Product test
Devolo 5G router: fast, stable Wi-Fi using the mobile network
by Lorenz Keller
Testing the Synology RT2600ac: speed boost for my home?
16.9.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
My apartment has recently turned into an experimental laboratory for routers. After a ROG gaming router brought my previous powerline WiFi solution to its knees in my last WiFi test, it's Synology's turn now. Might there be a new winner?
At the beginning of September, I gave my apartment a massive WiFi upgrade by switching from a powerline WiFi solution to the GT-AC2900 ROG router. The result was a little surprising: with one internal and three external antennas, the router resulted in a 5.6-fold increase in performance compared to the previous WiFi solution. This corresponds to an average of 329.4 Mbps with a ping of 3 ms.
Apart from the performance of the router, I was surprised by how many comments and mails followed my last article. When I asked which products you’d like to test, half the router range was suggested. And your wishes are my command; the next product I’ll test will be the one that is asked about most. Next up? Synology.
Synology's RT2600ac has four external antennas and promises a maximum transmission rate of 1733 Mbps in the 5 GHz range and 800 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz range.
These are the specs that Synology provides:
Apartment floor plan and locations
My 120 m² maisonette apartment is my test laboratory. I install the Synology router in the same place as the previous router I tested, the ROG. Following my last test, I’m expecting coverage problems to be seen in the office, if anywhere.
Setting up the router
It takes no time at all to unpack the router and set it up: screw on four antennas, plug in the cable and switch it on. After this, I connect my smartphone with the SSID «Synology Router», enter the password «synology» and type http://router.synology.com into the browser.
The setup wizard of the router welcomes me. I tap Start and create an administrator account.
I define the desired SSID and a password. Router or access point are available as user modes. As my cable modem will continue to take over the assignment of the IP address and port forwarding for now, I opt to operate the router as an access point.
Now all that’s left is to configure the Internet connection and wait two to three minutes until the device is ready for use.
Speed and ping per room
This corresponds to an average of 383.1 Mbps with a ping of 4 ms.
Comparison with ROG router and Devolo Wifi
If I compare the Synology router to the WiFi solutions I tested so far, the Synology router shows the highest average data processing performance.
Conclusion: The king is dead, long live the king!
What this router lacks compared to the ROG gaming router is the GeForce Now Recommended Router support and the LED light show. It could also do with two more user modes; Range Extender and Media Bridge.
If you're looking for strong WiFi without additional gaming features, Synology is the right choice. If you don't need a new router right away, I’d recommend waiting for more of my router reviews. I can’t wait to see which router will be the next to give my home a speed boost.
Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.
Computing
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Network
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
