksys Velop 2 which comes as two units covers an even larger radius with good speeds compared to V1.