Have you ever considered upgrading your wireless router? Then check out the new and improved powerful wireless router from Synology, the RT2600AC, an upgrade from the highly-rated RT1900AC. This article will explore how Synology has improved on an already great product and whether or not it might be worth upgrading to!
Synology is a well-known brand for NAS servers, and with their most successful routers yet, the RT1900AC, their routers are also increasing in popularity. The Synology RT2600AC is its successor and boasts some impressive new features!
PROS
CONS
Main Features and Benefits
Design
The Synology RT2600AC has four large antennas that can be rotationally mounted. You'll find an SD card on the front of this device that could serve as data storage for your home network, perfect if you don’t have enough storage space!
This router features two USB ports alongside another media ejection button, which is very helpful when simultaneously using Wi-Fi or other electronics. The left side has a similar area with a USB 3.0 port and an ejection button that displays the USB/SD external storage status and ejects it from the router.
In addition, there are also seven internet LAN connections available on both sides. The first LAN port can also be used as a secondary WAN port to support up to 2Gbps WAN and provide a failsafe if the main WAN connection is lost.
Software
The Synology RT2600AC has a Microsoft-style web console that is hugely improved over many competitors. The web console is tile-based for the control panel, control center packaging system, and help center.
The network center tile displays current download and upload speeds, a list of connected devices, traffic and parental controls, wireless settings and firewall configuration, and more.
The panel covers settings for network and printer network connectivity.
Some packages you can grab include cloud file sharing utilities, VPN services, and other things which can expand and increase the functionality of your Synology router.
Synology Mobile App
The Synology RT2600AC has a mobile app available for Android and iOS users like most routers. Although Synology RT2600AC can use a web console, you will still need Synology's mobile app for remote access of the router if that is your preference.
With the app, you may also monitor the network use of your Synology router and configure some settings of parental control, traffic-control settings, guest networking, and basic wireless settings.
Business-Grade Security
The new Synology RT2600AC offers sophisticated safety features. Threat Prevention automatically blocks malware packet ping on internet servers while restoring good internet – speed and security levels.
Safe Access prevents smartphones from accidentally visiting websites with virus infections, botnets, or spyware-related content. This security protocol can help protect you from malicious interference to the Wi-Fi network and protect sensitive devices from malicious attacks.
Quality of Service
Synology RT2600AC also supports the latest IPV-based Quality of Service (QoS) standards which help prioritize packet flows based on application requirements. It includes voice, video streaming services, web traffic from different websites/domains, and email data from specific servers.
MU-MIMO Technology
Multi-User, Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MU-MIMO) Technology is a new Wi-Fi standard that allows the RT2600AC to communicate with multiple devices or gaming on various platforms simultaneously. MU-MIMO enables you to experience improved overall data rate and decreased latency. This leads to more stable connections between the router and devices.
Game Boost Mode & Gaming Ethernet Port
The Synology Router RT1900AC supports Game Boost mode for a smooth online gaming experience without lag or dropped frames. Synology RT1900AC also has four Gigabit LAN ports offering up to four times faster-wired connections allowing you to enjoy optimized network speeds and optimal signal strength for stable connectivity.
Setup Process: Quick and Easy
If you are getting trouble setting up a router, the Synology RT2600AC is perfect for you. It has an incredibly user-friendly browser-based dashboard that offers both novices and power users flexibility and control.
You can easily configure the Synology RT2600AC to your specific needs with its intuitive interface and wide range of features such as Guest Network and parental controls.
Best-in-class VPN Server & CloudLink
The Synology RT2600AC Virtual Private Network (VPN) and WebVPN provide reliable and secure Internet connections for all devices connected to the web. These virtual VPNs allow you to connect to many sites across the web.
These servers also help protect all data stored in shared folders against accidental deletion or ransomware attacks by backing up every file to Synology's cloud servers. Furthermore, it can also encrypt files transmitted between your Synology NAS server and the internet for better security when sharing large amounts of sensitive information worldwide via Dropbox or Google Drive.
Parental Controls
The RT2600AC has Synology’s best parental control feature, which allows you to configure your devices freely. This awesome feature is an important one, as it helps protect children from inappropriate websites and just the overall dangers of the internet. This means no stressful monitoring of children’s activities online anymore.
GPU-Accelerated Transcoding
With its dedicated hardware optimizing video transcoding performance, the Synology RT2600AC allows you to convert videos into formats ideal for sharing on social media and mobile devices without needing additional software or plug-ins.
Powerful Processor
Synology RT2600AC features a Synology-developed, high-performance dual-core CPU with the ARM Cortex A15 architecture. This provides 30% faster processing speed than previous generations while maximizing system resources by only 25% of CPU usage in low power state modes when not in use.
With its 1.7 GHz dual-core processor and Synology's optimized software architecture, RT2600AC can deliver a more speedy internet connection than last generation models.
Smart Connect
RT2600AC supports Synology's revolutionary new Smart Connect that allows different Wi-Fi bands to be dynamically split between the primary and secondary router. When connecting to a device, it chooses the best band, giving users the most seamless transition between maximum speed or range.
Expandable Coverage by Mesh Wi-Fi
The Synology Mesh Wi-Fi is an innovative technology that improves wireless coverage in large, multi-floor homes. With Synology's mesh networking solution, users can easily expand their network coverage by adding more nodes to achieve the ultimate home network experience.
Guest Network
The Synology RT2600AC offers a separate guest network for sharing the internet without compromising privacy. Users can customize their security settings to prevent malicious access and data leakage while easily letting guests surf the web without an account or password authentication.
Cons
Non-Removable Legs
One drawback that most users don't like about the Synology RT2600AC is the non-removable legs. This router cannot be wall-mounted, making it difficult to store if you don't have a table or a stand that fits its dimensions. However, if you're only interested in its performance and not its design, it's not a significant concern.
Guest Network Issues
Another disadvantage of this router is its inability to support guest networks. Many users have expressed dissatisfaction with it because it does not function properly. When they attempted to add new networks, the router only allowed primary and guest Wi-Fi, which was highly inconvenient.
However, this con doesn't take this router as a whole because this one is the bomb when it comes to providing an extensive network!
What is the Synology RT2600AC Best For?
The Synology RT2600AC is the best wireless router for people who want to take advantage of Synology's outstanding features. It uses Synology Router Manager (SRM) OS, which offers a user-friendly experience with all Synology NAS devices. It provides users with an easy way to manage their network and storage through one central interface.
What Buyers Have To Say About the Synology RT2600AC
The best router on the market
It has worked very well for me and setting it up was straightforward.
Performance is fabulous, and it is rock solid.
Conclusion
Synology has improved on an already great wireless router with the RT2600AC. The new and improved powerful wireless router is designed to provide users with better Wi-Fi coverage, faster internet speeds, and more versatility than ever before.
If you own a home or office that struggles to maintain solid connections for multiple devices at once, the Synology RT2600AC might be worth the upgrade!
