CES 2021: Linksys Debuts Wi-Fi 6E Tri-Band Mesh System - MacRumors
Skip to Content

CES 2021: Linksys Debuts Wi-Fi 6E Tri-Band Mesh System

Belkin's Linksys brand today announced the launch of the Linksys AXE8400 Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System that takes advantage of the 6GHz band to provide more bandwidth to consumers for faster networks and better reliability.

linksys wifi 6e 2
The Linksys AXE8400 uses Qualcomm's Networking Pro 1210 platform to offer speeds that Linksys says are 2x faster than competing routers. According to Linksys, it is an ideal choice for homes that use up a lot of bandwidth as it can support multiple simultaneous activities for those who learn, work, and live all in one place.

The new Linksys system is certified with the Wi-Fi Alliance and the FCC, and it has tri-band capabilities, supporting 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, plus there's a 5Gb/s WAN port. There are four Gigabit LAN ports and a single USB 3.0 port for hardware connections.

The Linksys AXE8400 is able to cover up to 3,000 square feet per node and can handle up to 65 connected devices all sharing the same bandwidth. It is compatible with other Linksys Intelligent Mesh products and can support smart devices that are 6E-certified and those that are not.

linksys 6e wifi 1
Linksys will begin selling the AXE8400 starting in the Spring or Summer of 2021, and it will be priced at $449 for a single node, $849.99 for a two node setup, and $1,199.99 for a three node setup.

Alongside the Linksys AXE8400, Linksys is today also introducing the next-generation version of Linksys Aware, its motion sensing technology that works with third-party Wi-Fi connected devices like Wemo smart plugs and Belkin smart speakers to expand motion-sensing coverage capabilities.

With the Linksys aware technology, existing smart devices serve as points of communication for greater motion sensing range. Features include motion alerts viewable in the Linksys app when activity is detected, customizable motion sensitivity levels, and a live graph to show real-time and historical motion data throughout the home.

The Linksys Aware update will be available in the Linksys app in March or April of 2021. After a 90-day free trial, it is priced at $2.99 per month or $24.99 per year.

Popular Stories

MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

Apple to Launch 'MacBook Ultra' With These Six New Features

Friday April 24, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

This Is What the iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like

Saturday April 25, 2026 10:00 am PDT by
A recent leak provides our best look yet at the design of Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Leaker Sonny Dickson recently shared images of the first iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone dummy models. The images largely conform with rumors about the designs of the three devices and provide the first real visual confirmation of how they will look. ...
app store monthly sub commitment

Apple Introduces App Store Monthly Subscriptions With 12-Month Commitment

Monday April 27, 2026 12:52 pm PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of a new subscription option for App Store developers: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. The new option allows developers to offer subscribers discounted pricing typically associated with an annual subscription but paid on a monthly basis to keep payments more affordable. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable...

Top Rated Comments

69 months ago
$1,199.99 LOL
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zv470 Avatar
69 months ago
No mention of Homekit router support.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ajfahey Avatar
69 months ago

Yikes, $1200 for 3 nodes. Looks like we’re a couple years away.

$500-$600 for 3 is the sweet spot.
I'm going to run Cat 6a in my house. Every time I buy a new WiFi system, 3 years later, some combination of the need for more band width for evolving use cases and neighborhood interference as neighbors adopt similar tech results in needing to buy another WiFi system to compensate for it. 6a will help me get and keep ahead of it long enough for my next household move. I will continue to use WiFi but limit it to tying mobile wireless devices to my internet connection.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69 months ago

Does it have a dedicated backhaul between hubs or is it another “mesh” router system that halves bandwidth per unit.
wifi 6e has dedicated backhaul. The backhaul on a 6ghz network is the primary benefit of 6e.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69 months ago
Wow, that's pricey! I've had occasional hiccups with our Wi-Fi 5 Velop 3 node setup but am curious if 6/6e would fix any of the issues. Might have to wait for prices to come down first though.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69 months ago

Does plain 6 have dedicated backhaul too?

Or only 6e ?
6 can have a dedicated backhaul but not all do. If you see a tri-band wifi 6 or wifi 5 router, the 3rd band is a 5ghz backhaul band. With 6e, they all have it on a 6ghz band.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)