MR9000 from Linksys is one of the most powerful Tri-Band routers on the market. Specs aside, if you're more interested in practical usage, you're at the right place. This review answers all the questions: Does it live up to the activity load of the modern-day house? Who is it made for? and more.
How does it differ from its predecessor?
Using the same chipset as its predecessor, MR8300, Linksys has doubled the throughput capacity and the number of data streams on its primary 5GHz channel. Upgrades to the working memory (RAM) make it more feasible to tackle the increased load.
Linksys MR9000 Specs
| Wireless Standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Band Frequency | Tri-Band |
| Speeds | 400 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz) + 1733 Mbps (5GHz) |
| WiFi Range | Up to 3000 Sq Ft |
| Processor | 716MHz Qualcomm IPQ4019 (Quad-Core) |
| RAM Memory | 512MB |
| Flash Memory | 256MB |
| MU-MIMO | Yes |
| Beamforming | Yes |
| QoS | Yes |
| Parental Controls | Yes |
| Mesh Compatibility | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes, Amazon Alexa. |
Linksys MR9000 Review
How do I qualify to put my thoughts on this router?
Having tested top Linksys routers over the last few years, I was quickly in action for testing the Linksys AC3000 WiFi router with a curated list of challenging tasks and varying data loads.
Overview of How I tested the Device:
I used this router for over 17 days with a smart TV, an XBOX, a gaming PC, a work laptop, and a dozen gadgets, including smartphones, security cameras, etc. This review of the Linksys MR9000 should give you a clear idea of how it performs and handles a load of a relatively large house.
The Linksys MR900 Tri-Band Router is Suitable for:
- Large Homes, Offices, Conference halls, and Convention centers.
- To connect up to 30 devices
- Over 10 individuals with multiple gadgets
Linksys MR9000 Speeds & Performance
The tri-band router promises top speeds of 400 Mbps on 2.4GHz, 867 Mbps on its secondary 5GHz band, and 1733 Mbps on its primary 5GHz channel. This leaves 3Gbps of aggregate throughput and 8 data streams for a large household to share.
I used the 500Mbps internet package of Verizon FiOS to test its speed and performance. The iPad connected to the primary 5GHz band clocked download speeds north of 400 Mbps, even while I was standing as much as 10ft away from the Linksys MR9000 max-stream.
While MR900 wasn't the fastest stand-alone wireless router I have tested so far, the download speeds were impressive for a Wi-Fi 5 backed device.
While I was in my front yard, approximately 50ft away from the router, maintaining line of sight, it delivered download speeds close to 100Mbps. I left the front door open while I was testing the device. The upload speeds were close to 250 Mbps in proximity and slowed down to 30 Mbps as I moved closer to the farthest end of the living room.
Coverage & Connectivity
The Linksys MR9000 range is 3,000 Sq Ft, which makes it a reliable option for large homes. It has four high-powered adjustable antennas surrounding its chassis. You'll be able to focus the signals in a particular direction.
The Beamforming technology also ensured the signals were stronger on my first floor. The smart TV in one of the bedrooms on the first floor, right above the router, could stream a 4K video without hassles. I could stream an HD-quality video in the front yard without buffering on my smartphone.
Credit to MU-MIMO technology, this device easily handles 30 devices. Optimized communication makes sure you can access high speeds on multiple devices at the same time. To reduce the loss of bandwidth, you can connect your primary gadgets to the router via the 4 Ethernet ports. They can support up to 1 Gigabit speed.
Note: You'd need a Gigabit-capable modem to experience actual 1000 Mbps throughput.
The Linksys AC3000 router comes with a USB 3.0 port. You can choose to connect a printer or storage device or even a USB data dongle and share it within the network. One doesn't have to connect and reconnect devices every time they have to take a printout. This setup works well for a commercial setup/small offices with multiple PCs sharing the network.
Service Package Suitability
Linksys MR9000 Tri-Band WiFi router supports up to 1 Gigabit internet plan. Choosing the right package is contingent on the availability of your neighborhood and the number of devices in your household.
If you have multiple devices streaming videos at 4K quality, a gaming device, and many smartphones, then go for a 1Gbps connection. AT&T, Verizon FiOS, and Xfinity offer 1 Gigabit speed. Google Fiber has the cheapest 1Gig plan, but the services are limited to bigger cities.
If you are living with a bunch of working professionals who have nothing to do with gaming, you can settle down for a 500/600 Mbps internet connection. Cox internet plans offer download speeds of 500 Mbps. While AT&T and Verizon FiOS have similar plans with speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 500 Mbps. Etc.
Security Features
Security is undoubtedly one of the most critical aspects of the Linksys MR9000 max stream AC3000 review. And this is where I felt Linksys offers limited customization and features.
Nonetheless, you'll be able to protect your network from unauthorized access with WPA 2 encryption standard. The support of VPN protocols and SPI firewalls keeps your data safe from privacy threats.
This router has no advanced protection like its other competitors, Netgear, TP-Link, or ASUS. The Linksys max stream AC3000 router has basic parental controls that allow you more control over limiting your kids' consumption. Schedule and pause internet access, and block specific websites you want the children to avoid.
Linksys MR9000 Setup
Download the Linksys WiFi app and switch on Bluetooth for easy installation. The guided installation process takes you through steps. You'll hardly face any trouble with the installations. The router starts with purple light, and once the installation is complete with an active internet connection, all of the Linksys router lights turn stable.
Linksys Application is easy to handle. You can add devices to the network and apply parental control settings. You'll also be able to prioritize the devices for optimal bandwidth utilization. Create guest networks and protect the home network and devices from any infection, just from the comfort of your mobile.
Even if you don't prefer using a mobile app, Linksys MR9000 setup is easy through its web portal. The portal allows you to replicate the actions supported by its mobile app. The old-school network aficionados will be at home with its simple, uncomplicated interface.
Hardware & Internals
With four cores clocking at 716MHz, Linksys relies on the Qualcomm IPQ4019 chipset to withstand loads of a large household. It complements the reliable CPU unit with a solid 512MB RAM and 256MB storage, paramount to handling data-laden activities and multiple devices.
I had a smart TV streaming FHD video, and there was no blip in the performance. The stress test doesn't stop with that. I wired my Xbox to the router. And took it through a couple of online multi-player FIFA sessions and an episode of Last of us. MR9000 cruised through it.
All these activities were carried out, while there were instances of video calling and web surfing. The Linksys AC3000 router survived the test with flying colors.
Design & Connectivity
Sporting its classic design, Linksys MR9000 comes in a highly ventilated black chassis measuring 8.4 x 6.3 x 2.12-inches. The glossy black panel in the center has an LED light indicating the working status. On the front side, you'll see two of 4 huge antennas.
On the rear side, Linksys sticks to the staple design placing all its Ethernet ports, WAN ports, USB port, manual reset button, and power buttons. Right along the edge of each corner, you'll find the other two antennas. They are positioned to adjust the antennas in different angles and directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Linksys MR9000 is backed by solid performances in its primary 5GHz as a standalone router and as a part of a mesh system. Its easy compatibility with other Velop mesh systems and other mesh routers saves you a lot of money during future upgrades.
The MR9000 can cover large surface areas up to 3,000 square feet, which makes it ideal for large homes with a big front yard or backyard. Get the placement right and use the flexible, adjustable antennas to maximize its coverage.
The red light on the MR9000 means there is no active internet connection. It could be planned service maintenance, Adhoc outage, or service disruption. You might have to check the wires connecting your router and modem for any damaged or loose connections.
The device can easily support over 25 devices. It includes your smart TV, gaming console, ring camera, video doorbell, garage mechanism, CCTV camera, desktop, laptop, tablet, and other mobile gadgets.
No, MR9000 from Linksys doesn't support OpenWRT yet. Its predecessor, MR8300, which comes with similar hardware, works with OpenWRT.
Verdict
While the Linksys MR9000 router is not an ideal tri-band device, especially for gaming, it easily survived our sessions. If you are looking for a reliable tri-band routing device with extended coverage, either for your home or office, there is hardly any reason to doubt its capacity. If you grab it on offer, it becomes a steal.
