Synology WRX560 review – Ausdroid

Earlier in June this 12 months, I reviewed a wi-fi router for Synology, the RT6600ax, and it was fairly a wonderful product as a Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router. On this assessment, we’re going to take a look at Synology’s newest addition to their Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router line, the WRX560. 

{Hardware} and design

The WRX560 comes with a barely much less highly effective CPU and RAM in comparison with the top-tier RT6600ax; that is mirrored in a comparatively lower cost as effectively. For starters, the WRX560 is a Wi-Fi 6 mesh-supported router. It has a quad-core 1.4GHz CPU and 512 MB of DDR4 RAM. As for the antennae, there’s a 4×4 MIMO high-performance for 5GHz bandwidth, and a 2×2 MIMO for two.4GHz, all are internally put in.

A full listing of {hardware} specs

CPU	Quad-core 1.4GHz
{Hardware} Acceleration Engine	Layer 4 / Layer 7
Reminiscence	512 MB DDR4
Antenna Sort	4×4 MIMO high-performance inside antenna (5 GHz)2×2 MIMO high-performance inside antenna (2.4 GHz)
LAN Port	2.5GbE (RJ-45) x 1Gigabit (RJ-45) x 3
WAN Port	Gigabit (RJ-45) x 12.5 GbE (RJ-45) x 1 (Twin WAN)
Exterior Ports	USB 3.2 Gen 1 x 1 (5V, 0.9A energy output)
IEEE 802.11ax	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax2.4GHz: 600Mbps5GHz: 2400MbpsSimultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Encryption	WPA/WPA2-Private, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2/WPA3-Private, WPA3-Private/Enterprise, Wi-Fi Enhanced Open (OWE)
Button and Change	WPS, Energy, Reset, Wi-Fi On/Off
Measurement (Top x Width x Depth)	233 mm x 194 mm x 66 mm
Weight	1.35 kg
Surroundings	RoHS Compliant
AC Enter Energy Voltage	100 V to 240 V AC
Energy Consumption	10.80 W (Entry) 7.94 W (Idle)
Guarantee	2 Years Notes: The guarantee interval begins from the acquisition date as said in your buy receipt. Synology will present software program updates till Dec 2027, and prolonged help could also be supplied.
Temperature	Working Temperature: 5°C to 40°C Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH
Packaging Content material	Primary Unit X 1 AC Energy Adapter X 1 RJ-45 LAN Cable X 1 Fast Set up Information X 1

 

What’s within the field

I like how Synology packed this router and the presentation within the field – easy and simple. There’s a Cat 5E community cable and an influence adapter with a clip-on design to be used in numerous nations. It doesn’t appear Synology has included an AU plug for this assessment unit, however I’m positive Australian customers wouldn’t want to fret about it for the retail models.

My first impression of the WRX560 is that this factor is definitely fairly massive, a lot larger than what I’d think about. I ponder if that is associated to the internally positioned antennae. This router has a stand constructed into the design, which implies Synology expects you to put it vertically. There are massive air vents on the highest and backside, which seemingly are very useful to take care of a great working temperature for the {hardware}.

It ought to be identified that the WRX560 doesn’t have a wall mount level, which implies you’ll be able to solely use it standing on a flat floor. This additionally implies that the product isn’t designed for home use, fairly than deploying for the enterprise surroundings. I’m not saying you’ll be able to’t use them for enterprise functions, although. It’s simply going to be choosy when making selections for the most effective location in your workplace.

Connection and protection

Based mostly on my earlier expertise with their community hooked up storage, also called “NAS”, and different routers I’ve tried, Synology is ready to supply constant efficiency for his or her merchandise; the identical rule applies to WRX560. All through the entire time of testing, the WRX560 has been dependable and capable of preserve a steady wi-fi connection 24/7. It completely meets my expectation.

The room the place I usually spend more often than not is about 20 metres away from the entry level, and it may be difficult to realize a high quality wi-fi connection. Beforehand, I used Synology RT6000ax as the principle and solely wi-fi router at residence. I often get 60-65% when it comes to sign energy from my desk. That’s not a horrible studying, however I used to be additionally not capable of absolutely utilise the absolute best hyperlink pace the router is able to. I used to be a little bit bit shocked when seeing the sign studying after switching to WRX560. I imply, I wasn’t anticipating a greater sign acquire with a router that has internally designed antennae. To not point out the router is definitely cheaper than the opposite. It simply reveals how foolish it may be while you make any form of prejudgment on belongings you haven’t seen. With WRX560 being positioned in the very same surroundings, my desk is within the protection with a steady 70% sign energy. It might not appear to be a big enhance, nevertheless, contemplating the decrease price of the router and the design of the antennae, I used to be very shocked.

Synology Mesh

The mesh system is among the key options I’m involved in. Synology doesn’t enable establishing a mesh system with third-party gadgets, which is a little bit of a disgrace however comprehensible. I simply occur to have two Synology gadgets now, so why not give it a attempt?

After following this official information, I used to be capable of simply arrange the surroundings for a mesh community utilizing two Synology wi-fi routers. Should you plan to create a Synology-based mesh system, it’s extremely advisable to improve the SRM (Synology Router Supervisor) to 1.3.1 or above for higher help for the mixed-use of various fashions.

Some could wonder if it’s essential to deploy a mesh system as a substitute of utilizing extenders. Nicely, it’s true that the downside of a mesh system, when in comparison with an extender, is the price. Nevertheless, the advantage of mesh is overwhelming and can’t be uncared for. I’ve been utilizing extenders as my resolution in the home for the previous 5 years, and I can let you know instantly how glad I’m after switching to Synology mesh. 

The most important distinction is the seamless connection. Provided that they’re cheaper, Wi-Fi extenders are steadily chosen by customers to fill in lifeless spots, though they might not at all times be the simplest resolution. A number of extenders will result in completely different networks, which may be annoying. As you journey from room to room in your house, you have to to change manually to the closest networks.

On the opposite facet, mesh networks are easy and trouble-free. Your wi-fi system will mechanically connect with the closest node, so that you don’t should hassle about remembering to vary networks each time you go from the lounge to the bed room. Moreover, putting in a mesh community could also be cheaper total than shopping for a number of extenders, when you have a very massive home. 

After switching from extenders to a mesh system, I’ve by no means seen a sign energy going under 80% in places the place I usually use digital gadgets.

SRM, the key weapon

Synology’s SRM is the important thing that makes their router so distinctive. It’s by far the most effective administration system I’ve ever recognized.

Safety is a precedence

Synology takes safety fairly critically. We will make use of the Safety Advisor to examine the present security standing and supply suggestions accordingly. One other wonderful thing about SRM is the well-polished Protected Entry. This module permits the administrator to supervise the community exercise of each single system linked. You may also create a profile for a member of the family and register no matter gadgets belong to her or him. I’ve been closely counting on this function since just a few months in the past with RT6600ax. As a mother or father who’s elevating a 12-year-old, I should be extraordinarily cautious when deciding what Web content material she has entry to, and what time, how lengthy she will use it. Assigning all of the gadgets she has entry to beneath her one profile simply makes my life a lot simpler, and so much less traumatic.

If there are kids utilizing the community and also you wish to be certain that they’ve good safety, there may be Protected Entry; should you like having fun with movies or moments captured and share with household and associates, there may be Media Server; if privateness is your precedence and also you want to be certain that VPN is at all times enabled through a router, there may be VPN Plus Server; or, in case you are into downloading massive recordsdata off the Web and you don’t want to maintain the pc at all times on only for that motive, there may be Obtain Station.

These options function downloadable packages immediately from Synology’s repository. There are different options not included in my listing, however may even offer you nice conveniences, resembling DNS Server, RADIUS Server, and Menace Prevention. I’m positive that those that do have a requirement will discover it very helpful when managing by the SRM.

The cell app, DS Router

Synology developed a cell app named “DS Router” which is on the market on iOS and Android. I examined this app when writing the assessment for RT6600ax some time in the past. In case you are , examine this out. 

Professionals

• Good integrity because of the interior antennae
• Dependable and glorious efficiency
• SRM is the most effective within the trade
• Safety features
• Nicely-polished Parental administration

Cons

• Not budget-friendly
• Solely has one 2.5Gbps LAN port

Must you purchase one?

WRX560 is a superb mesh Wi-Fi router, that’s for positive. It delivers a quick and steady connection, and distinctive wi-fi protection. SRM is a killer function that makes it stand out crowd. If in case you have a most important give attention to safety and privateness, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with WRX560. Nevertheless, in case you are trying to construct a mesh system and don’t wish to go wild at price, different choices resembling AiMesh and OneMesh can be found in the marketplace. However nonetheless, the administration system from Synology is by far the most effective I’ve seen in the marketplace. The price isn’t the promoting level for Synology, however that further is unquestionably value it while you take SRM into consideration for what it has to supply. 

WRX560 is at the moment out there on the following on-line shops:

* Costs recorded as of 27 December 2022