Linksys Hydra Pro 6 review

Linksys Hydra Pro 6 review

Although the US price is a little more than we had anticipated. The Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is simple to set up and use, has robust wi-fi performance. And offers adequate coverage for anybody looking to replace their outdated router.

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Pros

  • Good value for UK consumers
  • Lots of physical ports and a straightforward yet efficient app

Cons

  • Poor parental supervision
  • Inappropriate for gamers
  • Some users may find the lack of customization to be annoying.

TWO-MINUTE REVIEW

The new Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is an excellent choice for anybody looking to purchase one of the top wireless routers without taking out a second mortgage. It has taken some time for the pricing of Wi-Fi 6 routers to drop to more reasonable levels. Although it is still quite expensive for a dual-band router. It puts in a lot of effort to pay for itself.

With a peak speed of 5.4Gbps, it is still far quicker than the majority of routers that support Wi-Fi 5 (also known as 802.11ac). While also offering other Wi-Fi 6 advantages, such as increased efficiency when sending data to many devices simultaneously.

Linksys Hydra
  • $299.99 in the US
  • £169.99 from Amazon in the UK
  • Currently unavailable in Australia

The Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is listed at $299.99 on Linksys’ US website and other online stores. However prices do vary somewhat by area. Although the Hydra Pro 6 should cost about £250.00 in British pounds. At the current exchange rate—excluding the 20% British sales tax—it is really far less expensive in the UK.

In the UK, Linksys is mostly sold through Amazon. Where it is presently listed for £169.99 (and recently dropped to £129.99 for Prime Day). With few standalone routers now on the market, Linksys’ Australian subsidiary appears to concentrate mostly on the company’s Velop line of mesh routers.

Price and availability: 3.5/5

Linksys Hydra

DESIGN AND FEATURES

  • Guest network and ‘pause’ scheduling
  • Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • USB port for shared network drives

The Hydra Pro 6 is an ordinary black plastic box with a few antennas protruding from the rear. It doesn’t have a very attractive appearance. However, it is small and well-made, and when you attach it to your current broadband modem or router. It will fit neatly into any handy table or shelf. The Hydra Pro 6 from Linksys also doesn’t skimp on features. Offering outstanding wireless speeds of up to 5.4Gbps. And four Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag-free cable connections to devices like a games console or smart TV. Even better, a USB 3.0 connector is available for connecting a hard drive so you may share it with others using their computers.

However, the Linksys app is quite simplistic. To connect your iOS or Android mobile device to the router’s default “setup” network, you must first download the Linksys app, register for an account, and then input a password. This process takes a few minutes. When many routers now merely allow you to scan a QR code in order to set everything up instantly, it seems a little cumbersome to have to rename that network, generate a new password, and then reconnect all over again.

DESIGN AND FEATURES CONT’D

But once that’s done, the app is rather simple to use; it instantly establishes a single network by fusing the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, and then gives a list of all the linked devices. You may set a timetable to restrict your child’s Internet use to certain hours or suspend Internet access for any device. You may prioritize three devices to deliver the best performance for intensive applications like gaming or streaming video, and there is an integrated speed test to check network performance.

Although the parental controls are quite restrict, at least Linksys’ competitors don’t continually annoy you with adverts for additional subscription services. Instead, the software simply asks you to manually input the addresses of any websites that you want to block.

Design and Features: 4/5

Linksys Hydra

 PERFORMANCE

  • Creates a single network using 2.4/5.0GHz bands
  • Good performance and range
  • Ability to prioritise three devices

The wi-fi router that our internet provider provided works well for PCs and other nearby devices, enabling us to use the full 100Mbps of our broadband connection and 12.5MB/s for Steam downloads. When connecting to adjacent devices, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 just duplicated that performance, which was to be anticipated.

To give a more dependable wired network connection, we also have an office towards the back of the building, where the wi-fi signal is so unpredictable that we typically have to rely on PowerLine adaptors. Thankfully, the Hydra Pro 6 maintained those speeds without any issues when I picked up my laptop and moved down the hall to the back office. Although speedier tri-band Wi-Fi 6 routers may already be on the market, the Hydra Pro 6 strikes a solid balance by offering a quick and dependable Wi-Fi 6 upgrade at a price that won’t break the bank.

  • Performance: 4/5

Buy it if…

You’re Budget-Strapped

Although the dual-band Hydra Pro 6 offers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of the fastest tri-band Wi-Fi 6 routers, which may cost up to $600.

You’re New To The Network

The Linksys app is a bit plain, but it keeps things straightforward and aids with network configuration with minimum technical speak.

You Continue to Like Wires

The Hydra Pro 6 can offer wired network connections for PCs, gaming consoles, and network drives thanks to its four Gigabit Ethernet ports and USB 3.0.

Don’t buy it if…

You desire parental controls.

The Linksys app doesn’t offer any further content filters to prevent inappropriate websites, but you can set a timetable to restrict your child’s Internet access.

You’re An Obsessed Gamer.

An even faster tri-band router may be preferred by gamers that require split-second reaction speeds in order to reduce latency in online gaming.

You’re An Master In Networks

The welcoming Linksys app may seem a little constrained to advanced users who demand incredibly precise control over their network configuration.

Also consider…

 Asus RT-AX58U

The Asus RT-AX58U is a Wi-Fi 6 router that is reasonably priced but yet quite powerful. For $180, it provides robust 3Gbps bandwidth, a simple setup, and user-friendly parental controls.

D-Link Eagle Pro AI M15

a cheap, simple, and effective mesh Wi-Fi system that is simple to install. You may purchase the precise amount of units required to blanket your home with quick Wi-Fi by choosing from the two- or three-pack options that are offered.

Netgear Nighthawk XR1000

Although it costs $349.99, the XR1000 offers Wi-Fi 6 working at 5.4Gbps and excellent gaming features because of its integrated DumaOS operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Linksys a trustworthy brand?

Almost all well-known router producers produce quality network equipment. The majority of their routers provide top-notch device management, robust signals, and fast data transfer rates. For the past few years, ASUS, Linksys, and Netgear have consistently represented the top router manufacturers. I hope the answer is enough to clarify.

2. Is Linksys a reliable router today?

Linksys is a great choice if you’re searching for an inexpensive, user-friendly, and dependable wifi router. They provide a selection of routers and network adapters made to accommodate the requirements of the majority of residential and business customers. You can connect your smart home gadgets to the quickest internet connections with the aid of this dual-band router.

3. Why did Cisco sell Linksys?

According to Kerravala, Cisco had to decide between creating a competitive home environment around Linksys and selling off the business. Since then, the vast majority of consumer electronics equipment has departed the Linksys line, which is now dominated by connection goods. I hope the answer is enough to clarify.

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