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The Acer Predator Connect X7 5G CPE has some relatively unique features, foremost of which is its built-in 5G, so you can use it as a portable router or be assured that your Internet connection will never go down. The Web interface is relatively well endowed, and it's reassuring to have the latest WiFi 7 wireless networking on hand, ready for when your client systems also have it. With Intel Killer support, you can optimise network throughput around your most favoured applications. There's also dependable Trend Micro security built in, and the option to add units to create a Mesh WiFi system.
However, performance is not as good as you'd hope for a premium router. While you do get a speed bump up to 5m when using WiFi 7, it's not as big as with NETGEAR's Nighthawk RS300, and range isn't that impressive either. Performance with other WiFi standards is also mostly mediocre.
It was a missed opportunity only to offer a 2.5Gbit Ethernet port for the WAN connection, when broadband is unlikely to provide this level of speed. Just having two LAN ports, which are Gigabit only, means wired devices can't take advantage of the full throughput when connected to WiFi 7 clients.
This would be forgivable if this router was keenly priced, but at present it's relatively at a premium. The NETGEAR Nighthawk RS300 is £90 cheaper and offers faster throughput, 2.5Gbit Ethernet client LAN ports, and more connections for wired devices. The only thing it doesn't offer is the built-in 5G. However, that might not be enough to sway you to the Acer way.
The Acer Predator Connect X7 5G CPE is available from Amazon UK for £379.99 inc VAT.
Pros:
- WiFi 7.
- Built-in 5G data for failover or load balancing.
- 2.5Gbit Ethernet WAN.
- Intel Killer support.
- Trend Micro security built in.
- Mesh WiFi capability with additional units.
- USB C connection for storage sharing.
- Reasonable WiFi 5 / 802.11ac throughput at close range.
- Decent management interface.
- Easy-to-use smartphone app.
Cons:
- Disappointing WiFi 7 performance.
- WiFi 6 throughput is mediocre.
- WiFi 5 performance drops off after 5m.
- Poor 802.11n throughput and range.
KitGuru says: The Acer Predator Connect X7 5G CPE has the latest WiFi 7 support and built-in 5G so you can stay connected if your wired broadband goes down, but performance is middling and only two Gigabit Ethernet client ports are provided, making the price seem relatively high.
