Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 vs. Orbi – Which of these is the best router to meet all your expectations?
Various factors like speed, coverage and capacity usually stand out when choosing a Wi-Fi router system for your home or office. This article analyzes Linksys Velop AC2600 and Orbi on these crucial features to see which one makes the cut.
For amateurs and pros alike, settling on one Wi-Fi router device in the market can be quite the daunting task. This is because you have to consider a wide range of factors like connectivity, coverage, speed, design technology and the price tag as well. There are also many router systems in the market including the traditional single-router to modern ones that are hybrids of all sorts.
This article has narrowed down to Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 and Orbi routers which are highly reputable in their categories. They both offer a reliable and easy way to blanket your home without wiring or extensions. They also have other similarities as well as features that distinguish them. For instance, Linksys AC6600 has its supporting app- Linksys while that of Orbi is under the same name. They both work differently depending on your home or office space.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 and Orbi?
Product |
Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 |
Orbi (Winner) |
Coverage |
Up to 6,000 square feet |
Up to 5,000 square feet |
Chipset |
MU-MIMO and Beamforming, 1 Port, Qualcomm Atheros, Bluetooth radio |
4 ports (two on each satellite and one on the primary router), Qualcomm IPQ4019 for backhaul control, 4GB memory and is also compatible with 802.11ac |
Speed (Long range) |
Combined up to 2.13Gbps (400Mbps+867Mbps+867Mbps |
Up to 3Gbps |
Antenna |
6 (2 for each network) |
6 |
Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 vs. Orbi – How do they compare?
Structure and Design
Measuring 3.1 x 9.3 x 7.3 inches and weighing 1lb, each of the nodes on Linksys AC2600 is elegantly finished with a matte exterior to keep away fingerprint marks. They are also compact-sized with a small-tower design so that you can easily place them in corners around your house. The tower-design only allows for vertical placing which in turn enhances the coverage and Wi-Fi dispersion you get to enjoy around your house. To add on its design, Linksys AC2600 has a proper cable management system to keep away all unsightly cables. This router ensures that your home remains as clutter-free as possible even with 3 nodes around your house.
For Orbi’s structure and design, it is a cylindrical shaped router that has a rather minimalistic design. It weighs 1.98lbs and measures 6.6 inches wide by 9inches high and 2.8 inches deep. It also has a white matte finish that keeps away fingerprint marks. To add, the Orbi router also has an LED light at the top. This lets you know about the status of your network at all times. For instance, a steady red light means that the router has run into an error while the color amber means the router is rebooting. Orbi also comes with an additional satellite to enhance your wireless signal as it can be used as an extension for it.
Coverage
With coverage of up to 6,000 feet, Linksys Velop AC6600 clearly stands out. This is enough coverage for medium-large homes in all kinds of designs. For instance, a ranch house that is long and narrow is guaranteed to have proper Wi-Fi coverage from the attic to the basement and to the patios and outdoors. This high coverage is because each of the 3 nodes in the AC2600 is able to offer up to 2,000 square feet coverage. If you also have many obstructions like walls and doors, consider going for additional nodes. These also come in handy in case your house was constructed with heavy materials like concrete and metal. Such materials usually prove problematic. Multi-story homes sometimes also need additional nodes for proper coverage without signal degradation or ‘dead-zones’ and ‘blind spots’.
On the flipside, Orbi can cover homes and offices up to 5,000 square feet without compromising on the signal quality or speeds. Orbi also creates a single network connecting all nodes such that you can move from room to room bouncing off from one connection to another without losing your signal. This seamless experience is precisely why most people go for mesh Wi-Fi systems as opposed to having the single-routers with multiple extenders.
Technology
Both Orbi and Linksys Tri Band are developed with the latest router technology to ensure ultra-fast and stable connections. For instance, they designed with MU-MIMO (multiple-user, multiple-input, multiple-output) technology. This simply means that the router is able to focus on multiple connected devices as if they were each stand alone. Previously, routers would start lagging once many connected devices place heavy requirements on them. With MU-MIMO technology, connected users who are even in the same room can all play online games and stream HD movies. Eero also goes further and incorporates OFDMA in its system.
Speeds
Orbi is a rather fast Wi-Fi router with the theoretical maximum speeds of up to 3Gbps. This is more than enough to handle tasks such as online gaming and streaming of movies in HD. For Linksys Velop Tri Band, it is fast as well, but only slightly behind the Orbi router. On paper, Linksys should be able to deliver 400Mbps on 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps each on the two 5GHz frequency bands. This is still enough to keep up with tasks like 4K and 8K streaming. This is partly made possible because of the MU-MIMO technology which has enhanced the very working of all router systems.
Performance in speed tests
The Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 delivers on fast upload and download speeds of up to 164.3Mbps when within 15 feet. Orbi on the other hand, has impressive speeds of up to 552Mbps when within close range (5 feet).
Additional Features
Both Linksys and Orbi routers come with their own mobile apps. Once installed, you can use the apps to install and configure the router to your preferred settings. The apps also offer additional features like parental control options as well ways to check on the status of your network as guest network creation.
Orbi has also put in place measures to protect your network from cyber threats such as malware, viruses and hackers. You can also set up a separate guest network such that your visitors have their own secure connection and do not compromise on yours.
Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600 vs. Orbi- A comparison overview
Linksys Velop Tri Band AC6600
Linksys Velop is a sleek router designed in white or black. It features three nodes that once all connected are bound to give you reliable and fast speed internet connections. One primary node works as your mode and wireless router all in one. The other node comes in handy if you want to have all your rooms covered with the wireless network. You can easily place it in strategic place to increase the total square feet covered by this Linksys. Another noteworthy feature of these nodes is that if one happens to malfunction, the other can keep up the wireless connection. This is a bonus as you can enjoy seamless connectivity even when one node is not keeping up or it loses connection.
Theoretically, Linksys Velop Tri Band is able to deliver up to 2,134Mbps with (400Mbps on the 2.4GHz band +867Mbps + 867Mbps for each of the 5GHz frequency bands).
To add, it has the Intelligent Mesh technology. This ensures that all devices experience fast speeds by eliminating the need to physically switch between available, working networks. Its modular design also enhances the broad outreach of this router. Your home/office will be easily enveloped by this mesh system once all units are connected. The Linksys app also allows you to tweak the system to your own personalized settings.
Like all other devices, Linksys AC6600 is not without its own imperfections. For example, it might be an unnecessary purchase if not many of your devices are 5GHz compatible.
What we like
- Fast and reliable speeds because of its advanced technology like MU-MIMO
- Many connected devices do not lead to signal drop or degradation
- Reasonably priced
- Offers device prioritization where specific devices are focused on for minimal buffering
What we don’t like
- Specifically works well with devices that are compatible with 5GHz
Orbi
- Ultra-performance Mesh WiFi network blankets every inch of your home in super fast and seamless WiFi...
- Eliminates WiFi dead zones and buffering - 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage - with speeds up to...
When you see the Orbi router, two things are bound to come to mind; its sleek and stylish yet compact design. An Orbi router measures 6.6 x 9 x 2.8 inches and it weighs just under 2lbs. Sold in white, it also has an LED light at the top of the router to let you know on your network status at all times. For example, an amber light means that the router is rebooting its system.
Another noteworthy feature of Orbi is its fast speeds. It is able to deliver up to 3Gbps which comes in handy for larger homes with more connected devices. Nowadays, tasks are also resource intensive therefore such high speeds make the Orbi router highly suitable for home and office use. For example, if two people on the same network were to stream Ultra-HD movies, Orbi router will be able to keep up with minimal buffering because of how fast it is.
Beyond being a 2×2 router, Orbi is also able to ensure high performance for all kinds of users because of other unique features it has. For example, it has MU-MIMO technology (multiple-user, multiple-input, multiple-output). This ensures that all connected devices get to enjoy their own bandwidths according to their requirements. This also ensures minimal lag time and buffering.
To add, Orbi has parental control features. You can easily monitor your children’s online activities as well as set time limits on how long your children can be online. This is because you can easily have the internet connection on pause from your mobile device.
Orbi is not without its own imperfections. For instance, it is rather pricey. It can be way out of budget for many people.
What we like
- Easy to install and customize through the app
- Aesthetically pleasing and fits in any room
- Has parental control options and other advanced settings like security features
- Offers fast and reliable data transfer speeds
What we don’t like
- Quite bulky compared to other routers like the Orbi mini
- Quite expensive
- Limited functionality of the app and the USB port
Conclusion
In a nutshell, this article has analyzed two formidable giants in the Wi-Fi router industry today. These are Linksys Tri Band AC6600 and the Orbi router. It has done this on the broad categories of coverage, capacity and speeds as well. When it comes down to it, Linksys and Orbi both have impressive qualities. Orbi, for instance is rather pricey but offers more reliable coverage and faster speeds as well. Linksys AC6600, on the other hand is reasonably priced but with premium features like wide coverage of up to 6,000 square feet. Ultimately, the best buy depends on your budget as well as your specific needs.
Verdict: So, which between Linksys Tri Band AC6600 and Orbi is better?
If you are not fancy about your network settings, the Linksys AC6600 is able to deliver on reliable and fast speeds. It is also designed with the latest Wi-Fi tech features to keep up with all your requirements. However, if you are fussy about your internet connection features and you do not mind splurging a bit, go for the Orbi router. It costs more but it comes with better suited qualities. It is also stylish and aesthetically designed to fit in anywhere.
Orbi makes the cut.
Frequently asked questions
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Do more antennas translate into better coverage?
Yes. The six antennas on AC6600 and the Orbi work together to enhance your Wi-Fi coverage experience. However, coverage entails a number of hardware and software specifications.
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What are some of the available options on the Linksys and Orbi app?
For both, they offer parental control settings as well as the ability to set a guest network. This allows you to have visitors on your network without compromising on your entire security system. The apps also allow you to run periodic checks on the status of your network in case you need to start troubleshooting.
