Linksys is a well-known brand for people who want high-end and reliable routers. In the past few years, mesh routers have gained popularity as they are integrated with nodes and modules to improve wireless internet coverage. Having said that, the Linksys MR9600 dual-band mesh router review in this article will help you choose an internet router that delivers seamless connectivity.
Linksys MR9600 Dual-Band Mesh Router Reviews
This router is included in the top Wi-Fi 6 routers available in the market since it’s integrated with advanced 802.11ax technology that maximizes the 5GHz internet performance while optimizing the transfer speed for the files. The router is exceptionally easy to install and you can even leverage the Linksys smartphone app as it eases the settings control. It has been designed with mesh technology that promises easier configuration to other Linksys mesh routers in the form of a node. Having said that, this router can be used to create a mesh internet network.
1. Features & Design
The router has been integrated with the black rectangular design, which looks pretty amazing. The router has been designed with a textured top and the front panel has a glossy black finish that complements the aesthetics of your home. The router has four adjustable yet non-removable antennas, so you can configure the internet signal reception. The front panel of the router has a status indicator LED that shows blue color during startup. The LED indicator blinks in purple color during setup and achieves a solid blue color when the internet connection is operational.
Linksys MR9600 has been integrated with a WPS light that blinks in white color whenever the WPS setup is in progress. However, it will blink orange in case of a WPS error and it will become solid white if a successful WPS connection has been established. The WPS button is added on the right side, and on the back side, there are four LAN ports (they support gigabit internet), two USB 3.0 ports, one WAN port, a power port, and a power switch, and a reset button. However, you need to remember that there is no link aggregation.
This is a dual-band router that can achieve 1147Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and over 4804Mbps on the 5GHz internet band. The company has added a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, 512MB flash storage, and 512MB RAM, promising high-speed performance. Linksys MR9600 also has an 802.11ax technology that improves the internet speed and there is a four-by-four MU-MIMO for uninterrupted data streaming. In addition, it can support channel bandwidth up to 160MHz.
It has been designed with an intelligent mesh technology that allows the users to position compatible nodes throughout the home to ensure error-free streaming and eliminates the dead zones. However, we surely miss the availability of built-in anti-malware tools and the parental controls are also limited. As far as the control features are concerned, you can pause the internet access or schedule it and you can block the malicious websites.
2. Performance
The router is extremely convenient and quick to install as you can use the “set up a new Wi-Fi network” on the smartphone app. It has extremely efficient file transfers and the transmission speed is 73% higher compared to other Wi-Fi 6 routers launched by the company. The 2.4GHz signals tend to be stronger if you put the router closer to the wireless device but tend to weaken as you move away. However, the internet coverage for the 5GHz band is much better!
3. Pros
- Exceptional performance on 5GHz
- Great internet coverage
- Easier installation and setup
- Connects with other mesh routers for establishing a network system
- Controllable with the smartphone app
- Exceptional wireless range throughput
- Uninterrupted data streaming
- Allows pausing of internet connection
4. Cons
- Expensive
- Lack of multi-gig LAN
- No malware protection
The Bottom Line
Linksys MR9600 dual-band mesh router is a great choice for people who want to upgrade their wireless internet router but you cannot name it the best in town. This is because it performs exceptionally well on the 5GHz band but the 2.4GHz band performance isn’t great if you have to move away from the router. Overall, the file transfer speed is reasonable, so it can handle the NAS (network-attached storage) features easily. However, with the $400 tag, the users should get anti-malware and better performance on both internet bands!