Synology WRX560: An unusual alternative to the Netgear Orbi
The Synology WRX560 is a new networking solution in the well-known NAS manufacturer’s line of advanced Wi-Fi 6 routers.
Synology took advantage of its annual conference on Thursday to announce several products for individuals and small businesses, among other new products for enterprises. Along with the flagship DS923+, it announced a new Wi-Fi router.
After one and then two successful first Wi-Fi 5 routers, Synology unveiled its Wi-Fi 6 range at its previous annual conference with the RT6600ax, a high-end router priced at €380. The Taiwanese company finally completes this series with the second model WRX560, more economical and more compact, more suitable for creating a mesh Wi-Fi network (several access points connected together to increase Wi-Fi coverage). fi). Although Synology has changed the nomenclature along the way, the WRX560 is to the RT6600ax what the MR2200ac is to the RT2600ac.
All in all, the Synology WRX560 is, in our opinion, a good alternative to the Netgear Orbi for demanding users. Unlike the very popular “mesh” Wi-Fi solutions Amazon eero or Google Nest Wifi, these two solutions offer not only a smartphone app, but a web interface with advanced settings (in particular, allowing them to replace the ISP box). But SRM, the software for Synology routers, is more advanced (certainly not difficult) and offers more features, especially some basic storage server functions (file sharing, uploading, etc.).
2.5 Gbps Ethernet and 2.4 Gbps Wi-Fi 6
The Synology WRX560, like the Netgear Orbi, adopts a vertical design with no visible antennas, which reduces its footprint and makes it easy to place in the four corners of the house. However, wall mounting is not provided. With its black color, sharp lines and prominent (dummy?) ventilation ducts, it also adopts a less concerted design.
Either way, this is a dual-band router that delivers speed with 2×2 MIMO on the 2.4GHz band and 4×4 MIMO on the 5GHz band. physical 600 and 2400 Mb/s respectively. We don’t share his opinion, but Synology believes that it is too early to increase the bandwidth for Wi-Fi 6E, which adds a 3rd band at 6 GHz.
In addition to 4 1 Gb/s Ethernet ports, it offers a 2.5 Gb/s Ethernet port that can be used as a WAN port above all with a Freebox Pop or one of the “Multi Gig” boxes on the market. As an SFR Box 8X or a LAN port, for example with a NAS, to pass gigabit on Wi-Fi or to distribute 2.5 Gb/s over several Gigabit devices.
Thus, Synology recognizes the relevance of Multi Gig Ethernet (at 2.5 or 5 Gb/s), unfortunately rejects it in its server range, offering either 1 Gb/s ports or direct 10 Gbps ports.
The router also packs a 1.4GHz quad-core chip with only 512MB of RAM, which will limit the additional NAS capabilities it can offer if you connect external storage media (disk drive, SSD, etc. to USB 3.2 Gen) . 5 Gb/s on port 1. Consumes 8 W at rest and 11 W when active.
Synology WRX560 Pricing and Availability
The Synology WRX560 will be available in November for €209 including tax or €250 including tax. As always with Synology, the reputation of the SRM software is quite expensive, as Netgear offers tri-band for the same price.
And unlike Netgear, Synology doesn’t differentiate between routers and satellites. Those who want to set up a mesh network of multiple access points to cover larger areas simply need to purchase several WRX560s that will automatically adapt to each other.
Testing with routers credited by Synology was performed with SRM 1.2.1-7779 Update 1. Two years ago, Google launched Google Wi-Fi in France and popularized with it a new category of Wi-Fi products:…
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