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Unsurprisingly, the box is all about the DumaOS software, with screenshots showing the feature-rich and attractive software interface, which we will be looking at in detail later in this review.
Like other NETGEAR routers we've tested, separate power supplies for UK and continental European plugs are included, plus the obligatory Ethernet cable. But there's nothing else in the box.
We think this router looks like someone took a Predator, or the original cylon robot from Battlestar Galactica, and squashed it flat. But this is still a pretty mean-looking device, and it definitely fits within the the typical ‘gamer' aesthetic.
There's a pretty edgy-looking row of LEDs along the front of the XR500, and these provide a comprehensive readout of all the possible connections, from broadband to both WiFi wavelengths, both USB ports, and all four Ethernet ports. There's also a light for the Guest WiFi. Two buttons on the top right let you turn WiFi off and on, as well as enabling WPS for easy WiFi enrolment.
The port allocation is normal for a router in this class. There are four Gigabit Ethernet connections for general LAN devices, plus a fifth for your broadband connection. The only really novel feature here is the discrete switch for turning the front LEDs on and off, should you find them too distracting or if your router happens to be in your bedroom.
The two USB 3.0 ports are on the side, considerably recessed under a plastic overhang, which could be an issue for some larger USB drives. Nevertheless, they're still quite easy to access from the front, and their positioning here is allegedly because USB 3.0 produces too much EMF interference to be right next to the antennas at the rear.
So, from a hardware perspective, this is a nice-looking router but there's nothing much in this part of the specification to commend or criticise. It's all pretty much par for the course in a router at this price with this target market. The special sauce is the software, so let's turn to the web interface next, and in particular what the DumaOS brings to the party.
