Netgear Nighthawk D8500 Tri-Band

All the things.

Usually DSL routers tend to lag a generation behind broadband routers when it comes to integrated tech. With the D8500, Netgear makes an exception to that rule.

Although it’s rather more compact than most other AC5300 routers thanks to the use of four internal antennae, it is indeed a full tri-band 4x4 MU-MIMO wireless solution, which is about as good as you can get in a consumer product. And if that weren’t enough, Netgear has thrown in six Ethernet ports on top of the usual four, as well as a physical WAN port so that it can function as a broadband router.

Netgear’s firmware is another high point for the router. It fully supports configuration from a mobile or a web interface, and it boasts some of the best family features to be found in a router. Its uses OpenDNS for site filtering — which any router can use — but Netgear bakes it right into the firmware and app. You can actually configure exemptions in the mobile app, so you can still enjoy your adult fare while the kids are protected.

There are other really useful features built in, too. The ability to remotely access USB shares over the internet, remote router management, a set of PC tools that will automatically back up to USB hard drives attached to the router, excellent media serving tools... Netgear continues to add great features to its firmware, and has managed keep it easy to use.

As you’d expect, however, this is not a cheap modem router. But given its advanced tech and excellent features, $600 is not an insane a price to pay.