_:nae77eef79e294f999c7fe3c424121c32xb3
<http://schema.org/reviewBody>
"<p>The latest player in the <a data-link-id=\"320\" data-link-type=\"roundup\" href=\"/wireless-networking/87178/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems\">Wi-Fi mesh system</a> game, the two-piece Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System ($299.99), makes it easy to block users and websites, control internet access, and roam from room to room without changing networks. It also supports Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data streaming and protects your home network from malware. However, it only comes with a single extender node and at the time of this writing, you can't add nodes, which means coverage is limited to 5,000 feet. It delivered speedy 2.4GHz and 5GHz throughput and was a snap to install in our tests, but its MU-MIMO range performance doesn't match that of our Editors' Choice, the <a data-link-id=\"2031\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wi-fi-mesh-networking-system/86977/linksys-velop\">Linksys Velop</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"04LVYkE9YJgmQQ8yHd5xkq6\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLinksys-Tri-band-Intelligent-Maximize-devices%2Fdp%2FB01N2NLNEH\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($349.99 at Amazon)</a> .</p>\n<h2 id=\"what-exactly-are-wi-fi-systems\">What Exactly Are Wi-Fi Systems?</h2>\n<p>Wi-Fi systems provide an easy way for non-technical users to install a far-reaching wireless network without the need for range extenders, access points, or additional wiring. Most systems, including the Ally Plus<a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"05Vwht24mwn7dHQVT8rWSIG\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAmped-ALLY-0091K-Wireless-Whole-System%2Fdp%2FB01LFRA3EO\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($165.99 at Amazon)</a>, <a data-link-id=\"10677\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wi-fi-mesh-networking-system/86484/google-wifi\">Google Wifi</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"075QkjRWn1xycHXkm6in3qu\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGoogle-WiFi-system-3-Pack-replacement%2Fdp%2FB01MDJ0HVG\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($98.50 at Amazon)</a> , Luma, and <a data-link-id=\"7638\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wireless-networking/79308/eero-2019\">Eero</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"06Zd97GCl30ooMYZEK9Rz8U\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Feero-Home-WiFi-System-Beacons%2Fdp%2FB0713ZCT4N%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAJV4KMHBMUG36SMIQ%26tag%3Dp00935-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0713ZCT4N%26ascsubtag%3Dbc13a8fb-19e4-4ef3-8b31-bf4fb4a8779a\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($399.00 at Amazon)</a> , utilize satellites and employ mesh technology that allows the satellites to communicate with each other and with wireless clients throughout your home. Ideal for large spaces, the main benefit of a Wi-Fi system has to do with roaming connectivity; each satellite is part of the same network and provides seamless Wi-Fi from one point to another, which means you don't have to worry about logging in to a range extender or an access point as you move from room to room. Moreover, these systems do not require much management or configuring, unlike a router/range extender or router/access point combination.</p>\n<h2 id=\"design-and-features\">Design and Features</h2>\n<p>The Ally Plus system consists of a router and an extender node that are paired at the factory and are designed to provide up to 5,000 square feet of seamless home Wi-Fi coverage. For smaller homes, you can buy the router by itself ($179), which covers up to 2,500 square feet. Amped Wireless does not currently offer additional extender nodes, which means this solution may come up short in much larger houses. However, extender units may become available in the future, according to a company spokesperson.</p>\n<p>Similar in appearance to Eero, the Ally router and extender are identical on the outside; both are enclosed in a glossy-white, hexagonal shell that measures 6.7 inches at its widest and 6.4 inches at its narrowest. Each stands 1.5 inches high and is 6.5 inches deep and has a small LED indicator on the front edge. As with Eero, Google Wifi, and <a data-link-id=\"7282\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wi-fi-mesh-networking-systems/82488/luma-home-wifi-system\">Luma</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"02OK9XDXfWjp8kOyPvQCyAR\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/04euUgjmfa4hl5Zb1pEtH5t?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.pcmag.com%2F\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($99.99 at PCMag Shop)</a> nodes, they are designed to be placed out in the open and will blend in with most home furnishings.</p>\n<p>The router has three Gigabit LAN ports around back, along with a WAN port for connecting to your modem, an LED on/off button, a USB 3.0 port, and a WPS/Sync button. The extender node has a single Gigabit LAN port, an LED on/off button, and a WPS/Sync button. You can use the LAN port to connect to things like game consoles and smart TVs, but, unlike the Linksys Velop and Google Wifi systems, it can't be used to maintain a wired connection with the router, which typically provides better throughput and is not subject to interference from other wireless devices.</p>\n<p><img align=\"center\" alt=\"Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System\" class=\"embed\" data-image-path=\"reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-1.jpg\" src=\"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-1.jpg\" v-image-loader='{ imageSrc: \"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-1.fit_lim.size_740x169.v_1569469951.jpg\"}'/><noscript inline-template=\"\"><img align=\"center\" alt=\"Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System\" class=\"embed\" data-image-path=\"reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-1.jpg\" src=\"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-1.fit_lim.size_740x169.v_1569469951.jpg\" width=\"740\"/></noscript><span class=\"figcaption\">Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System</span></p>\n<p>For reasons unknown, Amped Wireless advertises Ally as an AC1900 system, but in reality it is an AC2100 system that can reach throughput speeds of 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band. Each component contains four internal antennas, and the router has a dual-core processor and 802.11ac circuitry that supports MU-MIMO data streaming, which transmits data to compatible clients simultaneously, rather than sequentially, allowing for faster throughput speeds.</p>\n<p>Ally uses a well-designed mobile app (available for both Android and iOS) that makes it easy to install the system and manage your network. The home screen displays Ally's status (online, offline) and a list of devices that have joined the network, along with their join date. Clicking on any device takes you to a screen where you can view the user name associated with the device and the MAC address. There's also a button that lets you block the device from accessing the network. The Users button takes you to a screen where you can add users to your network and associate them with specific connected devices. For example, you can create a user profile for a child and associate his/her iPhone, tablet, or PC. This allows you to pause the internet and set curfew times for the user, and apply parental controls, such as website filtering and app blocking. Website filters prevent access to sites that display adult content, violence, dating, gambling, and substance abuse. You can also block access to social media sites, blogs, chat rooms and forums, email, games, and photo-sharing sites. Here, you can enable an Activity Report feature that alerts you when a device tries to access a blocked website.</p>\n<p>Tapping the gear icon in the upper-right-hand corner takes you to the Settings screen, where you can edit network settings, enable AVG's Online Shield (which scans internet traffic and blocks access to known malicious links and websites), set up guest networks, change time and date settings, and update firmware.</p>\n<p>As with the <a data-link-id=\"6900\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wi-fi-mesh-networking-system/85579/netgear-orbi-high-performance-ac3000-tri-band-wi-fi-system-rbk50\">Netgear Orbi</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"05HzHAzb8anWRYl0hVkwIAH\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNETGEAR-Orbi-Ultra-Performance-Whole-System%2Fdp%2FB01K4CZOBS%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAJV4KMHBMUG36SMIQ%26tag%3Dp00935-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB01K4CZOBS%26ascsubtag%3Ddf0f5216-1b33-4cde-97b8-da0a71b58b73\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($292.91 at Amazon)</a> , the Ally Plus offers more advanced settings than you get with other Wi-Fi systems, such as Google WiFi, Luma, Eero, and <a data-link-id=\"1146\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wi-fi-mesh-networking-system/87023/plume-adaptive-wifi\">Plume</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"044WViAeqPZjOBZkILGDdQp\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/04CRumI7J2PEHnpkzwDce83?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plume.com%2Fstore\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($99.00 at Plume)</a> , but you'll have to use the web console to access them. Type <i>http://setup.ampedwireless.com</i> in your browser to launch the console to configure advanced wireless and internet settings, edit security settings, create Quality of Service (QoS) rules, configure Port Forwarding and Port Triggering firewall settings, enable IP Filtering, and view system logs.</p>\n<h2 id=\"installation-and-performance\">Installation and Performance</h2>\n<p>Installing the Ally Plus is easy. To start, I downloaded the app, selected Setup Ally, and created an account. I followed the illustrated instructions to reboot my modem, power up the Ally router, and connect it to my router. I used my phone's Wi-Fi settings to connect to the Ally router, returned to the app, created a name for my Ally network, and assigned passwords for both bands. Within 40 seconds, the network was up and running. I hit Continue and was told to update the firmware, which took around 3 minutes to complete. Next, I placed the extender in the middle of my home, plugged it in, and waited around 2 minutes for the blinking-green LED to turn solid green.</p>\n<p>The Ally Plus joins the <a data-link-id=\"2412\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/first-looks/84612/ubiquiti-amplifi-hd-home-wi-fi-system-review\">Ubiquiti Amplifi HD Home Wi-Fi System</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"07wGba06hHX1n06bLPftjur\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAmpliFi-Ubiquiti-Seamless-Wireless-Extenders%2Fdp%2FB01L9O08PW%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAJV4KMHBMUG36SMIQ%26tag%3Dp00935-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB01L9O08PW%26ascsubtag%3Db415f8ad-7a5c-4cd7-a53f-1d730b9ee520\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($425.00 at Amazon)</a> and the <a data-link-id=\"10428\" data-link-type=\"review\" href=\"/wi-fi-mesh-networking-system/86832/securifi-almond-3-smart-home-wi-fi-system\">Securifi Almond 3 Smart Home Wi-Fi System</a> <a class=\"ml-2\" data-item=\"offer\" data-module=\"body\" data-position=\"1\" data-product-uuid=\"04V9l3AfgFi7DY68ARF16Eu\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/otc/01r1WRIAJykbQgN4oGQ8FSi/05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB01EMFYRYS\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" v-bind-one-true-click=\"\">($149.99 at Amazon)</a> as the only Wi-Fi systems we've tested that let you separate the two radio bands. It delivered very good 2.4GHz and 5GHz throughput in our tests. Its scores of 95.7Mbps (router) and 88.8Mbps (extender) in our 2.4GHz close-proximity (same-room) test were faster than what we saw from the Ubiquiti Amplifi router (85.9Mbps) and satellites (76.1Mbps/75.3Mbps) and the Securifi Almond 3 router (80.6Mbps) and satellites (35Mbps/42.3Mbps). At a distance of 30 feet, the Ally router had a throughput of 86.5Mbps, and the extender scored 87Mbps. These scores were much faster than the Securifi Almond 3 router (47.1Mbps) and satellites (31.7Mbps/40.1Mbps), and slightly faster than the Ubiquiti Amplifi router (76Mbps) and satellites (75.5Mbps/67.9Mbps).</p>\n<p><img align=\"center\" alt=\"Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System\" class=\"embed\" data-image-path=\"reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-2.jpg\" src=\"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-2.jpg\" v-image-loader='{ imageSrc: \"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-2.fit_lim.size_740x169.v_1569469951.jpg\"}'/><noscript inline-template=\"\"><img align=\"center\" alt=\"Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System\" class=\"embed\" data-image-path=\"reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-2.jpg\" src=\"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/03COrzqkSGBxrxh1jT3ItUm-2.fit_lim.size_740x169.v_1569469951.jpg\" width=\"740\"/></noscript><span class=\"figcaption\">Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System</span></p>\n<p>We also saw solid throughput performance from the Ally Plus in our 5GHz tests. The router scored 508Mbps in the close-proximity test, besting the Ubiquiti Amplifi router (459Mbps) and the Netgear Orbi router (460Mbps), but not the Linksys Velop router (556Mbps). The Ally extender had a throughput of 326Mps in the 5GHz close-proximity test, beating the Ubuiqiti Amplifi satellites (193Mbps/189Mbps), but coming behind the Netgear Orbi satellite (480Mbps). The Linksys Velop nodes scored 328Mbps and 257Mbps.</p>\n<p>In our 5GHz 30-foot test, the Ally router's 234Mbps was nearly identical to the Linksys Velop router (236Mbps) and just a bit faster than the Netgear Orbi and Ubiquiti Amplifi routers, both of which scored 223Mbps. The Ally extender managed 226Mbps in this test, coming in just ahead of the Netgear Orbi (220Mbps) and a good deal ahead of the Ubiquiti Amplifi satellites (168Mbps/162Mbps). The Linksys Velop nodes held a slight lead, with scores of 238Mbps and 286Mbps.</p>\n<p>I tested the Ally's MU-MIMO throughput using three identical Acer Aspire R13 laptops equipped with Qualcomm's QCA61x4A MU-MIMO circuitry. The router scored 197.3Mbps at close proximity and 107.3Mbps at 30 feet. The Linksys Velop router outperformed it with throughputs of 264Mbps and 116.2Mbps, respectively, while the Netgear Orbi was mixed; its router score of 128Mbps in the close-proximity test trailed the Ally, but it showed better range performance with a score of 124Mbps at 30 feet.</p>\n<p>The Ally extender gained 90.3Mbps in the close-proximity MU-MIMO tests, beating the Linksys Velop nodes (60.1Mbps/70.1Mbps), but not the Netgear Orbi satellite (127.6Mbps). At 30 feet, the Ally extender struggled with a score of 29.7Mbps, while the Linksys Velop nodes garnered 50.8Mbps and 57.8Mbps, and the Netgear Orbi satellite had a throughput of 124Mbps.</p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion</h2>\n<p>The Amped Wireless Ally Plus Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi System makes it easy to apply parental controls on the fly and to block users from accessing your home network. It also offers a thoughtfully designed mobile app and uses AVG's Online Shield security service to protect connected clients from malware and phishing threats. The two-piece system delivered strong throughput speeds in most of our tests, but the extender's long-range MU-MIMO performance is lacking. It's a solid choice if you're looking to blanket your small to medium-size home with Wi-Fi, but as of this writing, you can't expand coverage because you can't buy additional nodes. Moreover, the extender's LAN port can't be used to connect back to the router.</p>\n<p>If you need to cover a larger area, check out our Editors' Choice for home Wi-Fi systems, the Linksys Velop. Granted, it costs more and lacks USB connectivity, but the package we tested comes with three nodes to cover 6,000 feet, and you can add more nodes to expand coverage. It also delivers the fastest close-range MU-MIMO and 5GHz throughput of any Wi-Fi system we've reviewed, and it supports wired connectivity between nodes for enhanced performance.</p>\n\n<h3>Best Wi-Fi Mesh Networking System Picks</h3>\n<ul id=\"further-reading\">\n<li><a data-element=\"further-reading-link\" data-item=\"further-reading-list\" data-module=\"further-reading\" data-position=\"1\" href=\"/wireless-networking/87178/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems for 2020</a></li>\n<li>\n<a data-element=\"further-reading-reviews-link\" data-item=\"further-reading-list\" data-module=\"further-reading\" href=\"/migrated-40337-wi-fi-mesh-networking-systems\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">More Wi-Fi Mesh Networking System Reviews</a>\n</li>\n<li>\n<a data-element=\"further-reading-brand-link\" data-item=\"further-reading-list\" data-module=\"further-reading\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/brands/amped\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">More from Amped</a>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<h3 class=\"mt-8\">Further Reading</h3>\n<ul id=\"more-further-reading\">\n<li><a data-element=\"more-further-reading-link\" data-item=\"more-further-reading-list\" data-module=\"more-further-reading\" data-position=\"1\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/deals/this-netgear-orbi-wi-fi-system-has-amazon-alexa-built-in-and-its-half-off\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">This Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi System Has Amazon Alexa Built In, and It's Half Off</a></li>\n<li><a data-element=\"more-further-reading-link\" data-item=\"more-further-reading-list\" data-module=\"more-further-reading\" data-position=\"2\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/deals/save-80-on-the-eero-home-wi-fi-system\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">Save Up to $100 on an Eero Home Wi-Fi System</a></li>\n<li><a data-element=\"more-further-reading-link\" data-item=\"more-further-reading-list\" data-module=\"more-further-reading\" data-position=\"3\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/deals/save-20-percent-on-eero-wi-fi-mesh-network-system\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">Save 20 Percent on Eero Wi-Fi Mesh Network System</a></li>\n<li><a data-element=\"more-further-reading-link\" data-item=\"more-further-reading-list\" data-module=\"more-further-reading\" data-position=\"4\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/deals/get-fast-wi-fi-through-your-home-for-less-than-100-with-this-budget-mesh\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">Get Fast Home Wi-Fi for Less Than $100 With This Budget Mesh System</a></li>\n<li><a data-element=\"more-further-reading-link\" data-item=\"more-further-reading-list\" data-module=\"more-further-reading\" data-position=\"5\" href=\"/linksys-velop-dual-band-whole-home-wifi-mesh-system/120481/save-almost-100-on-linksys-velop-whole-home-mesh-wi-fi-system\" v-track-ga-click=\"\">Save Big on Linksys Velop Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System</a></li>\n</ul>"
<https://uk.pcmag.com/wi-fi-mesh-networking-system/88400/amped-wireless-ally-plus-whole-home-smart-wi-fi-system>