Synology RT2600AC
It’s all about the add-ons.
If there’s one thing we love about this AC2600 router, it’s the addedextras. Logging into the main dashboard reveals the Synology Router Manager (SRM) interface. You can drag and drop various windows, so you can monitor performance in one, while tweaking Wi-Fi settings in another.
It also has one killer feature in that it supports the installation of various software packages that extend the functionality of the router, including VPN clients, media servers, antivirus scanners and more.
There’s enough depth in the settings to allow semiexperienced networkers to adjust things without buggering everything up. The QoS functionality is a little simple, which is probably why it had one of the higher pings while under load, but when it came to file transfer speeds, we couldn’t complain at this price. It doesn’t include an ADSL/ VDSL modem, though, helping to keep the cost down. It’s also only packing four Ethernet ports alongside the WAN port, though it does support link aggregation if you’ve got a PC that has dual Ethernet ports that also support this technology. Having said that, this feature is basically the norm for any router over the $300 price point. A nice touch is the ability to patch in twin Internet connections, so if one fails, the other automatically takes over, which could be a must if you need 100% uptime.
Provided you don’t overload the 2,600Mbps total bandwidth, this is an excellent performer, and the addition of software packages gives it a unique edge that the others lack.