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While most other major networking companies have jumped on the Wi-Fi 6E bandwagon, Linksys has been conspicuously quiet about it. The first 6GHz router has finally arrived at IT Pro headquarters. We’re not getting too excited, though, because the Hydra Pro 6E was originally released in the United States in late 2021 and has only just now made its way over the Atlantic.
The Hydra Pro 6E, nonetheless, has a formidable debut. Four rectangular antennae and a dark blue LED light up the front of the sleek device. With the Hydra Pro 6E’s capabilities for 4×4 MIMO and a 160MHz channel width on the 6GHz band, it is possible to achieve transfer rates of up to 4.8Gbits/sec, which is well within the bounds of the Wi-Fi 6E specification.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E Specifications
Wi-Fi 6E-compatible routers have been sluggish to hit the market, but they are now appearing now that the 6GHz radio frequency is available for use. The Linksys Hydra Pro 6E ($499.99) is the second 6GHz router we’ve tested (the first was the Netgear RAXE500), and it passed with flying colors.
| Specification | Linksys Hydra Pro 6E |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Standards | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) |
| Wi-Fi Speed | Up to 6.6 Gbps |
| Frequency Bands | Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) |
| MU-MIMO Support | Yes |
| Antennas | 8 internal antennas |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 x Gigabit Ethernet ports |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 |
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E: Design
The all-black Linksys Hydra Pro 6E is virtually undetectable, as it can be placed on a bookshelf or window sill and features both rubber feet and wall mount inserts for discreet placement. The router is nearly half the size of the more well-known Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 router, measuring 11.0 x 6.7 x 2.4 inches. The antennae add an additional 4 inches to the router’s height but can be rotated easily.
The top of the case is completely perforated with vents, allowing for a near-transparent view of the router’s internals. Even though the Hydra 6E doesn’t have a fan like the RAXE500, its internal temperature never went above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, which is only 6 degrees hotter than the RAXE500’s maximum. You can buy this router from its official website
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E: Performance
presumably the 2.4 and 5GHz variants. We created a busy network simulating 10 data-hungry users with Ixia’s ixChariot network simulation software to test the router’s performance. To evaluate the hardware’s capabilities, we used a Samsung Galaxy Book Pro running Windows 11.
Its results over the 6GHz band at a distance of 15 feet were 1.064Gbps, 772.0Mbps, and 122.7Mbps over the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, respectively. When measured with a Samsung Galaxy S21, this amounts to a total possible throughput of 1.958Gbps, which is 20% lower than the RAXE500’s (2.390Gbps).
Pricing and Availability
As the second Wi-Fi 6e router we’ve seen, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6E (model number MR7500) aims to strike a compromise between increased performance and cost. Thus, it is a high-performance router that places a premium on economy. List price is $499, however it may be found for as little as $349 In comparison to the Nighthawk RAXE500 router, this is a fantastic bargain.
Final Words
If your current router is lacking in power, the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is a great option for you. It’s overpriced at $300 given that comparable tri-band and mesh models can be purchased for that amount of money, but finding it on sale shouldn’t be too difficult. You should bookmark this page well in advance of Black Friday and other major shopping events.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E review: The good and The bad
The Hydra Pro 6E is deserving of its title as our top pick for the money for a number of reasons.
The Good
- Mainstream WiFi 6e router
- Quick set up
The Bad
- Limited range
Questions and Answers
Linksys’s WiFi network is always protected and secure thanks to the company’s Automatic Firmware upgrades.
It also works with other routers that support the company’s Intelligent Mesh to create a network topology similar to Velop.