Test 1 Looks & design
The visuals and the connections
There’s plenty of variety here, from the
rather nondescript lumps of white plastic
favored by Netgear and TP–Link, to the
compact lozenge of Zyxel’s Multy U. Zyxel
even includes a trendy leather strap for
dangling the Multy U up on a wall, which
can help to improve signal range. The
eye–catching pyramid design of the Asus Lyra Trio angles the
internal antennae so that they beam the Wi–Fi signal out both
horizontally and vertically.
Most of these mesh routers also include two Ethernet ports
for wired connections, although Netgear’s high–end Orbi routers
include no less than four Ethernet ports, as well as a USB port
for connecting a printer that you can share on your network. And
while the TP–Link Deco P9 doesn’t look particularly exciting,
it does provide both Wi–Fi and Powerline connectivity.
Test 3 App assistance
What do the apps have to offer?
Most of the corresponding apps used
to control these mesh routers provide
a similar basic set of features, including
options such as a network map that shows
all your routers and the devices connected
to them, as well as the ability to create
a guest network for people who may be
visiting your home or office.
The Netgear Orbi app doesn’t go much further than that
though, and we were a little disappointed to see that it doesn’t
offer much in the way of parental controls. Instead, Netgear
recommends using the Disney Circle app, which offers some
basic parental controls for free, but requires a monthly
subscription to use its full range of features.
The four rival apps all go further, with more extensive
parental controls that allow you to create schedules that limit
internet access to certain times of the day. We also liked the
helpful speed test and diagnostic tools in Zyxel’s Multy app.
Test 2 Getting started
How easy is the setup process?
Most of these mesh routers are fairly easy to
set up, with apps that guide you through the
process. The D–Link app allows you to scan
a QR code that automatically sets up your
new network in no time, but then gets
bogged down with multiple passwords as
you create on online account.
Asus provides two options, with simple apps for mobile
devices and a browser interface for more advanced users.
Zyxel’s Multy app doesn’t seem to like iPads, but once we
switched to an iPhone it breezed through, even analyzing the
Wi–Fi signal to recommend the best spots for router placement.
Netgear’s Orbi app is a bit sparse, but it does get you started
quickly. As well as automatically detecting the two Orbi routers
and linking them together, the app also works with Touch ID for
extra security, and offers two–factor authentication.
Test 4 Performance
How do the speeds compare?
There are lots of technical details that affect
the speed of a router, such as the number of
antennae and radio bands, but they all boil
down to some quite simple numbers. And,
for the most part, these routers all
performed in line with the manufacturers’
quoted speed ratings.
The low–cost D–Link Covr is rated at AC1200 and managed a
speed of 125Mbps in a hard–to–reach back office. That was the
slowest in the group — but it’s still perfectly adequate for most
homes that probably have far less than 100Mbps speed for
their internet access.
The Asus Lyra Trio, TP–Link Deco P9 and Zyxel Multy U all
provide similar levels of performance at around 250Mbps. But,
unsurprisingly, it’s the expensive Netgear Orbi that tops the
performance chart, breezing ahead with a speed of 450Mbps.
That’s impressive for larger homes — but might actually be
overkill for more humble abodes.ASUS LYRA
TRIOD–LINK COVR
C1203NETGEAR
ORBI RBK50TP–LINK DECO
P9ZYXEL MULTY
U WSR30ASUS LYRA
TRIOD–LINK COVR
C1203NETGEAR
ORBI RBK50TP–LINK DECO
P9ZYXEL MULTY
U WSR30ASUS LYRA
TRIOD–LINK COVR
C1203NETGEAR
ORBI RBK50TP–LINK DECO
P9ZYXEL MULTY
U WSR30ASUS LYRA
TRIOD–LINK COVR
C1203NETGEAR
ORBI RBK50TP–LINK DECO
P9ZYXEL MULTY
U WSR30
Reviews
58 FEB 2020 maclife.com