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D-Link DIR 820L Review | 77 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£35
  • Avg. price in US: ~$40
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 1000 Mbps
  • LAN port speeds: 100 Mbps
  • Wireless coverage: ?

D-Link DIR 820L review. Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among routers and if it is worth buying.

6.2

Overall score

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 components:

90.0%

6.2

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Good
6.2

Technical Score

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 components:

26.0%

4.8

Wireless

20.0%

5.6

Ports

18.0%

8.5

Networking

14.0%

7.8

Security

12.0%

5.1

Hardware

10.0%

6.4

Management

Good
?

User score

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 components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    33.0%

    2.5

    Wi-Fi speed

    28.0%

    5.8

    CPU clock speed

    22.0%

    1.9

    RAM capacity

    17.0%

    1.1

    Maximum connected devices

  • 5.5
    Travel

    Score components:

    40.0%

    9.5

    Weight

    30.0%

    2.5

    Wi-Fi speed

    20.0%

    4.0

    Cellular modem type

    10.0%

    1.0

    SIM slot

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    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.

Verdict

The D-Link DIR-820L is a compact, cylindrical Wireless AC1000 dual-band cloud router designed for basic home networking, offering combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 650 Mbps on 5 GHz). It features four 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN ports, one Fast Ethernet WAN port, and a single USB 2.0 port for SharePort mobile streaming and cloud management via mydlink services. Its main pros include an extremely affordable price point, a sleek antenna-free design, and simple setup for small apartments; however, it is held back by lack of Gigabit Ethernet support, limited wireless range in larger homes, and slower USB 2.0 speeds.

Technical Specifications of router D-Link DIR 820L

Technical Score

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 components:

26.0%

?

Wireless

20.0%

?

Ports

18.0%

?

Networking

14.0%

?

Security

12.0%

?

Hardware

10.0%

?

Management

6.2
D-Link DIR 820L has a technical score of 6.24 points, which is lower than that of 61.3% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
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.
1.0
D-Link DIR 820L has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 71.1% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

6.2

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

7.4
D-Link DIR 820L has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.4 points, which is lower than 58.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

D-Link
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Identifies the Wi-Fi generation the router supports, such as Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, or 7.
When it matters: When newer phones, laptops, and consoles need the latest Wi-Fi efficiency and speed features.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
D-Link DIR 820L uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 39.4% of routers and equal to 25.4% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: Lists which wireless frequency bands the router can use, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.
When it matters: When you need to balance range, speed, and congestion across different types of client devices.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz

2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
D-Link DIR 820L supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 25% of routers and equal to 67.9% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >2700 Mbps

1,000 Mbps
D-Link DIR 820L delivers 1,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 59.8% of routers and equal to 0.3% of routers.
Channel widths supported
What it is: Lists the Wi-Fi channel widths the router can use, such as 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz.
When it matters: When you want the option to trade peak speed against stability in crowded wireless environments.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz

20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
D-Link DIR 820L supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 40.4% of routers and the same as 32.1% of routers.
Show more
Wi-Fi security protocols
What it is: Lists the wireless security standards the router supports, such as WPA2 or WPA3.
When it matters: When you want stronger wireless protection without locking out older devices that still need compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

WPA2, WPA
D-Link DIR 820L supports WPA2, WPA Wi-Fi security protocols, which are less advanced than 81.1% of routers and equal to 8.1% of routers.
DoS protection
What it is: Provides defenses intended to reduce the impact of denial-of-service traffic against the router or network.
When it matters: When exposed services or remote access make resilience against traffic floods more important.

Importance: HIGH

yes
D-Link DIR 820L includes DoS protection. 11% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
What it is: Uses stateful packet inspection to track sessions and block suspicious unsolicited traffic more accurately.
When it matters: When the router needs a stronger first line of filtering on an internet-facing connection.

Importance: HIGH

yes
D-Link DIR 820L includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 3.6% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
What it is: Lets the router allow or block devices based on their MAC addresses.
When it matters: When you want an extra device-level access rule beyond passwords and network names.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
D-Link DIR 820L supports MAC address filtering. 1% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
What it is: Allows the router to block or allow access based on website addresses or domain rules.
When it matters: When you need to restrict specific sites for children, guests, or work-policy reasons.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
D-Link DIR 820L supports URL filtering. 1.8% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
IPv6 support
What it is: Support for the newer IPv6 internet addressing standard alongside the older IPv4 system.
When it matters: When your internet provider or network already uses IPv6, or you want the router to stay compatible as IPv6 use becomes more common.

Importance: HIGH

yes
D-Link DIR 820L supports IPv6. 10.9% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
What it is: Supports routing protocols or dynamic route updates instead of relying only on static route entries.
When it matters: When the router sits in a more complex network with changing paths between multiple subnets.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
D-Link DIR 820L supports dynamic routing. 46.8% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
What it is: Allows the router to pass traffic between separate VLANs under controlled rules.
When it matters: When you need segmented networks to communicate selectively instead of staying fully isolated.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
D-Link DIR 820L does not support inter-VLAN routing. 22.2% of routers support inter-VLAN routing.
VLAN tagging
What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
D-Link DIR 820L does not support VLAN tagging. 63% of routers include VLAN tagging.
QoS
What it is: Provides quality-of-service controls that prioritize some traffic over less important traffic.
When it matters: When calls, gaming, and downloads compete and you want latency-sensitive traffic protected.

Importance: HIGH

yes
D-Link DIR 820L includes QoS controls. 2.7% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
What it is: Measures how many LAN ports the router includes. A higher count expands direct connectivity for matching devices.
When it matters: When you run a home office with NAS, TV boxes, and desktops, having more LAN ports avoids extra switches and keeps latency lower on wired links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 4 ports

4
D-Link DIR 820L has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 23.4% of routers and the same as 69.5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 Gbps

100 Mbps
D-Link DIR 820L offers 100 Mbps on its LAN ports, which is slower than 73.1% of routers and on par with 26.4% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
What it is: Shows how many separate WAN uplink ports the router provides for internet connections.
When it matters: When you use dual internet lines, backup WAN, or load balancing between multiple external links.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 1 WAN port

1
D-Link DIR 820L has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 1% of routers and the same as 90.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
What it is: Shows how many USB ports the router includes for storage, printers, or modem accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to share storage, attach a printer, or use USB-based network extras.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 1 USB port

1
D-Link DIR 820L has 1 USB ports, which is more than 39.2% of routers and the same as 39.9% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
What it is: Power over Ethernet support, meaning the router can receive power, deliver it, or be part of a PoE-based installation.
When it matters: When you want cleaner installation with fewer separate power cables, especially in ceilings, walls, racks, or remote locations.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
D-Link DIR 820L does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 0.5% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
What it is: Shows how the router is configured and monitored, such as web UI, app, or command-line tools.
When it matters: When setup depth and day-to-day admin convenience are part of the buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI, App
D-Link DIR 820L 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
What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

Importance: HIGH

Web UI
D-Link DIR 820L supports Web UI firmware update methods, which are less convenient than 69.5% of routers and equal to 29.7% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
What it is: Lets the router track bandwidth usage by device, app category, or time period.
When it matters: When you need to find which devices or activities are causing slowdowns or high data use.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
D-Link DIR 820L includes traffic monitoring. 17.5% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
What it is: Lets the router create a separate wireless network for visitors or less-trusted devices.
When it matters: When guests need internet access without reaching private devices on the main network.

Importance: HIGH

yes
D-Link DIR 820L offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 8.6% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
What it is: Supports a login or acceptance page that users must pass before getting internet access.
When it matters: When guest networks, rentals, cafes, or managed access points need a sign-in page.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
D-Link DIR 820L does not offer captive portal features. 23.9% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

Importance: HIGH

0.6 GHz
D-Link DIR 820L runs at 0.6 GHz, which is slower than 69.2% of routers and on par with 2.9% of routers.
RAM capacity
What it is: The amount of working memory available for sessions, routing tables, and running router services.
When it matters: When many devices, VPN tunnels, or advanced features need the router to stay responsive under load.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=512 MB

64 MB
D-Link DIR 820L has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 66.9% of routers and the same as 15.2% of routers.
Internal storage
What it is: The built-in storage available for logs, apps, shared files, or other local router functions.
When it matters: When the router runs extra services and needs space for logs, packages, or shared content.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8 GB

0.007812 GB
D-Link DIR 820L has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 73.1% of routers and the same as 20.3% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
What it is: Uses dedicated hardware paths to offload routing, NAT, encryption, or switching tasks from the main CPU.
When it matters: When heavy routing or security features would otherwise reduce throughput on the processor alone.

Importance: HIGH

?
N. of external antennas
What it is: Shows how many antennas are mounted externally on the router.
When it matters: When you want stronger adjustable coverage or plan to aim antennas for difficult room layouts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 3 antennas

0
D-Link DIR 820L has 0 external antennas, which is fewer than 59.7% of routers and the same as 40.3% of routers.
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D-Link DIR 820L vs the average router

  • Supports automatic failover
    D-Link DIR 820L offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.5% of routers offer automatic failover.
    What it is: Can switch to a backup internet connection automatically if the primary line fails.
    When it matters: When uptime matters and the network cannot stop every time the main WAN drops.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    D-Link DIR 820L offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.5% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    D-Link DIR 820L supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
    What it is: Supports multi-user MIMO so the router can serve more than one client stream at the same time.
    When it matters: When many active devices share the network and you want wireless capacity used more efficiently.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    D-Link DIR 820L supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 2.57x cheaper
    D-Link DIR 820L is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £90).
    D-Link DIR 820L is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £90).£35 vs £90
  • Supports MU-MIMO
    D-Link DIR 820L supports MU-MIMO, while the average router does not. 47.7% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • Supports automatic failover
    D-Link DIR 820L offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 24.5% of routers offer automatic failover.

Total
Overall
Wireless
Networking
  • No band steering
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • 31% 40% slower Wi-Fi speed
    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
  • 49 2 fewer connected devices
    D-Link DIR 820L supports fewer connected devices than the average router (15 vs 64). The average router supports 64 connected devices.
  • No VPN server support
    D-Link DIR 820L cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Weaker Wi-Fi security
    D-Link DIR 820L supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
  • No VLAN tagging
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • Slower LAN ports
    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
  • Limited firmware updates
    D-Link DIR 820L supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
  • No DLNA support
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support DLNA, while the average router does. 54.5% of routers support DLNA.
  • Less capable NAS services
    D-Link DIR 820L includes SMB, FTP, NFS, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
  • 50% 2 GB less RAM
    D-Link DIR 820L has less RAM than the average router (64 MB vs 128 MB). The average router has 128 MB of RAM.
  • 2 2 fewer external antennas
    D-Link DIR 820L has fewer external antennas than the average router (0 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
  • Limited firmware updates
    D-Link DIR 820L supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    What it is: Describes how router firmware updates are installed, such as automatic OTA, web UI, or manual upload.
    When it matters: When you want security fixes and new features applied with less maintenance friction.

    Importance: HIGH

    D-Link DIR 820L supports the firmware update methods Web UI, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.Web UI vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • No VPN server support
    D-Link DIR 820L cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
    What it is: The ability to host the router’s own VPN server so you can connect back into your network securely from outside.
    When it matters: When you want secure remote access to your home or office network while you are away.

    Importance: HIGH

    D-Link DIR 820L cannot act as a VPN server, while the average router can. 67% of routers can act as a VPN server.
  • Slower LAN ports
    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.
    What it is: Lists the Ethernet speeds available on the router’s LAN ports, such as Gigabit or multi-gig.
    When it matters: When wired transfers to NAS, desktops, or access points need more than basic Ethernet speeds.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 1 Gbps

    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower LAN port speed than the average router (100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps). The average router has LAN port speed of 1 Gbps.100 Mbps vs 1 Gbps
  • No VLAN tagging
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
    What it is: Lets the router mark traffic with VLAN tags for segmented or ISP-specific network setups.
    When it matters: When you separate guest, office, IoT, or ISP-required traffic into different network segments.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    D-Link DIR 820L does not support VLAN tagging, while the average router does. 62.8% of routers support VLAN tagging.
  • No band steering
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
    What it is: Can guide dual-band or tri-band clients toward the more suitable frequency band automatically.
    When it matters: When you want devices spread more intelligently across 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz bands.

    Importance: LOW

    D-Link DIR 820L does not support band steering, while the average router does. 52.6% of routers support band steering.
  • No beamforming
    D-Link DIR 820L does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
    What it is: Uses signal-shaping techniques to direct wireless energy more effectively toward connected clients.
    When it matters: When coverage at the edge of the home needs to stay more stable for active devices.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    D-Link DIR 820L does not support beamforming, while the average router does. 59.6% of routers support beamforming.
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    What it is: Shows the operating frequency of the router processor, often listed per core.
    When it matters: When routing, encryption, QoS, and many active clients can put heavier load on the CPU.

    Importance: HIGH

    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.0.6 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 31% 40% slower Wi-Fi speed
    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.
    What it is: The advertised maximum wireless throughput rating of the router under supported conditions.
    When it matters: When several users stream, download, and game at once and you want more wireless headroom.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2700 Mbps

    D-Link DIR 820L has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,450 Mbps.1,000 Mbps vs 1,450 Mbps
Total
Overall
Wireless
Security
Networking
Ports
Management
Hardware

Graphic comparison of D-Link DIR 820L and other routers

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about D-Link DIR 820L?

  • Affordable price point for a dual-band AC router
  • Compact and stylish 'cylinder' design with a small footprint
  • Easy initial setup for basic home users using the web wizard or QRS Mobile app
  • Stable connectivity for small to medium-sized apartments
  • Secure out-of-the-box with pre-configured Wi-Fi passwords
  • Includes mydlink cloud services for remote monitoring and management
  • Supports modern 802.11ac standards while remaining backward compatible

What customers dislike about D-Link DIR 820L?

  • Lacks Gigabit Ethernet ports (limited to 10/100 Mbps), which can bottleneck wired traffic
  • Weak Wi-Fi signal range, especially through walls and in larger homes
  • Administration interface feels dated, cumbersome, and difficult to navigate for advanced settings
  • Poor performance during heavy tasks like multiple HD streams or gaming
  • Reported issues with the power cord being too short
  • Lack of wall-mounting options on some units due to the vertical design
  • Occasional overheating issues if placed near other electronic devices

Video reviews

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