Customers highly value the AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router's ease of use and setup, with many praising its simple configuration process and intuitive app. The router's range and coverage are also frequently cited as positive aspects, providing strong signals throughout homes of various sizes. While some found performance to be merely adequate, others described it as excellent, especially considering the price. Positive feedback also highlights the router's compact form factor.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 190 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Coverage, Ease of use, Performance
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great value and performance!
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Linksys Hydra is a fantastic router. Small Footprint, Easy Setup with the Linksys app or by way of browser. Great coverage and solid performance and connectivity. A winner!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Coverage
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Linksys AX3000 - Great Value and Performance
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Linksys AX3000 is a feature rich and affordable router. Setup was easy using the Linksys app. The router provides good Wifi 6 coverage. Coverage may be expanded by adding additional supported devices. The router offers some customizable Local Area Network settings. Status of the network can be checked remotely and the device has built in SpeedTest.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Security & Simplicity in One
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Posted . Owned for 1.5 years when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Security and simplicity in One! Built in WPS system for those who do not understand how to setup a SSID and a WEP3 or WPA/2 on their network. Perfect for my grandparents. One Touch WiFi ID & Password setup and sharing.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Router
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy to set up. Steady/stable internet with decent WiFi coverage area. Overall, it is a good router
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Replaced my old router that died, this was easy to set up and has been working great for about a month now.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Nice router
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Router works great. Does everything I need it to do.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Easy WiFi setup
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Linksys app makes it a breeze to setup a WiFi network.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best buy for sure!
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy setup, got everything connected within 30 mins
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Coverage, Speed
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Ultra-fast WiFi 6 at a Reasonable Cost
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
When I was reviewing the specifications for the Linksys Hydra 6 AX3000 WiFi 6 Dual-Band Intelligent Mesh Router, before selecting it, I was impressed that this router could cover an area up to 2000 sq. ft., could support over 25 devices with transfer rates up to 3 Gbps and could have its WiFi coverage extended through adding nodes to its Mesh network, if needed, to cover any areas that did not receive a strong signal. I was also impressed that this router was made by a premier name in networking, Linksys, who uses another premier networking working company, Qualcomm’s platform.
When I went to set up my new Hydra 6, I found that, like so many other devices of all sorts today, you must download an application on your phone to actually begin setup. Phone applications can be either helpful or annoying. I found this Linksys application to be both at once.
After following the instructions to find a relatively open area to place the router near my modem. I plugged the router into my Uninterrupted Power Supply and used the supplied Ethernet cable to connect the router’s Gigabit WAN port marked Internet to my modem. I used the application to connect the Hydra 6 successfully to my phone to continue the setup. It connected quickly, but my Hydra 6 had issues picking up the Internet from my modem, so I had to go through several iterations of the setup to achieve this connection. It was a bit frustrating and time consuming, as I had to unplug the modem and wait 2 minutes each time for it to restart and see if the connection to the Internet was successful. I also had to move the Hydra 6 around to different areas of my limited space until setup succeeded.
Once the Hydra 6 now had the Internet, the rest of the setup could be finalized by naming the router’s network and creating a network access password. I then ran around the house connecting different devices to the new network.
I have a 2100 sq. ft., 3 story townhome. My router and modem are not ideally positioned, as they are located at the front of the house on the top floor. As I connected to the new WiFi network, I checked the network’s signal strength at each device. I found that all devices on the top floor received full signals. The devices on the middle floor fluctuated between full signal and one ring down. As you would guess, the walk-out basement floor had the weakest signals, between one to two rings down. That makes my house a prime candidate for adding Mesh nodes to boost the weak signal areas.
Be aware though, that the download speeds at the devices with the full signals was blazing. And, even though the signal is fluctuating and weaker on the middle floor, I have no problem streaming 4K HD shows or teleconferencing for work, while my husband is upstairs watching UHD content.
Also, after doing a bit of research on how to boost signal, I became aware that my modem, which is older, is no longer supported by my Internet Service Provider. This in itself may throttle the data throughput. I also noticed that most of my Ethernet cable connections are using CAT 5E cable, where the new standard is CAT 7. This also can throttle throughput. Please be aware of these things in your own network’s connections, if you are not super pleased with your new router’s performance.
I think the Hydra 6 is performing extremely well, considering my network’s current limitations.
So, if you are looking to upgrade your home (or work) WiFi from 802.11n or below to the latest WiFi 6 / 802.11ax standard with speeds ideal for you to stream HDR 4K multiplayer gaming, while others in your house are streaming Ultra HD movies and video conferencing, and you want to do it without spending a ton of money, then the Linksys Hydra 6 AX3000 WiFi 6 Dual-Band Mesh Router is for you!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Range, Speed
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Fast and Sleek!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The new Linksys-AX3000 MESH WIFI 6 ROUTER is a fast router. It handily beat out my older Mesh Router of a different brand by around 200mgbs with WIFI 6. It also has good range and was able to penetrate well through walls. I love the design of the AX3000 ROUTER and that it looks like a standard router but works with mesh networks and is wall mountable with four separate mounting holes. Around the back, there are four ethernet ports and one Intranet port along with USB and two buttons a WPS and a reset button and a power switch. If you do not want to wall mount the router it has four rubber feet on the bottom so it sits flat. It has a nice big light on the front that indicates the mode it is in and two large very sturdy antennas on the back. Overall, the Linksys AX-3000 ROUTER is built very well and is a great-looking router. I really like that Linksys is putting antennas back on their routers I remember a time when they moved away from it and they were still good I just prefer routers with antennas. They even put nice little details like signal indicators on the antennas that match the Linksys logo L’s on the front edge of the router. The detail on the back is very good as well with nice indicator lights. Setting it up with the Linksys app worked well also and was a fairly simple process with a nice simple interface in the app. I would definitely not hesitate to recommend it and it and other Linksys Mesh Hardware.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Coverage
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great Linksys Hydra 6 Router!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
As technology advances, Linksys continues to advance their products. I honestly wasn’t too happy with my last router and this Hydra 6 was starting to make me feel good. After a few days of using it I started getting issues but I will give more details as I dive more into it.
Installation:
The Hydra 6 is easy to install using the Linksys app. I can also setup using a computer but I chose the mobile app. The app walk you through the installation steps with picture illustration to make it easy for everyone.
Linksys App:
The app has a cool and user friendly during my 1st day of use. Sometimes when launching the app it takes about a minute or so on the “Getting router settings” screen. When I do get pass it, I was able to customize just about everything from parental control, priority to certain devices, naming and selecting an icon for each connected device. A very nice feature was the speed test that is on the home screen of the app. I was happy with my initial experience using app.
Day 2 and 3 of Linksys App:
I was unable to use the app the way it was intended. It allows me to login but I don’t see my router or my devices connected to the Hydra 6. I think it’s important to be honest about this important issue because I look for routers with an app and a lot of people might be looking for this feature. To correct the problem a software update can be done if the developers decide to update.
Hydra 6 internet connection:
The Hydra 6 is giving me uninterrupted connection speeds that are more than I’m paying for. I’m stoked about this and I can’t believe the difference compared to my old router. I have 26 devices connected and no issues with connectivity or speed as of today.
Quality:
As far as build quality I think the Hydra 6 is well constructed. It has holes just about everywhere on it to help with airflow. I do like the vertical standing routers better because that saves a little space on my desk but if this works better for my everyday devices I’ll be happy.
It advertises that it covers 2000 square feet and I think that’s accurate because even when I’m outside my house I’m still connected to the wifi.
I see the Hydra 6 being a router that has the capability of being a great and affordable for just about anyone if they do software updates that fixes the issues and bugs. I’m willing to wait to see what they have coming to improve.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great entry level mesh router from a trusted brand
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Linksys - Hydra 6 - AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router
Summary:
Great entry level mesh router from a trusted brand.
Pros:
* Form factor. The size and footprint of the router are just the right size. The angles aren't necessary, but it is functional. It should fit and look great anywhere you place it.
* Easy to read/see ports, descriptions and status lights. Dedicated power switch.
* App setup. Bluetooth connectivity is used by the app to power your setup experience. It works well enough and translates to ease of setup. The unit can be up and running in about five minutes for a new setup. Looking to replace an existing router? No worries, just turn off your old router and use the same SSID network name for the router and password. Your devices should reconnect automatically.
* Simple app interface. Good for the uninitiated. I prefer to use the router's own internal web management interface for more advanced options and configuration.
* Performant. I've owned previous Linksys routers before they've always been workhorses with a long lifespan. I am getting most of my ISP promised speed through this device and it performs just as well, or better than the mesh router that precedes it.
Cons:
* App setup. The app takes too long and if you have minor timing issues, you can be forced to repeat long timed steps for no reason. BUT! It is sleek, simple, and great for first timers.
Use:
I used this as a replacement router for a recently failed unit (not Linksys). The unit comes in at an attractive price point and holds its own quite well. Easy to setup and all of my devices started connecting and working within minutes of configuration. Linksys is a trusted brand for me so if you're looking to replace an older or malfunctioning router on a budget, this is a good entry point. This model is advertised to cover 2,000 sqft, so if you need additional coverage don't forget you can always add more nodes!
Note:
I've been running the unit for a little under a week. Though I haven't had a need for massive file transfers, etc., this week - I have been making extensive regular use of streaming, and PC gaming. All experiences are what I'd expect from a brand like Linksys. I've included a few screenshots of perfunctory test results. My internet plan is only 300 mbps.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Makes a difference in our multi level home
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I needed something to boost the signal as I live as I live downstairs in our home and the router lives not only upstairs but in the opposite side of the house to my bedroom which was the room with the most degraded signal strength. Before, the Roku read that the signal was always poor and spent a lot of time buffering. Now, we have upgraded to a good and at times excellent Wi-Fi signal strength depending on the device and location. Setup was simplistic although I do have some level of networking knowledge but it was easy to access the online features and get everything set up as it was needed. There was also no downtime as I reused my SSID and every device picked up where it let off per say. Overall, it has definitely had a positive impact on my internet speeds from a Wi-Fi perspective and would do best with a hardwired connection, which isn't really an option given the day and age that we live in. Overall, I am happy to have this as it has helped with my nightly TV binges and would recommend it as it is a cost effective option that does help in all the ways it can. It is not perfect, but it was definitely an upgrade from my old unit.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Affordable way to expand your mesh network
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve been using Linksys’ networking equipment for decades and more recently, their mesh network wireless technology for almost a decade now and continue to rely on it for my home networking needs.
The best part of Linksys’ mesh technology, also marketed on some of their products as Velop, is that they make it super easy to expand your existing wireless mesh network either wirelessly or using an Ethernet cable to a remote area of your home to create a new wireless and wired network hub.
I’m specifically reviewing this Hydra 6 unit as a network expansion hub since it is so affordable and the actual antennae seem to get better wireless reception signal than the tower style wireless nodes. I have the 3-pack Atlas AXE8400 throughout my home with 1 of those nodes being the primary router in my mesh network and the other 2 as remote nodes that are wired back to my primary node. I also have a few older AC2200 nodes throughout the house that are totally wireless. The biggest problem with these older nodes is their signal is weak to the primary node but they also only have 1 Ethernet output to wire another device.
Enter the Hydra 6, which not only offers WiFi 6 with a stronger wireless connection to my primary Atlas, but it then also provides wired connectivity to my basement which also has a number of consoles. Now you may wonder what the benefit of a wired connection that still has a wireless back haul to my primary node. The biggest advantage is that you get the signal strength of the Hydra 6 and it’s powerful antennae instead of the limited WiFi speeds and strength of your individual devices. For example, 802.11ac on your PS or Xbox is not going to be as fast or as strong as 802.11ax to your Hydra 6 which then connects to your devices via Gigabit Ethernet cable (up to 1gigabit). There should be less connection issues and interruptions and you get another network hub for your devices.
As mentioned setup is a breeze, If you’ve added a Linksys device to your system it’s the same fast and easy setup.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Nice and Affordable Router - Gets the Job Done
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It feels like I've been using Linksys routers for 15+ years as they have been around for a long time and are consistently putting out high quality products. While the AX3000 is not their highest-end offering for routers, it does what it says it will do and gets your home's Wi-Fi rolling at a reasonable price.
Pros:
- Set-up through the app was easy. Even folks with medium to low technical skill should be able to get it up and running with minimal effort. Setting adjustments are also pretty straight-forward. There is a nice feature to view which devices might be dominating your bandwidth. Do you suspect that your kids might be causing your streaming shows to buffer because they are hogging your bandwidth? You can check!
- This model has a small form factor that will fit on pretty much any shelf/stand.
- Excellent Wi-Fi speeds, up to 3 Gbps
Cons:
- Coverage is not as good as some more expensive models. You will be fine in apartments or 1 story homes, but larger 2-story homes may not cover every inch of your living area with a strong signal. I could stay connected everywhere in my 2300 square foot home, but you could tell the signal strength was dissipating if you got further away. This can be countered by adding optional hubs to extend the signal strength if you wish, but you may just want to just look at another model that costs just a few dollars more. The Linksys AC2200 can cover up to 2500 square feet.
Overall, this is a great option for small to medium-sized homes and apartments. If that describes you, give it a shot!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Almost Perfect
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve changed out my router a few times over the last 3 years. I starts as most do with the one that my ISP provided, but I quickly realized that setting up my own router would allow for more customization and better signal coverage in my home. My experience with Linksys’ AX3000 is a mixed bag.
First and foremost, the signal quality is phenomenal. Most routers fail to cover all parts of my house, and I was thinking of setting up an extender to make sure I had adequate coverage. After setting up this router I have no need for extenders. I get good coverage to all parts of my home and my wireless cameras setup outside can stream video without any hiccups. We are a family of 5 and have a bunch of devices connected to the network to stream, play games, web surfing, etc. and every device can connect again with no issues. We have TVs streaming in 4k or HD, consoles gaming, PC gaming, plus audio streaming and everything works amazingly well without buffering or lag.
My biggest issue I had with this experience was with the software. The setup experience was great, the first thing you are asked to do is download the Linksys app and it walks you through the setup process. This part was great, one of the best, but unfortunately the rest of the software experience went downhill for me. A side note, I like to setup 2 Wi-Fi networks, one on the 5GHz and one on the 2.4 GHz, the app doesn’t allow for this, so I had to login to the router through a web browser in order to complete this task. After the router is setup anytime you come back to the app to check on connection or to adjust the load up time is a bit long. At first, I thought this might be because I was using the Android version of the app on my Folding phone, so I tried it on an iOS device. The same issue persisted. The iOS version of the app is a hair faster, but not noticeable unless you tested them side by side. Load times are not that big of an issue since you don’t go looking to adjust very frequently, but the second issue with the software I had was a little more annoying. The Parental Controls in the software are lacking, very minimal even. As I said before, I have a family of 5 and our 3 sons are online constantly. Other routers that we have used have robust parental controls right out of the box before even having to pay for a membership. This software has Parental Controls, but again minimal. You can identify devices that you want to set limits to, but you cannot setup profiles per user/child. You can setup specific sites that they can not visit, but you can just select a category of sites that should be banned. You can setup schedules, but again this would need to be done per device as opposed to a profile.
So, if those 2 issues with their software are fine and will not affect you then the signal and performance of the router is stellar, and this is an easy recommendation. On the other hand, if you are looking for a good software experience, especially with Parental Controls, then you might want to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, Linksys seems to only offer a more robust Parental Control experience to only their high-end Mesh routers currently with a membership. I hope they consider bringing that down to their other routers in the future.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Coverage, Ease of use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great Router wirh Easy Set Up
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is a great router for small to medium homes. It provides excellent coverage for my 1500 sqft townhouse. The router is easy to set up and the Linksys app is simple to use and allows all the control I need. I highly recommend this router for smaller spaces if you don’t want to lease one from your ISP.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Easy to set up, but apparent limitation
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy to set up, but has an annoying issue. The Router does not allow you to select which band you want to connect to. I have devices that will only work on 2.4 ghz. The router decides which is the better band and tries to talk to the devices on 5ghz. Nope. Devices not happy! Will speak to Linksys to see if way to override this. If not, router is going back
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Linksys Staff
Posted .
Hi, BOBBBYJ,
We appreciate the time in posting a review! The Linksys MR20EC is designed with Intelligent Mesh Wi-Fi system that adapts to your Wi-Fi needs, you’ll always be on the fastest path to the internet. You can customize the Wi-Fi bands to meet your requirements, however, this will defeat the Mesh capability of the system. For better assistance forward, please drop us an email at [email protected] along with your contact details and the link to this review for our reference. Our Escalation Engineers would love to assist and aid in experiencing the best out of the unit.
Regards,
Carl Linksys Support
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Powerful, Capable WiFi and Mesh Router
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Linksys Hydra 6 Mesh WiFi router is a powerful and easy to use wireless router that can be either a straight WiFi router or the hub of a mesh wireless system, and it features a 4-port wired router (with a separate uplink port).
It’s easy to set up. You can either use their mobile app (save yourself some trouble by downloading it before you start), or by connecting directly to it with an Ethernet cable. The setup process takes a bit of time, but the router walks you through every step with simple, clear instructions.
This device is rated to cover about 2000 square feet. It does at least that well in my setup.
One thing about the management application (either wired or through the app) is that it shows you your wireless clients. That’s good, except that Apple’s iOS and iPadOS devices defeat IP tracking by changing what they report as their identity from time to time, and the management application can get cluttered with “disconnected” clients that are just old aliases for your phone or iPad.
Once I got it installed and configured, it hasn’t needed any attention. I’m quite happy with it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Speed
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great Router!!!
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Purchased this Router for my new Spectrum WiFi connection. Works really well and my speed is great! Was very easy to set up. Downloaded the App on my phone and was able to perform the calibration easily. I would highly recommend this Router!