The extensive range of routers nowadays is enough to make your head spin. Enter the concept of mesh systems for larger homes and more devices, and we don’t necessarily blame you for not knowing what’s best for both your home and internet usage. While mesh systems are certainly the better option for internet setups moving forward, D-Link has stepped in with their Aquila Pro AI AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System (M60) to give it a crack.
This system ticks most of the boxes the everyday user would want from a new system; it provides great range across larger homes and fantastic bandwidth for multiple users and devices at any given time. However, it also lacks a few premium features. Without a USB port or more than one multi-gig LAN port for faster devices and connections, it could decrease the effectiveness of the overall experience for certain users. So let’s break it down and elaborate, given that this is still a fantastic option for most everyday users.
Design
The M60 system comes in a single, dual or triple pack, and the results from a design perspective are relatively mixed. The units themselves are incredibly sleek and feature curved wings that fold upwards around the top.
They feature a predominantly white top panel with a light blue underside that creeps up and over with those fancy wings. I didn’t have a problem with these, so to speak, given they’re not too tall or wide and can fit almost anywhere. They might not be as small and compact as an Eero unit, but measuring in at 7.8 x 22.6 x 16.2cm (HWD), they’re not large or tower-like either. They also include hanging slots underneath, so they can be put up on a wall.
I do love its utility by design, though, as it’s packing a few things that other mesh systems aren’t. For example, any of these units in a pack can be used a your main router, while the remaining units will connect as extenders. This means that you’ll get four LAN ports on each of the units, whereas other units specify a particular main router with additional ports and extenders with fewer ports.
Apart from those ports, though, things are generally clean and easy to spot around the back, with a larger power button, a WPS and reset button, and even a dedicated button top to turn the front LED light off around the front. I don’t have much to say about the front, however, because there’s not much there. Apart from that single vertical LED light around the front, which turns white, orange or red depending on its statutes, there’s nothing else. It can be advantageous to have fewer flashing lights for the sake of minimalism, and I prefer it.
Overall, the unique shape of the M60 units might seem strange to some, but given they’re still rather slim and minimal, I can’t imagine they’ll stand out too much in most homes. But if you prefer a fancier look on your routers, there are bonus points to award here.
Performance
The M60 system is a dual-band network that utilises a smart switch system to manage device traffic across its 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. I’m currently on quite a decent internet plan running speeds of up to 1000Mbps download and 50Mbps upload. Given this is generally the fastest speed most consumers can get here in Australia, the M60 system will run anything you can throw at it with 1 x 2.5 Gbps WAN port and 3 x Gigabit ethernet LAN ports.
The only downside here is that for other countries and faster speeds and plans with those capabilities, means that you’ll get limited capacity and speeds from three out of those four LAN ports. Wi-Fi connectivity is also decent, but I don’t think it’s going to blow anyone away. Given that we reviewed the triple pack, I was always generally close to a point and got around 200Mbps. It can drop the further away you get, but it shows on its 5GHz band, where I got closer to 450Mbps.
Given that I was using a single router before reviewing this mesh system, the range is also fantastic here. My internet setup sits in the garage at the front of my house, and while my block is around 30 metres long, I would generally lose internet when in my backyard. Placing these three points evenly throughout the home has been a game changer, and I get nothing but three solid Wi-Fi bars wherever I am throughout the home.
It can support more than 30 devices simultaneously, which is generally more than enough for even larger families. That sounds crazy, but when everyone is using their phones, iPads, gaming consoles and streaming content on their TV, it can get chaotic pretty quickly.
That being said, it lacks a USB port around the back, which can have a few negative implications based on the user. As a result, it can support network-enabled devices or servers and back up mobile networks, but if you aren’t using them, it won’t make a difference to your overall experience.
Software
Users can download the Aqialia Pro AI to help set up the network but can also set it up via a local browser address on a PC. Through it, you can monitor your active extenders and conceded devices to see how traffic is being directed.
From here, you can also manage or activate a guest Wi-Fi network with a unique password, change parental controls to schedule internet times and access a Health Mode that gives you updates on how your network is shifting things around to make sure it runs more efficiently. You can even hook it up to a Google or Alexa-enabled device for voice commands, all while being protected with WPA3 encryption.
Beyond this, you’ll have to jump onto the web via PC to access Port Forwarding, Quick VPN, and Firewall settings. It’s easy enough to navigate, but it makes the app a little more limited in the long term. It does make the initial setup incredibly easy, which is always a plus, but I must note here that I ran into a few issues with a PPPoE connection, so it might be worth looking into your provider’s connections protocols and methods.
Verdict & Value
Overall, the Aquila Pro AI AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System (M60) is a decent option in the ever-expanding mesh system space. It provides decent speed and impressive range depending on how many extenders you get in a pack, but even for larger homes, three should do the trick.
While it’s missing a few features, like additional multi-gigabit ports and no USB port in sight, I feel as though that depends on the user. Even with its unique design, it’s stylish and minimal enough to suit most homes, even in open or busy spaces.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Decent range for larger homes; Fantatsoc bandwitch and traffic management; Easy setup for compatible connections
Lowlights: It lacks a USB port and multi-gigabit LAN ports
Manufacturer: D-Link
Price: A$649.95
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by D-Link.
