Synology RT2600ac
$199
The Synology RT2600ac is a powerful WiFi router featuring robust performance, excellent security features, and versatile connectivity options.
Our take
Security and performance in one.
Alright, so the Synology RT2600ac is one of those routers that gets a lot of buzz, and for good reasons. First off, the setup is a breeze, even if you’re not a tech wizard. You plug it in, follow a few steps, and boom, you’re in business. The interface is clean and pretty straightforward, which is a big win if you’re not looking to spend your afternoon buried in manuals. Synology has done a solid job making it accessible without dumbing it down too much, which I appreciate.
Now, when it comes to performance, this thing’s got some serious horsepower. It handles multiple devices like a champ, so if you’ve got a family or roommates streaming and gaming all at once, it doesn’t flinch. In terms of speed, it keeps up pretty well with the demands of a modern household. It’s dual-band, which means you can split your devices between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This can help reduce congestion and, in my experience, keeps things running smoothly.
But hey, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. If you’re in a big house, you might notice the range isn’t as stellar as you'd like. It’s not terrible, but don’t expect it to reach the far corners of a mansion. You might need a range extender or two if you’re trying to cover a larger area. Also, it’s a bit on the pricier side, so if you’re on a tight budget, it could be a tough sell.
What’s really cool, though, is the Synology Router Manager (SRM) software. It’s got some nifty features like parental controls, real-time traffic monitoring, and even a built-in VPN. These features are useful if you’re into managing your network like a pro. The VPN is particularly nice if you’re security-conscious or just want to stream content from overseas. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for your network.
Overall, the Synology RT2600ac is a solid choice if you’re looking for something reliable and feature-packed. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but the performance and features could justify the cost if you need them. If you’re okay with spending a bit more for a router that won’t flake out on you, this one’s worth considering. Just be prepared to invest in some range extenders if you’ve got a big space to cover.
