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Synology RT1900ac Router Review

Synology RT1900ac Router Review

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Synology RT1900ac Router Review

Review by Dan Karas – 5/30/2016

My experience with a new Synology RT1900ac router (Actually two, I returned the first). Purchased At Amazon.

Owning a Synology NAS, I was happy with the performance, features and continuous SRM software upgrades that Synology provides. When I was in the market to upgrade my old wireless router, I decided to try out the new Synology router. This is Synology’s first attempt at producing a consumer router and here is my take.

I ordered a Synology RT1900ac from a third party vendor on Amazon due to the fact that Amazon was out of stock at the time. This turned out to be a mistake. While configuring the Synology router’s Country settings, I could not find the U.S. listed in the drop-down options. I selected Canada and continued to configure the router. Here are the email responses that I received from Synology support when I complained about the United States missing from the menus.

Dan,
The reason that U.S. is missing is because you do not have the U.S. version.
You need to return the router to whomever you bought it from.

U.S. editions have something along the lines of ‘Freedom Edition’ in the name.
Other models are for non-U.S. usage per federal regulations.
Essentially return the unit and ask that seller, or another, if their model is for U.S. use or not.

Thank you,
Emil H.
Synology Support

I responded with this,

Hi Emil,

Router seems to be functioning fine with country code set to “Canada”. Bought router online, would be a pain to return just to have US in country codes.

Are there any other functional differences between US and other versions of this router?

Thanks,
Dan

And received this response from the Synology support staff,

Dan,

If you are in the U.S. and running services for a non-U.S. country area, then that is technically illegal by federal law.

The FCC has not passed the router used in non-U.S. countries for U.S.-based usage.

My recommendation would be to stay legal.

Return the unit and request one designed for the U.S.

Whatever choice you make in this matter is up to you, however.

Thank you,

Emil H.

Synology Support

Synology Router Return:

I contacted Amazon and they quickly issued me a refund for the non-US Synology router and provided a postage paid return label. Luckily Amazon now had the Synology 1900ac router in stock and it was even $20 cheaper than the price I had paid for the non-US version. Since I have an Amazon Prime account, I received free next day delivery of the router.

Setup of the RT1900ac was very easy and there is no Country selection on the US version of the Synology router. I did not see ‘Freedom Edition’ as the Synology support email had suggested, however the sticker with the router’s MAC address and serial number clearly shows the US as can be seen in the pictures below.

Non-US RT1900ac

As you can see in the picture the US marking is missing. The US model is shown below.

United States Synology Router

Okay, enough rambling about the US and International version differences.

Synology RT1900ac Router Review

Here is what the Synology router looks like.

Packaging:

RT1900ac Box

Synology Router Packaging

The router comes well packaged in a rather plain looking cardboard box. The three WiFi antenna are rather large as can clearly be seen in the pictures.

Whats in the box?

Inside the Synology Router Box

Inside the box, you’ll find:

Synology RT1900ac Router
Clip-on Vertical Stand
AC power Adapter
Three Antennas
Ethernet Cable
Quick Installation Guide

RT1900ac Connections & Controls:

USB and SD Card Slots

The Synology RT1900ac router includes USB and SD card slots for adding network storage that can be set up like a NAS and accessed from any devices or network users that you choose.

Removable Antennas & On/Off Switch

WPS & WiFi Disable Switch

The Synology RS1900 includes 3 huge removable antennas, a Power switch, which believe it or not is unusual on consumer routers. The router also has a WPS button for quick WiFi configuration on supported devices and a manual WiFi disable (On/Off) switch that lets you manually disable wireless connections with the simple flick of a switch.

4 Port Gigabit Switch

4 Port Gigabit Switch

A 4 port Gigabit switch is included for your home network Ethernet connections. You can always add additional Gigabit Ethernet switches to expand your wired network.

WAN (Internet) Port

Like most standalone wireless routers, you just connect the output from your ISP’s modem or interface to the blue WAN jack on the rear of the Synology Router.

The router can be configured and managed from a Synology smartphone app (DSRouter) available for Android and iOS, or from a PC or laptop. Synology has a convenient Quick Connect ID feature that manages DDNS settings, enabling you to connect to your router from virtually anywhere, even when your WAN IP address from your ISP changes.

Synology Screens and Apps:

Synology Help Screen

Just like their NAS, Synology provides comprehensive help screens to explain the RT1900ac Router settings and features.

Synology Router Packages

Synology also provides installable software packages for the RT1900ac router that can enhance it’s usefulness. Anyone who has used a Synology NAS should be familiar with these features.

Synology Router SRM

Conclusion:

Overall I am very satisfied with the performance and features of the Synology 1900ac router. I get great range in a 1850 SF home.

With any wireless router, placement and configuration are critical to maximizing your WiFi range and performance. I moved my router from the laundry room in a far corner of the house to a high spot on a plant shelf i the center of the house. I had to run two CAT6 Ethernet cables between the laundry and the plant shelf in the den since I didn’t want to move my cable modem and Ethernet patch panel from the laundry room. One Ethernet cable provides the WAN connection from the cable modem and the other feeds a Gigabit switch that provides LAN connections to the rest of the house.

The Synology RT1900ac Router sells for around $150 on Amazon. When i wrote this router review the Amazon reviews rating was 4.5 out of 5 stars which is excellent. To check availability and current price click this button.