AmpliFi Instant Mesh Router Launches With Quick 2 Minute Setup, Starting at $100

[MacRumors]

AmpliFi is one of the many brands in the mesh Wi-Fi router market, first launching its cubed router with a circular display in 2016. As the consumer brand for Ubiquiti Networks, AmpliFi today announced an expansion of its product line with the AmpliFi Instant whole-home Wi-Fi system, which is smaller than its previous router and more streamlined, since it can be set up in under two minutes.

AmpliFi designed the new router to be compact and instantly accessible to customers who want to upgrade and improve the Wi-Fi in their homes. AmpliFi Instant uses 802.11ac Wi-Fi with both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radios, and comes with a WAN port and a Gigabit Ethernet port on the router, as well as a Gigabit Ethernet port on the MeshPoint extension.

Like other mesh systems, AmpliFi Instant comes with a base router that you can extend the range of using a MeshPoint extension device. This allows Wi-Fi coverage to be evenly and reliably spread across your home, without potential disruption from Wi-Fi extenders.

During the quick setup process, AmpliFi Instant connects to an iOS or Android app, where users can also configure the router, check out their network's stability, adjust parental controls and remote access features, and provide access to guests. The installation process is sped up thanks to the MeshPoint, which comes pre-paired with the router so customers simply have to plug it in where Wi-Fi is needed most.

AmpliFi Instant launches today for $99.99 for just the router, while the AmpliFi Instant Kit is available for $179.99 for a router and MeshPoint. The device is being sold both on AmpliFi's website and on Amazon.

Article Link: AmpliFi Instant Mesh Router Launches With Quick 2 Minute Setup, Starting at $100

 

[cmaier]

Replaced my airport setup with several AMPLIFI routers a few months ago

Was initially a rough ride, but after a few firmware updates it’s been rock solid, working with remote NAS-based time machine backups, AirPlay, etc.

These new versions appear to be lower end, probably with fewer radios?

 

[iapplelove]

I know I’m gonna catch heat for this but I’ve switched from a TC to google WiFi and 4 nodes.

Never had better faster WiFi and the app updates like every day.

Yes I know I always am connected to google but guess what, I don’t care.

 

[Aston441]

I know I’m gonna catch heat for this but I’ve switched from a TC to google WiFi and 4 nodes.

Never had better faster WiFi and the app updates like every day.

Yes I know I always am connected to google but guess what, I don’t care.

Agree. Google mesh is by far the best value if you want to just plug something in that's rock solid and FAST.

 

[iapplelove]

Agree. Google mesh is by far the best value if you want to just plug something in that's rock solid and FAST.

It’s so cheap too for what you get. And I’m not kidding when I say Google is always updating and improving the app.

A 3 piece system is less than 250 and a 4th is 99 bucks. No brainer, strong fast secure WiFi

 

[bladerunner2000]

I know I’m gonna catch heat for this but I’ve switched from a TC to google WiFi and 4 nodes.

LOL, why would you catch heat for using a superior product? Apple isn't the best anymore at making anything. You're fine dude.

 

[Marekul]

It’s so cheap too for what you get. And I’m not kidding when I say Google is always updating and improving the app.

A 3 piece system is less than 250 and a 4th is 99 bucks. No brainer, strong fast secure WiFi

It’s only cheap if you don’t value privacy at all.

 

[fate.tw]

I have two of the Amplifi cubes and an extender. Easily the best network I've had in my house. Rock solid, never drops and fast.

 

[iapplelove]

LOL, why would you catch heat for using a superior product? Apple isn't the best anymore at making anything. You're fine dude.

lol because it’s Google
[doublepost=1539097200][/doublepost]

It’s only cheap if you don’t value privacy at all.

And right on que lol... I could say the same thing for the entire internet itself.

 

[philfry]

I've been using the Luma Wifi mesh product for awhile. It probably isn't the best product out there but I got a 3 pack for $135 and it has been fantastic for me. Much more coverage than my previous Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme setup.

 

[anthonymoody]

Replaced my airport setup with several AMPLIFI routers a few months ago

Was initially a rough ride, but after a few firmware updates it’s been rock solid, working with remote NAS-based time machine backups, AirPlay, etc.

These new versions appear to be lower end, probably with fewer radios?

How do you get it to work with AirPlay?

I know I’m gonna catch heat for this but I’ve switched from a TC to google WiFi and 4 nodes.

Never had better faster WiFi and the app updates like every day.

Yes I know I always am connected to google but guess what, I don’t care.

Agree. Google mesh is by far the best value if you want to just plug something in that's rock solid and FAST.

Does Google provide a dedicated (hard wired?) channel for the backhaul for the nodes to communicate? When I first researched them, I believe they did not. That was considered a strike against them at the time.

 

[grayskies]

I used TC for several years. I installed in a relative's house when I relocated to another part of the country. I've renting an all-in-one router from my isp for the last couple of years. I want to get a mesh system but it seemed that they were not all as promised. Have they improved a lot in the last few years?

 

[xero9]

I was interested in the Plume mesh network but you can’t buy the things in Canada (exclusively for Bell customers), and was willing to wait for the super pods but then they decided to go a subscription route so I said forget it.

I want mesh, but I also just want them to be APs, as I use pfSense as my firewall.

 

[iapplelove]

How do you get it to work with AirPlay?





Does Google provide a dedicated (hard wired?) channel for the backhaul for the nodes to communicate? When I first researched them, I believe they did not. That was considered a strike against them at the time.

My airplay still works with google WiFi not sure of the others, I thought airplay works with everything?

And do you mean a dedicated hardwire from node to node?

 

[cmaier]

How do you get it to work with AirPlay?





Does Google provide a dedicated (hard wired?) channel for the backhaul for the nodes to communicate? When I first researched them, I believe they did not. That was considered a strike against them at the time.

I did nothing special to get it to work with airplay. I'm talking about airplay between devices on the network, not airplay to the router. (Some routers have notorious problems with air playing between devices, believe it or not).

 

[oneMadRssn]

It’s so cheap too for what you get. And I’m not kidding when I say Google is always updating and improving the app.

A 3 piece system is less than 250 and a 4th is 99 bucks. No brainer, strong fast secure WiFi

There are other ways to pay for something, other than dollars.

 

[Le Big Mac]

Does Google provide a dedicated (hard wired?) channel for the backhaul for the nodes to communicate? When I first researched them, I believe they did not. That was considered a strike against them at the time.

Does Amplifi? I thought these are all wireless backhaul with no option to use an existing wired network for that. Only thing holding me back . . .

ETA: Answered my own question - AmpliFi does now appear to support ethernet backhaul.

https://help.amplifi.com/hc/en-us/articles/115006826048-Ethernet-Wired-Backhaul-How-To

 

[whyamihere]

Only one ethernet port and no USB port? Non-starter for me.

 

[iapplelove]

There are other ways to pay for something, other than dollars.

I’m not even sure what this means.

 

[patrickbarnes]

How do you get it to work with AirPlay?





Does Google provide a dedicated (hard wired?) channel for the backhaul for the nodes to communicate? When I first researched them, I believe they did not. That was considered a strike against them at the time.

Google WiFi has always supported wired backhaul.

 

[luvbug]

Just my take, for those mentioning Google WiFi: Are you freaking crazy? After all the revelations about what Google is doing behind our backs and under the covers, you want to hand then the opportunity to inspect every packet of network traffic in and out of your home? Really? Sure, I bet it is the best bang for the buck ... for a reason, and it ain't 'cause they're generous folks, either.

 

[iapplelove]

Just my take, for those mentioning Google WiFi: Are you freaking crazy? After all the revelations about what Google is doing behind our backs and under the covers, you want to hand then the opportunity to inspect every packet of network traffic in and out of your home? Really? Sure, I bet it is the best bang for the buck ... for a reason, and it ain't 'cause they're generous folks, either.

Doesn’t bother me in the least. And it’s not even the best bang for the buck for those reasons, it’s just been out the longest.

 

[iMerik]

I love my Ubiquiti devices. However, this doesn't appear to have a dedicated 5GHz backhaul radio in case that's a concern for anyone (it can backhaul over ethernet). The Netgear Orbi RBK22, currently $10 cheaper, appears comparable in specs and has a third, dedicated backhaul radio with the other two radios being 2.4GHz and 5GHz for wireless devices. I still like the looks of this AmpliFi Instant; I'm just pointing out something for consideration.

 

[Le Big Mac]

I’m not even sure what this means.

Point I believe is that Google can sell its routers for less $$ in exchange for (potential) access to data and information about your browsing habits, which has value to Google.

(I don't know what privacy one gives up with google routers - just trying to describe the point I believe being made).

 

[iMerik]

All this talk about Google's mesh WiFi solution when there are better reviewed solutions out there: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-mesh-networking-kits/