Netgear Nighthawk D8500 Tri-Band WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router

ABOUT THE MOST POWERFUL MODEM ROUTER YOU CAN GET.

IN OUR INTRODUCTION to broadband routers, we mentioned that DSL routers tend to lag a generation behind broadband routers when it comes to integrated tech. With the D8500, Netgear makes a lie out of that statement. This is a modem router with all the mod cons, right up to top-of-the-line wireless support.

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 4 x 4 MU-MIMO wireless solution, which is about as good as you can get in a consumer product. And if that weren’t enough connectivity, 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. It 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 mobile 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, as well; including the ability to remotely access USB shares over the internet and remote router management. A set of PC tools will automatically back up to USB hard drives attached to the router, too. Plus, it has excellent media serving tools. Netgear continues to add great features to its firmware, and has managed keep it easy to use.