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Even if having the fastest router is important, the AmpliFi Alien mesh kit stands out thanks to its innovative information screen. This screen displays the most important aspects of the network and enables adjustments to be made on the fly. The AmpliFi Alien has a fantastic range but falls short in terms of overall performance.
It is one of the mesh kits that can be set up the quickest. There is a fan for cooling the device, however there are no USB connections for expanding storage. The AmpliFi Alien is priced at $700 for a two-pack, which is the same as the market-leading Orbi RBK852 router.
However, the AmpliFi Alien’s ace in the hole is its ability to communicate operational information without the need to use the router’s app. Our review of the AmpliFi Alien will assist you in determining whether or not it is one of the top mesh routers and whether or not the additional cost for its one-of-a-kind design and screen is justified.
Specifications
| Data Transfer Rate | 1733 Megabits Per Second |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Frequency | 5 GHz |
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien review: Design
Both the AmpliFi Alien and the mesh point that comes with it are thick black cylinders that have rings of light that are a yellowy green colour around the base of each. The Nest Wifi and the Netgear Orbi Voice are smart speakers with built-in voice assistants, while the Alien is just a router.
You might be excused for mistaking either of them for a smart speaker due to their similar appearance. However, the technology appears to be of high quality, and we admire how the vertical design positions the array of antennas at the top of each gadget, where they will be able to deliver their optimal level of performance (higher is always better when it comes to antenna placement).
It is wonderful to be able to check the clock at a glance, as well as the occasional reminder to download the most recent firmware update once one is ready to go. Although you won’t use the LCD touchscreen on the router very often, it is still a pleasant feature to have. You can buy this wifi router from its official website.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien review: Display
The graph of throughput that shows how busy the network is. It’s the only router I’ve seen that measures its internal temperature, shows it, and shows if its fan is running. Inside, it often got as hot as 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but the case never got above 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Alien’s screen shows not only the name of your ISP but also the date and time. You can, however, change this to the logo of your company. The router’s display can do things that other routers can only dream of because it responds to touch.
This includes testing the speed of the internet and keeping the system’s firmware up to date. You can do these things with the app or a browser, but with the AmpliFi Alien, you can do them from the router itself.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien review: Setup
If you have previous experience working with AmpliFi products, you are aware that it is really simple to get them set up and operational. The Alien router does not make an exception to this rule. After ensuring that the gadget had power, we connected it to the cable modem that we use with Comcast using an Ethernet cable and then opened the AmpliFi mobile app on my iPhone.
A few seconds later, the application prompted the user for permission to use Bluetooth in order to find the AmpliFi Alien and connect to it. After confirming that we wanted to proceed, we were prompted to provide a Wi-Fi network name (SSID) as well as a password.
That completed the exercise. Naturally, we already had an AmpliFi account because to the fact that I reviewed AmpliFi in the past. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to make one before you can begin configuring the Alien.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien review: Performance
Once everything is set up, the AmpliFi dashboard gives you an overview of the router’s connection status, connected devices, real-time bandwidth usage, and the ability to change wireless settings. The interface is made for regular users, and what it lacks in advanced features, like the ability to set up a VPN server, it makes up for in ease of use.
The interface has five tabs: Overview, Guest, Devices, Performance, and Diagnose. On the overview tab, you can see how many devices are connected and how much data is being used right now. You can also go to the settings page for a router or satellite from this tab.
You can change the name of your network, give each band a new SSID, use band steering to prioritise the 5GHz band (which has less range but more throughput), set up a custom DNS server and port forwarding, use the router in bridge mode, and change the brightness of the screen and LED light ring.
On the performance tab, you can see how much bandwidth you’ve used since you started using the router. You can also run bandwidth tests to see how well the router is connected. You can set up a guest network from the “Guest” tab. From the “Devices” tab, you can see all the devices, sort traffic, or stop the internet for one device.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien review: Final Words
The AmpliFi Alien is a very capable and strong Wi-Fi 6 router that ought to satisfy the requirements of even the most particular consumers. The router has an attractive appearance, it is simple to install and operate, and it performs exceptionally well, especially in challenging circumstances like residences with multiple stories.
Pros
- Information touch screen
- Customization from router
- Solid performance
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Expensive
- No dedicated (wireless) backhaul
- No support for 160 MHz channels
FAQs
Is AmpliFi Alien worth it?
The AmpliFi Alien is a powerful and capable Wi-Fi 6 router that should meet the needs of even the most demanding users. The router looks great, is easy to set up and use, and works very well, even in places like multi-story homes that are hard on technology.
What does AmpliFi Alien do?
The Wi-Fi 6 benefits of the AmpliFi Alien are brought to your home by its elegant design. Increase your network’s capacity by four times and its coverage by two times, all while making mobile devices use less power. Radios for 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 come with AmpliFi Alien.
How secure is AmpliFi Alien?
All AmpliFi routers, including the HD, Gamer’s, Instant, and Alien models, have a firewall built right in. The firewall in AmpliFi keeps the outside internet from getting into your home network. Only information requested by devices within your home network is allowed in or out.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien Ratings