Hydra Pro 6E Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6E Router

A Pretty Router That Costs Too Much

Let's be honest: the Linksys Hydra Pro 6E is gorgeous. Reviewers love the modern, clean design that actually looks good sitting on your shelf instead of screaming "I'm a router." If aesthetics matter to you, this router delivers. That's the easy part.

The harder part? Justifying the $500 price tag.

Don't get me wrong, the Hydra Pro works well. Reviewers confirm you get solid Wi-Fi 6E performance with good 6GHz speeds that handle streaming, video calls, and work-from-home traffic without stuttering. The setup is straightforward, and the mesh system is intuitive to expand if you need more coverage. For a household up to 3000 square feet, it'll handle your everyday needs.

But here's where reviewers get frustrated: you can get similar or better performance from other Wi-Fi 6E routers for less money. The app is pretty basic compared to competitors, the feature set doesn't feel as rich, and you only get four Ethernet ports, which is limiting if you have lots of devices that need wired connections.

The parental controls are nice if you have kids, and the mesh expandability is solid. But nothing here is revolutionary or worth the premium you're paying.

If you love the look and have the budget, the Hydra Pro is a perfectly fine router that will work reliably. But if you're trying to make smart spending decisions, reviewers suggest looking at other options in the Wi-Fi 6E space. You can save $100 or more and get comparable performance, or spend the same and get a more feature-rich router that doesn't sacrifice on looks.

Bottom line: it's pretty, it works, but it's expensive for what you get. Better value exists elsewhere.

The Design Tax Problem

Linksys is betting you'll pay $500 for a Wi-Fi 6E router primarily because it looks better than the competition. That's a dangerous bet in networking, where performance and features should dominate the conversation.

The Hydra Pro 6E delivers competent Wi-Fi 6E performance with a 9.6Gbps maximum throughput and functional 6GHz band support. The mesh system works without friction, and parental controls are genuinely useful for families. The setup process is painless. From a pure aesthetics standpoint, this is the cleanest-looking router you can buy. But none of that changes the fundamental problem: you're paying flagship prices for mid-tier technical execution.

The Port Situation

Four 1G ethernet ports in 2024 is a choice, and not a good one. At $500, this router should include at least two 2.5G ports for modern NAS devices and wired clients. Competitors like ASUS and Netgear understand that serious buyers at this price point need connectivity options. Linksys stripped them out, likely to pad margins. That's the business decision here, and it's indefensible.

Where the Real Problems Hide

The app is where Linksys's cost-cutting becomes obvious. Advanced features are missing, the interface needs refinement, and power users will immediately feel the limitations. This isn't a minor complaint. Your router is only as good as its management software, and Linksys has delivered something that works but doesn't inspire confidence at $500.

Performance comparisons are the real story. ASUS's ZenWiFi AXE16000 and Netgear's Nighthawk RAXE500 both deliver faster throughput, more ports, and superior software for comparable or lower pricing. Linksys is betting you won't research alternatives. If you do, the value proposition evaporates.

The Verdict

This is a competent Wi-Fi 6E router trapped in a premium price bracket it hasn't earned. The design is genuinely nice, and performance is adequate for most home networks. But adequate doesn't justify $500 when better options exist. You're essentially paying a design tax, and that's a luxury few networking buyers should accept. If aesthetics matter more than performance and features, fine. Otherwise, look elsewhere.