CONCLUSION

   The TEW-827DRU AC2600 StreamBoost MU-MIMO WiFi Router by TRENDnet may not be the best looking model currently in the market but it does perform extremely well (even traded blows with the D7800), offers a plethora of available features and is also quite smaller compared to most routers and modem/routers we’ve tested lately (probably not very important to most people but we need to point that out). Not all is perfect however so after coming across some small issues when accessing drives plugged into its USB 3.0 ports (not isolated to this particular model – note that this one of few routers to feature two USB 3.0 ports) and occasionally losing the signal when connected via its 5GHz band (again not something we’ve encountered just with this model – still since our AC1200 USB 3.0 adapters are also by TRENDnet we expect higher compatibility) I found it very strange that TRENDnet has released zero firmware updates since launch. Using the same GUI also left us with mixed feelings since on one hand it’s quite easy to navigate but on the other the dark color theme feels a little bit “heavy”. Overall we feel that the TEW-827DRU delivers on everything one would expect from a good router so all that’s left is to see just how deep you must reach into your pockets to get one.

   At launch the TRENDnet TEW-827DRU AC2600 StreamBoost MU-MIMO WiFi Router carried a price tag set at around USD220/230Euros but luckily roughly 18 months later (also thanks to the release of their AC3200 model) that has dropped to USD159.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 204.35Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). Bottom line you really can’t go wrong with the TEW-827DRU in terms of performance and features so leaving out it’s somewhat “dull” looks (unlike for example the Nighthawk R8000 or the DIR-890L) it really delivers on everything it should and that’s exactly why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Size
- Wireless Performance
- AC2600 (Concurrent 802.11n & 802.11ac Bands)
- Features
- Technologies Used (Beamforming / MU-MIMO / StreamBoost)
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
- 2 USB 3.0 Ports
- LED On/Off Switch
- Price (USA)

CONS

- No Firmware Updates Since Launch
- Design (Compared To Current Router Models)
- Price (EU)