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expiredVipsd posted Dec 06, 2022 04:54 AM
expiredVipsd posted Dec 06, 2022 04:54 AM

AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band WiFi 6 Router w/ Touchscreen Display

+ Free Shipping

$280

$380

26% off
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Best Buy via eBay has AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band WiFi 6 Router w/ Touchscreen Display (AFi-ALN-R-US) for $279.99. Shipping is free.

Best Buy has AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band WiFi 6 Router w/ Touchscreen Display (AFi-ALN-R-US) for $279.99. Shipping is free or choose curbside pickup where stock permits.

Note, pickup availability will vary by location.

Thanks to Community Member Vipsd for finding this deal.

Features:
  • Intuitive Touchscreen
  • Flexible Interfaces
  • High Custom Antenna Array Performance
  • Mesh System
  • AmpliFi App Simple Setup w/ Rich Controls

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $100 lower (26% savings) than the list price of $379.99.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.5 from over 386 Best Buy customer reviews.
  • About this store:
    • Information about Best Buy returns can be found here
    • Best Buy via eBay return policy: 30 days / Buyer pays for shipping
  • Please read the Forum Thread for more deal discussion.

Original Post

Written by Vipsd
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Best Buy via eBay has AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band WiFi 6 Router w/ Touchscreen Display (AFi-ALN-R-US) for $279.99. Shipping is free.

Best Buy has AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band WiFi 6 Router w/ Touchscreen Display (AFi-ALN-R-US) for $279.99. Shipping is free or choose curbside pickup where stock permits.

Note, pickup availability will vary by location.

Thanks to Community Member Vipsd for finding this deal.

Features:
  • Intuitive Touchscreen
  • Flexible Interfaces
  • High Custom Antenna Array Performance
  • Mesh System
  • AmpliFi App Simple Setup w/ Rich Controls

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $100 lower (26% savings) than the list price of $379.99.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.5 from over 386 Best Buy customer reviews.
  • About this store:
    • Information about Best Buy returns can be found here
    • Best Buy via eBay return policy: 30 days / Buyer pays for shipping
  • Please read the Forum Thread for more deal discussion.

Original Post

Written by Vipsd

Community Voting

Deal Score
+33
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Model: Ubiquiti Networks AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Router

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Top Comments

gergesim
46 Posts
26 Reputation
I have 3 of these and have been very happy with them, but there are a few things worth mentioning

The thermal tolerances on these is pretty poor IMO. Don't plan to use it in any non-conditioned space, putting it in a garage in any temperature above 85F and it will start with random reboots and eventually fail.
There is no cross compatibility with anything else in the AmpliFi line or in the Ubiquiti line. These Aliens only mesh with other Aliens. There is also something called a "mesh kit" that I would avoid, it includes another Alien without an LCD that is firmware locked to only be a mesh node.
I had one issue with one and customer service was super solid, so happy there.
If you are technically minded and want to do advanced stuff, I would really recommend you take a peek at Ubiquti devices. This is a great consumer grade router, but it isn't much more than that.
The same statement above is true for Smart Home folks, Ubiquiti has a solid smart home line but again those devices wont work with the Alien.
The range on these is solid, but its not massive leaps and bounds above other stuff on the market. In my opinion if you are approaching needing any more than 2 of these, it isn't worth the price. My two level, 2200 sqft house needs 2.
These devices do not have a dedicated backhaul, meaning that the communication of the mesh nodes is happening on the same band as connected devices. There is a small performance cost to that, but it hasn't been an issue for me. If wired backhaul is an option that's always recommended.
burkhacs
165 Posts
26 Reputation
I'm guessing they're going to release the 6E version soon and that's why this is on sale. Just an educated guess.
Dami860
8 Posts
10 Reputation
I had one of these for a bit and returned it. Couldn't justify the price and while it's aesthetically pleasing, I did not find it had any performance gains over my old AC1750.

107 Comments

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Dec 06, 2022 06:32 PM
56 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
CoralField2945Dec 06, 2022 06:32 PM
56 Posts
I see. I received the orbi sxk80 order but haven't gotten the chance to use it yet. So no comparison to current modern routers. I'm still rocking the netgear r6700 but it's limiting internet Speed on Wi-Fi for my 1gig fiber so that's why I'm looking into a newer router.
Dec 06, 2022 06:34 PM
8 Posts
Joined Feb 2016
Dami860Dec 06, 2022 06:34 PM
8 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Dami860

I had one of these for a bit and returned it. Couldn't justify the price and while it's aesthetically pleasing, I did not find it had any performance gains over my old AC1750.
2
Dec 06, 2022 06:37 PM
1 Posts
Joined May 2015
Slurm87Dec 06, 2022 06:37 PM
1 Posts
Isn't this a downgrade from the Unifi Dream Router for $200? That is if you can find it in stock.
I really like Ubiquiti's Amplify and Unifi, but I don't know if they are getting rid of these before they push more for the UDRs.
Dec 06, 2022 06:39 PM
8 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
BenoyGDec 06, 2022 06:39 PM
8 Posts
Quote from gergesim :
I have 3 of these and have been very happy with them, but there are a few things worth mentioning
  • These devices do not have a dedicated backhaul, meaning that the communication of the mesh nodes is happening on the same band as connected devices. There is a small performance cost to that, but it hasn't been an issue for me. If wired backhaul is an option that's always recommended.
Enable Ethernet Wired Backhaul:
https://help.amplifi.com/hc/en-us...d-Backhaul
Dec 06, 2022 06:46 PM
363 Posts
Joined Sep 2005
theundertowDec 06, 2022 06:46 PM
363 Posts
Quote from dhizzy :
Can anyone confirm how these stack up to Netgear?
I replaced our high end Netgear router and extender due to network drops and performance complaints by the family. The Alien (primary and secondary one as extender) has performed very well without the headaches I had with Netgear. I would strongly recommend them.
Dec 06, 2022 06:47 PM
8 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
BenoyGDec 06, 2022 06:47 PM
8 Posts
Quote from JohnE3740 :
Is this Software VPN? or you have a static IP from the ISP?
This is one of the few that offer home vpn even when you are behind a Carrier NAT and do not have static dedicated IP.

When I used Metronet without paying for the static IP, this was the only solution that allowed me to connect to my home network via VPN.

Very useful when using free public WiFi that may not be very secure
Dec 06, 2022 06:49 PM
66 Posts
Joined Feb 2018
SlickNinja78Dec 06, 2022 06:49 PM
66 Posts
I currently own a Ubiquiti Dream Machine. Would this be a worthwhile upgrade?

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Dec 06, 2022 07:00 PM
456 Posts
Joined May 2005
ThksnowDec 06, 2022 07:00 PM
456 Posts
I'm no expert on routers, but can this be used to replace my old Verizon FiOS router? I seem to remember that to work with Verizon the router had to have some specific features.
Dec 06, 2022 07:02 PM
36 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
Glewis202Dec 06, 2022 07:02 PM
36 Posts
These don't work with the original AMPLIFI system right? I have the original kit with the router and two mesh points.
Dec 06, 2022 07:12 PM
45 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
bjpellDec 06, 2022 07:12 PM
45 Posts
I've had mine for 2 years. Great router. Get 2, and wire them together for the backhaul, amazing performance.
Dec 06, 2022 07:21 PM
580 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
NineT9Dec 06, 2022 07:21 PM
580 Posts
This price is a steal! I absolutely love my Alien routers. I own a couple of these (both sides of the house) to cover inside and outside (cameras, sensors, etc).

The app (iOS) is smooth (and it works on MacOS which is neat), the screen on the front of the router is cool too... both of which I hardly use but when I need to, it's really nice having it to get a glance of what's going on.

Picture of my router (it's touch screen, there's different screens for testing speed, seeing devices, etc):
https://imgur.com/a/0Addul8

My 2 small requests:
1. I wish the screen on the router was bigger and/or they had an AppleTV/iPad App so I can just have a TV/iPad on the wall for a glance of activity or something. I know I'm the minority there though.
2. I wish it supported 10g. I'm on Fiber (1g), and I'd love to upgrade to 10g (you'd be shocked how much bandwidth cameras, gaming, streaming, and a plex server takes).
Dec 06, 2022 07:25 PM
5,996 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
zomboidDec 06, 2022 07:25 PM
5,996 Posts
Quote from NineT9 :
This price is a steal! I absolutely love my Alien routers. I own a couple of these (both sides of the house) to cover inside and outside (cameras, sensors, etc).

The app (iOS) is smooth (and it works on MacOS which is neat), the screen on the front of the router is cool too... both of which I hardly use but when I need to, it's really nice having it to get a glance of what's going on.

Picture of my router (it's touch screen, there's different screens for testing speed, seeing devices, etc):
https://imgur.com/a/0Addul8

My 2 small requests:
1. I wish the screen on the router was bigger and/or they had an AppleTV/iPad App so I can just have a TV/iPad on the wall for a glance of activity or something. I know I'm the minority there though.
2. I wish it supported 10g. I'm on Fiber (1g), and I'd love to upgrade to 10g (you'd be shocked how much bandwidth cameras, gaming, streaming, and a plex server takes).
Honestly I don't think anyone wouldn't want a larger screen on this. Looks so cool and actually very useful info at a glance.
Dec 06, 2022 07:30 PM
11 Posts
Joined May 2013
Jfish710Dec 06, 2022 07:30 PM
11 Posts
I am a geek, internet can always be faster for me. These AmpliFi Aliens are the first Router that I have ever recommended in my life. I have one, my mom has one, my friend has two, his dad has one, etc etc.

PROS
-You pay $50-$150 for your internet, but you are wasting money if you are using their default routers. The speed and latency you see is noticeably going to improve with this. Comcast went from 50mbps to 850mbps with a laptop in the most often use room.
-Most folks only had 5 devices connect to their router 5 years ago, now days it can be 10-50! Your laptop, your ipad, your phone, your watch, your lights, your doorbell, your TV, your microwave, your fridge and your toaster ALL want to use up airspace, with old routers that slows it down, with this router-- NO PROBLEM. I have 18 connected right now I just checked.
-If you have a large house with thick walls, this thing will be a savior.
-The app makes admin changes and resets so incredibly easy for folks like my parents who haven't memorized their way around a 192.168.1.1/admin/admin

CONS
-It is not incredible at creating a mesh network. It really needs the ethernet hard-wired backhaul to do that effectively.

I didn't even know it had the VPN tunneling until reading this thread, the more you know!
Dec 06, 2022 07:30 PM
70 Posts
Joined Oct 2014
BerkleyJDec 06, 2022 07:30 PM
70 Posts
Quote from theking_z :
I am still using my Airport Extreme that I bought 5 years ago. I know wifi tech have made so much progress in last few years but my apple router is so stable that I never had to worry about connection being dropped or anything if that sort. I am really tempted to try this out but not sure if I need to fix something that is not broken (yet).
Same boat as you for exactly the same reason. I've tried so many routers and always had various issues large and small. My Airport has been running for YEARS and never a single hiccup. From what I've heard these are made by the same group of folks that made the AirPort Extreme. Apple actually sells these now.

As other have said, it's no longer cutting edge as it may have a been a couple years ago when it was released, which makes the price tag even harder to swallow. I'm tempted to bite at this price though, if it provides the same stability as my Airport.

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Dec 06, 2022 07:32 PM
1,720 Posts
Joined Mar 2005
coolpalDec 06, 2022 07:32 PM
1,720 Posts
Quote from SlickNinja78 :
I currently own a Ubiquiti Dream Machine. Would this be a worthwhile upgrade?
Not very familiar with the Amplifi line, but the UDM and the UniFi line is prosumer grade which gives you much more functionality like segregating networks into multiple VLANs, and it also has UniFi protect (and access) built in, though with plain UDM its a stretch running all those apps.

If you have no need for any of the advanced features and only care about the raw coverage and speed, amplifi or even any of the other mesh kits are going to perform better and/or are cheaper.

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