Good review. Thank you. I bought two Alien routers to cover my 3,000sqft home a couple of months ago and love it. Big improvement over my older Netgear Orbi with two satellites. The final straw came for me when Orbi pushed an update that knocked me off the internet. I love that I can simply connect the Alien directly to my Ethernet run from the 500/500 fiber optic ISP and completely bypass their modem/router. I've experienced far better results with the direct connection.
you all probably dont care but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost the account password. I love any help you can give me!
@Elliot Xzavier i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
Hey man, nice review! Just wanted to clarify a couple items of potential confusion for others watching this review. FIRST: you absolutely CAN buy these products at Best Buy. SECOND: You absolutely CAN combine this with Ubiquiti devices. There is no reason why you couldn't run an AmpliFi router in conjunction with some Unifi access points, switches and even (technically) a Unifi security gateway. Vice versa is true also: You could make your primary router a Unifi Dream Machine Pro, for instance, and then use the Amplifi router to extend your network. You simply need to setup a control server, or purchase a cloud key to manage the access points and various Unifi equipment. Now, it is true that the two devices have different software packages for management, which I think is where you were going with your comment that they can't be combined. So, as I said, nice review, but just wanted to clarify those points for you and your viewers!
You cannot use amplifi products with the alien amplify range . It’s listed on the ubiquiti website. Further if you buy the package with the additional satellite mesh note that it is hard coded to the alien amplifi router.
@@LrgPicture Yes, I have two of them. What made me keep the Aliens? They work! Faster, better than anything I've used previously and allow me to have over 60 devices (lights, switches, thermostat, TV, cameras, etc. connected with zero issues and great speed. Easy to configure, more options.
@@JeffMcNeal awesome… I have both the Alien and the Rog Axe11000 6e… I’m trying to decide.. but over the past few days the alien has been amazing… the 6E was good but not much different than the ax11000… so I’m trying to decide
@@BatTech oh nice , so you recommend the alien router ? My house is not big but not small but with my provider router I barely get any wifi signal in my living room . My house is one floor but with 3 bedrooms . Do you think the alien router is worth it ?
Great review. It looks very cool. Question - if one has a pre-existing Home Mesh network, then can you add an Alien Mesh (two Alien routers) using wireless backhaul between them? As in a separate network to extend wifi (and plug in a games console in the room below) in Bridge/Access Point mode composed of two Aliens. With Alien 1 plugged in to the Satellite of the existing Mesh. Alien 2 on floor below.
Is there a security feature for the Alien? Have an older Orbi setup I am looking to replace and have Netgear Armor from Bitdefender. Will help with planning.
The Alien has a custom built firewall. Amplifi/Ubiquiti are known for security. Netgear's Armor is mostly a DNS based filter that blocks known malicious sites. Anyone can get that level of extra filtering on any router simply by changing their DNS server to something like OpenDNS or Cloudflare. The extra cost Netgear charges for Armor is not really worth it.
One thing I like about Alien vs Orbi is the extra security features. Found out that Orbi does not allow you to hide SSID, I know that this is a minor security feature but why not add it? Not sure if Orbi offers free VPN as well.
Great video. I have a question: I currently have the wifi 5 orbi with one satellite...but it takes a while for my device to switch from the router to the satellite and vice versa when I move around my home. I am currently using the wireless back haul but I could use wired backhul, can someone explain the main benefit of doing it this way
If you do wireless or wired backhaul will not improve that situation. How the device switches is based on the device mostly and distance from the node. Netgear does have an option called Fast Roaming you could try.
Great video…. I was wondering if you’re still using the alien? If so did you deal with disconnects? I love this router but when I’m moving around my yard I get disconnects
@@captshadab like if I’m moving from place to place… room to room… I was doing some work around my house and I noticed that I was being disconnected… it’s crazy because the speeds are insane but this happens…
@@LrgPicture well your problem suggest s channel interference. Do you have your neighbours wifi signal in your house or may be some other wifi signals. If yes check out their channel number and manually select channel which is different from them in amplifi app. Should solve the issue
@@LrgPicture actually selecting channels is very important feature but unfortunately not many mesh systems allow you to do so. However amplifi app does allow. There are some youtube videos which show how to identify channel number of all the different wifi signal you get at your place. Do refer them. This will also increase the speed which you see in speed test
I love the alien but I have had nothing but problems with amplifi . They seem to lose speed and power as time goes on . I had the amplifi hd and started having issues . Now I have the alien and now losing speeds and it reboots on its own daily . Thinking of making a switch
Losing speed over time doesn't really make sense. The Alien actually has the same Qualcomm Wifi 6 chipset as the Netgear Orbi, so really what makes them different is firmware and the antennas. And as you saw in my video, the Alien experience was superior.
@@BatTech ugh makes total sense . I have gig internet and at first used to get 850- 900 to the router and 700+ to WiFi 6 devices . Now the router only gets 450-500 constantly reboots , and just slowed down . Same thing happened with my amplifi HD . Great products just don’t last long
I mean, you could always try RMA of the Alien if you think it may be a hardware failure of some sort. I assume you tried resetting to factory. Also, I would check if anything else on your network changed. Anything that may be stealing speed. Double NAT, etc.
Alien is terrible! I have had to RMA mine 3 times in 6 months and now the latest firmware made it unusably slow on the 2.4g channels. Just pass and get something else.
Good review. Thank you. I bought two Alien routers to cover my 3,000sqft home a couple of months ago and love it. Big improvement over my older Netgear Orbi with two satellites. The final straw came for me when Orbi pushed an update that knocked me off the internet. I love that I can simply connect the Alien directly to my Ethernet run from the 500/500 fiber optic ISP and completely bypass their modem/router. I've experienced far better results with the direct connection.
you all probably dont care but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid lost the account password. I love any help you can give me!
@Elliot Xzavier i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out now.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Elliot Xzavier It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much you saved my account !
@Kylen Kason glad I could help :D
Hey Jeff, im on the market to replace my Orbi stuff. Its been a year since your post, how has it held up?
Hey man, nice review! Just wanted to clarify a couple items of potential confusion for others watching this review. FIRST: you absolutely CAN buy these products at Best Buy. SECOND: You absolutely CAN combine this with Ubiquiti devices. There is no reason why you couldn't run an AmpliFi router in conjunction with some Unifi access points, switches and even (technically) a Unifi security gateway. Vice versa is true also: You could make your primary router a Unifi Dream Machine Pro, for instance, and then use the Amplifi router to extend your network. You simply need to setup a control server, or purchase a cloud key to manage the access points and various Unifi equipment. Now, it is true that the two devices have different software packages for management, which I think is where you were going with your comment that they can't be combined. So, as I said, nice review, but just wanted to clarify those points for you and your viewers!
You cannot use amplifi products with the alien amplify range . It’s listed on the ubiquiti website. Further if you buy the package with the additional satellite mesh note that it is hard coded to the alien amplifi router.
i have an orbi, no problems what so ever and the speeds are unreal over a 3 floor house, with over 20 devices connected.
“Amplifi is not something you can just walk into and buy at a best buy”
Meanwhile, walks into a best buy and buys one :D
Well at least in Canada you can't :)
Heh. I bought two. At my local Best Buy.
@@JeffMcNeal you guys still have the 👽? If so what made you keep it?
@@LrgPicture Yes, I have two of them. What made me keep the Aliens? They work! Faster, better than anything I've used previously and allow me to have over 60 devices (lights, switches, thermostat, TV, cameras, etc. connected with zero issues and great speed. Easy to configure, more options.
@@JeffMcNeal awesome… I have both the Alien and the Rog Axe11000 6e… I’m trying to decide.. but over the past few days the alien has been amazing… the 6E was good but not much different than the ax11000… so I’m trying to decide
TO THOSE WHO NEED TO HEAR THIS, DO NOT KEEP THE BOXES IT CAME IN. YOURE JUST WASTING SPACE AND HOARDING FOR NO REASON.
Until you have to RMA it for some reason or wanna resell it (when you upgrade your network.)
Do I need a modem to run this
How far was the test #3 on the alien ? How far was the speed test from the alien router ?
The Alien is in the basement, 2 levels down from test #3.
@@BatTech oh nice , so you recommend the alien router ? My house is not big but not small but with my provider router I barely get any wifi signal in my living room . My house is one floor but with 3 bedrooms . Do you think the alien router is worth it ?
Sounds like you only need one router, so if you like the Alien, go for it
@@BatTech do you know how many sq.ft is good this router ?
Great review. It looks very cool. Question - if one has a pre-existing Home Mesh network, then can you add an Alien Mesh (two Alien routers) using wireless backhaul between them? As in a separate network to extend wifi (and plug in a games console in the room below) in Bridge/Access Point mode composed of two Aliens. With Alien 1 plugged in to the Satellite of the existing Mesh. Alien 2 on floor below.
nice review! looking to purchase either an alien or orbi however from your review i may go with the alien
Which one did you get ?
@@LrgPicture he said alien
Is there a security feature for the Alien? Have an older Orbi setup I am looking to replace and have Netgear Armor from Bitdefender. Will help with planning.
The Alien has a custom built firewall. Amplifi/Ubiquiti are known for security. Netgear's Armor is mostly a DNS based filter that blocks known malicious sites. Anyone can get that level of extra filtering on any router simply by changing their DNS server to something like OpenDNS or Cloudflare. The extra cost Netgear charges for Armor is not really worth it.
It also has HomeKit security support
One thing I like about Alien vs Orbi is the extra security features. Found out that Orbi does not allow you to hide SSID, I know that this is a minor security feature but why not add it? Not sure if Orbi offers free VPN as well.
Orbi is more designed for home users. Alien is for more technical users for sure.
Great video. I have a question: I currently have the wifi 5 orbi with one satellite...but it takes a while for my device to switch from the router to the satellite and vice versa when I move around my home. I am currently using the wireless back haul but I could use wired backhul, can someone explain the main benefit of doing it this way
If you do wireless or wired backhaul will not improve that situation. How the device switches is based on the device mostly and distance from the node. Netgear does have an option called Fast Roaming you could try.
Great video…. I was wondering if you’re still using the alien? If so did you deal with disconnects? I love this router but when I’m moving around my yard I get disconnects
Hi. As in when you move from one room t9 another that's how it disconnects or even if a device is at a particular and it's wifi gets disconnected.????
@@captshadab like if I’m moving from place to place… room to room… I was doing some work around my house and I noticed that I was being disconnected… it’s crazy because the speeds are insane but this happens…
@@LrgPicture well your problem suggest s channel interference. Do you have your neighbours wifi signal in your house or may be some other wifi signals. If yes check out their channel number and manually select channel which is different from them in amplifi app. Should solve the issue
@@captshadab ok thanks man… gonna try this
@@LrgPicture actually selecting channels is very important feature but unfortunately not many mesh systems allow you to do so. However amplifi app does allow. There are some youtube videos which show how to identify channel number of all the different wifi signal you get at your place. Do refer them. This will also increase the speed which you see in speed test
Actually you can just walk into Best Buy and purchase an amplifi lol
I love the alien but I have had nothing but problems with amplifi . They seem to lose speed and power as time goes on . I had the amplifi hd and started having issues . Now I have the alien and now losing speeds and it reboots on its own daily . Thinking of making a switch
Losing speed over time doesn't really make sense. The Alien actually has the same Qualcomm Wifi 6 chipset as the Netgear Orbi, so really what makes them different is firmware and the antennas. And as you saw in my video, the Alien experience was superior.
@@BatTech ugh makes total sense . I have gig internet and at first used to get 850- 900 to the router and 700+ to WiFi 6 devices . Now the router only gets 450-500 constantly reboots , and just slowed down . Same thing happened with my amplifi HD . Great products just don’t last long
I mean, you could always try RMA of the Alien if you think it may be a hardware failure of some sort. I assume you tried resetting to factory. Also, I would check if anything else on your network changed. Anything that may be stealing speed. Double NAT, etc.
@@BatTech nothing has changed . I have already been in contact if amplifi , about another warranty exchange .
Don’t buy this thing. The updates make it unusable
Alien is terrible! I have had to RMA mine 3 times in 6 months and now the latest firmware made it unusably slow on the 2.4g channels. Just pass and get something else.
Sorry you had trouble. This has not been my experience with it.
Do not buy amplify. Worst router I ever purchased.
My experience and tests do not show this.
Its one of the best on the market
What made you not like it? This comment without context is kind of useless.
I wont buy Amplify. But Amplifi is a must have