Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 vs Linksys Velop Tri Band AC4600- Going for the better Wi-Fi connection

Beyond reliability, coverage and speeds, there are many factors pertaining proper Wi-Fi connection. This article discusses AC4600 and AC6600 in depth to help you choose the right one for you.

Currently, there are many Wi-Fi systems ranging from the mesh package to the traditional single-router system. For Linksys AC6600 and AC4600, they consist of the latest mesh systems. These work by connecting your modem directly to a main router as well as other additional nodes for even wider coverage around your home or office space.

Having tested several Wi-Fi systems and connections over some time, this guide is founded on sound reviews. It has narrowed down to these two systems as top contenders for the best Wi-Fi system currently available in the market. Beyond being suitable for all types of users, there are other subtle differences between them to let you know which one is best for you.

What are the differences between AC4600 and AC6600? 

AC4600 vs AC6600- How do they compare to one another?

Design

AC6600 is a tall rectangular tower with a sleekultra-compact modular system. It has a matte finish that does not leave fingerprints. The ports are on the bottom and the antenna at the top that is used for better coverage. This design is also used to keep excess wires out while being practical at the same time.

AC6600 also has LED which is used to indicate the status of the network and the device. The color blue indicates the device is working fully and red indicates the connection is down. To add, it comes with a main router and additional nodes (2). These can be easily plugged into an outlet.

This enables the device to seamlessly fit to your home anywhere that has a socket without worrying about unsightly cords. The router is the same mini-tower. For AC4600, on the other hand,is 7.28 in. tall and measures 3.07 by 3.07 in. at the bottom and 2.6 by 2.6 inches at the top.

There’s only one LED indicator on the top of the tower that blinks blue during startup, shines blue indicating connected, turns red indicating that the internet connection is lost, and turns purple during setup. There are two gigabit LAN ports at bottom, as well as a reset button, a power switch, and a power jack.

Hardware

AC6600 router is built on the Qualcomm Atheros platform and every router has storage of 512 MB of RAM and 4GB Samsung. Both the 2.4GHz radio and first 5GHz radio bands uses the Qualcomm IPQ4019 chipset and the second 5 GHz radio uses a Qualcomm QCA9886 chipset.

AC6600 is set to work as a smart Wi-Fi connection at home, since the system is equipped with the ZigBee Technology and the Bluetooth wireless technology.

The AC4600 router is also built on the Qualcomm Atheros Platform with a switch port speed 10/100/100Mbps and a radio frequency of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It also includes RAM of 512 MB and contains a flash memory of 4 GB. To add, it has Data Link Protocol of Bluetooth 4.0, Ethernet, fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11ac, b, g, n.

Speeds

Regarding its speed performance, AC4600 contains features like MU-MIMO and Beamforming+ technology which together enhance the speeds you get with this router.

AC6600 also delivers on fast data transfer speeds. It is known for having a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 400 Mbps using the 2.4GHz radio band and each of the two 5GHz radios can go up to 867 Mbps.

Performance in tests

When done throughput speeds, the AC6600 can deliver a fast average speed of 164.3Mbps when in close proximity. For the AC4600, a single unit gives an average throughput of 527.1Mbps when the router is within 15 feet of the connected device. This is according to Ixia’s IX Chariot software.

 Setup and Interface

Both AC6600 and AC4600 can be setup easily using a mobile app. After installing the app, it requires you to connect to the first node to the internet and thereafter you are provided with follow-up steps. That is how easy it is to complete this setup and personalize your system.

Finally, AC4600 contains WPA2-personal and WPA2-Enterprice security features. It also has up to 128-bit encryption of Security Key Bits. Moreover, it works on the operating temperature of 32 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additional features

For AC6600, the router comes with a 3-year warranty and tech support. This shows how the router has a premium level of support that also includes a dedicated phone support line.

Another additional feature of both AC6600 and AC4600 is their ability to detect if a node has gone offline and re-route the data through the existing nodes. This is done by scanning all the nearby units and choosing the best one to connect to depending on the signal strength, distance, and unused channels.

Simply stated, this mesh functionality is referred to as auto-healing. This is what allows you to freely roam a large home/office without unnecessary disconnects. Of course, adding new nodes to the system will also force the network to reconfigure the routes and, once again, find the best and fastest ones for the data.

AC4600 vs AC6600- Overview and Key Features

AC4600

With a set-up that can be done within minutes, AC4600 is one of the easiest routers to use. It also has other stellar features. First, it has a frequency Band of 2.4 GHz (1 band) / 5 GHz (2 bands) / 5 GHz (3 bands). It also includes a RAM of 512 MB and contains a flash memory of 4 GB. It contains Encryption Algorithm of WPA2 and is a Wi-Fi system that is wireless. It contains Data Link Protocol of Bluetooth 4.0, Ethernet, fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11ac, b, g, n.

Regarding its speed performance, AC4600 contains features like MU-MIMO andBeamforming+ technology which together enhance the speeds you get with this router. In fact, with the tri-band working on full mode, you are bound not to experience any signal degradation even as you move from one room to another. If you lose connection with one node, the other easily picks up and ensures you enjoy seamless Wi-Fi connection. The 3 units also offer coverage of up to 4000-4500 square feet. The WAN port also makes this possible. Moreover, it has 6 antennas and a 4GB installed camera.

To add, AC4600 is one of the first to join the wireless mesh systems. It being a mesh system, the nodes can then be connected to ensure each finds the best route for the data. The mesh network also has self-healing capabilities that is an important property in that when a node goes offline the nodes are able to reroute themselves. AC4600 also has more bandwidth and latency.

It is not without fault though. For instance, the download speed tends to become compromised when many devices are connected at once.

What we like

• Quick and easy to install using the Linksys mobile app
• Offers parental control options to set limits for your children
• Has guest network options
• Delivers fast Wi-Fi speed over a large area
• Has a sleek design that is aesthetically pleasing
• MIMO enabled

What we don’t like

• Quite expensive
• It does not support dedicated band control
• Lacks USB ports
• Lacks basic settings and common features

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AC6600

Linksys Velop Mesh Home WiFi System, 6,000 Sq. ft Coverage, 60+ Devices, Speeds up to (AC2200) 2.2Gbps - WHW0303

• Apple HomeKit-Enabled
• Ideal for large, 5plus bedroom multi-story homes (up to 6,000 square feet)

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AC6600 is a whole home Wi-Fi system which is designed to perform well in every home type and office. It offers connection up to 2000 square feet from each node. It has a beautiful sleek design that can be placed in open spaces and still looks aesthetically pleasing. Its small size makes it easy to be placed throughout the home and features a smaller footprint compared to other routers. Moreover, it has a tower design that supports vertical antenna placement that further helps dispersion of Wi-Fi throughout your home.

The router also has a cable management system that hides connection cables hence keeps the home clutter free. It also has the guest Wi-Fi option that is convenient when you do not want to share your password with multiple people hence acts as a security measure.

For AC6600 it is designed in the pre-existing mesh system. As already stated, Wi-Fi mesh systems are all connected to one router. The system basically works with the first node being connected to the internet with other additional nodes working together to boost signal coverage as well as reliability of the system. A third node, for instance comes in handy so that there are no ‘dead-zones’ or ‘blind-spots’ throughout your home.

The interesting thing is that all nodes communicate with each other and not only with the main unit. This way, data can be routed through the nodes and the system will find the best road. This ensures there are minimum interferences and where the channels aren’t congested.

Lastly, it has Linksys shield that can be used to protect your family against online security risks. Moreover,you gain parental controls that can filter content not suitable for kids and manages screen time and even pauses abilities.

AC6600 still has its own shortcomings that have not yet completely been addressed by either Wi-Fi systems. For example, with an additional node, it becomes more difficult to control the backhaul.

What we like 

• Easy to set up and designed to fit anywhere. This is due to its sleek design and portable size.
• Ultra-performance – this router delivers the performance that is needed to support multiple Wi-Fi devices.it also delivers fast speeds even when multiple devices are connected and also provides coverage to larger areas
• Equipped with dual band and tri band that both work together to provide you with fast Wi-Fi
• Come with parental control features
• Fitted with Linksys shield to protect your router and connected devices from cyber threats

What we don’t like

• Relatively expensive
• Router lacks basic settings as well as common features found in a router hence can be a tad complicated for first time users
• Lacks USB ports as found in other routers
• Router also has only two Ethernet ports per unit
• Does not support dedicated bond control

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Conclusion

Both routers have outstanding features that make them an easy, attractive fit for any area. Their tech-features like wide coverage and signal strength also makes either a good choice for all kinds of home designs.

VERDICT: SO, WHICH IS BETTER? AC6600 or AC4600

The AC6600 definitely has some pros compared to AC4600 even though they are largely similar. AC66000 wins out because of a number of reasons. First, it has wireless performance and is better because it uses 5Hz radio band which causes a lot of interference.

Also, it is able to learn from you .When you set up your system, technology gets to work adopting your system to your home. It also has self-healing properties. This is when someone unplugs a node accidentally, the other nodes pick up. It also has self-selecting in that it is able to select the clearest channel for your devices.

Moreover, AC6600 is the better product because it has Linksys shield that can be used to protect your family against online security risks. Lastly , Ultra-performance also gives weight to this router because it delivers the performance that is needed to support multiple Wi-Fi devices and can  also deliver fast speeds even when multiple devices are connected and also provides coverage to larger areas.

FAQ’s

1. What are the device prioritization options through the app?

The Linksys app for both AC4600 and AC6600 allows you to prioritize which device gets to enjoy less lag time and no buffering. This is done by allocating which connected device to the network should get the most bandwidth.

2. How does one manage the connected devices?

To do this, go to the Linksys app and log in to your cloud account. Select the devices icon and click to view more. This way you can check on the device’s name and IP address of all connected devices to your system. This doubles up as a security feature.