OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

D-Link DIR-505 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£35Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:150 MbpsLAN port speeds:100 MbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

D-Link DIR-505 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 4 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

D-Link DIR-505
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

40%

5.9

Technical score

25%

8.3

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

5.9

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 79% of routers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 81%
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

26%

4.5

Wireless

20%

3.9

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.1

Security

12%

4.2

Hardware

10%

6.4

Management

â–¼Worse than 93%
8.3

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 60% of models

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

7.6

Popularity

Grades by review (4)
4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 60%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £35
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the D-Link DIR-505

Based on 91 owners sharing their experience in online comments

8%positive8%mixed84%negative

Owners like the strong signal and easy setup, but many report failed setup, dropped connections, and Wi-Fi without internet.

What owners dislike

  • After setup, phones and devices connect to the Wi-Fi with a full signal but show no internet access or a 'Limited Access' message.20
  • Owners say the repeater often won't pick up the main router, even with WPS, or connects and drops before setup can finish.14
  • Devices connect to the repeater, then drop after minutes or hours, and owners must turn Wi-Fi off and on to reconnect.9
  • During repeater setup the final save step keeps loading and never shows the success message, and the Wi-Fi icon stays with an exclamation mark.9
  • Owners cannot open the setup page at the usual address, or the login rejects the default password, even after a reset.7
  • The repeater's scan lists neighbours' networks but not the owner's own home Wi-Fi, so it cannot be selected for extension.7
  • Owners say support does not answer phones or email, and gives only generic replies that do not solve the setup problem.6
  • The setup app on phones either stops and crashes or fails to find the router, so owners cannot configure it from the app.4
  • Owners say the repeater's signal fails often and its range is much shorter than the 6 metres the guide states.4
  • Owners find the booklet confusing and the steps hard to follow, and say a non-expert cannot set it up without help.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of router D-Link DIR-505

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

26%

4.5

Wireless

20%

3.9

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.1

Security

12%

4.2

Hardware

10%

6.4

Management

5.9
Reviews score
8.3
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.8
Brand name
D-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This router uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 65% of routers and equal to 32.7% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are less versatile than 76% of routers and equal to 21.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
150 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 150 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 93.2% of routers and equal to 5.6% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 63.7% of routers and the same as 31.2% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 69.1% of routers and equal to 9.4% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 24.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
no
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 66.6% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 LAN ports, which is fewer than 89.6% of routers and the same as 8.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
100 Mbps
This router offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 74.5% of routers and on par with 25.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 40.1% of routers and the same as 41.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
QRS Mobile app
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 30.2% of routers and equal to 31.9% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
no
This router does not include traffic monitoring. 86.3% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
0.4 GHz
This router runs at 0.4 GHz, which is slower than 86.7% of routers and on par with 3% of routers.
RAM capacity
64 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 70.5% of routers and the same as 13.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 68.4% of routers and the same as 18.6% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 75.3% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
0
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 62.7% of routers and the same as 37.3% of routers.
Show more

D-Link DIR-505 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 6.6 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (1.5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    1.5 W vs 8.1 W
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 7.8% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 60% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    7.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.3 vs 7.7
  • 151 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (42 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    42 mm vs 193 mm
  • 76.4% lighter weight
    This router is lighter than the average router (106 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    106 g vs 450 g
  • 2.71x cheaper
    D-Link DIR-505 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £95).
    £35 vs £95
  • 7.8% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 60% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    7.6

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.3 vs 7.7
  • 2.71x cheaper
    D-Link DIR-505 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £95).
    £35 vs £95
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 6.6 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (1.5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    1.5 W vs 8.1 W
  • 151 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (42 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    42 mm vs 193 mm
  • 76.4% lighter weight
    This router is lighter than the average router (106 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    106 g vs 450 g
  • 3 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    1 vs 4
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • 91.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (150 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    150 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • No VLAN tagging
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 66.5% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 24.4% lower sentiment score
    5.9 vs 7.8
  • 3.3% worse value for money
    D-Link DIR-505 has worse value for money than the average router (7.82 vs 8.1).
    7.82 vs 8.08
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    This router uses an older Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 91.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (150 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    150 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Fewer Wi-Fi bands
    This router supports fewer Wi-Fi bands than the average router (2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz). The average router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 2 fewer spatial streams
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (1 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    1 vs 3
  • Narrower channel widths
    This router has a lower supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • No band steering
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 57.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 62.1% of routers support beamforming.
  • 49 fewer connected devices
    This router supports fewer connected devices than the average router (15 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
    15 vs 64
  • No VLAN tagging
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 66.5% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • 3 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (1 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    1 vs 4
  • Slower LAN ports
    This router has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has a LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, Automatic, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, Automatic vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No traffic monitoring
    This router does not offer traffic monitoring, while the average router does. 86.1% of routers offer traffic monitoring.
  • No hardware acceleration
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 75.2% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.4 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.4 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    This router has less internal storage than the average router (0 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 75% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    64 MB vs 256 MB
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 7 years older release date
    This router is an older model than the average router (2012 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2012 vs 2019
  • Fewer power options
    This router uses AC power input, while the average router uses DC barrel.
    AC vs DC barrel

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Geekyranjit
≈ estimated
30/07/2012
Hands-on review · repeater, hotspot and USB sharing tests
Verdict
D-Link DIR 505 is a strong pick for ordinary consumers, though it needs external power and lacks 3G dongle support.
8.0
Luis Enrique Castillo
≈ estimated
20/08/2014
First impressions · unboxing and repeater use
Verdict
D-Link DIR 505 is a good budget way to extend home internet signal, though these are only early impressions.
9.0
Linus Tech Tips
≈ estimated
26/07/2012
Unboxing · first look at included items and setup
Verdict
D-Link DIR 505 is a compact travel router that fixes the single-port problem common in hotels.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about D-Link DIR-505

  • Compact and lightweight 'wall wart' design ideal for travel
  • Versatile multi-mode functionality: router, access point, repeater, and Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Built-in power plug avoids the need for external power bricks
  • USB port allows for mobile device charging and file sharing from storage drives
  • One-touch Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button for quick connection

What customers don't like about D-Link DIR-505

  • Limited wireless range, often struggling to penetrate walls or provide coverage beyond a single room
  • Modest Wi-Fi speeds capped at 150 Mbps (Wi-Fi 4), which may drop significantly under heavy usage
  • Ethernet and USB port placement on the bottom can be awkward when plugged into low-to-floor sockets
  • Repeater mode performance is frequently reported as weak or difficult to configure effectively
  • Lack of 3G/4G USB modem support; the USB port is strictly for data sharing and charging

Verdict

The D-Link DIR-505 is a compact, wall-plug travel router featuring 802.11n wireless technology with speeds up to 150 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and a single 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet port. It is highly versatile, offering four distinct operating modes—Router/Access Point, Repeater, and Wi-Fi Hotspot—easily selectable via a physical top-mounted switch. Key advantages include its extreme portability with a built-in power plug, its ability to charge mobile devices via an integrated USB 2.0 port, and the SharePort Mobile feature for wireless file sharing from USB storage. However, its performance is limited by its older Wireless N standard and 10/100 Ethernet speeds, and its bottom-facing ports can be difficult to access in low-clearance wall outlets.

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