Synology starts selling RT2600ac router for 254 euros

Synology has started selling its second router, the RT2600ac. The router has functionality similar to its predecessor, but has better hardware and can achieve faster wireless speeds.

The router is equipped with an undisclosed dual-core processor with a clock speed of 1.7GHz and 512MB of RAM. It has four antennas, with support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies and mu-mimo. In addition to the usual wanpoort and four gigabit LAN ports, there is a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port and an SD card reader. On paper, the router can achieve wireless speeds of 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1.73Gbps on 5GHz.

One of the LAN ports on the router can be used as a second WAN port. This allows you to connect to two internet providers at the same time, for extra speed or as a backup if you experience problems. In addition, the router includes a feature that allows a connected device to automatically switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, depending on which signal provides the better connection.

The router can be controlled with an app for iOS and Android or with a web page. It runs on Synology Router Manager, which shares some features and appearance with DiskStation Manager, which can be found on the brand’s popular DiskStation NAS systems. For example, it is possible to access connected storage devices via the internet and to make backups on them.

The RT2600ac succeeds Synology’s first router, the RT1900ac, which came out in November 2015. Synology gives the RT2600ac a suggested retail price of 254 euros. It will be available from Thursday. In addition to the new router, the company also releases VPN Plus, a VPN service that can run on both routers.