What you need to know
- Linksys today announced its new Velop AX4200 Wi-Fi 6 mesh network system is available to buy.
- The Velop AX4200 is a part of the Linksys Intelligent Mesh family.
- Linksys claims each node in the Velop AX4200 system can cover up to 2,700 square feet.
- A single node is expected to cost about $250, while a three-pack costs about $500.
Linksys today announced the availability of its new Velop AX4200 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system, available as a single node (model number MX2400) or as a three-pack kit (model number MX12600). This tri-band device uses a single 2.4GHz radio and dual 5GHz radios for combined theoretical speeds up to 4,200 Mbps. Linksys is aiming to make quality Wi-Fi 6 mesh internet more affordable with the new Velop, especially important as more people are working and learning from home.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Performance | AX4200600 Mbps (2.4GHz)1,200 Mbps (5GHz)2,400 Mbps (5GHz) |
| Wireless standard | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
| MU-MIMO | 4x4 |
| Backhaul | Dynamic |
| Processor | 1.4GHz quad-core CPU |
| Memory | 512MB Flash512MB RAM |
| Antennas | InternalUp to 2,700 sq. feet per node |
| Ports | Three Gigabit LANOne Gigabit WANUSB-A 3.0 |
| Wireless encryption | Up to 128-bit |
| Security | WPA2WPA3WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode |
The Velop AX4200, with Wi-Fi 6 certification, is powered by Qualcomm's Networking Pro 800 platform. It brings eight spatial streams, a relatively powerful 1.4GHz ARM CPU, and multi-user scheduling for a smooth experience even with many people connected to the same network. In fact, each Velop AX4200 node can support more than 40 users at once and can theoretically cover up to 2,700 square feet. With the three-pack kit of nodes, that's more than 8,000 square feet of coverage.
These new nodes are built to work with all of the Linksys Intelligent Mesh systems, meaning you can mix and match nodes from any previous Intelligent Mesh setups you may have around the house. That remains true even between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 products. And expect to see firmware updates in the future for Linksys Shield subscriptions, further parental controls, and Linksys Aware.
Each node has three Gigabit LAN ports and a single Gigabit WAN port, allowing you to connect wired devices and even configure a wired backhaul setup. However, if you're sticking with wireless backhaul — the return of data to the parent node — the Velop AX4200 dynamically chooses one of the three radios best suited at the time for backhaul.
Compared to the Linksys Velop AX5300 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that has been available for some time, the Velop AX4200 has less throughput across its three bands, one fewer Gigabit LAN port, and a lower price. Expect to pay about $250 for a single node and about $500 for a three-node package, considerably less than the $400 price for a single Velop AX5300 node. Be sure to check out our best Wi-Fi 6 router picks to see more great options.
