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-850L review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£70Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:no

D-Link DIR-850L Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 6 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

D-Link DIR-850L
6.6/10

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 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 90% of models
Score components

40%

6.5

Technical score

25%

6.5

Reviews score

25%

?

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

10%

5.2

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 90% of routers
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 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 88% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 88%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 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 72% of models
Score components

26%

4.7

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.7

Security

12%

4.8

Hardware

10%

7.4

Management

â–¼Worse than 72%
6.5

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.5/ 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–¼ Worse than 85% of models

6.5

Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.5

Average grade

20%

8.2

Popularity

Grades by review (6)
6 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–¼Worse than 85%
?

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
  • d-link-dir-850l
d-link-dir-850l
Where to buy
    N/A~ £70
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the D-Link DIR-850L

Based on 0 · 9

Reviewers praise the easy setup, clear web interface and good range, but complain about firmware updates.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of router D-Link DIR-850L

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 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 72% of models
Score components:

26%

4.7

Wireless

20%

5.8

Ports

18%

8.2

Networking

14%

9.7

Security

12%

4.8

Hardware

10%

7.4

Management

6.5
Reviews score
6.5
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 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 88% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.7
Brand name
D-Link
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 35.2% of routers and equal to 23.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 55.6% of routers and equal to 6.6% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 36.5% of routers and the same as 29.9% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP
This router supports WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 67% of routers and equal to 2.9% 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
no
This router does not support dynamic routing. 46.2% 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
yes
This router supports VLAN tagging. 33.6% 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
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 4 LAN ports, which is more than 34.2% of routers and the same as 59.3% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 25.7% of routers and on par with 56.1% 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.
mydlink 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
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% 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
What reviewers say
CPU clock speed
0.5 GHz
This router runs at 0.5 GHz, which is slower than 81% of routers and on par with 2.8% of routers.
RAM capacity
128 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 128 MB of RAM, which is less than 54% of routers and the same as 16.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.125 GB
Market range: <0.0039 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.125 GB of internal storage, which is more than 47.9% of routers and the same as 23.8% 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-850L vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 4 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • 100 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (93 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    93 mm vs 193 mm
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • 4 more internal antennas
    This router has more internal antennas than the average router (4 vs 0). The average router has 0 internal antennas.
    4 vs 0
  • 100 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (93 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    93 mm vs 193 mm
  • 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
  • 60.2% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (74 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    74 m² vs 186 m²
  • Lower CPU clock speed
    This router has a lower CPU clock speed than the average router (0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 15.6% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.5/ 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–¼ Worse than 85% of models

    6.5

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.2

    Popularity

    Grades by review (6)
    6 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.
    6.5 vs 7.7
  • 33.3% lower sentiment score
    5.2 vs 7.8
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    This router has fewer spatial streams than the average router (2 vs 3). The average router has 3 spatial streams.
    2 vs 3
  • 15.6% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.5/ 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–¼ Worse than 85% of models

    6.5

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.2

    Popularity

    Grades by review (6)
    6 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.
    6.5 vs 7.7
  • 33.3% lower sentiment score
    5.2 vs 7.8
  • 5.5% worse value for money
    D-Link DIR-850L has worse value for money than the average router (7.65 vs 8.1).
    7.65 vs 8.08
  • 60.2% narrower wireless coverage
    This router has narrower wireless coverage than the average router (74 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    74 m² vs 186 m²
  • No MU-MIMO
    This router does not support MU-MIMO, while the average router does. 54% of routers support MU-MIMO.
  • 1 fewer spatial streams
    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
    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.
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 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
  • 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 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 (0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    0.5 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 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
  • 50% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (128 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    128 MB vs 256 MB
  • 6 years older release date
    This router is an older model than the average router (2013 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    March 2013
    2013 vs 2019
  • 39 mm thicker design
    This router is thicker than the average router (93 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    93 mm vs 54 mm
  • 93.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (145 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    145 mm vs 51.4 mm

Video reviews

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

9.0
Ateeq Wi-Fi Network
≈ estimated
08/08/2023
Hands-on review · setup, outdoor install and bridge mode
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L is an excellent, trusted router that the creator recommends buying, despite some setup difficulties.
3.0
InfCloud
≈ estimated
20/08/2022
Unboxing and brief review · performance and burning smell
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L is hard to recommend given its slow speeds, wireless dropouts and burning smell.
9.0
Charlie Lowe
≈ estimated
24/01/2022
Unboxing, setup and everyday use
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L is a very good router for the price, best used as a secondary unit with its built-in gigabit switch.
8.0
DJLsb
≈ estimated
09/01/2015
Hands-on review · coverage, speed and file copy tests
Verdict
D-Link DIR 850L delivers good coverage and solid Wi-Fi for a home network, though file copies were slower than an Apple AirPort.
4.0
IITREKKIEII
≈ estimated
07/05/2014
Setup and firmware update · hands-on test
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L's firmware update hung for many minutes with no status feedback, so the creator rates its performance as poor.
2.0
IITREKKIEII
≈ estimated
07/05/2014
Unboxing and test · failed firmware update
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L is one to strongly avoid, since it stopped booting after a firmware update.
9.0
Ateeq Wi-Fi Network
≈ estimated
19/11/2022
Speed and range test · signal and link tests
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L impressed with strong range and smooth streaming, so the creator plans to install it for customers.
9.0
TuPhonez4Free
≈ estimated
03/03/2016
First impressions · short speed test
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L has been great overall, with download speeds around 135 to 140 Mbps in the creator's test.
6.0
IITREKKIEII
≈ estimated
07/05/2014
Unboxing and first look · part 1 of 3
Verdict
The D-Link DIR 850L has a striking design, but it has no firm stand and wobbles, which the creator finds annoying.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict

Third-party reviews

What customers like about D-Link DIR-850L

  • Competitive price providing high value for money as a budget AC1200 router
  • Stylish and compact cylindrical design that blends well with home decor
  • Quick and easy setup process using the web interface or dedicated mobile app
  • Strong wireless throughput at close range, outperforming some similarly priced competitors
  • Includes Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 2.0 port for basic file sharing
  • Features dual-band support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and is fully compatible with IPv6

What customers don't like about D-Link DIR-850L

  • Significant performance drop-off and inconsistent signal strength as range increases
  • Poor handling of simultaneous high-bandwidth upload and download traffic
  • Multiple reported security vulnerabilities, including flaws in the MyDLink cloud protocol and potential for unauthorized access
  • Limited status indicators with only two lights on the device
  • Lacks advanced software features like a dedicated bridge mode or high-end QoS customization
  • Boot times are notably longer compared to other routers in the same class

Verdict

The D-Link DIR-850L is an AC1200 dual-band gigabit router featuring a unique cylindrical design with four internal antennas, delivering combined wireless speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps (300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz). Key characteristics include four Gigabit LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port, a USB 2.0 port for SharePort media streaming, and support for IPv6 and mydlink cloud services for remote management. Its main pros are the high-speed wired connectivity, easy mobile setup via the QRS app, and its compact, unobtrusive aesthetic. However, notable cons include limited range due to the lack of external antennas, the absence of advanced SmartBeam technology, and significant historical security vulnerabilities reported in its firmware.

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