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D-Link DIR 636L Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

D-Link DIR 636L Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.6

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the router's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best routers on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

90%

6.6

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 64% of routers
6.6

Technical score

Technical score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

26%

4.8

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.1

Security

12%

5.8

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

â–¼Worse than 61% of routers
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • d-link-dir-636l
d-link-dir-636l

Best prices

    N/A~ £90

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of router D-Link DIR 636L

Technical score
Technical score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the router's technical performance, covering key areas such as Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, security, software features, coverage, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare routers based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

26%

4.8

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.1

Security

12%

5.8

Hardware

10%

7.5

Management

6.6
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you want to know how a router performs in daily use and how reliable it is for speed, coverage, and stability according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the router.
When it matters
When you prefer to choose a router reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
D-Link DIR 636L has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 72.1% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 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 66% of models
Score components:

60%

6.6

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.6
Brand name
D-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
This router uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is less advanced than 60.8% of routers and equal to 37.3% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
â–² Better than 25% of models
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.8% of routers and equal to 68.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 73.7% of routers and equal to 16.8% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz channel width options, which is fewer than 59.3% of routers and the same as 35.1% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 67.5% of routers and equal to 11.6% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
DoS protection
yes
â–² Better than 13% of models
This router includes DoS protection. 12.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
SPI intrusion protection
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 6.1% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
MAC address filtering
yes
â–² Better than 2% of models
This router supports MAC address filtering. 2.2% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
URL filter
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router supports URL filtering. 3.4% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
yes
IPv6 support
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This router supports IPv6. 11.5% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
Dynamic routing
yes
â–² Better than 48% of models
This router supports dynamic routing. 47.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
no
Inter-VLAN routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not support inter-VLAN routing. 23.5% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
no
VLAN tagging
no
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
This router does not support VLAN tagging. 62% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
yes
QoS
yes
â–² Better than 3% of models
This router includes QoS controls. 3.2% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
4
N. of LAN ports
4
â–² Better than 24% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.7% of routers and the same as 69.2% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
â–² Better than 27% of models
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 27.1% of routers and on par with 59.9% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
N. of WAN ports
1
â–¼ Worse than 9% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
N. of USB ports
1
â–² Better than 39% of models
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 39.5% of routers and the same as 39.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
Category Benchmark
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
Web UI, App
Management interface
Web UI, App
â–² Better than 33% of models
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 33.4% of routers and equal to 57% of routers.
mydlink app
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, Automatic
â–² Better than 35% of models
This router supports Web UI, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 35.4% of routers and equal to 37.8% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
Traffic monitoring
yes
â–² Better than 18% of models
This router includes traffic monitoring. 18.1% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
Captive portal
no
â–¼ Worse than 24% of models
This router does not offer captive portal features. 23.5% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
0.6 GHz
CPU clock speed
0.6 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
This router runs at 0.6 GHz, which is slower than 69.2% of routers and on par with 2.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
?
Internal storage
0.015625 GB
Internal storage
0.015625 GB
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.015625 GB of internal storage, which is less than 58.6% of routers and the same as 13.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
no
Hardware acceleration
no
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
This router does not offer hardware acceleration. 68.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
0
N. of external antennas
0
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.6% of routers and the same as 40.4% of routers.
Show more

D-Link DIR 636L vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 4.9 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    3.2 W
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (3.2 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    3.2 W vs 8.1 W
  • Suitable for gaming
    Suitable for gaming
    yes
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 36.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 2 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    2
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 vs 0
  • 109 mm narrower width
    Width
    93 mm
    ★ Better than 95% of models
    Market range: <100 mm – >300 mm
    This router is narrower than the average router (93 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    93 mm vs 202 mm
  • 4.9 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    3.2 W
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (3.2 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    3.2 W vs 8.1 W
  • Suitable for gaming
    Suitable for gaming
    yes
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 36.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 2 more internal antennas
    N. of internal antennas
    2
    â–² Better than 62% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (2 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    2 vs 0
  • 109 mm narrower width
    Width
    93 mm
    ★ Better than 95% of models
    Market range: <100 mm – >300 mm
    This router is narrower than the average router (93 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    93 mm vs 202 mm
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    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 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • No VLAN tagging
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI, Automatic
    â–² Better than 35% of models
    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
  • 79.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    300 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Narrower channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    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
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    0.6 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 6.54x less popular
    D-Link DIR 636L is less popular than the average router (1 vs 6.5).
    1 vs 6.54
  • 2.2% worse value for money
    D-Link DIR 636L has worse value for money than the average router (7.65 vs 7.8).
    7.65 vs 7.82
  • Older Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi version
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    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 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 79.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    300 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (300 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    300 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • Narrower channel widths
    Channel widths supported
    20 MHz + 40 MHz
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    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
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    N. of spatial streams
    2
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • No band steering
    Band steering
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support band steering, while the average router does. 51.8% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    Beamforming
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
    This router does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 56.7% of routers support beamforming.
  • 49 fewer connected devices
    Maximum connected devices
    15
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    Market range: <0 – >250
    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
    VLAN tagging
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This router does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 61.9% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Limited firmware updates
    Firmware upgrade method
    Web UI, Automatic
    â–² Better than 35% of models
    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
  • Less capable NAS services
    Built-in NAS services
    FTP, media server, web access
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    This router includes FTP, media server, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    FTP, media server, web access vs SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access
  • No hardware acceleration
    Hardware acceleration
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router does not offer hardware acceleration, while the average router does. 68.7% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    0.6 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 2 fewer external antennas
    N. of external antennas
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <0 – >10
    This router has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    0 vs 2
  • 87.5% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.015625 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
    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.
    0.015625 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 48 mm thicker design
    Thickness
    93 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    Market range: <28 mm – >98 mm
    This router is thicker than the average router (93 mm vs 45 mm). The average router is 45 mm thick.
    93 mm vs 45 mm
  • 97.5 mm higher height
    Height
    145 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <30 mm – >180 mm
    This router is taller than the average router (145 mm vs 47.5 mm). The average router is 47.5 mm tall.
    145 mm vs 47.5 mm
  • 3 older release date
    Release date
    2012
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This router is an older model than the average router (2012 vs 2015). The average router release year is 2015.
    June 2012
    2012 vs 2015

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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
tweakers.net
01/05/2013
Summary of the review
D-Link DIR-636L review door Verwijderd
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What we like about D-Link DIR 636L

  • Reliable Wi-Fi range suitable for medium-sized homes (approx. 1200-1400 sq. ft.)
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports provide fast wired speeds for gaming and HD streaming
  • Includes a USB port for sharing storage and media across the network
  • Easy setup process using the QRS Mobile app or web browser
  • Supports remote management and monitoring via the mydlink Lite app
  • Stylish and compact vertical design that doesn't overheat during use
  • Includes security features like a built-in firewall and SPI intrusion protection

What we don't like about D-Link DIR 636L

  • USB port does not support printer sharing; limited primarily to storage
  • USB data transfer speeds for shared drives can be very slow or cause the device to hang
  • May lose all configuration settings if the power supply is cut even briefly
  • Default DNS settings can be unreliable; users often recommend switching to Google or OpenDNS
  • Lacks modern Wi-Fi standards like 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 5GHz band support
  • Occasional reports of the unit switching off automatically or requiring frequent restarts

Verdict

The D-Link DIR-636L is a Wireless N300 Gigabit Cloud Router featuring a cylindrical design with internal antennas, delivering Wi-Fi speeds up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Its core characteristics include four Gigabit LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port, a USB 2.0 port for SharePort mobile file sharing, and support for mydlink cloud services for remote monitoring and management. Main pros include its high-speed wired connectivity for gaming or streaming, easy mobile-based setup via the QRS app, and energy-saving Green Ethernet technology. However, it is limited by single-band 2.4 GHz wireless which can face interference, lacks the newer 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard, and its USB port is limited to the slower 2.0 interface.

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