Linksys is a popular brand that has been in the business of manufacturing good quality networking products for very long time especially for home and small offices use. The Linksys MR7320-RM2 ax1800 is the newest WiFi 6 mesh router they have for consumers, which is capable of providing incredibly fast internet connection and tri-band mesh systems for big houses.
WiFi 6 or the 802. 11ax, also known as Wi-Fi 6, is the newest and most advanced wireless networking standard, which offers much higher throughput, enhancements to enable concurrent connectivity with more devices. The MR7320 takes full advantage of WiFi 6 technology, to ensure that your home network is ready for whatever the future holds from bandwidth-intensive tasks like streaming 4K video or gaming online and video conferencing and so one.
Like the MR7320, it supports WiFi 6 and also features a mesh networking system that enables users to add more nodes to the main router to extend the coverage available. This makes it ideal for use in big houses, multi-storied houses or houses that have different areas that are enclosed and hard to be covered by most typical WiFi routers.
While this article mostly covers an in-depth review of Linksys MR7320-RM2 ax1800 WiFi 6 Mesh Router. In this article, we will go over a brief overview of the laptop along with its main aspects and characteristics of the model, the way to set it up, its capabilities, and some common questions people may have. By the end of this article you should comprehend what it is about this most powerful mesh system that makes it ideal for your home network .
Key Features and Specifications
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology with speeds up to 1148Mbps + 574Mbps
- Tri-band mesh networking (2.4GHz, 5GHz 1, 5GHz 2 bands)
- 4×4 MU-MIMO streams and 1024-QAM modulation
- Support for up to 100 devices simultaneously
- Seamless roaming and automatic network expansion
- 4 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and 1 WAN port
- Integrated access point, router, and range extender functions
- Control and manage via Linksys App on iOS and Android devices
- Compact and stylish design that can be placed vertically or horizontally
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT for voice control
- 1-year Linksys warranty and free telephone & chat support
How Does Linksys Mesh Networking Work?
Linksys mesh network solutions like the linksys mr7320-rm2 ax1800 solve connectivity issues in large homes through a simple but effective approach. Unlike traditional routers that depend on a single access point, a mesh network comprises of multiple nodes or access points that work together seamlessly.
Each node creates its own WiFi network but they are all connected back to the main router through the same encrypted tunnel. As you move through the home with your devices, they automatically switch connections between nodes without any interruption in your online activities. This provides continuous and reliable whole-home WiFi coverage.
Setting up additional nodes is easy. You simply plug them into an outlet in another part of the home and use the app to configure it. The nodes find each other, verify security credentials and join the existing network – no need for complicated setup steps or understanding of networking fundamentals.
As you add more nodes, the range keeps expanding on its own until your entire home is blanketed with fast and dependable WiFi. And best of all, everything still appears as a single network to all your devices.
Easy Setup and Management
Setting up the Linksys MR7320 mesh system is a breeze with the help of the Linksys App. Here are the basic steps:
- Download the Linksys App on your smartphone and create an account.
- Plug the main router into your modem and wait for the lights to activate.
- Connect to the router’s pre-configured WiFi network indicated on the bottom of the device.
- Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to complete basic router setup like SSID, password etc.
- Once configured, you can start adding additional nodes by plugging them in around your home.
- The app automatically detects the new nodes and prompts you to set them up in a few taps.
- Once all nodes are configured, your mesh WiFi network is ready to use!
The app provides a simple dashboard to view network status, connected devices and their bandwidth usage. You can also set up access schedules, guest accounts, parental controls and more with just a few clicks. It’s easy enough for anyone to confidently manage their whole home network.
Reliable Whole Home Coverage
To test the Linksys MR7320’s mesh networking capabilities, we set up a 3-node system in a 2500 sq.ft, 2-story home. One node was placed on the first floor near the router, second node midway on the second floor and third at the far end away from other nodes.
We were impressed with the seamless roaming between nodes as we moved around with our laptop, tablet and phones. Streaming and gaming didn’t stop even while switching between access points. We achieved reliable coverage throughout both floors including previously weak spots.
Speedtests from different areas of the home delivered average real-world speeds of 500Mbps easily handling multiple 4K video streams simultaneously. The signal strength was consistently strong even at the edges farthest from any node.
For larger homes, up to 5 nodes in total can be added for complete whole home WiFi coverage. The MR7320 system delivers on the mesh networking promise of a reliable, strong signal everywhere without any dead zones.
FAQs about Linksys MR7320 Mesh Router
Q. How many devices can it support simultaneously?
The MR7320 is designed to handle up to 100 connected devices at once. With its Tri-band mesh network, advanced WiFi 6 features like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, it can efficiently distribute bandwidth to many IoT gadgets, smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles and more operating simultaneously without slowing down.
Q. Will it work with smart home accessories?
Yes, the MR7320 supports all major smart home ecosystems including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT applets etc. So you can seamlessly integrate smart lights, locks, plugs, surveillance cameras and more into your network for convenient control and automation.
Q. Is the app easy for non-tech savvy users?
Absolutely. The Linksys App has been designed with simplicity in mind. You don’t need to understand networking terminology or concepts. All important functions like network setup, device management, parental controls are just a few taps away on an intuitive dashboard. Anyone can confidently use the app and system.
Q. Does it provide password protection?
For security, you can set up a unique network password during setup which only authorized devices know. Each Mesh node also has its own network encryption keys keeping your data transmission private within your home. The router also supports the latest WPA3 WiFi security standard.
Q. Can older devices use the WiFi 6 bands?
Don’t worry, the MR7320 is fully backward compatible. Older devices that don’t support WiFi 6 can still connect to the dual band 2.4/5GHz network and enjoy fast speeds. The additional 5GHz band is exclusively for the latest WiFi 6 clients to utilize the advanced features.
Conclusion
The Linksys MR7320-RM2 AX1800 WiFi 6 Mesh Router system offers an indispensable combination of speed, range and reliability needed for modern smart homes. It makes the most of WiFi 6 technology and simplifies setup and management through a user-friendly app. With the ability to expand coverage seamlessly in homes of all sizes, this system is an ideal choice to future proof your network as more bandwidth-hungry devices join your network. The system’s impressive specs and performance delivered on our real world tests. For hassle-free whole home WiFi, the MR7320 earns our strong recommendation.
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