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D-Link DIR 826L Review | 77 Data compared

Avg. price:~£60Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:600 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

D-Link DIR 826L Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.5

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 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 70% of models
Score components

90%

6.5

Technical Score

10%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 70% of routers
6.5

Technical Score

Technical score
6.5/ 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 68% of models
Score components

26%

4.9

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

7.8

Networking

14%

9.3

Security

12%

4.5

Hardware

10%

7.6

Management

â–¼Worse than 68% 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 reviews

30%

?

Popularity

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £60

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...

Verdict

The D-Link DIR-826L is a dual-band Wireless N600 Cloud Gigabit Router that delivers combined theoretical speeds of up to 600 Mbps (300 Mbps on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands). It features four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port, and a USB 2.0 port for sharing media via SharePort Mobile. Its main characteristics include a compact cylindrical design with internal antennas, support for mydlink Cloud Services for remote management, and Smart QoS for traffic prioritisation. Key pros are its high-speed wired connectivity, easy setup via the QRS Mobile app, and affordable price point for a dual-band device. However, common cons include inconsistent 5 GHz wireless range, a basic and sometimes confusing web interface, and the lack of newer 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards.

Technical Specifications of router D-Link DIR 826L

Technical Score
Technical score
6.5/ 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 68% of models
Score components:

26%

4.9

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

7.8

Networking

14%

9.3

Security

12%

4.5

Hardware

10%

7.6

Management

6.5
D-Link DIR 826L has a technical score of 6.5 points, which is lower than that of 68.1% of products in this category.
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 reviews

30%

?

Popularity

?
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 826L has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 72.1% of products in this category.
1.0
D-Link DIR 826L has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 72.1% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
7.5/ 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 75% of models
Score components:

60%

6.5

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.5
D-Link DIR 826L has a value-for-money score of 7.5 points, which is lower than that of 66.7% of products in this category.
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
600 Mbps
Wi-Fi speed
600 Mbps
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 600 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 66.7% of routers and equal to 5% 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
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA2, WPA, WEP
â–² Better than 41% of models
This router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 40.9% of routers and equal to 17.7% 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
no
Dynamic routing
no
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
This router does not support dynamic routing. 52.5% 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.
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
0.7 GHz
CPU clock speed
0.7 GHz
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
This router runs at 0.7 GHz, which is slower than 64% of routers and on par with 0.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
64 MB
RAM capacity
64 MB
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 64 MB of RAM, which is less than 69% of routers and the same as 14.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
Internal storage
0.007812 GB
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.007812 GB of internal storage, which is less than 72.7% of routers and the same as 20.6% 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 826L vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • 3.3 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    4.8 W
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (4.8 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    4.8 W vs 8.1 W
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 41% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 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
  • 91 mm narrower width
    Width
    111 mm
    â–² Better than 89% of models
    Market range: <100 mm – >300 mm
    This router is narrower than the average router (111 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    111 mm vs 202 mm
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    Wi-Fi security protocols
    WPA2, WPA, WEP
    â–² Better than 41% of models
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS.
    WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA, WEP, WPS
  • 3.3 W lower power consumption
    Power consumption
    4.8 W
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <3 W – >18 W
    This router uses less power than the average router (4.8 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    4.8 W vs 8.1 W
  • 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
  • 91 mm narrower width
    Width
    111 mm
    â–² Better than 89% of models
    Market range: <100 mm – >300 mm
    This router is narrower than the average router (111 mm vs 202 mm). The average router is 202 mm wide.
    111 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
  • No dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 75% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    64 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    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
  • 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
  • 59.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    600 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (600 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    600 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • 6.54x less popular
    D-Link DIR 826L is less popular than the average router (1 vs 6.5).
    1 vs 6.54
  • 3.9% worse value for money
    D-Link DIR 826L has worse value for money than the average router (7.53 vs 7.8).
    7.53 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)
  • 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
  • 59.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Wi-Fi speed
    600 Mbps
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (600 Mbps vs 1475 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1475 Mbps.
    600 Mbps vs 1,475 Mbps
  • 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 PPTP server
    PPTP server
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This router cannot act as a PPTP server, while the average router can. 62.4% of routers can act as a PPTP server.
  • 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 dynamic routing
    Dynamic routing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
    This router does not support dynamic routing, while the average router does. 52.3% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 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
    SMB, FTP, media server, web access
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, web access NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, FTP, time machine, NFS, web access.
    Requires attached USB storage.
    SMB, 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.
  • 75% less RAM
    RAM capacity
    64 MB
    â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
    Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
    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
  • 93.8% less internal storage
    Internal storage
    0.007812 GB
    â–¼ Worse than 73% 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.
    0.007812 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • 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
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    CPU clock speed
    0.7 GHz
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.7 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x0.5 GHz.
    0.7 GHz vs 2x0.5 GHz
  • 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

Graphic comparison of D-Link DIR 826L and other routers

No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers like about D-Link DIR 826L?

  • Compact and modern vertical design that saves desk space
  • Generally affordable pricing making it a 'bargain buy' for many
  • Easy setup process facilitated by a user-friendly configuration wizard
  • Includes Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed wired connections
  • Cloud features through 'mydlink' allow for remote network management via mobile apps
  • Dual-band support helps reduce interference for HD video streaming and gaming

What customers dislike about D-Link DIR 826L?

  • Inconsistent wireless reliability with some reports of frequent signal drops
  • Disappointing long-range performance, especially on the 5GHz band
  • The 'mydlink' and mobile apps are described as rudimentary with limited options
  • Web management interface is poorly organized and basic
  • Significant drop in upload speeds reported by some users after installation
  • USB SharePort feature can be difficult to configure and often slow for PC streaming

Video reviews

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

Compare D-Link DIR 826L with other routers

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