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Aztech DSL8800GR (S)

Aztech DSL8800GR (S) Review – Let’s face it: Unless you’re aiming for home network with the performance and complexity of NASA’s control room, you’re most likely aiming for a modem router that has all, gives all. You’re looking for ease of use and all the essential functionalities that matter. In that sense, you’re really looking for the Aztech DSL8800GR(S), a Wireless-N Dual Band Concurrent Gigabit Router with Built-In ADSL2+ Modem.

Aztech DSL8800GR S, Under One Roof

For all of its dark-matte design, the DSL8800GR(S) is quite possibly one of the most user-friendly routers in the market now. To start with, the front panel is decked with large text indicators to helpfully tell you which LED light is for which. Indicator lights for the band it’s on and even the USB functionality is quite rare, and frankly useful. Look to the rear and you’ll find two USB ports and the Gigabit LAN, Ethernet and DSL ports, all helpfully labelled under ‘Local Network’ or ‘Broadband’ to ease your setup. That said though, the design of the router is rather unwieldy. You can’t really lie it flat down, so you’re going to need a little headspace for it. But that’s hardly much of an issue. Setting up the router is also very easy. Just get the necessary ports plugged and fire up your web browser to the router’s IP address. The quick setup page will get your network running in no time. Bonus points are also awarded to the simple and accessible UI. We had little to no problems in accessing the more advanced features.

The DSL8800GR(S) isn’t chock full of innovative features, but it certainly has some essentials that shouldn’t be missed out in a home network. For starters, it offers dual concurrent network bands, meaning both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band can run at the same time. It also features Gigabit LAN ports, meaning the Ethernet connectivity is blazingly fast. With two USB ports, this router can also function as an NAS. It even functions as a DSL modem on its own. Talk about wholesome! But what about the wireless performance? In our test on both bands, the router performs admirably well.

The 5GHz band is naturally faster, and we managed transfer speeds close to its 450Mbps specifications. The router only falters slightly when we went further in range. Perhaps the only disappointment of the DSL8800GR(S) is the fact it doesn’t support the new wireless-ac standard, meaning no blazing-fast wireless speeds for you. The Aztech DSL8800GR(S) will provide you with everything that you need in a home network router: Easy use and setup, solid performance speeds and nifty essentials like dual concurrent bands and Gigabit LAN. Under one roof (ours, especially), this is the router to own.