KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
The Synology RT6600ax is a mixed bag. The management features are excellent, unless you're looking for gaming-specific QoS optimisation. Performance in close proximity is also up with the best routers we have tested. The ability to add further devices to form a mesh extends the utility, as does the ability to install apps.
If you want a router that can double as a DLNA media-playing NAS as well, Synology has you covered. The 2.5G network port and ability to load balance a second broadband connection or create a failover are excellent. And being able to tether your phone if your broadband fails could well come in handy as well.
However, the range capabilities are not up with NETGEAR's similarly-priced AX12, which is therefore a better choice if you are looking for the simplicity of a single router that can cover your entire home on its own with WiFi 6. You will still need to consider a mesh for a larger location, which Synology will facilitate. But NETGEAR has the edge in a single-device scenario.
Considering that the Synology RT6600ax is almost exactly the same price as the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX12, the choice comes down to whether you need the better range of the latter, or the expansion features of the former. If you're covering a smaller space and want app expandability, the Synology RT6600ax makes a solid choice.
You can buy from Scan for £279.98 HERE.
Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.
Pros:
- Reasonable price.
- Excellent short-range performance.
- Four-port Gigabit Ethernet switch.
- 2.5G LAN port.
- Load balance / failsafe with secondary broadband connection.
- Support for USB mobile data or smartphone USB tethering.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 for storage and printer sharing.
- Extensible features via package download.
- Comprehensive configuration via Web interface.
Cons:
- Performance drops off at 10m.
- Limited gaming features.
KitGuru says: The Synology RT6600ax includes lots of great features, and is very fast in close proximity, but performance drops noticeably at longer ranges.
